FX Impact M3 Sniper (.22" FAC)

[@mikerichardson4240]

After watching several reviews on the FX impact M3 I took the plunge and cried once and invested. I was not crying for long,, after tuning the rifle for 25gn slugs at 956 fps I was impressed, using the Zan Projectiles .22 25gn slugs in 218 the rifle was delivering groups of under 1/2 inch at 50m at 100m (with no wind) this rifle was beating my 22 rimfire CZ455 I have a range in my back garden with a commercial built bullet catcher set at 25m with the 25gn slugs this baby was loud every time a slug hit the steel. I turned the power wheel down to 1 and gave the JSB 18 gn pellets a go, and all I could say was WOWWWW 6mm ten shot groups every time, every variety of 18gn pellets from the JSB stable work with the Edgun brand giving the best results. I went out and splashed the cash buying several tins of the 18 grainers, they all performed well except for the H&N Baracuda and even these only opened up to 9mm With decent 22lr almost impossible to get at the moment it looks like the FX Impact M3 in 22 ,air rifle will be the gun of choice for most pest control jobs, with near silent operation and good on bunnies out to 100 yards I have to say the FX Impact M3 is a fantastic bit of kit, Now for the rant HOWEVER, I am a bit pissed off that to make it a fantastic gun you need to spend more money, it does not fit the case it comes with., If the sound mod is left on the gun and you upgrade the butt stock you need a bigger case. FX just supply a case that is bigger, a case that you can fit a bipod in even if you need to remove it from the gun. I spent £100 on a decent case, £230 on a buttstock and £130 on the mono pod and still FX are pushing more upgrades

[@RussDouglas222]

Hi Mike, great to hear your M3 is really performing, my summer wish-list includes tuning my .22" FAC M3 and .177" FAC Maverick Compact to get the best performance from slugs. That's only possible now I have the Krait as my dedicated sub-12 rifle for pest control, so no longer need to turn the two FAC rifles down for that. Cases can be a pain, as can endless 'upgrades', but it sounds like you don't need any such extras as you've tuned to a happy place. 👌 Just be aware the M3 Contains a LOT of O-rings, each one being a potential leak path, so I hope they don't fail on you. 🤞 Enjoy! 🥷 Cheers. Russ

[@MrRockstar1968]

Slugs hold their velocity for a longer range distance which helps against the wind and accuracy etc.

[@jackb1888]

Unsure about whether to go for .22 fac or .25 fac looking at the FX impact sniper

[@RussDouglas222]

My own experiences are now that the Sniper's good for tuners/fettlers, but it's too easy to adjust power levels inc' accidentally thanks to the exposed micro & macro adjusters. Also my FX FAC rifles (M3 Sniper & Maverick Compact) are both better left up at FAC levels. My original intentions of turning them down for occasional sub-12 use just aren't practical, due to the vague/imprecise settings when you get them anywhere down around 12ft/lbs (plus O-rings can go). Cheers. Russ

[@stillair1]

Thanks for the review, there's certainly plenty of adjustments and extras coming down the line like the barrel tuner. I was leaning towards a .25 Maverick 700mm for pest control, now the M3 has arrived My choice has wandered from the wildcat to the impact, and back again.

[@RussDouglas222]

Glad you liked it & thanks for watching. Oh absolutely, I'd say the M3 is a must for tinkerers and fine-tuners, whereas for those happy to simply adjust between different projectiles from sub-12 to FAC, the Maverick might be a simpler/economical option that does all we need. 👍 All the best, cheers. Russ

[@stillair1]

@ALAN BRAY Yep, talked my mate in getting a mk1 wildcat .25. He's not looked back and has been outshooting me since, hence my next imminent purchase.😁

[@stillair1]

@@RussDouglas222 Been running the m3 .25 sniper since before christmas now. My mate followed with the .22 version shortly afterwards, but did not need talking in to it this time.lol.

