I just took delivery of a 22 Seneca Aspen and have compared it to my 22 ATI Nova Freedom (which I had since December) and first impression is the plastic stock on the Seneca Aspen looks to be made of cheaper plastic material than the ATI Nova Freedom when comparing them side by side. It is also a little harder to pump than my Nova Freedom but I think it is because it needs to be broken in and the Nova Freedom has been shot for a while. The muzzle report sounds louder out of the Seneca Aspen compared to the Nova Freedom (Both are in 22 caliber and tested at the same power settings x2 LOW AND HIGH ) . The metal and shroud finish on both guns look identical and the Seneca Aspen is a cleaner looking gun since it doesn't have open sights. The ultimate hybrid would be to put the Seneca Aspen gun action into the Nova Freedom stock (even with the cheezy big white lettering) because the Nova Freedom stock looks to be more durable and finished better. The 4x scope with AO that comes with the Seneca Aspen looks to be a 4X32AO Mildot with a 7.5 yard minimum focus on the AO and appears to be a pretty (surprisingly) decent scope much better than the normal bundled (throwaway) scopes you find with other airguns. There is no brand marking on the scope at all and the rings are generic looking too. It doesn't even say made in China! I found my scope for my 1077w which is THIS scope. I had (temporarily) installed a 6-24x56 side focus mildot monstrosity (with huge side focus wheel) of a Leapers SWAT full sized scope to test for accuracy and noticed the severe barrel droop and had to hold over 2 mildots to get it to zero but still got ragged hole groups about the size of a quarter at 35 yards shooting Crosman Premier Hollow Points from Walmart while shooting it off of my knee and using the 10 shot Marauder style magazine. At 15-20 yards it shoots almost like a match rifle in accuracy literally stacking pellet upon pellet all day long. I pumped it up to 2900 psi then shot 3 shots then pumped it back up to 2900 consecutively. Pumping is very easy but my ATI Nova Freedom seems easier to pump in comparison but that has been well used till this day comparing a fresh gun. It does bark louder than my Nova Freedom though but hopefully it would quiet down some in time after break in. The trigger on the Seneca Aspen feels a little better than the one on the Nova Freedom but only by a smidge.
If you need open sights, the ATI Nova Freedom is the way to go which appears to have a better quality plastic stock and appears to be not as loud nor harder to pump as the Seneca Aspen based on my testing.
The scope which came with the Seneca Aspen is not enough to extract the most out of this fine gun.
Sorry for the lack of pictures, my phone got run over (don't ask).
HA
Thanks for the side by side comparison, I found it very informative. I like the idea of these and find them intriguing. Plinking around or occasionally a little squirrel hunting is what I enjoy with my airguns. That's probably why I keep looking at these two. Everything on-board and self contained with the ability for several shots between pumps. I think it would be perfect for my type of hunting.
Strictly speaking for myself, PCP is interesting but the extra paraphernalia (pumps, tanks, compressors, etc) doesn't. This looks like it might be a worthwhile compromise.
? I have to ask, what's the run over story????
Left the phone on top of the car then drove off and found it about half mile away on the road but still turns on but is really staticy and the camera lens is badly scratched. ?
HA
Tried other pellets from JSB and H&N and both JSB 15.9gr 5.52 and 18.1grs 5.52 shot better than the Crosman pellets and were 3/8" on average at 35 yards and the FTT 5.52s 3/8" too and 5.53s seem the best at an average between 3/8" to just over 1/4" (5/16") and I am going to try the other pellets later perhaps the Barracuda Match when I buy some more and take it out to 50 and 60 yards.
These were shot off of my knee and I expect the groups to be even better if bench rested.
At 25 yards they all stack pellet on pellet with boring regularity.
It is significantly more accurate than my out of the box 22 Benjamin Marauder (unregulated and untuned).
So far, IMHO this Seneca Aspen in 22 caliber has better than average accuracy for a 22 PCP shooting unsorted pellets straight out of the tins and shot using the magazine. I predict it will get even better in time.
HA
Anybody know what the twist rate is for the .22 Aspen? Also, does anybody know if the single shot tray for the Mrod or the Umarex Gauntlet will fit the Aspen? I know the mags from both rifles fit. I lost the single shot tray when I unpacked it.
Don't know the twist rate but have read good reviews shooting slugs through the 22 caliber barrel.
The single shot tray from the Gauntlet and Marauder should work in the Aspen.
HA
