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Other Thoughts about Slugs and Magazines
- By 6gun
- PCP Airguns
- 3 Replies
As a guy who handloads and messes with casting and many calibers..... I think its nuanced but I will give the big one first.I enjoy modest power (below 50 fpe) airguns and pellets for most of my shooting but a strong curiosity about slugs has had me investing in a couple of PCPs specifically for them.
I'm trying to figure out what makes finding the right slug and getting consistent groups so elusive when the powder burner guys can buy any off the shelf ammunition (let's just call them "bullets") and expect reasonably good results.
In looking at the problem I strongly suspect that slugs face alignment challenges that bullets don't.
A bullet, mounted in its cartridge is accurately aligned to the case and seated to a standard depth so that when it's chambered it is in the optimal position (relative to the rifling) and orientation to be fired down the (unchoked) barrel. Bullets are typically quite long relative to their diameter which benefits them both in the bore and in flight. The huge amount of energy/pressure available has no problem forcing a tight fitting, well sealed bullet down the bore.
An airgun slug has no "support system" and must rely on the probe and the magazine to chamber it straight and position it relative to the rifling.
Considering that each brand and weight of slug has a different length, the type of the base (flat, dished or boat-tailed) and the design of the probe will affect how the slug seats in the breech relative to the rifling and transfer port. I think an adjustable probe might be useful to have.
The shape of the slug and it's length (short and pointy versus a long cylinder) would influence how easily it could be misaligned while being chambered.
Airgun bore size and consistency and finding the exact correct diameter of slug to achieve a good seal without excessive friction is an other variable to consider.
Then there's choked or unchoked barrels and rifling twist rate considerations... or some sort of compromise for PCPs that are pellet/slug dual purpose airguns.
After all the mechanical considerations there's the tuning for optimum velocity and harmonics.
Are we having fun yet?
So if we look at worst case and take a short pointed slug, abuse it in the magazine; mis-feed it so it engages the rifling cockeyed and compromises the sealing; fire it down the bore to be extruded through the choke and launch it into the world in a blast of over-powered turbulent air, are we really surprised that it takes the slug many yards of erratic flight to sort itself out?
But man, is it ever beautiful when we get everything right and stable flight and sub-MOA groups happen!
Anyway, just food for thought. Please feel free to ignore me or to add you own theories.
Here is a link to a video about magazines mis-feeding pellets that probably applies to slugs as well.
Cheers!
Obturation.
Powder is operating at tens of thousands of psi and it smashes the projectile when fired so it fits the bore pretty well. I'm not out there finding. 2245 or 2230 projectiles to chase groups the powder burner guns won't support anyways.
Airguns rely on a choke sometimes or perfectly matched sizing and or the skirt of a pellet or hybrid slug to obturate and can hold groups that most of MY powder burners couldn't hope to hold. (my best rimfire group in low level competition was 300 thou ctc at 50 yds). My impact on pellets could single hole that if I did my part before I slug converted.
All that said, if you want a high power long range (110 yards plus) air rifle I think slugs are a worthwhile endeavor or having a dedicated slug gun.
If you have 1 gun and want to shoot pellets too, maybe skip the slugs and look at heavy pellets. Slugs are a commitment to shoot well usually and the lighter ones bc increase hasn't shown much use for me.... and my slug setup impact sits around because I can shoot 110 with pellets in 25 and 75 fpe 22 slugs isn't super safe except as my varmint gun outside of populated areas. Heck yesterday I learned I can calculate a 177 disco into hitting starlings at 92 yards with cphp pellets from a crosman barrel!
I guess it's sort of the Malcom in the middle meme where Hal says "son, you know once you begin there's no turning back" with slugs
at least if your hammer sucks to change or you hate re zeroing your scope after a barrel change.RAW Rapid Raw tm 1000 disassembly
- By john79
- PCP Airguns
- 3 Replies
Thank's for the reply, i wasn't sure as the uk versions have the air tube made by someone over here and there not Raw issue so im told
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Are glass optics becoming obsolete?
The point was, the digital offers much more the just a day scope of just a night scope and for under $ 700. https://tacticon.com/tactical-products-know-how/a-deep-dive-into-smart-rifle-scopes/Oh, good, then it seems like you are in agreement with the majority of posters on this thread.
➊
The OP asked if there is a place for glass scopes, after the digital scopes have appeared — or if optical will be/ should be replaced by digital.
Most posters see that digital scopes have some shortcomings in daylight so that they cannot replace glass scopes (unless, of course, they overcome those shortcomings).
➋
And you emphasize that digital scopes totally replace optical scopes in darkness — in fact, optica scopes are utterly useless in darkness.
You are right.
➠ Two similar, but different questions.
I'm glad I have both digital and glass — gives me the versatility I desire in many areas of life.
Matthias
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When all else fails
- By 6gun
- General Discussion
- 13 Replies
That's where having an airgun addiction for 30 years comes into play and my first love of pump rifles. I do have 2 177 springers that have made the grade to where I can shoot them well. One is just incredibly slow for 177, but I've been shooting it since the 90s6gun, "That's how badly springers and I get along
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Optics SOLD Holosun Hs507k x2
- By Louie4321
- Member Classifieds
- 0 Replies
2024 model. Excellent condition. Also comes with pic mount and dovetail mount. $240.00 Not a scratch anywhere!
RAW Rapid Raw tm 1000 disassembly
- By john79
- PCP Airguns
- 3 Replies
Hi i have recently received my new tm1000 over here in the uk, im just wanting to know if the air cylinder just unscrews like an mfr bottle or does it need to be empty of air first? i dont know if the air tube has a valve in it ?
thanks john
thanks john