[@MrFREDANG]

Mine loves the JSB 18grs, definitely worth a shot

[@malcolmbaker3801]

Hi I have just got a maverick but the hand grip is a bit small do u know of where I can get an up graded hand grip

[@RussDouglas222]

I agree re the small grips & I'd suggest get googling, there are both rubber and laminate alternatives out there... spares.bagnallandkirkwood.co.uk/product/fx-impact-mk2-m3-maverick-rubber-grip-19710/ Or... www.krale.shop/uk/sport-shooting/gun-accessories/stocks-grips/ Cheers. Russ

[@silvsiri3478]

That was great, hi from Australia. I’m getting the exact same gun in 3 weeks .. appreciate the descriptions

[@RussDouglas222]

Cheers - and nice one (I'm jealous!) 🤣 I don't think I can reply with a photo (grrr) but I might upload a pic to Instagram of Davie's best group - 6.5mm with .22" FX pellets. 👌 Cheers. Russ

[@MrRavaneda]

Hello from Brazil can you share your tune I mean the best tune you find for your m3 in 22 call and the pellet your use Thanks

[@RussDouglas222]

Hi Jose, this was my friend Davie's M3, so I'll go ask him for you... "Hiya Russ. I'm afraid I have mislaid my notes on Fx slugs and the Fx 16 grain pellets. I have now detuned her significantly for feral pigeon control in a local Steading (i.e. indoors). The 16 grain Fx pellets shot best as would any JSBs with the same skirt diameter. As I recollect I only had to back off about 20 fps from factory settings to print best groups. 920 fps rings a bell so my advice would be to leave the reg presures and fine adjust the hammer spring and work from 880 - 940 and shoot groups until the sweet spot is found. Slugs performed best over 900fps and to achieve these velocities reg presure will have to be turned up. Davie Hope this helps Jose? Cheers. Russ

[@happyhalfwit8862]

Glad to see someone that loves the pup its the best all rounder in the range IMOH. Power wise try 135bar and on 25/30 with about ¾ spring tension and see how it goes. You get cleaner airflow if u put in a pin probe as well. If its 500 or 600 barrel that will take JSB heavies (dialled back) to optimum 910 and easily run monsters at that too or higher .

[@RussDouglas222]

The Pup's perfect filling the role of one rifle going from 11.5ft/lbs to 29.4 (910FPS), but I just can't get it above 33ft/lbs (i.e. for slugs) so far, so it's a work in progress. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I've got std & heavy JSB Exacts plus Hades and FX Hybrid slugs waiting in the wings for bench rest testing. Cheers. Russ

[@happyhalfwit8862]

@@RussDouglas222 other possibility is you have the light weight hammer weight in it try the .22 one from Bagnall. What length barrel out of interest and also the new fx power brass transfer port

[@happyhalfwit8862]

have to ask was your pup originally a sub12 and you then put it on ticket

[@RussDouglas222]

@@happyhalfwit8862 Nope I had a .22" FAC AA S510XS, but sold that (to a friend via the Airgun forum) and bought the Pup, as I wanted a power adjuster that saved air when turned down -the 480cc CF bottle makes so much sense for FAC Air too. 👌 Cheers. Russ

[@happyhalfwit8862]

@@RussDouglas222 if your having power probs make sure it doesn't have any sub 12 springs or the 16J valve housing plug in it they sometimes come in a bit confused on the parts. @ 135 bar you should be getting 1100fps with an 18.13 and hammer adjuster about ¾ to max no problem. If u have the wheel on max and the adjuster on max try turning the wheel down and see if speed increases you may me massively over hammering the valve. 910 tuning has an excellent vid on tuning the Dreamlines/Crown type setups as does AEAC. Sorry if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs

[@ricardogcontreras2320]

Hi bro. Excellent video. the rifle and pellets performance pretty well. just Go ahead

[@DODGE782]

Hi Russ hope you can help me with some advice on the pard 008 , is it possible to power up the pard from a power bank to prolong use rather than swop batteries while waiting for your quarry ? Keep up the great video’s very interesting information cheers Best regards paul

[@RussDouglas222]

Hi Paul. Yep I believe you can, but I can't remember of the top of my heid what cable connection you need for the DC-in. 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️ ...sorry. Thanks very much Paul, I'll / we'll do my best to keep them coming, with the help of my friends. 👌 All the best, cheers. Russ

[@aqualungvapor1459]

You said that IYO the sniper is a bit too long for walking around pesting but the M3 Sniper's 39"/508mm over all length is still one inch shorter than a Remington 700 with a 20" barrel, which is classified as a varmint gun. My question is, is the sniper versions length reallly so long that it makes it impractical as a critter gun, as in most people would agree or do you just prefer a very short set up when mobile. I'm asking because I am about to buy a M3 but I only have experience with powder burners. 39" is considered compact in PB bolt actions but obviously a pcp air rifle is an entirely different rifle. Thank you both for making this video and if you read my comment and wouldn't mind elaborating, I would greatly appreciate it. If anybody else who reads this, also owns a Impact and would like to offer your thoughts, I would love to hear them also.

