Defecting from Chinagate, How's accuracy of Big Cat

[Plinkmaster]

My Buddy and I shoot targets at up to 50 yds. And my Chinese rifles are only decent to about 30 yds.  What kind of groups can I expect to get at 45 -50 yds. with the Gamo Big Cat? I'm thinking of getting either Big Cat or CFX.

[leftcoast1]

What gun are you shooting and what pellets were you using. I have several china guns and they all shoot well.  

[Plinkmaster]

I have a B3-1 and QB36-2,  I get my pellets at Walmart and all they have in .22 are Daisy flat nose and Crossman hollow points. With my QB The Daisys shoot decent groups 5/8" to 3/4" groups of 5 at 15 yds. and about 1 to 1& 1/2 groups at  30 yds. the crosman stink in this gun at any range,up to 6" groups at 30 yds. I tried a few JSB exacts from my Buddy and they were pretty good.

[daveshoot]

I shot a Big Cat some and the trigger in my QB36-2 is actually better. You would want to plan on the CDT relacement if you go the BC route.

My QB was a .177 but the biggest improvement was polishing the crown (brass screw head and toothpaste trick). Groups tightened up considerably.

[shadow]

My B's all shoot great with Gamo Hunter's, Predator's and MasterPoint's. Ed

Unless you don't plan to change the trigger, the big cat is awesome...well, I'm not very experienced with other rifles, but I've had my big cat for a while and I'm completely happy with her...granted I accept the rifle for what it is, but even then, I think it performs extremely well.  The trigger replacement is a must, the scope replacement is a must...other than that, this rifle is great; shoots well, has maintained its POI since I first zeroed it in.  For me, it was a bit on the light side because of the plastic stock, so I added 2 lbs of metal inside it and it feels perfect now.   I haven't tried to shoot it past 15 meters, but I don't see why it wouldn't group nicely at the distances you want to shoot.

[leftcoast1]

Hey Plink,

   Not trying be an ass but neither of the springers you have are considered desent  by any stretch with out some elbow grease and sometimes a little more. I'm not a GAMO guy but I would bet you that a B-26 in .177 would shoot every bit as well as the BC. Try the CHP from walmart they seem to work well in most of my guns. I would say you need to try some different china guns before jumping ship.

[Lord_Jereth]

With my BC1200, GRT-III, Wally-World Crosman Premier Hollow Points and a Daisy *shudder* PowerLine 3-9x32 scope I was plinking spent shotgun shells at approx. 20 yards, which is a pretty skinny target at that range, consistently. I think you'd be very happy with the Kitty or the CFX once you got the upgrades.

Just my 0.02$ worth.

LJ

[daveshoot]

I thought the BC powerplant was decent and the barrel is probably good quality. Wasn't crazy about the plastic fluting but whatever, didn't hurt. So with a trig upgrade I'm sure it they can be fine. I just think it's a shame that a gun that costs that much has such a horrid trigger.
BC + trig upgrade also prices it way out past the 36, and then suggestions like B26, -28, etc., become valid. If BC is $140 or so, and then you need to replace the trigger, you might shop a little more. Now you are in the $200 category and that will get a LOT of chicom rifle.
Check out the better SS1000 rigs, too, and their clones (not the square-backed trigger guard WM versions, but the one with the safety inside the trigger guard).

PS: I have plinked lots of stuff with the Powerline scopes and they are quite workable. I would rather have more, but a budget is a budget and they can hit and kill lots of stuff. You can focus them closer if you don't mind fiddling a bit.

you can get a big cat for about 120...150 total (trigger and gun) for a really decent gun isn't that bad.

[Lord_Jereth]

124$ and some change, new at Ace. So yeah, about 150$ with the GRT-III upgrade. I actually love the synthetic stock, myself, so it's a matter of taste on that one. I just have a natural distrust of wood for some reason. *chuckles*

Yes, the PowerLine scope is usable and accurate but, I found it to be a little fuzzy. I had to concentrate on focusing my eyeball correctly through the optics every time to get a clear sight picture which worsened at 9X by adding tunnel vision, which was totally annoying for me. Since I am on a budget I opted for the PowerLine from Wally-World so I wouldn't pay shipping on top of the purchase price. (Truth tell, I just didn't want to have to wait on shipping, either. ) Later, I found a much better Leapers scope at Pyramid Air and used the 10% coupon from the Bargain Gate. Just a bit pricier but I'm much happier, now.

Lesson learned.

LJ

[fisherdude]

I have owned both the CFX and the Big Cat plus some chinese rifles.  In my opinion, any of these rifles would have to have a lube and tune to get good groups at 50 yards.  I also believe that a .22 might be better at the longer ranges and I don't think Gamo makes a .22 Big Cat.  Actually, I think a properly tuned chinese rifle of comparable velocity might do very well.

[leftcoast1]

I just picked up another GAMO for a project and it sounds just like all the others. The twang and vibration is high so it will need a tune. I would look at the Storm XT at Wally world. They have the same power plants and same trigger group so it will take the CDT trigger. The storm would benefit from a lube and debur but the guides are generally tighter which will tame the vibration. If you have never shot a GAMO untuned you may not like it. CDT can work some serious magic on it if you get one for about 150. If your seeking the gun for the synthetic stock look at the Crosman Phantom. I know everyone here has had bad luck with both of these manufactures so you will have to just read what's here and make a decision.

[Plinkmaster]

Thanks for all the info Guys. I was shooting my QB last night, at  45 yds. was shooting groups of 5 with Daisy flatnose. Had groups from   2 and 3/4 inches to about 5 inches. I guess I'll be satisfied with this, untill I decide on what my next rifle will be. There's so many to choose from.

[leftcoast1]

Hey Plink you really should try a pellet with a round nose or a point. Wally world sells both. The wadcutters were designed for match shooting at 10m. The Crosman hollow points or the super points should do better than the wadcutters at tha distance.