TargetTalk

Kentucky Rifle · Guest

I have been looking over the past year for a nice air rifle for my son to shoot in competition (10 meter). I don't want to spend much over $300.
It has to fit the following criteria:
My son is 11 yrs old and somewhat small framed, so it can't weigh too
much, somewhere around 5 to 5.5#.
It can't be too long, his arms aren't quite long enough yet for some of
the long LOP of a lot of rifles.
It needs to have aperature sights and a light or at least adjustable
trigger.

I have been looking at the Daisy 853 Avanti Legend, does anyone have
any thoughts on this rifle, good or bad???

-Thanks...

Quest1 · Guest

[quote="Kentucky Rifle"]I have been looking over the past year for a nice air rifle for my son to shoot in competition (10 meter). I don't want to spend much over $300.
It has to fit the following criteria:
My son is 11 yrs old and somewhat small framed, so it can't weigh too
much, somewhere around 5 to 5.5#.
It can't be too long, his arms aren't quite long enough yet for some of
the long LOP of a lot of rifles.
It needs to have aperature sights and a light or at least adjustable
trigger.

I have been looking at the Daisy 853 Avanti Legend, does anyone have
any thoughts on this rifle, good or bad???

-Thanks...[/quote

I am guessing that you are just interested in shooting in the sporter class? If not and you want to get into a precision rifle, I have a 13 year old boy in our club who is able to handle an FWB P700 Evolution with a full size adjustable just fine. He is only about 4' 7 or 8" in height. The rifle is much lighter then a regular precision rifle.

However, If your looking for a a cheap sporter then the Daisy 853 is good as any out there for cocking gun. I don't see many cocking guns on the firing line at the big competitions now days. The gas guns are more popular as you don't have to move out of position to cock the gun. The Daisy 888s are the more prevalent models, but I am starting to see some of the newer Crossman and Airforce Edge compressed air models on the firing line.

GaryN · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 266 Location: California

KR
The 853 is a good stater rifle.
You just have to do the trigger mod on it, or buy a used rifle that the trigger mod has been done to it.

"Somewhat small framed" is too vauge.
More precisely, what size is your son:
- height
- measured Length of Pull

Kentucky Rifle · Guest

Bowman26 · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 61

I've seen a little 11 year old girl that weighs 60 lbs soaking wet shoot a P700 Junior and shoot it VERY well no less.

I take it you do not want to get into the expense of PCP right now? A good rifle for kids that shoots great is the Air Arms S200 it will cost you a bit more however and it is PCP filled type.

The Daisy your looking at will shoot fine and might be best to see if he wants to stick with it before upgrading his rifle anyway. If you are planning to do 3P with a SSP that will be a pain just so you know.

Bo

GaryN · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 266 Location: California

The 853 should be fine.
You will likely have to get a gunsmith to shorten the stock an inch, to get the LoP down to 11 inches. The specs shows the 853 w a 12" LoP (but mine is 13-1/8").
FIRST, have him drill the stock for a couple of dowels, so you can replace the section of stock that he cuts off, when she grows taller and needs the LoP lengthened.

As for the trigger mod, there is a booklet you can get from the CMP that has the trigger mods, and how to disassemble the rifle. Good book to have.
https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=product&ID=716&item=&sfv=&cat=BKS&desc=&udc=&mct=&vndr=&ba=&pmin=&pmax=&note1=&note2=&note3=&note4=&note5=&max=
Of the 3 trigger mods, IMHO only ONE is really needed, and it is the easiest to do. The mod is to deburr the trigger sear. Very easy to do with #600 or finer sandpaper. The other 2 mods just make it better.

Quest1 · Guest

Guest · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:55 am Post subject:

If you are not comfortable drilling for the adjustment screw for the trigger mod's recommended then just buy the 888/887 housing from Daisy for about $3. It already has the screw installed. Use the screw to determine size and threads, buy a longer one and throw the old one away.

The mods are pretty simple. Take your time. Reassemble and check for a clean, smooth trigger break. You will need to make or buy a trigger weight guage so you can properly adjust it. Sporter class rules call for a 1.5# minimum pull weight. After adjustment, cock the action and bump the rifle to make sure it doesn't fire.

SamR (not logged in)