book of the stoeger x10, x20, x50 v1.0

The Book of the Stoeger® X10, X20 and X50 Air RiflesBy Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Version 1.0May, 2010

Stephen Archer The Stoeger X10, X20 and X50 Book, Version 1.0! of 34____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________Copyright Archer Airguns Inc. May 2010.

The Book of the Stoeger X10, X20 and X50 Air RiflesBy Stephen Archer

Revision History:Version 1.0, May 2010

Published by Archer Airguns Inc.http://www.archerairguns.com

This is not an official publication of Stoeger Airguns or Benelli USA Inc.

Stoeger Airguns and the Stoeger Airguns logo are registered trade marks of Benelli USA Corporation and are reproduced with permission.

Some photographs and other material, as indicated, and the graphical model number treatments are the copyright of Benelli USA Corporation and are reproduced with permission.

SAFETY WARNING:

- Read the Ownerʼs Manual supplied with your Stoeger air rifle and follow its instructions.

- Always treat any air rifle with the same care as you would a firearm.

- Know and obey all local laws regarding air guns.

- Always hold the barrel firmly while loading any break-barrel airgun.



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http://www.archerairguns.com

For Further Information and to Purchase Stoeger Air Rifles:

Log on to Archer Airguns on-line storehttp://www.archerairguns.com/Stoeger-Air-Rifles-s/45.htm

Visit the Archer Airguns Bloghttp://www.archerairguns.info

See Stephen Archerʼs video review of the Stoeger X20 http://www.youtube.com/archerairguns

Below. Stephen Archer shooting a Stoeger X50 camo scope combo (Model 30031).



http://www.archerairguns.com/Stoeger-Air-Rifles-s/45.htm

http://www.archerairguns.com/Stoeger-Air-Rifles-s/45.htm

http://www.archerairguns.info

http://www.archerairguns.info

http://www.youtube.com/archerairguns

http://www.youtube.com/archerairguns

Introduction.

Why a book on Stoeger airguns?

Because theyʼre an interesting family of air rifles that are not very well known, yet they offer many benefits for airgunners, including:

• Excellent accuracy• High muzzle velocities - particularly the X50• Good manufacturing quality• Ambidextrous handling - great for left handers• Pre-installed and sighted scopes• A strong two-year warranty• X10 and X20 models do not require special holds for accurate shooting• Fair prices

If youʼre not familiar with these air rifles yet, this book will provide much information. I hope you will find it of use. I plan to provide up-dates as more information becomes available in future.

Have fun but shoot safe!

Stephen ArcherPresident, Archer Airguns Inc.



Contents:

Section Description Page

1 Models and Specifications- X10- X20- X50

6

2 Design 10

3 Scopes 12

4 X10 and X20 Performance Tests

13

5 Pellet Testing with X20 17

6 X50 Performance Tests 25

7 Parts Diagram for X20 28

Appendix 30



1. Models and Specifications

Photo above shows X10 combo with 4 x 32 scope and hard wood stock (Model 30015).

Photo shows X20 combo with 3 - 9 x 40AO scope and black stock (Model 30024).

The Stoeger X10 and X20 models use the same basic “firing” components, barrel, spring, trigger etc. The performance of these two models is, therefore, identical in most respects. The major differences are to be found in the shape of the stock and the scope - where supplied. So, the X10 and X20 are considered together in this book.

The X50 is a completely different model and so it warrants separate coverage.

With both the X10/20 and X50, Stoeger Airguns has provided a choice of stock and scope combinations, each identified by its own model number.

All Stoeger air rifles available in the USA are .177 caliber only. 22 caliber models are available in other countries, however.



X10 30014 (Wood stock, no

scope)

30015 (Wood stock with scope)

30016 (Black stock, no

scope)

30018 (Black stock, with scope)

Muzzle Velocity Spec.(lead pellets)

1,000fps 1,000fps 1,000fps 1,000fps

Muzzle Velocity Spec.(alloy pellets)

1,200fps 1,200fps 1,200fps 1,200fps

Stock Style Hunter, ambidextrous

Hunter, ambidextrous



Stock Material Hardwood, plain finish

Hardwood, plain finish

Black, synthetic Black, synthetic

Scope No Yes, mounted, sighted 4 x 32

scope with two-piece rings*

No Yes, mounted, sighted 4 x 32

scope with two-piece rings*

Minimum Focus of Scope

N/a 10 yards* N/a 10 yards*

Overall Length 43 inches 43 inches 43 inches 43 inches

Pull Length 14.5 inches 14.5 inches 14.5 inches 14.5 inches

Barrel Length 16.5 inches 16.5 inches 16.5 inches 16.5 inches

Trigger Pull Weight Approx 6lbs Approx 6lbs Approx 6lbs Approx 6lbs

Weight 6 lbs 6oz 7lbs 2oz 6lbs 14oz 7lbs 10 oz

MSRP (USA) $129 $159 $129 $159

* As sold by Archer Airguns. Other dealers may not offer the same functionality.



