By PJ Clarke | Wisconsin Airgunners
On a recent trip back home for some family matters, I had a free day—and I knew exactly how I wanted to spend it. I reached out to my good friend Matt from Behind the Curve Outdoors, who’s been handling pest control on some of the properties I used to shoot on. I asked if we could revisit a few of my old permissions, and not only did he come through, but he’s expanded access to several more farms in the area. It turned into the perfect opportunity to put the Karma EQ through its paces in a true field environment.
This wasn’t just a casual hunt—it became a real-world test of Karma Airguns’ flagship .25 caliber rifle, used the way it was intended: in the field, off the truck, on the move, and dealing with real pest control challenges.
Why Field Testing the Karma EQ Matters
Many air rifles can group well off a bench, but when it comes to durability, balance, and accuracy under variable conditions, only a few really stand out. The Karma EQ is one of those few.
Instead of setting up paper targets and sandbags, this trip was about testing practical performance. How does the EQ handle bouncing around in a farm truck? Can it thread a pellet through a barn window at 60+ yards? Is it rugged enough for field duty, and is the accuracy consistent shot after shot—even in windy conditions?
The answer to all of that, as I found out, is a resounding yes.
Initial Setup: Configured for Real-World Use
For this field test, I ran the Karma EQ in .25 caliber, outfitted with a DonnyFL Sumo moderator and the Arken Zulus digital optic, which handled both targeting and video capture. I also had some custom Cerakote work done on the barrel in a unique DonnyFL-style camouflage with red accents.
Let’s touch on the optic quickly: while the Arken name is on the Zulus, the latest firmware updates reveal a “DNT Optics” splash screen. This suggests Arken may be shifting electronic optics development to the DNT brand. Regardless of branding, the Zulus performed flawlessly throughout the day. I’ll dive into that later.
First Impressions: Built Like a Field Gun Should Be
The Karma EQ is a purpose-built field rifle. Its bullpup configuration keeps the overall footprint compact, despite housing a full-length 600mm barrel. Even with the Sumo moderator adding a few extra inches, the rifle remained nimble and easy to shoulder.
The balance point is spot-on for quick target acquisition from field positions or shooting sticks. Inside the cab of a truck, it was maneuverable. Passing it between shooters didn’t feel awkward, and mounting it to take shots from tight angles was effortless. That kind of handling isn’t a given with high-power PCPs—but it is with the EQ.
This rifle wants to be in the field. Period.
Accuracy in the Wild
Let’s talk performance. We took over 30 shots that were caught on camera—every one of them from real-world scenarios. The closest was around 10 yards; the farthest was past 70. One standout shot was a pigeon dropped cleanly from the top of a silo at 62 yards.
Throughout the day, accuracy stayed consistent. I was running 33 grain AEA pellets, shooting at roughly 900 FPS on a base tune. This combination offered excellent resistance to wind, which came in handy later in the day when gusts picked up to 15–20 mph. Even under those conditions, I was consistently holding edge-of-target wind calls and still making clean hits.
The Updated Trigger: A Game Changer
Now let’s address one of the most notable improvements: the trigger.
Since the initial release, Karma made a small internal change that resulted in a significant upgrade in performance. The new trigger unit breaks at around 1.5 pounds, and it’s clean. My shooting partner Matt had heard the older trigger had a long pull, and during one of his shots, he actually broke it prematurely—he wasn’t ready for how crisp it had become.
If you’ve read early opinions on the Karma EQ’s trigger, I’d recommend trying the updated version. This one isn’t just better—it’s competition-worthy.
The Zulus Optic: Clear, Comfortable, Capable
The Arken Zulus surprised me. All day long, I was behind it—scanning treelines, tracking birds, recovering footage—and at no point did I experience eye strain or fatigue. For a full-day shoot, that’s not something you can overlook.
Video quality was excellent, and I’ve got the footage to back that up. While I haven’t had a chance to run it after dark yet, I expect strong results. Based on what I’ve seen so far, the Zulus is a great match for this rifle.
Sound and Perceived Loudness
A bullpup naturally puts your ear closer to the action. That means perceived loudness is higher, even when sound is well suppressed. The EQ uses a heavier hammer spring, which delivers impressive power—but you do feel it. Mechanically, it’s a bit louder to the shooter than a traditional long rifle, but it doesn’t seem to project that noise downrange.
We proved that in two rabbit shots taken at under 20 yards. In both cases, the rabbits didn’t react until the pellet hit. That tells you a lot about sound signature and animal response. The Sumo in .25 cal is absolutely the right match here. For .22 users, I’d suggest the .25 cal Sumo, or even the Tatsu for a more compact setup.
Shot Count, Fill System, and Usability
The EQ fills via fill probe, and while not everyone prefers that method, it worked flawlessly here. The probe fit snugly—no wobbles, no leaks. Yes, you’ll need to keep it clean and not lose it, but shot count per fill was solid, and I didn’t find the fill system to be a hindrance at all.
It’s worth noting that you can expect consistent velocity throughout your shot string. Power delivery stayed rock steady during the entire hunt, which is what you want when the wind starts dancing through the trees.
Legal Considerations
Before heading out, I purchased a Wisconsin out-of-state small game license. All of the species shown in the video were taken legally with landowner permission. That includes grackles and red-winged blackbirds, which are protected under federal law but may be taken under depredation permits in Wisconsin due to their impact on orchards and vineyards. These birds destroy early-season buds—no bud means no fruit.
The rest of the day’s targets—pigeons, English sparrows, starlings, and rabbits—were either invasive or permitted under year-round control statutes.
Final Thoughts
The Karma EQ delivered exactly what I hoped for in this field trial. From truck cab to treeline, from 10 yards to 80, the rifle proved itself as a high-performance pesting tool with premium-grade precision.
It’s not just a range queen. The EQ wants to be out in the field doing real work. With the updated trigger, high shot-to-shot consistency, wind-resistant power levels, and compact maneuverability, it checks all the boxes for serious airgunners looking for a rugged, dependable .25 caliber platform.
If you’ve got questions about the Karma EQ or the Zulus optic, drop them in the comments. I’ll do my best to get you the answers you need.
Until next time—shoot safe, shoot straight, and we’ll see you around.
