Does Gamo's New Air Rifle Meet Its Velocity Claims?

by
posted on September 13, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bs_2015_fs.jpg (13)

The Claim
If you read American Hunter you might recall seeing the Gamo ad that claims its new MRA ShowStopper air rifle will shoot a Gamo PBA Platinum pellet at 1400 feet-per-second. There have been faster air rifles, but for a spring-piston gun in the $250 price range, this is pretty darn fast. So I tested it.

The Test
I obtained a ShowStopper Shawn Michaels (as if I had to tell you, that’s the former WWF wrestling hall-of-famer-turned Outdoor Channel host of MacMillan River Adventures) signature edition air rifle. Next I found three types of pellets, including the .177 caliber, 4.7-grain PBA Platinum pellets and fired up the ole’ chronograph.

The Results

Pellet Velocity Results:
• Gamo PBA Platinum: 1358 fps
• Gamo Hunter: 1090 fps
• Gamo PBA: 1136 fps

The Conclusion
The PBA Platinum, which weighs almost half as much as a standard 7.6-grain pellet, achieved an average muzzle velocity of 1358 fps. It was 42 fps short of making 1400, to be exact, but 42 fps can be made up in altitude and atmospheric conditions, so I’m giving Gamo credit, especially considering many firearm ammunition products routinely fall 100-200 fps slower than company claims. I was surprised that it was that fast. 1358 is screaming for an spring-piston air rifle, and proves that the Showstopper isn’t Ralphie’s Red Ryder.

Latest

Upland (5)
Upland (5)

5 Keys To Make This Your Best Upland Season Ever

Tired of walking long distances and coming home empty-handed? Here are five keys to help boost your bag of birds this year.

C&H Precision and MERUS Adventure Launch Guided Hunt Giveaway

Free entry runs through Nov. 13, 2026, and one winner and a guest will be heading to the Texas Panhandle for a fully guided hunt at MERUS Adventure—a private hunting and off-road park near Claude, Texas, outside Amarillo. The trip includes a fully guided hunt, range time with top-tier optics and gear, on-site lodging for the length of the stay and off-road driving across the property.

Things I’ve Learned About Public-Land Elk

Every generation has a story starting with, “I remember the good old days.” Elk hunters have a similar dialogue and although elk numbers are at some of their highest in modern history, public-land hunting still represents a sea of challenges. With decades of elk hunting in my rearview and an ongoing education, a few lessons I’ve learned from elk hunting may aid you in your public-land elk pursuits.

Colorado Ballot Battle Heats Up

The required number of valid signatures to put a “Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment” on Colorado’s Nov. 3 ballot was reached on Sept. 4. If approved by voters—according to Ballotpedia’s summary—it would add the “…right to hunt, fish, and take fish and wildlife through traditional methods” to the state constitution.

#SundayGunday: CZ 600+ ST3 American

On this week's #SundayGunday, we are taking a look at the new-for-2026 design of the CZ 600+ ST3 American, the ST3 being the long- and magnum-action model. Built by the legendary Czech company for the American market, this is a rifle adapted perfectly to hunting on this continent.

How Can Hunters Travel Out of State With Suppressed Firearms?

Getting federal and state agencies out of the way of the citizens who wish to use suppressors to make their guns more polite to their ears and to their neighbors’ is an ongoing, complex and multifaceted effort. There is, however, progress being made thanks to the Trump administration.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.