[@RussDouglas222]

Hi there, oh that's a purely personal comment for me as a disabled shooter. I usually walk around farms using my crutches and a set of Primos Trigger Sticks as a left crutch, with a short bullpup rifle hanging from my neck, providing they clear my knees. For any regular able-bodied shooter they should be perfectly portable, though FX don't generally provide sling attachment points, which seems strange to me(?) 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thanks for watching, all the best, cheers. Russ

[@lukmanto]

Special unit brother, good luck.

[@fxpestoperator5527]

Nice Work Brother!

[@patrickvennard838]

Where did you find a sling for your Wildcat ? or did you have to drill it?

[@RussDouglas222]

For my Wildcat I got an off the self sling and fastened it conventionally to two sling swivels, I screwed into pilot holes I drilled in the stock. For the Impact I use a bog-standard shoulder bag strap, spring-clipped to a Picatinny bracket on the front-right accessory rail, and a temporary heavy-duty cable tie at the rear. It's really bad that FX' tactical rifles don't also have compact rear Pic' accessory rails for sling attachment. Every. Single. Rifle. -should have space for this. Cheers. Russ

[@patrickvennard838]

@@RussDouglas222 My wildcat is a bit new to do that thanks for the advice.

[@RussDouglas222]

@@patrickvennard838 No probs I know the feeling. I went for the forward sling stud under the forend in the usual spot, but for the rear I added one at the forward heel but never used it. Instead I only used the rear one I added to the upper heel of the stock, in-between the rear of the action block and the top of the butt pad. This was mainly because I 'wear' my rifles hanging from around my neck, resting against my chest. Cheers. Russ

[@garrysmith898]

Evening Russ, have you shot the RTI Prophet 2 in 25cal, I am wrestling with that or the FX mark 3 sniper, some say the RTI is not so complex and super good performance. Great videos by the way. Any views very much appreciated

[@RussDouglas222]

Hi Garry, sorry nope I haven't had the chance to try any RTI rifles (yet). Is this .25" FAC I assume? The M3 is definitely set-up as a tinkerer's gun, in fact you could even say it's too easily adjustable too. I've been recovering from several issues this year and sadly haven't really been properly out on the rabbits all year. I hope to correct that soon, using my .22" FAC M3 Sniper as a semi-static bunny harvester, with my shorter .177" FAC Maverick Compact as my mobile pest control rifle. I'll be trying both with slugs very soon too. Thanks very much, have you also seen my recent M3 Sniper video, testing it and the Pard008S-LRF, with 15.89gr JSBs from 90m to 5m? Cheers. Russ

[@henrymoreland8719]

Hello Russ, did you test (I thought I heard you say) the power change from macro 1 to 16. I my dive in for one of these*, and the thought of turning a knob down for barn work, then up for out in the field is what is catching my eye. * even though I am 70%/30% lefty. thanks for the video.

[@RussDouglas222]

Thanks Henry, yes I did & the full results will be in July's Airgun World (out on 2nd July). The minimum power on #1 was 24 ft/lbs though (with the factory reg settings etc), so not as low-powered as you're hoping; though perhaps it could with different (reg & hammer spring) set-up? 🤷🏻‍♂️ My .22" FAC FX Dreamline Bottle-Pup did (on factory settings) go as low as 11.5ft/lbs as well as up to 29.4ft/lbs, though for testing I've currently got the reg turned up slightly and a stronger hammer spring fitted, so it's not (quite) currently capable of sub-12. The downside thus far is I've not been able to get the Pup anywhere near the 45ft/lbs I believe it needs for Hybrid slugs. 😪 All the best, cheers. Russ

[@henrymoreland8719]

@@RussDouglas222 thanks Russ, good (and useful) info. edit, I would be going 600mm, Maybe a little lower with it?.

