The ensuing month since the Part I post on the Cricket II Tactical (C2T) didn’t allow for a lot of additional time behind the gun due to some medical issues and totally uncooperative weather. However, I did enjoy the time I had working with this little powerhouse. Since the basics of this bullpup were covered in Part I, this installment will cover the scope used and results from range sessions.
A loaner Meopta MeoPro Optika6 was in my inventory and it provided a good fit for the power of the C2T with its 2.5 to 15 magnification. That can really make small objects look very large and clear plus the oversized zoom ring makes adjustments easy with its rubberized covering and very aggressive texturing. Meopta also includes a threaded throw lever that screws into one of four holes along the rim of the ring for fast adjustments. Extra screws are also provided to cover the remaining holes to keep debris from collecting in them. A side parallax adjustment knob having a smaller version of the aggressive texturing also eases dialing in a clear sight picture at various yardages. Speaking of clear sight pictures, this scope is made in the Czech Republic and they are renowned for their optical glass. Meopta is in its 89th year of making high quality optics, so it goes without saying you’d have a hard time finding an optic with better clarity, especially at this price point. Additional features include anti-reflective and hydrophobic coatings along with being nitrogen filled and waterproof. Aluminum caps having the same aggressive rubber texturing cover the windage and elevation turrets, which are adjustable in ¼ MOA very positive clicks. Zero can easily be reset using a coin or screwdriver once sighted in. This is a Second Focal Plane scope so the reticle remains the same at any magnification and won’t obscure a small target zone at high magnification. The reticle is a duplex type and other reticle options are available when ordering the scope. The scope also comes with lens covers connected by heavy rubber straps that hold them firmly on the scope; much better than the flimsy elastic cords used with some other lens covers. Its black matte finish blended perfectly with the finish on the C2T. Excellent glass with high magnification capability does come with a cost in weight so it did add 25 ounces to an 8.5-pound gun. Having the bottom six slot picatinny to attach a folding bipod to helped the overall weight be less concerning.
As far as performance, as can be expected from an airgun in this price range, it was very, very good. The C2T is also a product of the Czech Republic and Europeans take their airgunning seriously. The guns action was smooth and I never experienced any feeding problems other than when I tried Predator Polymags. They were just slightly too long to work with the C2T magazines and there is no way to feed individual pellets. The safety was positive at blocking the trigger and easy to use being just above the trigger.
I didn’t get the chance to determine a total number of shots per fill at 6000 feet altitude as I never let pressure go much below 200 bar. From 230 down to 200, shooting a variety of pellets of differing weights, I was averaging 30+ shots before topping off the gun. The User’s Manual states working pressure is down to 110 bar so it seems feasible you could get 90 or possibly more shots from a single fill. Accuracy results were excellent across a range of pellets at 25 yards. Pellet weights ranged from 14 gr. Up to 25 gr. hollow point slugs with results of five shots touching to pretty much a single ragged hole in a few cases. While H&N Field Target Trophy and Hatsan Vortex Supremes were not its favorites, they’d still get the job done if hunting with the C2T. Extreme spread and standard deviation were excellent with all of the pellets tried, opening up a bit when shooting the Argentinian-made Apolo slugs. Even so, the slugs traveled at an average 892fps having a 9.65 extreme spread and 4.12 standard deviation. For hunting that means over 44fpe!
A shout out here has to go to the new Norma branded pellets provided by AofA. They just recently started carrying this line and I think they have a winner here. Packed 200 to a tin, they were very clean. The S-Target Match at 14 gr. is designed for accuracy, of course and has a slightly reinforced skirt. It lived up to the accuracy claim producing a ragged single hole grouping. The Superpoint Strike at 14.5 gr. is designed for penetration and was also super accurate. The Golden Trophy FT Heavy, designed for energy, weighs 17.6 gr. and this domed pellet is considered a dedicated hunting pellet. It produced five shots touching and over 41fpe having an extreme spread of 5.60 and standard deviation of only 2.23. I have some similar results through another gun as well so look forward to doing more shooting with them.
All-in-all a great experience with a great little bullpup gun. I mentioned a couple of pet peeves with the C2T and after spending more time with it I’d prefer the grip thinned out somewhat for more comfort but by no means a deal breaker.
If interested in obtaining any of this kit or wanting to know more, give AofA a call.
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