My First Rifle - Gamo Phox .22

[FourFt_D4n]

Howdy,

I wanted to start this tread to document my journey in to airguns and my builds - something to look back on and see how far I've progressed in the hobby.

My Background with air guns
Growing up I've always had a dabble with fiends air rifles and Co2 pistols mainly doing slow motion clips of things exploding, been clay shooting a couple of times - but never actually owned my own rifle.

How I got to this point
The last couple of weeks we've had a number of rats in the garden, being attracted by bird feed that the magpies are scattering all over that place. So of course we put some bait boxes down but also decided to use this as an excuse to finally get myself an air rifle (at this point for small amounts of pest control)

Before I knew it I was deep in the rabbit hole of rifles, springers, co2, PCP - all I did for days was spend an unhealthy amount of time looking at rifles. Initially I wasn't going to spend much as it was only for a few rats soon decided that I would spend a little more to ensure it was capable of getting the intended job done - I don't want anything to suffer! I decided on the Gamo Phox .22 as It came in a kit with everything I needed to get shooting pretty much out of the box so off to Cheshire Gun Room Stockport I went!

The build
Setting up the rifle was a breeze and I was really happy with my decision. The only thing I wasn't too impressed with was the quality of the stock and the sharp edges along the centre where I believe it was moulded (I think) - nothing a quick scrape with a blade didn't fix and it's now nice and smooth.

Me being me I couldn't just leave it stock - I like to tinker and customize so I was straight back online looking for upgrades - not that I really needed to upgrade anything! I can't help myself at times haha

The below are the changes I've made so far

Hawke Vantage IR 4-12x50 AO Mildot Rifle Scope
Hawke Bipod
M2.5x10mm trigger mod
New rifle case as it didn't fit in the standard slip with the bipod

I'm also getting the Weihrauch HW97 Silencer

Coming Next:
My first visit to Bolton Gun Club indoor range...

 

[ChrisHobbs]

By all accounts a very capable rifle.
Wish you well on your journey.
And don’t forget to breathe
(Many may ad this, but please spend plenty of time at the range or at targets in your garden, before you tackle the rats. Make sure you can hit the spot )

 

[FourFt_D4n]

By all accounts a very capable rifle.
Wish you well on your journey.
And don’t forget to breathe
(Many may ad this, but please spend plenty of time at the range or at targets in your garden, before you tackle the rats. Make sure you can hit the spot )

Thank you Chris,

Yeah I plan to spend a lot of time at the range, for now I think the baited boxes have done the trick as I've not seen them for good few days

 

[valevelo]

Good choice- the Phox won't let you down. It was my first PCP 9 years ago and still keep an eye out for a 2nd hand one close by. Only sold mine because it was the Mk1 with a moulded on moderator- the newer ones with the threaded barrel are ideal.

They all have rough moulding though- right by the trigger guard to rub the knuckle on your middle finger

 

[FourFt_D4n]

Good choice- the Phox won't let you down. It was my first PCP 9 years ago and still keep an eye out for a 2nd hand one close by. Only sold mine because it was the Mk1 with a moulded on moderator- the newer ones with the threaded barrel are ideal.

They all have rough moulding though- right by the trigger guard to rub the knuckle on your middle finger

Oh yeah, I have a scab to prove it haha

 

[twigulus]

Great choice. I had one for a while and it was a fantastic rifle. Super accurate and hard-wearing.

Just double checking - you're aware the HW97 moderator is strictly for the Weihrauch HW97? It won't fit on this gun, as it has a special adapter on it. The standard Weihrauch moderator (1/2" UNF) will be a perfect match, though.

 

[Phox22]

A brilliant choice for a first pcp,my 22 phox was my first one as well and even though I own a couple of more expensive rifles as well now my phox still gets used weekly for pest control,it's very accurate,not pellet fussy and has been faultless in the 5 or 6 years I've owned it.And as said above get plenty of practise before shooting at any pests,good luck and enjoy the journey

 

[FourFt_D4n]

Great choice. I had one for a while and it was a fantastic rifle. Super accurate and hard-wearing.

Just double checking - you're aware the HW97 moderator is strictly for the Weihrauch HW97? It won't fit on this gun, as it has a special adapter on it. The standard Weihrauch moderator (1/2" UNF) will be a perfect match, though.

Ohhh I actually wasn’t aware thanks for saving me some hassle

 

[danhfromwales]

Welcome to the club! As others have said before get pin point accurate, if budget allows get several brands and types of pellets to see what the phox likes.

