Steyr Steyr Hunting 5A

Not exactly new is it.
That being said though i guess most have never seen the innards of these things and as evolution of our dear pcp´s push on.. Well let´s just say the 5A is limited in todays market.

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This then a 22 flavor. The Steyr is no doubt a top tier gun and spoiler alert.. it shows. From a pure design point of view there´s in my mind absolutely nothing to come down on. In true German fashion (although Austrian but from this respect, same same really) it´s designed and made 100% sans any flaws. It really is that simple.

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No. Barrel is not threaded and i believe Steyr offered a similar collar setup to be able to install a moderator. Ie; a 1/2"-20 UNF thread out front. No matter, i made my own from steel and brass thinking it might be a nice blend for the rifle. Thing is set with an o-ring within and is in turn held in by 3pcs of M4 allen stop screw, thereby being able to be adjusted for linearity vs the barrel (zero runout on the moderator).

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In contrast to most pcp´s the amount of machining going into this piece isn´t to shake a stick at. In essence the machining needed has been been regarded as such that a minimum of parts to a degree and in turn on three given "lines" on the main receiver.
In pic the valve assy, as you can see out of stainless steel. The poppet on a 1.5mm shank with an aluminium hat that has an o-ring set into it. The bearing surface on the actual valve housing is a tad limited but this is again catered to in that the "top hat" there (which is part of the anti bounce system) holds the end of the poppet shank and that top hat is set with minimal clearance vs the valve housing.
Note the a´la Hatsan multiple exhaust ports, which in turn are rather large seeing the caliber.

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These are offered in an array of power levels. From the German "frei" 7,5J and upwards, ending in 40J/29,5fpe. Transfer port carries an end plug that´s a M6 allen stop screw and as M6 is threaded on a 5mm dia hole it stands to reason that the transfer port is on that, 5mm dia.
Power is adjusted by an allen stop screw that sports a through hole and this through hole is what varies power output. The transfer channel is the sealed off by yet an allen stop screw, sealed with Loctite.
That being said then if you remove the "power insert" what sets the limit on these units is twofold. First up the valve seat is on a mere 4,3mm and in turn - if my calculations are on the money - approx 17cc´s of plenum volume.
In other words to make a Hunting 5A reach more modern levels these are the two things to adress.

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Poppet return spring is a rather stiff proposition. In turn it at one end sits on that plastic guide rod, and this rod runs the length of the plenum volume. Note the green colored o-rings used through out, these are harder than the regular Buna 70 ones we encounter, why i presume they´re 90s.?

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The mags. Might look a bit peculiar but nor is the setup new by any measure and nor is it especially stupid. So called "harmonica" mags were at one time all the rage back in the later 1800´s and i guess Steyr took it from there.
These fit into a mag well, of course, and the fitting of them is minute to say the least. However, end shake is really set by how you install the barrel, as that pushes directly on them. In short end shake is "variable" , as it were.
This particular gun i picked up used and as i got to try it out with a moderator out front it soon enough became evident that she leaks at the rear of the mag well setup, so need to adress that.
I know from previous that when stunts like this are pulled the actual "leak" induced by the clearance between the mag and the mag well they can be set REAL tight and thus the setup become real silent too - spite that clearance.

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Hammer then. A very short very light offering. If memory serves on a mere 21 grams? (will have to double check that figure). Hammer rides on two "rods" running the outside of the receiver, which brings that the hammer can´t really but run in a very linear fashion. Small spring in turn, part of the anti bounce as you can figure.
Rods are screwed to the hammer on two points for each side.

7.jpg


"German efficiency". Indeed. That there is the regulator and the tube/tank threads directly to it. By altering the belleville washers within base regulator pressure is varied at will. In turn that small screw ya see there is where each setting can be dialed.
On that note i find it a bit peculiar there´s no reg pressure gauge really.? Dunno why that is, these days there certainly would be one present. (Gun was made in 2018 btw)

So.
What gives?
Well. As the opportunity presented itself with this semi i thought it´d be a neat gun to use on the rats. That´s mainly what i keep all my pcp´s for so, yeah. This brings that the piece will see a rather elaborate moderator out front, noone appreciates a high note airgun.
Still compact, REAL compact even (this is the shorter Scout model) and as such.. Would 40J suffice for the task at hand? I guess, but why risk it really as i´m then and again presented with shots that can extend a bit.
Thus i will make power jump a tad on this unit. Nope. No fire breather by any measure, just jump.

It has been claimed that these ain´t "slug guns" and be that as it may nor is THAT a first either. As i checked 30 grain pills fit the mags no issue, it miiiiight be there´s room in there for a 32. Dunno as of this writing.

