"Hen's teeth" and "Unicorn Horns" are, usually, expressions referring to items that are rare, precious, or downright non-existent.
As such it is often applied to Spring-Piston powered rifles that deliver above 14 ft-lbs of muzzle energy smoothly, evenly, consistently and reliably.
Our initial tests with the LGV platform were very enticing, but most shooters that ordered them wanted something to shoot FT with, either in the International Division (WFTF Division), or the Hunter Division and that implied toning down the rifles to under 12 ft-lbs.
If you have not done so, I would recommend reading these five previous entries:
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/the-walther-sport-family
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/swapping-the-walther-lgus-trigger
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/a-yankee-tune-for-the-walther-lgu
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/a-yankee-tune-for-the-walther-lgu-second-version
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/the-walther-lgv-a-second-look
But not everyone is a Field Target shooter. The world is still populated by a very large number of "general airgunners"; some of them with past experiences in shooting, but that have never shot an airgun.
Some of them are careful individuals that do quite some research before deciding on what to buy and which direction to take once they "leave port".
It was my privilege and pleasure to be contacted by someone well past his 60's that had enjoyed some success as a pistol shooter but that now wanted to try a long gun and, given the current trend in regulations, and ammo prices, decided that shooting pellets in his, rather large, backyard would be more satisfying than embarking on an "F" Class race.
Add to that the fact that he was, and is, a "Connecticut Yankee" and, well, we just hit it off.
We toyed with different ideas, from Dianas to AA's, going through HW's and Wallthers, but once all the chips were down and all the factors had been taken into account, we settled on a Walther LGV in 0.22" cal. that was to be converted into a reliable, accurate and simple to operate plinker. Knowing that it would have to pull Yeoman duty occasionally, to get rid of the squirrels that were digging up the Mrs's garden.
AND the whole project (lock, stock, scope and barrel) had to fit into an under $1K budget.
The only choice we really had, was to use a Challenger Ultra action, make it as smooth shooting as it could possibly be, and settle on a SIGHTRON S-Tac 3-16x42 scope on solid bases.
By this time, it was clear that the gun would have to be equipped with the Anti-Bounce Piston (ABP).
Careful sourcing of the components and with the support of the manufacturers, we got together all the parts and started the process.
Usually, it takes a tin or two of pellets to get a gun "run in". And this was no exception, but after the initial cleaning and then the very careful initial routine of shooting and cleaning, it was clear that the barrel was a good one. Only then did I put the gun through the chrono.
To my dismay, the gun was putting out less than 10 ft-lbs.
Now, less than 10 ft-lbs may be great in 0.177" and in the hands of a World Class FT shooter that is only looking to drop the FT's at 55 yards. But for a budding airgunner, it would not do. Too much to learn before attempting such feats and, on top, due to ease of handling the pellets themselves, we had chosen the 0.22" cal.
But I had faith in the platform and so we proceeded with several tests to ascertain what would be the best powerplant for the purpose.
We tested springs from Walther, Vortek, Maccari, and Titan, and in the end, the best result was obtained with the Maccari spring coupled with the ABP.
Do note that at this time, ARH does not list anymore this spring.
As such it is often applied to Spring-Piston powered rifles that deliver above 14 ft-lbs of muzzle energy smoothly, evenly, consistently and reliably.
Our initial tests with the LGV platform were very enticing, but most shooters that ordered them wanted something to shoot FT with, either in the International Division (WFTF Division), or the Hunter Division and that implied toning down the rifles to under 12 ft-lbs.
If you have not done so, I would recommend reading these five previous entries:
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/the-walther-sport-family
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/swapping-the-walther-lgus-trigger
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/a-yankee-tune-for-the-walther-lgu
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/a-yankee-tune-for-the-walther-lgu-second-version
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/the-walther-lgv-a-second-look
But not everyone is a Field Target shooter. The world is still populated by a very large number of "general airgunners"; some of them with past experiences in shooting, but that have never shot an airgun.
Some of them are careful individuals that do quite some research before deciding on what to buy and which direction to take once they "leave port".
It was my privilege and pleasure to be contacted by someone well past his 60's that had enjoyed some success as a pistol shooter but that now wanted to try a long gun and, given the current trend in regulations, and ammo prices, decided that shooting pellets in his, rather large, backyard would be more satisfying than embarking on an "F" Class race.
Add to that the fact that he was, and is, a "Connecticut Yankee" and, well, we just hit it off.
