Beeman RX2 Air Rifle

  Large, muscular, graceful and concealing a very different power plant; this air rifle makes me think of a R1 that went for a gym membership.  Not that the RX2 doesn't have any manners, it’s just practical about them. Also it’s not without subtitles.  What’s not subtle is its performance. The very first thing I noticed when turning my attention to this large powerful air rifle is the beautiful laminate stock.  The layup is in alternating layers of hunter friendly tan and brown. Acting like the isotropic lines in a three dimensional contour map the different layers of material   combine to show off every plane and curve of this very rich looking piece of wood.  In fact of all the Beeman Air rifles I think this one is the best dressed.  The metal to wood fit is great and attention to detail is evident.  See the picture looking down on the breech block.  Observe the built up laminations that fill the space between the action and the contour of the forearm. Like the stock the metal finish is also first class.  All visible metal surfaces are cleanly machined and aside of the trigger and trigger guard are treated to a  nice deep blue. When you pick up the RX2 you know your holding something substantial.

I think my second favorite feature on this rifle is the safety.  On other Weirauch built air rifles the automatic safety is only resettable by re- cocking the action.  On this air rifle the safety  is located at the front of the trigger guard.  A button on the right side is depressed to shoot.  A trigger like lever at the very front of the guard is depressed to reset the safety.  It makes an audible click which might not be so great while hunting but its action whether fire or safe is very positive.  A visible and tactile safety off indicator is located on the right side of the trigger guard. As good as the safety is the trigger is not the famous refined Rekord unit as found on other top quality Beeman air rifles.  As a trigger on an air rifle primarily designed as a hunter and pest control it’s adequate; It is set at 2 lb. The big story on this air rifle is what is living inside.  On the left side of the breech block is a stamped word:  THEOBEN.  

This is the only visible clue to the gas ram air spring installed inside. Theoben is an English company nearly synonymous with this technology.  A gas ram looks like an automotive shock absorber with the energy to propel a pellet stored in a captive volume of air. When the rifle is cocked a volume of air (or other gas) is compressed in the ram. When the trigger is pulled the captive compressed air in the ram is allowed to expand sending the piston forward compressing a different volume of air inside the compression tube.  This forces the pellet down the barrel. This air rifle has no conventional main spring and none of the problems that are associated with very powerful spring piston air rifles.  The other clue is the pronounced “Thrack” produced when the action is triggered.  It takes nearly 50 lb. of force to cock the RX2, it’s very smooth and the lockup is very positive. On the range I had some fun with this beast.  Spinners really spin and my 75 ft. target, a bronze goat bell was destroyed after a very short session with the RX2.  The factory open sights are the excellent Beeman micro click adjustable rear with hooded front. It includes a selection of front sight inserts. Gas ram rifles are the "other" pre-charged Pneumatics! 

 Beeman Field Target Specials  (11 Gr.) 20 yards.

Rick Klages