Umarex Jelous Zelos twins

I have written elsewhere that I ordered my first .25 Zelos from Dack's Outdoors. A day or two later I read a bunch of horror stories about Dack's, so purchased another .25 Zelos elsewhere while I waited to see how Dack's would play out. The second Zelos arrived in a few days - nothing from Dack's. DO NOT ORDER FROM DACKS! Dacks did eventually provide a refund, but it took some doing. I dealt with them for 50+ days. I found another low price using "not just guns", @$415 - and ordered another Zelos in .25. I received this one 4 days from date of purchase. Did I mention, don't order from Dack's ;).
On to the good stuff - the goal is to have one set up for plinking with pellets, the other to get serious using slugs. Much to my delight, everything has turned out as I had hoped.
Zelos Pair-2.jpg

I made the valve bodies, and found different springs to use in the valves, and hammers (based on pieces I wound myself). I am using softer springs than stock, with less preload required.
Zelos-valve1.jpg

Slug-Valve1.jpg


Fooled with both Hammer spring, and valve spring rates - both are softer than stock -
new-springs1.jpg


These are what I think everything spec'd out to - (used an online spring design software)
Valve-and-Springs1.jpg


My pellet action is set to spit the 26.54gr Hades pellets at 910fps, while the Slug action is spitting 40gr Zan slugs at 1008fps. The pellet action is factory bore, the slug gun is a 700mm FX liner. I used a kit for the barrel conversion instead of making parts myself, being the first time I worked with an FX liner. It was not a perfect experience, but not far off - and understandable dealing with different brand tolerances. It did not take much to fit everything up. I will most likely eventually make a few new parts for the breech end. I also added a few grams weight to the hammer for the slug rifle. Still using the lighter/shorter hammer spring, too. It does shoot very well - I was surprised to tickle @80+ft/lbs out of the action, thinking it might top out at @70 without adding a plenum of some sort. I've backed it down to shoot 33gr Zan slugs, but am still testing ammo... I'd like to keep the slug gun shooting 35-44gr slugs depending on what I find works well. I have mostly been using H&N and Zan. I do have a few hundred RMR SLAP .25's (FX Hybrids) that shoot lights out from the liner, but am looking to carry a little more weight.
Using the stock valve in the pellet version, I had to crank in some additional spring tension to hit mid 900's with the Hades. I changed the valve to my own, and dropped to the softer hammer spring with no preload to hit 905's -910's with the same pellet at the same reg setting.
Of note - the second Zelos has a different tube clamp, picatinny deal. It goes around the barrel, too - and needs to be loosened in order to unscrew the tube. The action also has "regulator gauge" printed on it where the 1st one didn't. I had read someplace that they were altering the but plate to allow hammer spring adjustment, but this one is the same as the first. I drilled a hole to access the screw adjustment.
2nd-Zelos-2.jpg
 
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I have written elsewhere that I ordered my first .25 Zelos from Dack's Outdoors. A day or two later I read a bunch of horror stories about Dack's, so purchased another .25 Zelos elsewhere while I waited to see how Dack's would play out. The second Zelos arrived in a few days - nothing from Dack's. DO NOT ORDER FROM DACKS! Dacks did eventually provide a refund, but it took some doing. I dealt with them for 50+ days. I found another low price using "not just guns", @$415 - and ordered another Zelos in .25. I received this one 4 days from date of purchase. Did I mention, don't order from Dack's ;).
On to the good stuff - the goal is to have one set up for plinking with pellets, the other to get serious using slugs. Much to my delight, everything has turned out as I had hoped.
View attachment 559736
I made the valve bodies, and found different springs to use in the valves, and hammers (based on pieces I wound myself). I am using softer springs than stock, with less preload required.
View attachment 559740
View attachment 559737

Fooled with both Hammer spring, and valve spring rates - both are softer than stock -
View attachment 559738

These are what I think everything spec'd out to - (used an online spring design software)
View attachment 559739

My pellet action is set to spit the 26.54gr Hades pellets at 910fps, while the Slug action is spitting 40gr Zan slugs at 1008fps. The pellet action is factory bore, the slug gun is a 700mm FX liner. I used a kit for the barrel conversion instead of making parts myself, being the first time I worked with an FX liner. It was not a perfect experience, but not far off - and understandable dealing with different brand tolerances. It did not take much to fit everything up. I will most likely eventually make a few new parts for the breech end. I also added a few grams weight to the hammer for the slug rifle. Still using the lighter/shorter hammer spring, too. It does shoot very well - I was surprised to tickle @80+ft/lbs out of the action, thinking it might top out at @70 without adding a plenum of some sort. I've backed it down to shoot 33gr Zan slugs, but am still testing ammo... I'd like to keep the slug gun shooting 35-44gr slugs depending on what I find works well. I have mostly been using H&N and Zan. I do have a few hundred RMR SLAP .25's (FX Hybrids) that shoot lights out from the liner, but am looking to carry a little more weight.
Using the stock valve in the pellet version, I had to crank in some additional spring tension to hit mid 900's with the Hades. I changed the valve to my own, and dropped to the softer hammer spring with no preload to hit 905's -910's with the same pellet at the same reg setting.
Of note - the second Zelos has a different tube clamp, picatinny deal. It goes around the barrel, too - and needs to be loosened in order to unscrew the tube. The action also has "regulator gauge" printed on it where the 1st one didn't. I had read someplace that they were altering the but plate to allow hammer spring adjustment, but this one is the same as the first. I drilled a hole to access the screw adjustment.
View attachment 559742
Very nice mods to both of your Zelos's! And great heads up on "Dacks"....😂👍. You have fantastic machining skills!
 
