Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 PCP Air Rifle Test Review .22 Caliber

VALUE FOR MONEY

Selling for a price of $999.99, the Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 PCP air rifle is definitely not a contender in the “value-priced” PCP market. However, it offers many features comparable to those found on higher-end products selling for around $1,400 – $1,500 at the current time.

That definitely makes the Throne strong value for what it offers, together with its performance and high quality finish.

BUY FROM PYRAMYD
Reximex Throne Gen2 Compact PCP Air Rifle 0.22

SPEED AND ACCURACY

The .22 caliber Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 PCP air rifle tested by HAM achieved a maximum Muzzle Velocity of 950 FPS using 10.03 Grain H&N Field Target Trophy Green pellets.

More importantly, the Muzzle Energy peaked at 26.3 Ft/Lbs using 25.39 Grain JSB Jumbo Monster pellets.

As can be seen from the table above, accuracy was excellent with almost all of the HAM standard test pellets. However the two heaviest pellets – H&N Baracuda Match and the Jumbo Monsters – gave the best, almost identical, accuracy in HAM testing.

This ability to deliver good accuracy with a wide range of ammo (including the Howler slugs) is clearly a strong feature of the Throne Compact.

TRIGGER AND COCKING EFFORT

The trigger of the Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 PCP air rifle tested by HAM broke at an average pull weight of 3 Lbs 2 Oz. That was somewhat higher than we had anticipated, although it’s a fair weight for hunting use.

This two-stage trigger felt somewhat mushy to the HAM testers. It also felt to have a rather inconsistent sear break. The result is a trigger that’s usable, although – to be fair – Reximex do not claim it to be “match grade”.

The trigger is adjustable for pull weight, although – as always – the HAM testers shot it in “as received” condition. The trigger shoe can also be raised and lowered for the shooter’s physique. That’s good.

One outstanding, innovative and effective feature is the safety. This actually forms part of the trigger guard. It’s pushed down to fire and up for safe, blocking the trigger as it does so. It’s simple and easy to use for both left- and right-handed shooters.

HAM Tester Doug Rogers loved it. He described it as a “brilliant design.”

The side cocking lever springs open when activated. The action is perfectly adequate and works well. However it lacks the “buttery” smoothness that can be found on some other side levers.

The cocking lever can be moved to the other (left) side of the gun if required by the owner. It’s shown in this Reximex video, which I recommend watching if you are considering this job.

COMPARISON TO MAKERS CLAIMS

The manufacturer claims a Muzzle Energy of 25.8 Ft/Lbs when using 18.13 Grain pellets in the .22 caliber Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 PCP air rifle.

In HAM testing, we achieved a maximum of 26.31 Ft/Lbs with 25.39 Grain JSB Jumbo Monsters. So the claim is fair.

Reximex also claims 65 shots per fill at “optimal velocity”. In HAM testing, we achieved 77 consistent shots, as you can see from the shootdown chart below. Excellent!

CONSISTENCY

The Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 PCP air rifle tested by HAM displayed a very even, straight shot curve. This is good and shows that the factory tune settings were well devised.

But the standard HAM shootdown test showed an unusual feature. Note those occasional “high” shots in the chart below?

This caused some head-scratching for the HAM testers until we realized that the fast shots corresponded with the first shot from the re-filled magazine. That’s the reason for the deliberate “wide flyer” shot you can see at the left of Doug’s 10-Yard targets at the foot of this review, while we were working-out the cause of this issue.

But it’s worth noting that this phenomenon was apparent primarily due to the outstanding consistency of the remaining shots! Overall this is still excellent consistency, as is proven by the 2.50 FPS Standard Deviation across the whole range of standard HAM test ammo.

Trigger pull weight varied by plus or minus 5 Oz around the 3 Lb 2.5 Oz average value. This is a good result, however HAM Tester Doug Rogers commented that the variation “felt like more” in his test notes.

NOISE LEVEL

The Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 PCP air rifle is equipped with a shrouded barrel that incorporates a built-in silencer. However it still has somewhat of a crack when fired.

The sound is not unpleasant, but it may be an issue for some backyard shooters.

The muzzle has the standard 1/2-Inch UNF threading, under that cap. So a dedicated, airgun-only silencer can be fitted where legal and if desired.

SIGHTS AND SCOPE

The Reximex Throne Compact features an interesting combination scope rail. This includes the obvious Picatinny profile. However – when you look closely – you see that the tops of the Picatinny “teeth” are machined with a 11mm dovetail profile. It’s one of the multiple clever design features that are found in the Throne.

The HAM testers mounted a Hawke Sidewinder 6-24 x 56 FFP scope using Hawke Tactical Ring Mounts. The scope balanced well and provided a good, sharp image for the testing.

The scope rail offers around 7.25 Inches of length for scope mounting. This was plenty for the different scope positions required by the two HAM testers.

