Arrows in airguns

[Raden1942]

Hey guys I was just thinking about getting a dragon claw or something similar to shoot bigger sized game like raccoon and such and figured for deer and stuff that I could just use an arrow. I have some questions about that though. #1 does rifling tear up the fleching on the arrows? Would smooth bore work better with arrows? #2 what issues have you guys run into shooting arrows out of your airguns. Thanks. 

 

[MikeVV]

Have you looked into the Benjamin rifles. or the Seneca, Air Sabre ?

While the Air Sabre isn't out yet, and the Benjamin Airbow might take a little getting used to (23rd century look), they both pressurize the "inside" of the arrow and do no harm to the vanes.

If you want the Seneca, then absolutely, a smooth bore will let the vanes last longer. You can assemble the vanes straight or...at an angle to spin the arrow. Will the angled vanes match the rifled barrel...I don't know. Will they last longer, possibly !?! Seems to be two combinations to shoot. An arrow with a "brush" on the tail end to seal it against the barrel, or the type that allow the vaned arrow with a "plug" at the back of the arrow to seal it against the barrel. Either one of these will cause the arrow to be tail heavy and require heavier tips to balance the arrow.

I see no problems at all with the arrow being pressurized from the inside (Airbow, Air Sabre). The vanes can set be like shooting from a crossbow or vertical bow. Long vanes, short vanes, tall or short vanes, straight or angle fixed to the arrow. Any combination that you may want to try, just like an archery shot arrow.

Mike

 

[Exitpupil]

The bolts shoot fine in the rifled bore. Slugs will not shoot well from a smooth bore, so if dual purpose is what you want the rifled bbl is the way to go. After tuning the DC I get 600+ fps with 350 gr arrow. The problem you will find is getting a backstop sufficient to stop the arrow before the fetching reaches the backstop. That is WAY faster than the Airbow. I found rubber mulch in two 50# feed bags duct taped together works provided you rotate the target frequently and pack down the mulch. Backstops will destroy plastic fetching much faster than .007" deep rifling.

 

[biohazardman]

I did a couple of arrowguns some years back and they werqed quite well. Will cost you less as well. Since you would likely have a problem finding a DAQ breech you can just find an aftermarket riser breech and sleeve it for a 5/16th piece of aluminum tube for the barrel and add an 8/40 front breech screw. Or use a stock Crosman long steel breech and enlarge the front breech screw to 8/40. Using the long breech would allow you to add a third breech screw even with the trigger screw on the bottom for a much stronger build. See the sleeve breech and arrow barrel in the box. You will need a Crosman 2240 and a full length Discovery tube for the DIY rifle build.

https://thegreencrosmanforum.proboards.com/thread/74/all-talk-arrowgunz-archives-3

 

[MikeVV]

The bolts shoot fine in the rifled bore. Slugs will not shoot well from a smooth bore, so if dual purpose is what you want the rifled bbl is the way to go. After tuning the DC I get 600+ fps with 350 gr arrow. The problem you will find is getting a backstop sufficient to stop the arrow before the fetching reaches the backstop. That is WAY faster than the Airbow. I found rubber mulch in two 50# feed bags duct taped together works provided you rotate the target frequently and pack down the mulch. Backstops will destroy plastic fetching much faster than .007" deep rifling.

Well, after shooting crossbows for over 30 years, I can tell you that even the crossbow rail...can/will even ruin vanes..! So...squeezing vanes into a barrel, then putting semi-sharp edges in there, depending on how stout the vanes are, the barrel WILL distort modern day vanes. Maybe the rifle comes with overly thick plastic vs. regular store bought vanes. I would not want to be forced to use thick vanes, when smaller lighter ones actually fly better. If I were to venture into this way of firing arrows, it would be powered from the inside, NOT thru a barrel (much like the guns above), but that's just me.

Another rifle to look at (found accidentally) - https://utahairguns.com/fx-indy/#product-description

Good luck in your search.

Mike

 

[Raden1942]

Thanks dudes. Alot to mull over. I am interested in how fast the hatsan hydra will send them out. I'm not a power junkie but I like the idea of a "survival" airgun. Something that can take litteraly anything from the woods. I know that the dragon claw 50 can take rabbit to moose but I'd like to have a 357 but I don't know how fast the arrows go in that one. Anyone have the numbers? I'd like to see 375 fps with a 350g arrow at least. The 50 goes 500fps so I think it's possible.