Crosman Challenger 2000 CO2 Air Rifle

 

By Todd Cooper

 

 

According to Crosman’s 2000 catalogue, the new CH2000 was designed as a "3-position target rifle... perfect for training". No where in the catalogue does it state that the rifle was designed for serious 10 meter Olympic style shooting competition. With this said, I have to add that I believe the CH2000 would make a reasonable budget priced 10m rifle for a beginner or young shooter. The rifle has sufficient accuracy for informal target work and the ergonomics are quite acceptable. The light weight design and ease of cocking are also a useful feature for young shooters. The CH2000 could be an alternative to the Daisy 853 or the new Daisy 888.

 

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS

 

 

Features

  adjustable comb height

  buttplate adjustable for cant and vertical position

  straight pull bolt action

  ambidextrous design

  2 stage non-adjustable trigger

 

Although the CH2000 trigger is non-adjustable, it still felt crisp and much better than the unaltered Daisy 853 trigger. The unaltered Challenger trigger is not even in the same league as a TAU-200 or any of the high priced 10m target air rifles. I would say the 2000 trigger felt like something from a quality rimfire sporter rifle.

 

The factory aperture rear sight on this rifle was a decent unit with mainly metal construction with plastic adjustment knobs. The front sight was a plastic tunnel with interchangable metal inserts and metal fastening bolts.

 

 

 

VELOCITY TESTS

 

 

The first 3 shots from a new CO2 bulb were approximately 8 fps above the average velocity for the specific pellet being tested. All testing was done after these 3 initial shots.

 

An occasional high or low velocity shot would be found in a 10+ shot string. Waiting 20+ seconds between shots seemed to cut down on this occurrence.

 

The velocity readings with the CH2000 were quite consistent using the JSB Match pellets. Even after 65 shots, the velocity was still approximately 475 fps.

 

 

 

ACCURACY TESTS

 

To fairly evaluate the accuracy of the CH2000, the factory aperture sights were removed and a Bushnell Sportview 3-9X air rifle scope was mounted. The comb on the CH2000 easily accommodated optical sights.

 

All groups were shot from a Workmate benchrest, using a medium firmness front rest and a rear rabbit ear bag.

 

The CH2000 was designed for shooting paper targets so only wadcutter pellets were evaluated. Testing domed pellets might have given different accuracy results but my testing time was limited.

 

 

Additional Notes

The CH2000 appears to be a reasonably accurate target shooting rifle with possible potential. Apparently bulk CO2 systems and power modifications have been done to these rifles by tinkerers. This is an area where I have no first hand knowledge.

 

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Copyright 2004