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I ordered a 25 caliber zelos from Dacks in December of last year shipped within a week. Of coarse since it was during Christmas shipping FedEx took 2 weeks delivering it. I thought it was in the twilight zone. It would come to within an hour of my home then go back to Ohio. I live in Michigan. Finally got it sorted out. After reading the horror stories on here we Dacks. I placed another order from Defense Depot on the 12th of April. For another Zelos in 22 for $437 shipped. Took a couple calls but it arrived today. Hopefully I can play with it. I'm hoping the slap (RMR) seconds I picked up for 10 percent off shoot well out of the 22. Mine won't be the perfection you have built there. I'm jealous of your twin Zelos 😆
 
Sorry you didn't read thier message before you ordered:

"Our near wholesale prices and a very volatile political climate has caused a surge in orders that went beyond our wildest expectations. Unfortunately, this has led to delays in shipping. In some cases, orders can take up to 30 days to ship. The vast majority of our customers are familiar with us and the situation, and are willing to accept a slower shipping speed for our incredible prices.



With that said, if you need an item right away, we regret to say we may not be the best fit for you at this time. We truly hope we can serve you in the future. Our customers enjoy incredibly low prices and are okay with waiting longer than what the big box stores ship because of the incredible deals and personalized customer support they get with us."
 
Sorry you didn't read thier message before you ordered:

"Our near wholesale prices and a very volatile political climate has caused a surge in orders that went beyond our wildest expectations. Unfortunately, this has led to delays in shipping. In some cases, orders can take up to 30 days to ship. The vast majority of our customers are familiar with us and the situation, and are willing to accept a slower shipping speed for our incredible prices.



With that said, if you need an item right away, we regret to say we may not be the best fit for you at this time. We truly hope we can serve you in the future. Our customers enjoy incredibly low prices and are okay with waiting longer than what the big box stores ship because of the incredible deals and personalized customer support they get with us."
I did read the message, waited the 30 days and heard nothing from them, waited 5 more, got a message that said my order was "being processed, but that did not mean it was being shipped," etc... On the 45th day I finally asked for a ship date, which they could not provide. It took several more back and forths to actually receive a refund. I gave them every opportunity to provide me with information that would indicate that I would eventually receive the product I paid for on day 1, and they just couldn't do it.

While I was aware of the possible 30 day wait, I was also aware that a Google search will show that I am far from the only one that never got what they ordered, and had at least some issue receiving a refund with Dack Outdoors.
 
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I did read the message, waited the 30 days and heard nothing from them, waited 5 more, got a message that said my order was "being processed, but that did not mean it was being shipped," etc... On the 45th day I finally asked for a ship date, which they could not provide. It took several more back and forths to actually receive a refund. I gave them every opportunity to provide me with information that would indicate that I would eventually receive the product I paid for on day 1, and they just couldn't do it.

While I was aware of the possible 30 day wait, I was also aware that a Google search will show that I am far from the only one that never got what they ordered, and had at least some issue receiving a refund with Dack Outdoors.
The message didn’t mention the political climate back in December. Same spiel though. I waited the 30 days, then another 30 to get my money back. Too many people with the same story. Dacks is not worth the risk.
 
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The message didn’t mention the political climate back in December. Same spiel though. I waited the 30 days, then another 30 to get my money back. Too many people with the same story. Dacks is not worth the risk.
I used "notjustguns" to find Kind Sniper LLC - they offered the Zelos for less than Dacks, and had it to me 4 days after purchase. The refund I got from Dacks came the same day, so I not only got the rifle, but a few dollars in my pocket as well. I am OK with how it ended, and will simply tell people my experience with Dacks.

The good is that having purchased a second action at the same time as placing the original order with Dacks allowed me to get my parts made, tested, and ready to install in the newest action. I am very happy with the results I am seeing so far.
 
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I used "notjustguns" to find Kind Sniper LLC - they offered the Zelos for less than Dacks, and had it to me 4 days after purchase. The refund I got from Dacks came the same day, so I not only got the rifle, but a few dollars in my pocket as well. I am OK with how it ended, and will simply tell people my experience with Dacks.

The good is that having purchased a second action at the same time as placing the original order with Dacks allowed me to get my parts made, tested, and ready to install in the newest action. I am very happy with the results I am seeing so far.
I've order several times of kind sniper they have always had my stuff to me in few days. Now if you have any questions and send them an email will good luck with that one lol.
 
