Seneca Dragonfly Mark 2 .177: Part Four


Seneca Dragonfly .177.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

This report covers:

  • The test
  • JSB Exact RS
  • RWS Superdomes
  • Air Arms 8.4-grain domes
  • Trigger
  • H&N Baracuda Match 4.50mm heads
  • RWS Superpoint
  • JSB Exact Heavy
  • Discussion
  • What pellets shall we pick?
  • Summary

Today we start seriously looking at the accuracy of the  .177-caliber Seneca  Dragonfly Mark 2. We did look at some targets in Part 3 but I said I wanted a more detailed look in future tests. Today we discover which pellets are accurate in preparation for the Pumps Versus Accuracy test that’s coming up.

The test

I shot five-shot groups so I could test more pellets. I rested the rifle directly on a sandbag at 10 meters and of course I shot with the open sights that came with the rifle. I chose five pump strokes for no particular reason other than it was quick. The rifle was hitting the target inside the bull with Premier Heavys in Part 3 so I resolved to not adjust the sights today. I wore my +1.25 diopter reading glasses to see the front sight sharply.

I had a good idea that Crosman 10.5-grain Premiers were grouping well from the tests that were done in Part 3, so today’s good pellets will be added to the list. 

JSB Exact RS

First to be tested were JSB Exact RS domes. They hit the target to the lower right edge of the bull and five of them made a group that measures 0.405-inches between centers at 10 meters. That’s not too bad.

Notice that these pellets hit the edge of the bull. I didn’t adjust the sights because other pellets may wander.

Dragonfly RS
The Dragonfly Mark 2 put five JSB Exact RS pellets into a 0.405-inch group at 10 meters.

RWS Superdomes

Next to be tested were five RWS Superdomes. They hit closer to the center of the bull. Four grouped together and one stood off by itself. This group measures 0.494-inches between centers.

Dragonfly Superdome
Five RWS Superdomes made a 0.494-inch group at 10 meters.

Air Arms 8.4-grain domes

I tried five Air Arms 8.4-grain domes next. They hit out to the lower right side of the bull in a 0.363-inch group.

Dragonfly Air Arms 8.4
Here we see five Air Arms 8.4-grain domes that the Dragonfly Mark 2 put into a 0.363-inch group at 10 meters.

Stock Up on Shooting Gear

Trigger

I noticed that the Dragonfly’s trigger is still single stage. The pull is long and smooth. I can’t anticipate where the release is, but that doesn’t upset me as much as it sounds.

H&N Baracuda Match 4.50mm heads

The next pellet I tried was the H&N Baracuda Match with a 4.50mm head. These moved back to almost the center of the bull and five of them made a 0.363-inch group. It’s just as small as the Air Arms pellets we just saw but this group is spread more vertical.

Dragonfly Baracuda Match 4.50
Five Baracuda Match 4.50mm pellets made this 0.363-inch group at 10 meters.

RWS Superpoint

The fifth pellet I tested was the RWS Superpoint. Five of them went into a 0.498-inch group that was the largest group of the test. It’s centered in the bull quite well.

Dragonfly RWS Superpoint
Five RWS Superpoints went into a 0.498-inch group at 10 meters. It’s the largest group of the test.

JSB Exact Heavy

The last pellet I tested was the 10.34-grain JSB Exact dome. Five of them made a 0.493-inch group at 10 meters.

Dragonfly JSB Heavy
Five JSB Exact Heavys went into 0.493-inches at 10 meters.

Discussion

It’s impressive how consistent this Dragonfly Mark 2 seems to be. No one pellet stands out as either great or bad. And that is with open sights. I have a feeling that when I scope the rifle it’s really going to shine.

The pumping remains easy, which I expected all along. The .22 Dragonfly taught me that and I see no difference in how this one operates.  After today’s session I oiled the pump head, but it appeared not to need it. I did it just because I hadn’t done it since the rifle arrived.

What pellets shall we pick?

I’m thinking that the Air Arms 8.4-grain dome is a great possibility, along with the Baracuda Match with the 4.50mm head. The Premier Heavy is also good because the group I got with them in Part 3 was with 10 pellets that went out of the bore in a string that had an 85 f.p.s. difference.

Summary

I’ll probably select one of these three pellets to use in the Pump Strokes Versus Accuracy test. And at this point I have to say this .177 Dragonfly Mark 2 is holding up just as well as the .22 did.

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