10 Meters for the beginner on a budget (long & windy)

[Fatman]

So you want to try out the 10 Meter Air Rifle discipline, but don’t have a shed load of cash. Here is one way of getting started without breaking the bank. It’ll set you back a couple of Ben Franklins plus a bit (peanuts in the 10 Meter game) but it will let you test with waters and see if it’s for you.

You can spend a lifetime learning the 10 meter discipline. You may get tired of it, but you can’t out grow it. Even repeat Olympic Gold Medal winners continue to learn and improve.

A few things you‘ll need: knowledge, hardware and the desire to make a go of it. The first two are covered here, the third is up to you.

First, knowledge. Order the book “Ways of the Rifle” from Pilkington. It’ll set you back $65 plus shipping but there is more useful information there than most people get in a lifetime of going to the range. It covers a lot more than just 10 Meter Air Rifle, but it‘s all worth knowing. Read it all and re-read it often. This will give you something to do while waiting for your hardware to arrive.

I put this first because it’s a lot easier to learn to do it right than it is to correct bad habits later. If you read the book and it all seems way to involved, cut your losses, sell it and move on. If you’re still interested, it’s time to order some hardware.

At the bottom line budget end there is only one choice in my opinion. The Daisy 953. It’s a smallish single stroke pneumatic rifle with a synthetic target stock and a decent barrel but the sights need replacement. Daisy products are largely American made, are a great value and they support them with excellent customer service and very reasonably priced spares. The 953 is accurate, upgradeable, and easily resealed if and when necessary. Now, it’s not a finely crafted German Match Rifle, but it will still outshoot more people than care to admit it and you can‘t beat the price.

It’s not available from Pilkington so go ahead and order it from Pyramid Air. It’s on sale for $71.95 there and they always have a 10% discount coupon (or code if you order online) which makes it a steal at $64.75 plus shipping.

The 953 comes with fiber-optic open sights and has a relatively short 12” length of pull (distance from the trigger to the butt stock). Both are easily and relatively inexpensively changed.

If the stock is too short you can get ½” spacers from Daisy for a buck each, or you can make your own out of whatever you have available.

Budget sights are also available from Daisy. The ones you want are the Avanti 753 Rear Sight for $35.00 and the Avanti 753 Front Sight/Barrel Weight for $10.00 (There have been some QC problems reported with the rear sight so check the Sight Disk for any play or sticking throughout it’s entire range. If it wiggles or sticks send it back for a replacement). Again these are not fine German Match grade items but more than what you need to get started.

Next, do the Pilkington trigger tune. It will turn the indifferent stock trigger into a surprisingly good one. You can find it on Pilkington's web site. It's been done on literally thousands of 953 and Avanti rifles and is the single biggest improvement you can make.

Pellets. My 953 seems to like Daisy Precision Max wadcutter pellets. They come in a 500 count tin, won’t break the bank and are good enough to get you started.

So there you are, up and running and off to a good start.

Continue referring to “Ways of the Rifle” and honing your skills. Practice, practice, practice. When you feel you are getting the hang ot things, your groups tighten up and stop looking as if you were using a shotgun, there’s more you can do.

Each barrel will perform best with a pellet that it “Likes” When you start getting relatively small concise groups with the Daisy’s (usually with some flyers) it’s time to start looking for the best pellet for you barrel. The Daisy’s seem to prefer 4.50 mm size pellets, so that’s a good starting place. Vogel pellets are made in America, are available from Pilkington, are true to their advertised size and priced competitively. They generally work very well in Daisy barrels. A lot of competitors use them for both practice and in competition so give them a try.

Later on, if the budget allows you can upgrade to the more accurate barrel from the pricier Avanti 753. It’s made by Lother Walther and is an inexpensive match grade barrel. If you wish to go that route you can order it from Daisy for $65.00. You will also need the Avanti 753 Receiver for $6.00. The piston in the Avanti 753 is flat nosed rather than hollowed as on the 953 which creates slightly higher pressure giving about 50 more fps velocity. You can fill the end of the 953 piston level with epoxy to achieve the same result or order the Pump Lever Assembly for the 753 from Daisy for $11.00.

If you persist in your efforts and progress enough to outgrow your 953 then “good on you“. WELL DONE!

Cheers,
Fatman

[justadude]

Two things:

For someone who has never shot before "Ways of the Rifle" is a very dense book. I am not saying it isn't loaded with good information, but if you have no background in shooting is is dense and likely to overwhelm.

This is a fine discussion on the Daisy 953 and upgrades needed to make it a decent beginner match rifle. If someone wants to continue on past a little tinkering you have left out things like jacket, glove, pants and shoes (listed in my perceived order of importance with the jacket and glove being quite important.) Next a simple spotting scope would be a nice addition.

While I don't want to discourage newbies from trying something new or dissuade folks from engaging in informal league shooting if a person really wants to shoot precision air or smallbore they need to be warned, this is an equipement intensive sport.

My 2 cents,
'Dude

[Misny]

Dude, I have to agree with you. I have seen folks come out and try int'l air rifle with bare bones equipment and a rifle similar to what is mentioned. They try it once and get discouraged when they can't keep all their shots in the scoring rings. A good used SSP, like a FWB 300 or 600 series, an inexpensive jacket (maybe used) and a pellet stand and scope can keep someone in the game if he or she practices a little before the first match. Decent equipment, especially a rifle, is a good investment. One can get started for about a grand, if one considers used equipment and shops around.

[Tanktrek]

You also need a range in which to train, your basement or garage will only take you so far.

If you have a range available, make sure they will let you train with a Air rifle, reason being is that you will be shooting 10 meters. Some indoor ranges are for pistol shooters primarily, and you may disrupt their pastime.

Ron