This being said the Hunting 5 has become slightly of age, and i guess it shows. To cope with customer demands i have a real hard time seeing how anyone would pick a 40J stonewall pcp up today, and especially at the hang tag these one carries.
In essence, to large degree, it was put into market together with other similar guns, like the BSA R-10 and what not.

38.jpg


Yeah well, one of them came through my hands as well, again a puff claimed not to cater to slugs. This then an "export" version. Well, hogwash. It toss´s slugs like noones business and does so the north side of 1000+fps all day. Yes, it now sports a stand alone plenum. Very very accurate with slugs and an absolute delight to use.
 
Nice write-up, though a bit hard to follow if one doesn't know the parts.
I once owned a Steyr Hunter 5 in .22 caliber. A stellar rifle, but SO nice that I was hesitant to take it out to hunt for fear of marring it. Hence, I sold it and bought an Impact 3.
I thoroughly enjoyed shooting the Steyr however and would buy another at the right price in a heartbeat.

mike
 
Not exactly new is it.
That being said though i guess most have never seen the innards of these things and as evolution of our dear pcp´s push on.. Well let´s just say the 5A is limited in todays market.

8.jpg


10.jpg


This then a 22 flavor. The Steyr is no doubt a top tier gun and spoiler alert.. it shows. From a pure design point of view there´s in my mind absolutely nothing to come down on. In true German fashion (although Austrian but from this respect, same same really) it´s designed and made 100% sans any flaws. It really is that simple.

1.jpg


No. Barrel is not threaded and i believe Steyr offered a similar collar setup to be able to install a moderator. Ie; a 1/2"-20 UNF thread out front. No matter, i made my own from steel and brass thinking it might be a nice blend for the rifle. Thing is set with an o-ring within and is in turn held in by 3pcs of M4 allen stop screw, thereby being able to be adjusted for linearity vs the barrel (zero runout on the moderator).

2.jpg


In contrast to most pcp´s the amount of machining going into this piece isn´t to shake a stick at. In essence the machining needed has been been regarded as such that a minimum of parts to a degree and in turn on three given "lines" on the main receiver.
In pic the valve assy, as you can see out of stainless steel. The poppet on a 1.5mm shank with an aluminium hat that has an o-ring set into it. The bearing surface on the actual valve housing is a tad limited but this is again catered to in that the "top hat" there (which is part of the anti bounce system) holds the end of the poppet shank and that top hat is set with minimal clearance vs the valve housing.
Note the a´la Hatsan multiple exhaust ports, which in turn are rather large seeing the caliber.

3.jpg


These are offered in an array of power levels. From the German "frei" 7,5J and upwards, ending in 40J/29,5fpe. Transfer port carries an end plug that´s a M6 allen stop screw and as M6 is threaded on a 5mm dia hole it stands to reason that the transfer port is on that, 5mm dia.
Power is adjusted by an allen stop screw that sports a through hole and this through hole is what varies power output. The transfer channel is the sealed off by yet an allen stop screw, sealed with Loctite.
That being said then if you remove the "power insert" what sets the limit on these units is twofold. First up the valve seat is on a mere 4,3mm and in turn - if my calculations are on the money - approx 17cc´s of plenum volume.
In other words to make a Hunting 5A reach more modern levels these are the two things to adress.

4.jpg


Poppet return spring is a rather stiff proposition. In turn it at one end sits on that plastic guide rod, and this rod runs the length of the plenum volume. Note the green colored o-rings used through out, these are harder than the regular Buna 70 ones we encounter, why i presume they´re 90s.?

5.jpg


The mags. Might look a bit peculiar but nor is the setup new by any measure and nor is it especially stupid. So called "harmonica" mags were at one time all the rage back in the later 1800´s and i guess Steyr took it from there.
These fit into a mag well, of course, and the fitting of them is minute to say the least. However, end shake is really set by how you install the barrel, as that pushes directly on them. In short end shake is "variable" , as it were.
This particular gun i picked up used and as i got to try it out with a moderator out front it soon enough became evident that she leaks at the rear of the mag well setup, so need to adress that.
I know from previous that when stunts like this are pulled the actual "leak" induced by the clearance between the mag and the mag well they can be set REAL tight and thus the setup become real silent too - spite that clearance.

6.jpg


Hammer then. A very short very light offering. If memory serves on a mere 21 grams? (will have to double check that figure). Hammer rides on two "rods" running the outside of the receiver, which brings that the hammer can´t really but run in a very linear fashion. Small spring in turn, part of the anti bounce as you can figure.
Rods are screwed to the hammer on two points for each side.