SHOOTABILITY

HAM Tester Doug Rogersw described the Reximex Throne Gen 2 Compact PCP air rifle as being: “Light, easy to shoot, compact and shouldered well.”

At an all-up weight of 9 Lb 9 Oz, including the Hawke Sidewinder scope, the Throne Compact feels solid and very stable for offhand shooting. As you can see from the photos, the vertically-adjustable buttplate came-in useful in achieving a comfortable shooting stance.

So there’s obviously some strong shootability benefits for the Throne here.

However, there’s also some downsides. Both testers found the cheek rest to be rather uncomfortable. Also the side of the shooter’s face is placed against the metal breech block. This can make it distractingly cold in some weather conditions.

The main shootability issue is that left-handed shooter Doug Rogers found the Throne to be very uncomfortable. The combination of magazine projection and location of the power control and barrel locking knobs made it less than ideal for left-handed shooting.

It’s no problem for right-handers, however.

Reximex obviously intends the Throne as a tuner’s gun. There are adjustments for regulator pressure, hammer spring tension and transfer port aperture.

That’s common enough. But on the Throne, these adjustment controls really shout out “adjust me!”. There’s nothing subtle here and I suspect that few will resist making changes to the factory settings.

Below we see the prominent hammer spring adjustment knob.

The regulator pressure adjustment wheel is prominently located directly above the trigger. As with most other PCPs, increasing the regulator pressure can be done at will.

However, reducing the reg pressure requires the gun to be completely de-gassed. True, the manufacturer describes the process required in the manual. However a catch or similar “reminder” could be beneficially added to the gun for those who do not “RTFM” or do but forget!

There’s also an easily-controlled transfer port adjuster on the left side of the breech, just ahead of the magazine well.

APPEARANCE AND FINISH

Personal opinion is that the Reximex Throne Compact is a harmonious design that is likely to appeal to anyone interested in “bullpup, black gun”-style air rifles.

The use of bright, contrasting yellow color for the magazine rotor and HPA fill cap is good for use in dull conditions, without being gaudy.

Another good usability feature is the provision of large bottle and regulator pressure gauges. These are 25mm diameter, over 50% larger in area than the standard 20 mm diameter gauges that you see on most PCPs.

The result is easy reading. Particularly when the gauge plates are so well designed and printed as we see on the Throne.

The finish of the gun is very well executed. Doug Rogers – an experienced machinist himself – commented: “Machining was excellent. Any non-metal parts were done well too.”

That’s very high praise from Doug!

BUYING AND OWNING

The Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 is readily available in the USA from Pyramyd, Airgun Depot and Air Venturi dealers. However the 12 month warranty is uncompetitive with the 3-year or 5-year coverage offered by many other manufacturers.

Loading the magazine with pellets is easy, but loading the mag into the gun is a little unusual as it loads from the left side (opposite to most others). The presence of a plastic rib on the mag makes engagement simple enough once muscle memory has set-in.

Doug Rogers mastered it instantly. I took longer to adapt. There would be no problems with this for a normal owner who was used to it.

The provision of a single-shot tray is to be welcomed. However both HAM testers found that pellets tended to turn around, facing backwards, as they rolled down the loading ramp. It’s possible that additional user experience would rectify this tendency. But neither of us mastered it…

Initially I was pleased to read that the Reximex Throne Gen 2 Compact PCP air rifle is supplied in a hard case. That’s true and it certainly helps to protect the gun in shipment to you.

But unfortunately, the case is not large enough to contain the gun with a scope mounted.

That’s a big disappointment and means that you’ll still need to buy a case for the Throne. After all, very few people will be prepared to remove or re-mount their scope every time the gun is taken in or out of the case…

Another good feature is that the English-language instruction manual for the Throne includes a full parts list and exploded diagram.

Now, it’s rather too small to read in the printed version. However, it’s also available online in PDF form on the Reximex website and so you can zoom-in to enlarge as appropriate.

When you do so (below), you’ll see that Reximex includes precise specs for all the O rings and many of the standard small fasteners and other parts used in the gun. Excellent!

The Throne is supplied with two magazines (both showed the same fast first shot behavior). That’s good. Also good – in my opinion – is the use of yellow as a strong contrasting color for the magazine rotor. That makes for easy pellet loading in poor light.

The black plasitc “box” on the right is actually the Throne’s single shot tray. One is supplied with the gun, too.

The Reximex Throne Gen 2 Compact PCP air rifle is designed to accept alternative barrels (and bolts). So it’s possible to change between .22 and .25 calibers. I believe that Pyramyd plans to have caliber change kits available in future.

TEST TARGETS

BUY FROM PYRAMYD
Reximex Throne Gen2 Compact PCP Air Rifle 0.22

This entire article including scoring, test targets etc is Copyright Hard Air Magazine and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the publisher.

The post Reximex Throne Compact Gen 2 PCP Air Rifle Test Review .22 Caliber appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.