X20 30020 (Wood

stock, no scope)

30021 (Wood

stock with scope)

30022 (Black

stock, no scope)

30024 (Black

stock, with scope)

30023 (Camo

stock, no scope)

30025 (Camo

stock, with scope)

Muzzle Velocity Spec.(lead)

1,000fps 1,000fps 1,000fps 1,000fps 1,000fps 1,000fps

Muzzle Velocity Spec.(alloy)

1,200fps 1,200fps 1,200fps 1,200fps 1,200fps 1,200fps

Stock Style Monte Carlo, ambi.

Monte Carlo, ambi.

Monte Carlo, ambi.

Monte Carlo, ambi.

Monte Carlo, ambi.

Monte Carlo, ambi.

Stock Material

Hard wood with molded checkering and cheek

swells

Hard wood with molded checkering and cheek

swells

Black, synthetic

with molded checkering and cheek

swells

Black, synthetic

with molded checkering and cheek

swells

Bill Jordanʼs Advantage

Timber camo,

synthetic with molded checkering and cheek

swells

Bill Jordanʼs Advantage

Timber camo,

synthetic with molded checkering and cheek

swells

Scope No Yes, mounted,

sighted 3-9 x 40AO

scope with one-piece

mount*

No Yes, mounted,

sighted 3-9 x 40AO


mount*

No Yes, mounted,

sighted 3-9 x 40AO


mount*


N/a 10 yards N/a 10 yards N/a 10 yards

Overall Length

43 inches 43 inches 43 inches 43 inches 43 inches 43 inches

Pull Length 14.5 inches 14.5 inches 14.5 inches 14.5 inches 14.5 inches 14.5 inches

Barrel L/gth 16.5 inches 16.5 inches 16.5 inches 16.5 inches 16.5 inches 16.5 inches

Trigger Pull Weight

Approx 6lbs Approx 6lbs Approx 6lbs Approx 6lbs Approx 6lbs Approx 6lbs

Weight 7lbs 3oz 8lb 10oz 7lbs 0oz 8lb 7oz 7lbs 0oz 8lb 7oz

MSRP(USA) $149 $199 $149 $199 $189 $239




X50 30028 (Black stock, no

scope)

30029 (Black stock with

scope)

30030 (Camo stock, no

scope)

30031 (Camo stock, with scope)

Muzzle Velocity Spec.(lead pellets)

1,200fps 1,200fps 1,200fps 1,200fps

Muzzle Velocity Spec.(alloy pellets)

1,500fps 1,500fps 1,500fps 1,500fps

Stock Style Monte Carlo, ambidextrous

Monte Carlo, ambidextrous



Stock Material Black, synthetic with molded

checkering and cheek swells

Black, synthetic with molded


Bill Jordanʼs Advantage Timber

camo, synthetic with molded


Bill Jordanʼs Advantage Timber

camo, synthetic with molded


Scope No Yes, mounted, sighted 3-9 x

40AO scope with one-piece mount*

No Yes, mounted, sighted 3-9 x

40AO scope with one-piece mount*


N/a 10 yards N/a 10 yards

Overall Length 50 inches 50 inches 50 inches 50 inches

Pull Length XX inches XX inches XX inches XX inches

Barrel Length 19.7 inches 19.7 inches 19.7 inches 19.7 inches

Trigger Pull Weight Approx 4lbs 0oz Approx 4lbs 0oz Approx 4lbs 0oz Approx 4lbs 0oz

Weight 9lbs 4 oz 10lbs 11oz 9lbs 4 oz 10lbs 11oz

MSRP (USA) $249 $319 $249 $319


Photo shows X50 combo with 3 - 9 x 40AO scope and camo stock (Model 30031).



2. Design

The X10, X20 and X50 are all well-balanced air rifles and they shoulder well. The pull length of the X10 and X20 are about right for a 6ft tall shooter. The longer pull length of the X50 makes it suitable for taller shooters - or those with long arms! Bear in mind that these are positioned as “adult” air rifles and this makes sense.