7.jpg


"German efficiency". Indeed. That there is the regulator and the tube/tank threads directly to it. By altering the belleville washers within base regulator pressure is varied at will. In turn that small screw ya see there is where each setting can be dialed.
On that note i find it a bit peculiar there´s no reg pressure gauge really.? Dunno why that is, these days there certainly would be one present. (Gun was made in 2018 btw)

So.
What gives?
Well. As the opportunity presented itself with this semi i thought it´d be a neat gun to use on the rats. That´s mainly what i keep all my pcp´s for so, yeah. This brings that the piece will see a rather elaborate moderator out front, noone appreciates a high note airgun.
Still compact, REAL compact even (this is the shorter Scout model) and as such.. Would 40J suffice for the task at hand? I guess, but why risk it really as i´m then and again presented with shots that can extend a bit.
Thus i will make power jump a tad on this unit. Nope. No fire breather by any measure, just jump.

It has been claimed that these ain´t "slug guns" and be that as it may nor is THAT a first either. As i checked 30 grain pills fit the mags no issue, it miiiiight be there´s room in there for a 32. Dunno as of this writing.

This being said the Hunting 5 has become slightly of age, and i guess it shows. To cope with customer demands i have a real hard time seeing how anyone would pick a 40J stonewall pcp up today, and especially at the hang tag these one carries.
In essence, to large degree, it was put into market together with other similar guns, like the BSA R-10 and what not.

38.jpg


Yeah well, one of them came through my hands as well, again a puff claimed not to cater to slugs. This then an "export" version. Well, hogwash. It toss´s slugs like noones business and does so the north side of 1000+fps all day. Yes, it now sports a stand alone plenum. Very very accurate with slugs and an absolute delight to use.
I’ve never fidd with mine - it just shoots and shoots
 
Yeah, i hear you both.
I guess many would regard me as a sort of powerjunkie but in all honesty that's not the case here.
Have made me a stand alone plenum out of high pressure steel tubing, and have cut the receiver to accept it.
Valve has a fresh poppet out of PEEK and the seat has been opened up to 6.2mm
I aim to reach the set power factor at relatively low reg pressures and know all to well how imperative a plenum is.
 
To be honest though they all really boil down to the same thing.
Hence why a high quality pcp from yesterday can be improved upon from a performance standpoint.
The accuracy is no doubt already there.

Have to say, looking down the barrel the rifling twist seems at least reasonably fast?

Then guys.
I got a second tube/tank with the gun just... it lacks that part/provision for filling the thing. Where can i buy one of those?
Or do i need to make one myself?

With a little luck i´ll be able to try the thing out in its new guise come tomorrow already. Interesting to say the least.
 
Imagine a world where German quality and form factor meet Czech power. I can see light coming through the clouds, with Opera singing in the background.

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Well... we´re getting there. Don´t get me wrong, some will find that plenum to stand out like a sore thumb but at the end of the day an increased volume is simply needed to get this thing going like it or not.
No.
Something bolted between the regulator and the receiver will not suffice, at least not if ample volume is what we´re after.

12.jpg


Where we´re at that thing is set to ride REAL close to the receiver and is hooked to it at that minor cutout on the stock. That hole is threaded M10*1 and sports a countersunk flat to take an o-ring.

These pics were the last thing before closing shop today so the scope is just on there for the pics. Got the picatinny adapter for it too but at that rate it raises the scope to a point where a comb riser would be needed in my opinion.

Power wise we´ll have to hold off a little, as stated.. last thing of the day. But suffice it to say that she´s back together in one piece again and it seems we´re all systems go.
 
11.jpg


Well... we´re getting there. Don´t get me wrong, some will find that plenum to stand out like a sore thumb but at the end of the day an increased volume is simply needed to get this thing going like it or not.
No.
Something bolted between the regulator and the receiver will not suffice, at least not if ample volume is what we´re after.

12.jpg


Where we´re at that thing is set to ride REAL close to the receiver and is hooked to it at that minor cutout on the stock. That hole is threaded M10*1 and sports a countersunk flat to take an o-ring.

These pics were the last thing before closing shop today so the scope is just on there for the pics. Got the picatinny adapter for it too but at that rate it raises the scope to a point where a comb riser would be needed in my opinion.

Power wise we´ll have to hold off a little, as stated.. last thing of the day. But suffice it to say that she´s back together in one piece again and it seems we´re all systems go.
I personally think it looks very cool, it works for this gun.
If it can shoot a 25 grain slug at good speed it's good enough in my opinion, anything more is a plus.