I just know that many of you Kral, Weihrauch, Daystate, Air Arms owners have been waiting for a review of this little guy
I target shoot indoors up to 29 feet and no access to outdoor plinking so focus on accurate target work with sub 500 FPS airguns. I do like bb guns as a change of pace from pellet shooters. I have been using the Daisy Grizzly 840 for short range bb targets and find this to be very acceptable after having other models over the years.
I just got the Champion from the Gun Dealer in NB. $99.00 ( total with tax/shipping to Toronto $170.) My 80 year old, glasses wearing eyes were dreading the peep sight shooting with this gun plus the fact that the many reviews leaned toward the expensive Daisy Precision Ground ( formerly Avanti) bbs as the best to use which cost me $46 including tax/shipping from CSS for 2 containers of 1050 each.
I use a small laser on all my airguns , just fine for indoor/controlled lighting and wondered how to mount this on a non-scopable Champion- I was happy to see that a short 11mm. rail was visible where the peep sight assembly would be installed. Not a robust rail but suitable for the small laser claws to clamp onto.This rifle is well made and easy to use.
I have gone through many Daisy Precision bbs. Hornady and Umarex as well at 16-22-24 feet.I can tell you that all were excellent at the 16/22 feet range. Happy to find the Hornady and Umarex performed well as I have a lot on hand. My 5 shot groups at 16 feet ( the universal competition distance) were very small with all 3 brands and no flyers
Some reviews have wondered how a 240 FPS bb rifle can do that well. I suspect that the 11 1/2 inch inner barrel was designed to produce good results especially for competion shooting . The popular opinion that BB guns ( rifle in this case) are not accurate beyond a short distance is generally true but if you or new shooters want to be impressed by short range great performance- the Daisy 499B will please you! It will be very good at longer plinking distances.
Having said all this, I will update this review later if performance drops.