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I've order several times of kind sniper they have always had my stuff to me in few days. Now if you have any questions and send them an email will good luck with that one lol.
I hear ya about questions - in my case I was just looking for the best (lowest) price I could get the Zelos for. If I was buying something I might have questions on, or even if I was worried about warranty, I would order from a known, stocking dealer.
 
My twins have been progressing nicely. For the .25 slug action I went with a 700mm FX barrel liner. I replaced the short CF shroud that came with a conversion kit with a 500mm CF tube. I used the longer shroud to make up a set of parts that would allow for barrel tensioning. It worked out pretty well, adding to the list of usable slugs. Right now, my go-to is the 41gr Zan at around 915fps. I use a pin (or pins) inserted into holes in my end cap to allow for some torque to be applied - a perforated tube connects end cap to barrel end via a threaded and ported air stripper at barrel sleeve end. I also added a pin style probe after re-doing the barrel port arrangement. I have a 500cc bottle for this action, but find the tube easier to work with while tuning and tweaking the action. I will add the bottle when I feel like the action is where I need it to be.
.25-cf-shroud1.jpg

torque-shroud-cap1.jpg

bolt-probe1.jpg


On my pellet action, I made the decision to go with an original, old FX Smooth Twist barrel I had in storage. I cut a breech thimble, and sleeved the 14mm OD barrel with a stainless steel sleeve to bring it to the 15mm I needed to fit the action(I am going to replace this with carbon fiber). I then added the same 500mm CF tube shroud with tensioning set up as I did on the slug gun.
DSC_4711.jpg
DSC_4715.jpg

DSC_4716.jpg


This set up turned out fantastic. The gun is dead nuts accurate with JSB Exacts, and pretty near perfect with Polymags. It handles a variety of other pellets well enough to use at just about any time, too. Hades, JTS, JSB Heavies all shoot good out of this Smooth Twist bore. My experience with these has always been that they get even better after a few hundred shots - So, I am thrilled with the initial results. I have this one set to spit JSP Exacts at 890-900fps for 45 shots on the reg (I am using 15 shot mags on this one).

I have several other barrel blanks in storage, so I think I am going to go ahead and add both a .22 and a .30 setup to this action. Pretty sure I can make the pellet probe easy to change for a fast caliber swap.
DSC_4709.jpg
 
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I made a new valve (7075 aluminum with a steel valve seat, with a custom matching poppet) for the .30 Smooth Twist barrel setup, along with machining a breech thimble for the carbon fiber sleeved .30 old school FX Smooth Twist barrel. I needed to make the barrel OD 15mm for the Zelos, while the original ST barrels measure 14mm. I bonded a CF tube to a reduced OD barrel blank - same way I did it on the .25 ST barrel I previously mounted.

.30-valve-and-barrel1.jpg
 
I got the .30 Smooth Twist barrel fitted and mounted after bonding a Carbon Fiber sleeve to it's OD. Made a pellet probe, and purchased a couple of aftermarket .30 mags. I finished the barrel tensioning clamp that replaces the front block under the Picatinny on the Zelos. Barrel mount is quite solid ;). I test fired the gun for the first time - aiming to get the 44gr JSB Exacts in the 880-890 range, but topped out with a very consistent 872fps. It is very accurate with this setup, so I am not 100% I am going to change the current tune. Tomorrow I will make a CF shroud for the barrel that will allow for tensioning. My goal is to have 3 complete setups using the old school ST barrels, 22, .25, and .30. Once the shroud is complete, I will have the .25 and .30 done.

DSC_4723.jpg
 
OK, so who was I kidding when I said I might leave it the way it was - I went back in and opened up the transfer port through the body on the .30 ST barrel conversion, and the gun is now spitting the JSB Exacts 44.75gr at @86ft/lbs with comfort. No external plenum, and less spring pre-load than OEM. Crazy accurate, too. I don't think I could ask for more out of this one. I had originally planned to have three barrel setups fo rthis action using the Old school FX ST barrels in .22, .25, and .30 - but, I think I may need to purchase another Zelos to go any further, as I don't think I want to change this one (other than mounting the 500cc bottle). I also have one setup with a .25 ST barrel with CF shroud - the barrel tensioning clamp is the only visual difference in the guns They use different valve bodies, and TP sizes through the body(s) and barrel(s)

There is plenty of space inside the shroud to keep the sound level down. No need for anything additional.
.30ST-Zelos-1.jpg


I made a barrel tensioning clamp that replaced the front block on the Zelos action. There is a system tying the front cap of the shroud to the barrel end that allows for true tensioning of the barrel. I do not know how much effect it is having, but can say without hesitation that the gun is very, very accurate for me.
.30ST-Zelos-2.jpg


I bonded a Carbon Fiber sleeve to the old school (full diameter) FX St .30 barrel to bring it to the 15mm diameter I needed to fit the action.
.30ST-Zelos-3.jpg
 
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