Beeman 78 QB

Hello to all;

I had read a couple of reviews on the Beeman QB78S Co2 rifle recently and was interested after realizing that “mechanically”, it was basically a clone of the early Crosman 1955 Series Model 160/167 Co2 rifle, down to the cock on bolt closing mechanism and 2 Co2 cartridges!! I have both a 160 and 167 Crosman co2 rifle and was curious to see how the QB78S would measure up?

I started looking at some sites I normally peruse for availability and found them at $119.00-$129.00, and was getting ready to place an order, when I decided to check Amazon for pricing; “lo and Behold” there it was for $74.95!! I immediately placed an order for a .177 caliber, (comes in .22 cal. as well) and 5 days later it arrived.

The rifle was slightly over 38” in length, weight a bit over 6 lb, and rated at 650fps. Comes with adjustable rear sight; single shot, lever safety located on the plastic trigger guard. The stock is synthetic, rubber butt pad, with the requisite thumbhole configuration nowadays (“Tactical Dactical”). Also has attachment rail for Bi Pod etc. guess one can tell I am not particularly a fan of the thumbhole stock configuration, I think the rifle would have been better suited with a normal configuration stock, just my opinion I am sure others will disagree, but I understand it can be a selling point!!! I do know of the Rifles Provenance, that being China! “Beeman” refers to this rifle as one of their “Power Series”!

After checking all mounting screws for tightness etc., I started with cleaning the barrel using the “Patch Worm” cleaning kit; I have become rather fond of this cleaning system after using it for a while. I also discovered a very poor crown cut on the barrel at this time and re-cut it first, then started the barrel cleaning process, I must say at this point; I have never before come across a barrel as dirty internally as this one; “Airgun or Firearm” it was absolutely filthy!! It appears that little was done when manufacturing the barrel to apply any cleaning process afterword!!

After cleaning the barrel, I checked the trigger pull with my “Lyman Digital” trigger pull gage; it measured 2.9 lbs. as received, good enough for me, no attempt was made to lower any further. I had an old “Redfield” 4x32 scope I have had since the late seventies lying around; I have used on several rifles, and decided to use it, initially. After mounting the scope I charged the rifle using 2 Co2 cartridges as outlined in the manual, by first cocking the rifle then engaging the safety installing the 2 Co2 carts as instructed in the manual and tightened the tube cap and backed out a quarter turn from tight., I then fired one shot and the rifle was now charged and ready for testing.

I used two pellets for velocity testing Crosman 7.9 gr. and Vogel USA 8.1 gr. Match type that I buy in 6000 bulk packs, equates, to about $ 5.25 per 500 tin. I have found these pellets to be a good all-around pellet.
First 15 shots, Crosman 7.9 gr. – H-650 fps. L- 627fps = avg. 639fps 7.2 ft. lbs

Next 55 shots, Vogel WC 8.1 gr. – H- 652 FPS. L-520FPS = avg. 586 fps. 6.2 ft. lbs
70 SHOTS TOTAL!! “Outstanding”

This is really good performance from 2 Co2 cartridges and indicates a well-balanced valve system!!
I will now move on to accuracy testing performed at 20 yards from bench rest. I will start with the Crosman 7.9 gr. and fresh Co2 cartridges and follow with the Vogel pellets.

Crosman 7.9gr. 5 shots = 1.360’’ c-c
Vogel 8.1 gr. 5 shots = 1.685 c-c

Pretty disappointing; I suppose the Crosman 7.9 gr. or Vogel pellets could be considered an ok plinking round, but I was expecting better!! In the past when I have had problems with accuracy in .177 cal. Air Rifles I have gone to the “Polymag Predator” Pointed Ballistic Tip Pellets and have found that in most cases this solved the accuracy problems; at least for me; and this was precisely what happened in this case!

With the 8 gr. Predator Polymag Pellets I got 4 shots into .480”c-c with one out of the group which was my fault, making a 5 shot group of .890”. With the” Polymag Predator” pellets this Rifle /pellet combination is capable of ½ inch groups at 20 yds. Velocity with these pellets was 648 fps. Perfectly capable of small game or pest control. Interestingly the Polymags were more centered on the point of aim, the green ½ dot than were the Crosman and Vogel pellets as witnessed by the impact as I made no adjustments on the scope!!!

As a comparison my 1955 Crosman Model 167 dual Co2 rifle delivered 690 + fps and .780”c-c 5 shot groups albeit with the S-331 Peep Sight, no scope, I will leave this unit as it came from the factory; it is covered in the CD “Old Airguns &Memories” I have for sale, which covers 50 + Old AirGuns.

Well to wrap it up I am very pleased with the QB78S, AND ESPECIALLY AT $74.95, one of the best air gun buys I have made!!

Garey