The ambidextrous design of the stocks is well executed. The Monte Carlo comb on the X20 and X50 models, in particular, provides a good cheek weld when using the scope. The molded chequering on the X20 and X50 models is found on the wrist of the stock and along on the sides of the forend. This promotes handling (particularly in wet weather), but will encourage incorrect shooting techniques among inexperienced shooters as it provides the implication that the gun should be grasped there. (However, the X10 and X20 are surprisingly tolerant of poor shooting technique).

Photo shows X20 with scope and camo stock (Model 30025).

The automatic safety is a good feature, itʼs design and location make it easy to use and equally easy for left- and right-handed shooters.

The 7-inch long scope rails machined into the top of the receiver is an excellent feature and allows for a wide variety of scopes, mounts and eye relief distances. The provision of a scope stop is a requirement for spring-powered air rifles such as these and the X10, X20 and X50 donʼt disappoint here with a deep slot milled between the scope rails.

Barrel length of the X10 and X20 is relatively short for a 1,000fps air rifle at 16 1/2 inches (18 inches is more normal) and this partially accounts for the fairly stout cocking effort required. This also accounts for the relatively short overall length of 43 inches. The longer barrel length of the X50 makes it more of a stretch to cock for most of us. But itʼs not impossible!

Weight for the X20 synthetic stock combos (including scope) is about average at 8lbs 7oz in shooting condition. The weight distribution makes for good handling.

Overall, these are well-designed air rifles, they look robust and are well-finished for the prices being asked for them.



Metal finish is good, with deep, uniform bluing and a minimum of machining marks on visible surfaces. The camo stock is covered with “Bill Jordanʼs Advantage Timber” pattern. This camo printing is sharp and well-defined in muted tones. The separate, hard rubber buttpad is nicely-molded and matches the contours of the stock well, but has no “grip” on the shoulder contact surface.

The plastic muzzle brake/front sight assembly looks substantial and itsʼ textured surface helps achieve a safe grip when cocking the air rifle.

Screened printing on metal surfaces is clear and sharp. Itʼs of equivalent quality to other Chinese air rifles and much superior to the “dot matrix” serial numbering used on some Crosman rifles.

The trigger-adjusting screw in the underside of the trigger guard can be used to adjust the trigger travel length. The trigger blade is a comfortable shape, but the stamped steel manufacture looks a little cheap.

The two-stage trigger is quite comfortable to shoot and fairly predictable. Trigger pull weight varies between about 6 lbs for the X10/X20 models and and 4 lbs for the X50 in Archer Airguns testing.



3. Scopes

Stoeger air rifles are notable because many of the models are supplied complete with ready-mounted, sighted-in scopes.

The X10 combos are supplied with a simple 4 x 32, airgun-rated scope and two-piece rings. Specifications and operating instructions are provided in the Appendix of this book. Note that the X10 scopes are not “AO” (Adjustable Objective) - equipped and that the factory focus setting is for 100 yards. For this reason, Archer Airguns re-focusses these scopes to give a sharp image at airgun shooting ranges down to 10 yards.

A 3-9 x 40AO scope is fitted to the X20 and X50 combos. It is also airgun-rated and features a similar plain reticle. It does have AO, however, and focuses down to 10 yards. This scope is mounted to the air rifle with a very substantial single-piece mount that well withstands the pounding from the X50. There is a scope stop screw, of course.

Above, the 3 - 9 x 40AO scope and mount.



4. X10 and X20 Performance Testing

The performance testing shown here was primarily based on one X20 model that I tested extensively (Serial Number STG0825187), but additional data is being collected with every Archer Airguns “Gold Service” test that we undertake with these models. So far, our testing indicates that our X20 sample provided a representative performance, but we will up-date in future as required.

Dieseling

Dieseling is quite mild on most of the X10 and X20 models tested to date. Dieseling is typically pronounced for the first few shots, registering in the 1,000 - 1,200 fps + range and then subsides to the 900 - 950 fps range.

By around 50 - 100 shots, dieseling has - to all intents and purposes - ceased on most of these air rifles. This is a very short dieseling period for a spring/piston air rifle and gives an indication of the care and quality control that is being taken in manufacture.

Performance Standard

For our X20 long-term test rifle, the first 200 shots were fired with “The Peak” 7.92 Grain wadcutters. These were used to set a baseline performance for the X20. The average muzzle velocity from shot 51 to shot 200 was 906 fps. Maximum shot velocity was 931 fps and minimum was 878 fps. Both of these were outliers, however, with the majority of the shots grouping well around the average muzzle velocity.

