Evanix AR6 Shrouded .22 Caliber
W/ Leapers 4-16×50 AO, MD, IR Scope
Written By,
Rick Eutsler
Editor / Owner www.AirGunWeb.com
editor@airgunweb.com

Review Product & Supplies
Provided by: www.pyramydair.com

Without a doubt the Evanix AR6 is a stunning airgun and the exceptional design and craftsmanship is immediately noticeable.  The Evanix AR6 comes in an ambidextrous stock that sports nice checkering on the grip and forearm and a raised cheek piece on both sides.  The wood grain and finish is right up there with the best airguns I’ve reviewed to date. This version of the Evanix AR6 also comes with a shrouded barrel that helps reduce shot noise.

The rifle uses a 6 shot rotary cylinder. The pellets load skirt first from the front of the cylinder.  Unlike the Magazine for the Marauder, the AR6’s cylinder allows for longer pellets like the Polymags or the Eun Jins making the AR6 a very flexible rifle.

The Evanix AR6 is both double and single action.  The pull weight on the double action is so heavy that it is virtually unusable, so treating it as a single action rifle is going to be your best bet.  The trigger pull is very heavy because of the powerful hammer spring which is necessary to achieve the high volume of air needed to reach for that 60 FT-LB target.  The trigger is still very stiff, even in single action and is not adjustable.  There is NO 2nd stage to this trigger, just a stiff short pull.

I Mounted a Leapers 4-16×50 AO, MD, IR scope to this rifle.  I really like Leapers products.  I’ve found them to bring some of the best value to the table as far as features vs. price goes.   I mounted the scope with a set of 2 piece Accushot high rings which provided more than enough clearance for the 6 shot cylinder.

The AR6 is a standard PCP rifle that operates at a max of 3000 psi.  The manual and integrated meter were a little confusing because the meter goes from green to red at 150 bar, approximately 2175 psi, but the manual says that you can go to 3000 psi, or closer to 206 bar. I’m cautious about taking things “into the red” so I called the techs at PyramydAir and got the OK to go all the way to 3000 psi.  They confirmed that the manual and the gauge were a little confusing and gave me the “go ahead” to fill it all the way to 3000 psi.

The rifle fills by using a high pressure source, like a scuba tank, or hand pump.  I use a scuba tank and fill kit that I got from PyramydAir some time ago.  The AR6 uses a simple probe which I’ve adapted to work with my foster quick connect fitting.  This makes it quick and easy to switch between adaptors to fill any of my PCP rifles from the same tank and fill kit.

Performance & Accuracy:

There is always a balance between velocity, accuracy, and energy put on the target.  The Evanix AR6 offers all 3 but not with just one pellet.  The rifle can shoot the very heavy 32.4 grn Eun Jin pellets at almost 900 FPS.  The down side is that their accuracy started to fall apart past 25 yards.

The BEST pellet in the AR6 was the 21.14 grn Beeman Kodiaks.  These delivered less energy, but remained accurate out past 100 yards.  So, at 25 yards and in, the Eun Jin pellets deliver moderate accuracy but incredible power, perfect for larger pests.  For every other application, the Kodiaks are the pellet to use.  Here are the numbers:

Starting with the Eun Jin Pointed 32.4 GRN pellets

• High: 899
• Low: 857
• Average: 878
• Extreme Spread: 42
• Standard Deviation: 14.94
• Average Energy: - 55.47 FT-LB
• Max Energy in tests: – 58.16 FT-LB

We did not get the full 60 FT-LB stated in the specifications, but we only needed another 15 fps to get there.  I don’t tweak the rifles before I test them.  These are “out of the box” results. I wonder if there is a way to get that extra 15 fps?

Now on to our most accurate pellet the Beeman Kodiaks at 21.14 grns.

• High: 988
• Low: 934
• Average: 962
• Extreme Spread: 54
• Standard Deviation: 20
• Average Energy: - 43.41 FPE
• Max Energy in tests: – 45.83 FT-LB

Review Summary:

You may never hear me say this again so please take note.  There are times when accuracy is relative.  When you consider most airguns need pinpoint accuracy to get clean kills, the Evanix AR6 is more like hunting with a bazooka.  If you hit game with close to 60 FT-LB it is going down.  Yes the Beeman Kodiaks gave us the best groups, but there is something to be said about putting over 58 FT-LB on a target inside 25 yards.  The accuracy difference at that range was certainly close enough, especially if you are trying to take down bigger game that has a larger kill zone.

Now, when you need to reach out past 25 yards, then the Kodiaks are going to be your best friend.  Just as a side note, if you are just shooting for fun and max power is NOT the issue.  Consider filling the rifle to just 150 bar and shooting the Kodiaks.  You’ll get a good 12 shots per fill and you’ll get more fills from your scuba tank because you are not trying to get 3000 psi into your gun.  You always have the option of taking it to 3000 psi when you need it.

Here is an average group from 25 yards using the Beeman Kodiaks:

Evanix AR6 .22 from 25 yards using Beeman Kodiak Pellets

Now to the scorecard, Pros and Cons:

The Cons:

The Evanix AR6 is not as accurate as I would have liked and is definitely louder than I would have liked. Even with the barrel shroud, it is well over 110 db.  The difference between the Benjamin Marauder .22 and the Evanix AR6 .22 is very noticeable.  This may not be a big deal to some, but if you are getting this to shoot in your backyard and you have picky neighbors, consider something else.

The Pros:

The Evanix AR6 has tremendous power, easy loading of pellets, easy cycling of the cylinder, it is lighter than I expected, and quieter than the non-shrouded .22 cal AirForce Condor in and RWS Dominator, two rifles that are in the same power class.

Final Word:

Written By, Rick Eutsler
Editor / Owner www.AirGunWeb.com
editor@airgunweb.com
Copyright 2011, Dog River Design, LLC – All Rights Reserved.