[@RussDouglas222]

@@henrymoreland8719 👍 Basically the Bottle-Pup's default power/dial setup is perfect if you're only using standard .22" pellets, from sub-12 to the optimal FAC @910FPS. Cheers. Russ

[@johnowers47]

@@henrymoreland8719 The barrel has two transfer ports, so if you rotate the barrel 90° it will shoot much lower speeds on the same setting due to the hole being much smaller.

[@henrymoreland8719]

@@johnowers47 thanks John, I hope this doesn't sound rude, how do you what port the gun was set at?, I did not hear it mentioned. Good luck.

[@chazmondop]

What make and model bipod is that one please?

[@RussDouglas222]

I checked and Davie says it's an Atlas bipod, which I've heard are a little pricey but he says it's very good. 👌

[@davet2667]

Hi, what scope mounts are they?

[@RussDouglas222]

On Davie's M3? ...I believe he said they're from Tier1, which he knee was a bit overkill for a recoilless rifle, but he's recently decided to change it anyway. 🤦🏻‍♂️ He's decided he prefers a traditional shape to a bullpup after-all, so is now looking to get a newer model FX Crown again. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thanks for watching. R

[@nunzirakhawlhring7296]

Will it be able to order and get delivered here in Mizoram

[@markjohnson2166]

Its like $2,500. Can you afford that price ?

[@saadshamoon8034]

Very nice, thanks for sharing your information…

[@RussDouglas222]

Thanks Saad. 👍

[@juanitoorano970]

How to order FX Impact M3. 22 22?

[@RussDouglas222]

www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Impact+M3

[@DARRELLGRIFFITHS]

If the bell of the scope is a bit big, strip the collar down and re-build it on the scope, she’ll go on then. Nice vid as always dude.👍👍👍

[@RussDouglas222]

Thanks Darrell, it was towards the end of the session when I tried it, really wanted to ask Davie if I could remove the tape, but thought I'd behave. 😇 Cheers. Russ

[@DARRELLGRIFFITHS]

@@RussDouglas222 I’ve got a CZ527 chambered in .222. Why are you .222

[@RussDouglas222]

@@DARRELLGRIFFITHS Ah you haven't watched my intro vid(s) or read the 'about' page... I broke my neck in a car accident at the end of 2002, '222' is the number of days I spent in hospital, initially completely paralysed then learning to walk again after I slowly got 'most' functions back. 👨🏻‍🦯 I'm one very lucky man, was listed as a fatality for the first three days. 😳😇🕺🏻 All the best, cheers. Russ

[@DARRELLGRIFFITHS]

@@RussDouglas222 Holy shit, sounds like you need to buy a .222 to fit the name. First we need some rimfire footage. Keep em coming dude.awesome

[@kwakamonkey]

@@RussDouglas222 I thought it was a you had .222 too Russ. Did not know about the accident.

[@limhyun1]

how much is it? please.

[@RussDouglas222]

£1,843... www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/fx-impact-m3-black

[@limhyun1]

@@RussDouglas222 thank you so much.

[@hoangkhuyen5005]

I want to buy a gun like yours. can you help me?

[@RussDouglas222]

This rifle isn't mine, it's Davie's, but he bought it from Sportsman Gun Centre, through Ythanbank Field Sports Supplies, his local RFD... www.ythanfieldsportsupplyltd.co.uk/ www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Impact+M3 Cheers. Russ

[@lenweber7142]

I filled that plentium gap in with hot glue😁. Made it so much more comfortable,. Plus it really doesn't stick to the gun, but it stays putt

[@RussDouglas222]

The 'Plenum gap', I'm not sure what you mean? 🤔 Thanks for watching, cheers. Russ

[@darkseas3846]

Hold it like a rifle you won’t have that problem with your hand don’t wrap your thumb round the grip . Air rifles aren’t made to fit like rifles and shotguns get it tucked into your shoulder and move the scope forward . The 72 power plenum is the largest one they do not the second largest

[@RussDouglas222]

Interesting tip, but that's kinda missing the point that the grip should have been modified for rifles having the bigger plenum. A year on I now own this very rifle, so am looking forward to fitting the Pard008S-LRF this week and starting slug testing, while simultaneously testing the 008S-LRF's ballistic calculator at longer ranges. 😎🎯🤓

[@darkseas3846]

@@RussDouglas222 you’ll see a lot of people have started moving over to vertical grips on their impacts now , it honestly does help .