We toyed with different ideas, from Dianas to AA's, going through HW's and Wallthers, but once all the chips were down and all the factors had been taken into account, we settled on a Walther LGV in 0.22" cal. that was to be converted into a reliable, accurate and simple to operate plinker. Knowing that it would have to pull Yeoman duty occasionally, to get rid of the squirrels that were digging up the Mrs's garden.
AND the whole project (lock, stock, scope and barrel) had to fit into an under $1K budget.
The only choice we really had, was to use a Challenger Ultra action, make it as smooth shooting as it could possibly be, and settle on a SIGHTRON S-Tac 3-16x42 scope on solid bases.
By this time, it was clear that the gun would have to be equipped with the Anti-Bounce Piston (ABP).
Careful sourcing of the components and with the support of the manufacturers, we got together all the parts and started the process.
Usually, it takes a tin or two of pellets to get a gun "run in". And this was no exception, but after the initial cleaning and then the very careful initial routine of shooting and cleaning, it was clear that the barrel was a good one. Only then did I put the gun through the chrono.
To my dismay, the gun was putting out less than 10 ft-lbs.
Now, less than 10 ft-lbs may be great in 0.177" and in the hands of a World Class FT shooter that is only looking to drop the FT's at 55 yards. But for a budding airgunner, it would not do. Too much to learn before attempting such feats and, on top, due to ease of handling the pellets themselves, we had chosen the 0.22" cal.
But I had faith in the platform and so we proceeded with several tests to ascertain what would be the best powerplant for the purpose.
We tested springs from Walther, Vortek, Maccari, and Titan, and in the end, the best result was obtained with the Maccari spring coupled with the ABP.
Do note that at this time, ARH does not list anymore this spring.
From Top:
OEM Spring yielding 10 ft-lbs
Walther "12 ft-lbs" spring that yielded 11 ft-lbs
Maccari FP spring that yielded between 13½ to 15¼ ft-lbs
ABP piston
OEM piston
While at first looks there does not seem to be a radical difference between the OEM piston and the ABP, because the ABP is built using an OEM piston, the real differences are inside:
OEM Spring yielding 10 ft-lbs
Walther "12 ft-lbs" spring that yielded 11 ft-lbs
Maccari FP spring that yielded between 13½ to 15¼ ft-lbs
ABP piston
OEM piston
While at first looks there does not seem to be a radical difference between the OEM piston and the ABP, because the ABP is built using an OEM piston, the real differences are inside:
The ABP is a skirted, but "Guideless" piston. The short stub of a "guide" that can be seen only centers the stem into the cocking sleeve in the trigger unit.
Final results were rather satisfying:
Final results were rather satisfying:
Sorry that I had to obscure the serial number, but customer's wishes are all important.
The black bulls are slightly under ½" across and all groups are groups of 5 shots taken at 35 yards
Particularly interesting is how accurate the Non-Lead H&N FTT Green are from this barrel, there was one shot off the group, but I am almost certain that was me.
Checking other pellets at a much shorter distance, given the weather-imposed limitations, also proved interesting:
The black bulls are slightly under ½" across and all groups are groups of 5 shots taken at 35 yards
Particularly interesting is how accurate the Non-Lead H&N FTT Green are from this barrel, there was one shot off the group, but I am almost certain that was me.
Checking other pellets at a much shorter distance, given the weather-imposed limitations, also proved interesting:
As you can see, the JSB Exact Jumbo are great pellets in this gun, as are the H&N FTT lead ones.
Why the emphasis on non-lead pellets?
Because given the fact that winter is barely starting, my friend will have to start getting familiarized with his gun shooting indoors, and no matter what your age, no one should expose himself needlessly to lead dust.
An interesting number in all this is that the peak cocking force is just 36#, so efficiency is quite good.
And so, with somewhat of a heavy heart, I packed one of my best "children"; having graduated into real life she had to go and do her duty in the hands of her new guardian.
Why the emphasis on non-lead pellets?
Because given the fact that winter is barely starting, my friend will have to start getting familiarized with his gun shooting indoors, and no matter what your age, no one should expose himself needlessly to lead dust.
An interesting number in all this is that the peak cocking force is just 36#, so efficiency is quite good.
And so, with somewhat of a heavy heart, I packed one of my best "children"; having graduated into real life she had to go and do her duty in the hands of her new guardian.
I am sure she will be well cared for.
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
RSS Feed