The Gamo Extreme CO2: Classic Pump-Action Air Rifle
For any of you who have hunted in the past with some of the classic pump-action centerfire and rimfire rifles, you are in for a treat. Gamo has brought out the Gamo Extreme CO2, a pump-action, 10-shot fast shooting air rifle that runs off of the larger 88 gram CO2 cartridges. You can literally shoot as fast as you can work the action on this gun!
The Gamo Extreme CO2
As you can see, the Gamo Extreme CO2 is very reminiscent of some of the Remington pump-action centerfires that hunters and shooters have used over the years. This airgun will allow you to enjoy the memories of the past as you enjoy the shooting sports without spending all the money you used to on centerfire cartridges! Let's take a look at some of the features of Gamo's newest CO2 offering.
First, let's put some gas in our gun so we can shoot! Press in on the circular tabs you see on the forearm of the gun, and pull out towards the muzzle. The forearm cover will slide right off the gun. Now insert the 88 gram CO2 container (there's one included with the gun, you'll need to buy extras online or at your local stores), screwing it in carefully so as not to mess up the threads. If it doesn't screw in easily, stop and back it out, then try again, being careful to align the threads correctly.
Once the CO2 cartridge is installed, you can slide the forearm back onto the gun. Now let's load the gun.
Work the pump-action as if you just fired a shot, and leave the forearm in the rear position. Now slide back the tab you see on the right side of the gun, releasing the 10-shot magazine. Once remover, place 10 pellets in the magazine from the rear, nose first. After it is full, insert it back into the cutout area, push the tab forward to lock in in place, and work the forearm back towards the muzzle. It will automatically feed a pellet into the barrel. The safety is just in front of the trigger, just outside the trigger guard. Push it from right to left and you are ready to shoot!
Magazine release, magazine, trigger and safety
One of the nice features of the Gamo Extreme CO2 is that is won't allow you to double-load a pellet. There is some kind of mechanism that inhibits the forearm from closing if there is already a pellet in the barrel. That should serve well in keeping jammed pellets in the barrel to a minimum.
The sighting system on the Gamo Exteme CO2 is a little different. The rear sight is a ramp with a yellow band that easily guides the eye to the Tru-Glo style bead on the front sight. All of the adjustments for windage and elevation are done from the front sight. You'll find more than one screw on the front sight, as well as instructions in the manual to guide you through this process. Once you are used to the system, it works very well.
Gamo includes 1 tin of 22 grain pellets in the package. These are very heavy pellets for the average CO2-powered gun, and this .22 caliber airgun put them out the end of the barrel in the mid-to-high 500's. This equates to 14-16 fpe, not bad for a CO2 gun. JSB Exacts came out of the barrel near 600 fps as they are a lighter pellet.
I tested the accuracy of the Gamo Extreme CO2 on an old bathtub that lives in my backyard. It is a handy test platform for pellets, as the lead smears on the side are readily visible when I'm sighting in a gun. Included with the rifle is a 3-9x40 scope from Gamo, complete with a mounting base and needed hardware. I slipped the scope on the gun, and in a matter of minutes was zeroing the crosshairs in.
The Gamo pellets gave decent groups at 18 yards, but the JSB pellets really shined. Here are a couple of pics of the patterns I derived while shooting offhand from my back porch. These groups are not from a rest, but rather from me propping the gun on my knees and using a porch rail to steady my aim somewhat.
Gamo pellet pattern above
JSB pellet pattern above
This gun is suitable for some serious backyard plinking sessions, and will also serve as a light hunting rifle for small game and pests. The classic lines and features will appeal to many shooters who have shot similar centerfires, and the 10-shot magazine allows you the target-shredding fun of a fast-shooting repeater.
Airgun Depot has a helpful info video when you click on this gun's page. Be sure to drop by and take a look at it for some video target action featuring the Gamo Extreme CO2.
Check it out at Airgun Depot! Currently $299 and change!
