Author Topic: Model 853 Daisy target rifle (Read 619 times)

tryit · « **on:** November 07, 2005, 12:20:43 PM »

Gents and Ladies, I have a chance to get a Daisy 853 pellet rifle at a good price. I like pellet rifles for training the young ones the fine art of shooting. Does anyone have any experience with one of these guns and what are the positive and negatives of this rifle? I have the 717 Daisy pellet pistol and it is the most accruate gun I own. I just hope that the rifle is the same way. Tryit.

durant7 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2005, 05:07:34 AM »

The 853 is a good starter rifle. Used by many ROTC, 4H, AFA etc. Clubs are moving to the 888 because shooters will not have the "break position" to stroke the 888 which is the primary gripe over the 853. The trigger has to be tuned which is not too hard. After some work this is a very good accurate rifle with a Walther barrel.

Good luck. Be sure to get the sights included as they are extra when you order from Daisy. Suggest you go to youth shooting area of targettalk.org to get more youth info.

Good luck....only shoot lead....no BBs!

jhmartin · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2005, 05:01:43 AM »

The 853 is a good, decent rifle for teaching standing and bench shooting.
It has a superb barrel (Lothar-Walther)

It's tough for someone younger than 15 or 16 to shoot it in 3 position as it is difficult to cock in the prone position ... not so bad in kneeling. As a range/safety officer you must watch the muzzles here.

Go to the Canadian Cadets website and they have good lesson plans that describe how to accomplish this in prone.

The 853 comes with the standard "low-end" diopter sights, but an accomplished shooter can get into the 240's and maybe the 260's (3x10) with these. Two of my best shooters (shooting 888's) prefer these sights over the high-end 753 type "Gamo" sights.

Note: New cost for an 853 (Club price) is ~$185

tryit · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2005, 08:45:16 AM »

Fellows, thanks for the feedback. I bought the rifle and tricked the trigger and replaced the sights with some sights that I had in the shop. I also have ordered another one for me. My grandson has killed all the grass hoppers that he can find. We are shooting down pecans form the tree and having some just plain old target shooting. This is a great little gun and accurate as can be. I see another rifle for my lady very soon. In fact I think I will just order two and be done with it. Tryit.