[@RussDouglas222]

@@darkseas3846 I'll see how it goes, early days yet. Cheers. Russ

[@vietminhnguyen1195]

Can you visit Vietnam for a while?

[@RussDouglas222]

Ah I wish, but aside from my wife and I not liking hot temperatures, I sadly can't afford to travel anytime soon. Thanks for watching, cheers. Russ

[@اميرموسى-خ3ح]

❤️❤️❤️💜💜💜

[@thehaze1972]

+4" wide palms, tell me about it... :-) Lots of clever features on the M3, the Impact mk1 seemed like the perfect rifle with all the bells and whistles you'd ever need but then Fredrik decided to improve it again and again! Will be interesting to see what the next few upgrades will be. :-)

[@RussDouglas222]

Yep just when I thought the Maverick had raised the bar -the M3 punches through it. Thanks for watching. 👍 Cheers. Russ

[@alanmullock381]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎

[@RussDouglas222]

Thanks Alan. R

[@gerrieferreira8095]

The pellets are Not diablo it is DIABOLO which is a huge difference. If you talk about Ft/lb you, you can please mention the pellet weight and speed.

[@RussDouglas222]

@@gerrieferreira8095 Sorry my bad. Regarding the chrono details I mention Davie's using 16grain FX pellets. This video is partly standalone but also accompanies my thorough review article in July's issue of Airgun World magazine. That review includes a LOT more detail including from chronographing the M3 Sniper on all 16 power levels, and measuring both the trigger pull and cocking effort (the latter on both minimum and maximum powers). Cheers. Russ

[@PowerProject97]

when can i have a gun like that🤤

[@RussDouglas222]

You and me both, although this particular Sniper model with the 700mm barrel is just too long for me for field / pest control use. But I'm selling my .177" non-FAC Wildcat soon as I'm replacing it with a compact rifle that I'll mostly use sub-12, but has the capacity to go up to 19ft/lbs at the turn of a dial. >:o) Watch my channel/Instagram/Facebook/Airgun World magazine for all the updates. Cheers. Russ

[@MrDirectNL]

I am not disabled, but even I think the Impact is heavy !

[@RussDouglas222]

The one I referred-to in the Maverick video was a fully tricked-up Sniper model with ALL the extras. I'm more a lightweight/portable Compact kinda guy. 👌🤞

[@stevenwigmore1805]

I have a brand new m3 been back to the dealers again and again and again absolute crap

[@RussDouglas222]

Sorry to hear that. Knowing you can get unlucky with these is why I went for a secondhand rifle, I knew it worked. Good luck, cheers. Russ

[@vietminhnguyen1195]

viet nam

[@jamesbowskill362]

Adjusted to ONLY 30 ft lb ! Not very exciting when compared to other sites that adjust up to 60 + ft lb. Horses for courses.

[@RussDouglas222]

James but it's not all about 'excitement' as you put it. This is a .22" air rifle set-up for pellets, and we know from testing by others, that standard-weight (16grain) JSB Exact Diabolo pellets fired from FAC air rifles are most accurate at aroundabout the 900FPS mark. ...i.e. as you keep increasing the power beyond that, the accuracy drops off. Davey since tested this M3 rifle with FX Hybrid slugs, and (if I remember rightly) found they were shooting sweetly somewhere around 42.5 ft/lbs. I'm just saying more power does not equal increased accuracy, and we want the optimum accuracy for our set-up, simply to hit what we aim at every time. Thanks for watching, cheers. Russ

[@saltire546]

@@RussDouglas222 Still not vey good power output , my pal bouht one from the same shop and was doing 75ibs ft straight from the factory with superb accuracy at full power .

[@RussDouglas222]

@@saltire546 Well I know Davie's still very happy with this M3 at about 910FPS. I watched him at the weekend picking off small stones one after the other from a backstop at 100yards. 👌😎

[@SHOOTER3258]

he call this nice groups ha ha ha ha

[@RussDouglas222]

Well this was his first groups 1" @100 yards is nae bad, but (as you'll know if you watched the video) Davie's a tinkerer and a perfectionist. Since then he's tuned things further and his best .22" group at 100 yards is a single furry hole