Beeman R7 .117

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C.C.Martins
Posts: 3368
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.

Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member

Wow no crap, that is fantastic! A twofer as well, how rare is that?
That is an example of lots of work and shooting! Dang!
And how typical is that? Martins come and then the dang sparrows and starlings.
think ill give that a try Rob, thanks. I have the BSA scope that will dial in very close, think I'll do some sight adjustments on it. I have not tried to sight it in at high magnification. I'll try, think your gammo can really reach out and touch them.
Thanks man,
Went to a shop next door, guy there is big into pellet guns. I asked him about the R7, he said highly accurate, solid and a fantastic choice. Recommended I call air guns of Arizona direct and get it....going to.
Any day now here!!!!!
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
Martintown33
Posts: 1366
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

Yes Tom, you can’t go wrong with the beeman.. especially since you’re already accustomed to the artillery hold.. no learning curve on the different shooting technique… once you have your crosshairs zeroed in at the 3.5 or magnification of your choice, when looking through your scope, the damn HOSP practically looks like he’s in your face! Just put the crosshairs on his chest, and it’s lights out! I wish I would have used the higher magnification years ago!
Let us know how the R7 works out..
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Conrad Baker
Posts: 756
Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:43 pm
Location: Paulina, Louisiana

I use 6X on my scope. My shots are 22 to 24 yards, depending on the housing I'm shooting at. Instead of aiming center of bird, use higher power to pick a feather or speck or spot on him to aim for. I've been to several sniper schools (Marksman/Observer Course) when I was on the NOPD SWAT Team, and the saying is "Aim small, miss small". Also, "one shot one kill" is certainly true-If you miss a sparrow chances are he won't give you a second chance. He won't sit still long enough when he comes back later.
Last edited by Conrad Baker on Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
Martintown33
Posts: 1366
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

Excellent Conrad ! 6x magnification… it’s like the HOSP is sitting on the end of your barrel! I’m only shooting about 12 to 13 yards, so 3.5 works well for me.. I like the “ pick a feather and shoot for that”… Great technique..
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Thomabear
Posts: 484
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:10 am
Location: Cut Off, Louisiana

Congrats Tom on an excellent choice. I think you will see a world of difference going forward. It's a great feeling to nail one of those sneaky rascals with every shot. I too like the higher magnifications as I find the large and clear presentation of the target is much better for my aging eyes. I'm set and focused at 6x and its nice to be able to see their eyelashes. (Kidding) Happy shooting!
2019- 6 Pair, 30 Fledged
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
Phil01
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 52 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. K-18 gourd rack all Troyer Horizontal Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
2024- 26 pair, 125 eggs, fledged 83
2025- 32 pair, 182 eggs, fledged 134
2026- Added a Troyer K-18 all Troyer Horizontal.
PMCA Member

Tom, seems you are wearing out the HOSP and pellet guns…. lol You definitely put a hurting on the HOSP by your site.
I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Beeman guns. I’m curious to hear what you think about it?

Like you I got tired of replacing my pump guns and tired of pumping them too.. I went with the GAMO whisper fusion, Mach 1, .22 cal. Break barrel. Like it a lot but whisper it doesn’t… lol Pretty loud in my opinion. Once I went through a bunch of pellets, figured out it liked the H&N hornet pellets. Like Rob I zoom in to 5x sometimes 6x on a Leapers scope so my old eyes can bring the target closer. Normally shoot 15-20 yards. Gun has some power, took a shot at the predator guard on my old pole before I took it down, went through the front side and back side of the guard with a mushroom on the backside exit.. I was surprised it made it through both..
Have fun with your new toy sir!
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
C.C.Martins
Posts: 3368
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.

Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member

Phil,
Oh they meet the grim reaper quick if they make a mistake and come here. Like all of us I think. Trapped more sparrows last year than shot but did get a chance to sneak some shooting in at our public site...feral hog problem, they scattered corn in a big open area set their traps. Well sparrows came out of the woodwork so went over there and sat a whole day and shot the crap out of them. Set the ST 1 up with a bait bird and got some more.
My trouble is I buy cheapest and work hard at getting them to be good. 70 dollar gun with 140 dollar scope, JSB pellets, sound supressors. I treat them like babies, never jostle, cover the scope when it sits. They are just not made to last.
I like it, one I don't have a huge space to try to hit em. Short range. Check that box, R7 seems to fit. Its accurate as hell, especially with scope. Check again. Its quality and will last. Check. Reviews are top notch. And quiet.
Wow, that pellet went through the predator guard? Side to side? Good lord! Starling iron wings don't stand a chance!
This Saturday ill scope it in to higher magnification glad you do the same thing Rob does.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
Phil01
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 52 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. K-18 gourd rack all Troyer Horizontal Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
2024- 26 pair, 125 eggs, fledged 83
2025- 32 pair, 182 eggs, fledged 134
2026- Added a Troyer K-18 all Troyer Horizontal.
PMCA Member

Tom, yeah I was amazed by the number of HOSP and Starlings you dispatch! There must be a ton in your area! You’re definitely doing a service getting rid of those dang things!
I’m very fortunate that I have never seen a HOSP or Starling at my site. Thank god, I have enough trouble dealing with Owls and Hawks.. But I am ready if they show up. Have all SREH just in case. I’ve seen them and HOSP in the shopping center parking lots a few miles away, and HOSP building nests in the signs so it’s only a matter of time I’m sure… Meanwhile I enjoy wasting the tons of squirrels around here. I’m just careful the neighbors kids aren’t out so I don’t traumatize them.. lol
Yes, the higher magnification really helped with my accuracy. I used to be pretty good with open sights but with age, scope and magnification is the ticket!
I think you’re really gonna like that Beeman! I’ve heard a lot of great things about them from my friends! The reviews are awesome too! I’m sure it will be the last pellet gun you’ll have to buy for a LONG time!
I’m like you with my Gamo, sits in a stand on the bed in my spare bedroom.. House guests can get a hotel.. lol Gonna site it in this weekend, see how it held up through the winter.
Have fun with it and give us a review once you get it sighted in.
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
C.C.Martins
Posts: 3368
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.

Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member

Phil,
Had to bump this thread, got a chance to use the R7 today. Saw two sparrows and a starling, got two sparrows and a starling this morning. Only thing I'd do diffrent with this gun is go back in time and buy two in 2017.
Used JSB exact domed 8.4 gr pellets with suggested mantis scope. Crisp, clean, beautifully made, wow accurate, great scope. And quiet! The thump of the pellet hitting the sparrows was as loud as the action.
Tom
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
Martintown33
Posts: 1366
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

Tom, congrats on the beeman! I almost bought one last season, but I had my gamo dialed in , was having great success, so just decided not to change things up. But they are great, well crafted guns. And you’re right, very quiet. I know you mentioned that being quiet was a must have , for your home site. And very well crafted, in both the mechanisms and in aesthetics… enjoy! I know the HOSPS won’t.. lol..
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
mwren
Posts: 174
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:43 pm
Location: OH/Athens
Martin Colony History: I have had my martin colony on the dam of one of my ponds for nine years. The colony has grown each year, but I am now concentrating on helping friends and acquaintances who have shown interests in martins. My colony consists of three T-14's with 8 Troyer gourds attatched to each T-14, a Troyer gourd rack with 12 gourds, and another gourd rack with 18 Troyer gourds for a total of 96 nest cavities. I am having serious predation issues with hawks and owls and am experimenting with various hawk guards and "screens". Established successful supplemental feeding the last few seasons and have had a blast flipping mostly meal worms and some crickets. Faculty from Ohio University are using my colony as a research site to study parasites that target cavity nesting birds. In exchange for access to my bird trail nest boxes and martin housing, they are banding all birds involved in their study.

Going to look for this air rifle. How much does this gun cost?
Mike Wren
Mike "Bird" Wren
C.C.Martins
Posts: 3368
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.

Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member

Mike,
Beeman R7 elite and one can of JSB pellets was 479.99. If you have a good scope, dont need the elite...elite just comes with a mantis scope mounted. I figured what the hell.

Rob,
Yeah iv got to play nice with neighbors. Sux but it is what it is.
I swear I came close to the Gammo, real close. High reviews, accurate as heck. Just didn't do it. Went back to what I know.
Tom
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
Phil01
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 52 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. K-18 gourd rack all Troyer Horizontal Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
2024- 26 pair, 125 eggs, fledged 83
2025- 32 pair, 182 eggs, fledged 134
2026- Added a Troyer K-18 all Troyer Horizontal.
PMCA Member

Tom,
Congrats on the Beeman sir! Yes, if you bought two in 2017 probably same price as one today.. Beautiful air rifles! I like that it came with the mantis scope mounted too, that’s the best way to go imo. Wow, already putting a hurting on the HOSP’s and starlings, 3 for 3! Have fun with it and give us a Beeman HOSP count at the end of the season.
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
Thomabear
Posts: 484
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:10 am
Location: Cut Off, Louisiana

Congrats Tom, Let us know when you have that R7 sighted in and you retire your 1st sparrow with it. Hopefully you will join the 100% kill rate club instead of feathering and educating them pesky sparrows.
2019- 6 Pair, 30 Fledged
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
C.C.Martins
Posts: 3368
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.

Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member

Took out a contract hit Saturday. Retired two sparrows and a starling. seemed fitting that it was a male first and shortly after the female. Starling before i left.

Right out of the box. No tweeking with the scope. This will be the last one I ever buy I think, I love it, makes me feel like I'm a better shot than I am!

Lol! 100% club! I didn't know there was a club sir! So far 3 for 3 but doubt ill ever get a membership lol!
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
Thomabear
Posts: 484
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:10 am
Location: Cut Off, Louisiana

Great news! The 100% club doesn’t exist but is actually a goal. Lol
Even if there were such a club It wouldn’t be right if I were to become a member. I’ve been 100% kills for quite a while but I have to admit its not due to my marksmanship skills. I’m shooting off of a table I built that rest on a windowsill with a bipod and a very comfy chair. Its kinda hard to miss with all the artificial stability. My sparrows are few and far in between now. Trapping and shooting has made a world of difference. Good luck getting them…
2019- 6 Pair, 30 Fledged
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
Martintown33
Posts: 1366
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

Agree thomabear… shooting from a stabile platform is key to accuracy, along with a quality rifle! Way to go Tom, 3 for 3, great start sir! So far this season, I’m 21 of 23, kills … shooting from my blind with a stabilizer … not 100% but I’ll take it.. thomabear is right Tom, you will take great gratification, out of getting a clean kill, just about every time you shoot at a HOSP… keeps the frustration level down for sure, knowing they don’t have much of a chance of escape. Since my last kill about 5 days ago, I haven’t seen a HOSP…
Happy hunting and congrats on your new R7!
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
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