Average muzzle energy with “The Peak” wadcutters was 14.4 ft/lbs.

Pellet testing was undertaken after shot 200 had been fired with the gun.

The chart on the next page shows shows the muzzle velocities recorded for the first 200 shots. The majority (102 out of the 150 shots) after the first 50 were within plus or minus 5 fps of the 906 fps average muzzle velocity.

This is very consistent for a spring/piston air rifle. (But our testing of X50 models shows them to be even better from the samples tested to date).



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The chart above relates to X20 Serial Number STG0825187

X10/X20 Performance Testing

Archer Airguns “Gold Service” testing of X10/20s is showing consistent performance from these air rifles. As you can see, dieseling is relatively limited, although the samples tested to date have not been so exemplary in this respect as the X50s tested.

From this data, a pattern of “real world”performance for the X10/20 is beginning to emerge:• Approximately 900fps muzzle velocity with Crosman® Premier Light pellets.• Approximately 14 ft/lbs muzzle energy using CPLs.• Trigger pull weight of approximately 5 - 6 lbs.

Further test details are shown on the following pages.



X10/20 Muzzle Velocity, fps Gun 1

Muzzle Velocity, fps Gun 2

Muzzle Velocity, fps Gun 3*

1 1208 1090 1058

2 1261 1037 891

3 1234 1002 908

4 1195 971 902

5 929 962 920

6 942 951 925

7 948 937 930

8 998 925 995

9 968 932 962

10 945 980 1014

11 986 925 934

12 961 936 1008

13 984 926 956

14 958 947 1024

15 964 899 958

16 952 894 1031

17 938 984 1018

18 940 928 1014

19 951 939 952

20 952 900 1011

21 940 901 ?

22 921 907 ?

23 950 905 ?

24 949 920 ?

25 943 898 ?

26 953 908 ?

27 925 963 ?



X10/20 Muzzle Velocity, fps Gun 1


Muzzle Velocity, fps Gun 3*

28 954 907 ?

29 950 918 ?

30 956 930 ?

Average fps 989 898 971

Muzzle Energy ft/lbs 17.21 ft/lbs 14.2 ft/lbs 16.57 ft/lbs

Average Pellet Weight 7.93 Grains 7.93 Grains 7.93 Grains

Trigger Pull lbs 6lbs 0oz 5lbs 8oz 4lbs 7oz

*Oops! Sadly, I canʼt find the Chrony print-out for shots 21 - 30 for gun three, but I remember that the consistency was tending to improve around the 900+ fps mark.



5. Individual Pellet Testing with X20 Serial Number STG0825187

After 200 shots, a series of six “Gold Service” ten shot tests was undertaken with different types of “average” pellets that might typically be purchased by users of the gun. Each test was run with unselected pellets, taken straight from the tin. Overall, the X20 performed well with all the types of pellets. Although there was variation in the point of impact between the different pellet types, as would be expected, this was fairly minor at 10 yards with the factory scope setting and it would be easy to center precisely for one pellet type should that be desired.

Crosman® Premier Lights were most accurate - as expected. But the big surprise to me was how well this air rifle shot the Gamo® Raptor lead-free pellets. The groups were far better than I have experienced with any other air rifle and are comparable to those from the other pellets. The table below highlights the best-performing pellet for each result.

As a confirmation, the 908.56 ft/sec achieved by “The Peak” wadcutters in this 10-shot test compares well with the 906 ft/sec average for the same pellet over 150 shots as shown in the previous section. These pellets are the standard used for “Gold Service” testing by Archer Airguns.

The Peak Wad-

cutters (7.92

Grain), Artillery

Hold

Gamo Raptor Lead Free (5.16

Grain), Artillery

Hold

Crosman Premier

Light (7.93

Grains), Artillery

Hold

Beeman PointedModel 1225 (8.55

Grains), Artillery

Hold

Crosman Premier

Light (7.93

Grains) Tight Stock

Screws, Artillery

Hold

Crosman Premier

Light (7.94

Grains) Tight Stock

Screws, Tight Hold

Muzzle Energy

14.52 ft/lbs

15.09 ft/lbs

14.11 ft/lbs

13.33 ft/lbs

14.071 ft/lbs

13.876 ft/lbs

Average Muzzle Velocity

908.56 ft/sec

1,147.64 ft/sec

895.07 ft/sec

837.71 ft/sec

893.82 ft/sec

887.05 ft/sec

Standard Deviation

5.65 ft/sec 7.68 ft/sec 13.82 ft/sec

4.47 ft/sec 6.34 ft/sec 15.13 ft/sec

Vertical Spread

0.5 inch 0.75 inch 0.375 inch 0.5 inch 0.375 inch 0.5 inch

Horizontal Spread

0.625 inch 0.625 inch 0.5 inch 0.625 inch 0.375 inch 0.375 inch



Not unexpectedly, it was discovered after the pellet testing session that the front stock screws were a little loose (after 280 shots, total). The effect of this is to produce the slight horizontal “stringing” noticable in many of the test targets