The nice thing about air rifle pellets compared to shotgun, rim / centre fire ammo is it's very cost effective.

 

[FourFt_D4n]

Welcome to the club! As others have said before get pin point accurate, if budget allows get several brands and types of pellets to see what the phox likes.

The nice thing about air rifle pellets compared to shotgun, rim / centre fire ammo is it's very cost effective.

Hi Dan,

Thanks, I’ve currently got the Exact jumbo Diablo, is there any others that you would recommend?

 

[Trumpetier]

JSB Stratons work well in many guns I've had.

 

[Beaver]

Tidy

 

[danhfromwales]

Hi Dan,

Thanks, I’ve currently got the Exact jumbo Diablo, is there any others that you would recommend?

If it's rats and other quarry your after I'd stick with dommed (and pointed if your getting good results). The Hades are dommed but what I would call hybrid as they are designed to flatten and cause as much energy transfer as possible. It has been noted on this forum mind that they don't achieve this at sub 12 power but all the same they are accurate for me.

I buy from cheap to premium tins of pellets every now and again and test through my Walther RM8.

The 4 tins in the right is what works best for the RM8 but I know the spitfires (bottom left) work great in the HW30 springer I have.

Once you acquire a couple of tins and you start to see results with a certain brand take note of the design, weight, the quality of manufacture (both tins of rws in this pic have damaged skirts for example)

Next time your at the gun shop have a gander and see what catches your eye.

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

Thanks for the write up, it’s certainly a very capable rifle and made by BSA hence its accuracy.

As other have said, practice, practice, practice, before shooting any live quarry buy most of all, enjoy the journey.

 

[jason72]

great rifles these, very accurate. i have the gx40 variant and it loves stratons and baracuda 15's. enjoy! had it for a couple of years now and has been faultless. have just ordered some new probe o rings for it as they do seem to wear as they pass through the mag and into the breech but other than that,

 

[FourFt_D4n]

View attachment 832569
If it's rats and other quarry your after I'd stick with dommed (and pointed if your getting good results). The Hades are dommed but what I would call hybrid as they are designed to flatten and cause as much energy transfer as possible. It has been noted on this forum mind that they don't achieve this at sub 12 power but all the same they are accurate for me.

I buy from cheap to premium tins of pellets every now and again and test through my Walther RM8.

The 4 tins in the right is what works best for the RM8 but I know the spitfires (bottom left) work great in the HW30 springer I have.

Once you acquire a couple of tins and you start to see results with a certain brand take note of the design, weight, the quality of manufacture (both tins of rws in this pic have damaged skirts for example)

Next time your at the gun shop have a gander and see what catches your eye.

Thanks Dan,

This gives me something to go off with experimenting.

 

[FourFt_D4n]

Thanks for the write up, it’s certainly a very capable rifle and made by BSA hence its accuracy.

As other have said, practice, practice, practice, before shooting any live quarry buy most of all, enjoy the journey.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply

Plenty of practice is defiantly going to be my approach, seems crazy to write this as I got the rifle for pest control but I don't want to make anything suffer. Luckily the bait boxes have done the trick for now - gives me plenty of time to practice.

 

[FourFt_D4n]

great rifles these, very accurate. i have the gx40 variant and it loves stratons and baracuda 15's. enjoy! had it for a couple of years now and has been faultless. have just ordered some new probe o rings for it as they do seem to wear as they pass through the mag and into the breech but other than that,

Hi Jason,

What is the difference between the GX-40 and the Phox? They look pretty similar to me.

Thanks for the heads up on the O-rings, I've been looking at putting a spares kit together - be good to be able to do repairs at the range if needed

 

[Trumpetier]

Hi Jason,

What is the difference between the GX-40 and the Phox? They look pretty similar to me.

Thanks for the heads up on the O-rings, I've been looking at putting a spares kit together - be good to be able to do repairs at the range if needed

The GX40 has a slightly longer barrel.

 

[Old Lobby]

The Gamo Phox (and Gx/Coyote range) are in my experience good value, reliable and accurate rifles. I wanted to try a wooden stock so I put a ‘seconds’ Coyote stock on it. The front bolt needs to be longer but I modified the stock so that I use the same bolt. My Phox was second hand from an RFD and tends to be accurate with a variety of pellets. Not as smooth as my Red Wolf or other high end guns, I don’t expect it to be, but excellent value and ‘just the ticket’ for hunting and fun at the range. Enjoy yours.