The test was repeated with the most accurate pellets - the Crosman Premier Lights - after tightening the stock screws and the group tightened up considerably as shown on the test target. I recommend that users check the front stock screws occasionally in use and re-tighten if necessary.

A final test was to hold the rifle by grasping the forend of the stock tightly, as most new shooters will tend to do. This usually gives bad accuracy with a spring-powered air rifle, but the X20 proved surprisingly tolerant of this hold, giving results only marginally worse than with the “Artillery Hold” used for all the other tests. This is definitely a good feature for the majority of new air rifle shooters and makes the X20 (and X10) particularly suitable for them.



“Gold Service” Test Target for X20 With “The Peak” Wadcutter Pellets



“Gold Service” Test Target for X20 With Gamo Raptor Lead Free Pellets



“Gold Service” Test Target for X20 With Crosman Premier Light Pellets



“Gold Service” Test Target for X20 With Beeman Pointed Pellets, Model 1225



6. X50 Performance Testing

Archer Airguns “Gold Service” testing of X50s is showing extremely consistent performance from these air rifles. As you can see, dieseling is almost non-existent and the variation in muzzle velocity is very tightly controlled - all except shot 18 for gun 2 which must surely be something to do with the pellet!

From this data, a pattern of performance for the X50 is beginning to emerge:• Approximately 1,050fps muzzle velocity with Crosman Premier Light pellets.• Approximately 19.5 ft/lbs muzzle energy using CPLs.• Trigger pull weight of approximately 4 lbs.

Further test details will be added in future.

X50 Muzzle Velocity, fps Gun 1



1 1123 1087 1110

2 1107 1059 1104

3 1111 1076 1100

4 1095 1071 1101

5 1115 1080 1101

6 1118 1079 1101

7 1114 1082 1115

8 1118 1081 1109

9 1109 1087 1094

10 1109 1082 1097

11 1108 1061 1100

12 1101 1065 1101

13 1109 1065 1099

14 1097 1073 1106

15 1097 1067 1102

16 1107 1070 1100

17 1109 1060 1107

18 1092 964 1100

19 1103 1062 1095



X50 Muzzle Velocity, fps Gun 1



20 1099 1056 1096

21 1103 1071 1089

22 1094 1072 1103

23 1104 1058 1102

24 1102 1075 1099

25 1096 1066 1101

26 1110 1046 1109

27 1101 1046 1092

28 1091 1046 1099

29 1114 1046 1099

30 1099 1046 1093

Average fps 1105 1046 1046

Muzzle Energy ft/lbs 21.51 ft/lbs 19.29 ft/lbs 19.27 ft/lbs

Average Pellet Weight 7.93 Grains 7.94 Grains 7.93 Grains

Trigger Pull lbs 4lbs 0oz 3lbs 13oz 3lbs 15oz

These tests are using unsorted CPLs, straight out of the tin, hence the probable “odd” pellet discovered in Test 3.

As for accuracy, the X50 remains more accurate than me. The next page shows the test target for Gun 3. I was very happy with the group until the last three shots, which form the “half moon” above the main group of 7 shots. Thereʼs no doubt in my mind that this is the result of my shooting. Must get better!!!



7. Parts Diagram for the X10 and X20 models

Copyright Stoeger Airguns.

Note parts 12 and 13 relate to a version with no “iron sights”. This version is not sold in the USA.



Above. Trigger assembly. Note the safety linkage with “push for off” knob at rear of receiver.

Above. Barrel break assembly



Appendix:

- Stoeger Airguns instructions/spec sheet for 3-9 x 40AO scope with single piece mount. - (Copyright Stoeger Airguns).

- Stoeger Airguns instructions/spec sheet for 4 x 32 scope with separate rings. - (Copyright Stoeger Airguns).



book of the stoeger x10, x20, x50 v1.0

Documents

stoeger x10

copyright archer airguns

stoeger x20 http

x50 book

stoeger airguns logo

x20 models

stephen archer president

archer airguns blog