FX Airguns Panthera Featuring NEW Element Optics Helix HD Scope: Is the Hype Real?

[UpNorthAirGunner]

The FX Panthera Dynamic Block and Shroud Plenum: A Look Inside (and into the future)! The UpNorth Airgunner YouTube channel is going to surpass 30,000 subscriber this month and I can not thank you all enough for following me for the last 5 years on my EPIC airgunners journey and experiences. So as a thank you, at the end of the month of January, I will be doing a random drawing from my subscribers to GIVE AWAY an Element Optics scope. So make sure to Subscribe to UpNorthAirGunner!

This was the video I wanted to publish a few weeks ago when the FX Panthera was first announced, but with over 2 feet of snow here in Northern Michigan and my shooting range inaccessible, I decided to use this down time to dig into what makes this new platform from FX Airguns a revolutionary innovation in our sport. The weather finally broke a bit to do some initial tuning and testing at 50 and 100 yards. Doing this testing in sub freezing temperatures has challenges, but I wanted to get out there and share with you all the new gear I am testing and how the process of tuning a FX Panthera might be slightly different than other PCP airguns. But is the hype real? From what I have experienced so far with this platform.... 100% YES! Go watch Josh’s video from Pursuit of Accuracy on YouTube and the level of precision is already proven over group after group after group.

What I wanted to show in this video is the process of that pursuit of accuracy and precision specifically with the FX Panthera and the tuning differences I have found with the short burst valve and the shroud based plenum system. But…. What excites me the most is the DYNAMIC possibilities in this new FX block design! Thus the name. I’ve gotten a lot of questions that I wanted to go over about the new platform. First off…. Yes a DonnyFL FX Suppressor looks perfect with the new outer diameter of the shroud. The end part of the shroud is removable and when you look inside towards the muzzle you’ll find an air stripping device similar to what we have in the FX Impact. With the over-the-barrel shroud plenum removed looking into the Dynamic Block you can see the valve area and how the air flow pathway has been perfected adding to the insane level of efficiency and power potential the industry is always chasing.

Moving back to the block with the baracade stand off removed reveals a brass port on the Dynamic Block. Hein mentioned this briefly in the FX video published last week. That plugged port opens up possibilities to even MORE onboard air! But wait, there’s even MORE onboard air potential. In that FX video Hein mentions an adapter for a REAR buttstock bottle too! Looking at how the PRS rear buttstock attaches, you can envision how the modularity and GENIUS of FX reveals itself.

So this is just a first look into the guts of the transformative Airgun platform FX just unleashed. My mind is already spinning with all the future options, but what I have in my hand is a PERFECT example of FX’s approach to purpose built designs. With that said, “purpose built” is usually a fancy way of saying something has designed itself into a single purpose use. The FX Dynamic Block is quite the opposite. I’d even venture to say it’s the most MODULAR approach to an Airgun design I’ve ever seen.

We are witnessing the golden age of innovation and FX is leading that charge. It’s a GREAT time to be an airgunner!

 

[RicL]

12-15 shots. Thoughts?

 

[Str8tshooter]

10 shots for PRS?

 

[Centercut]

12-15 shots. Thoughts?

Nicolay Boldov posted on IG showing the Panther in .22 shooting 40 grain slugs at over 1000 fps (1030?) and said he got 18 shots per 250 bar fill down to 170 bar. But he had the optional Tungsten hammer (which probably should be included with the 600mm and 700mm slug versions).

 

[MongooseV8]

Nicolay Boldov posted on IG showing the Panther in .22 shooting 40 grain slugs at over 1000 fps (1030?) and said he got 18 shots per 250 bar fill down to 170 bar. But he had the optional Tungsten hammer (which probably should be included with the 600mm and 700mm slug versions).

Both Utah and 68 Whiskey videos elude to a lower shot count in stock form. Both were using 300Bar bottles from AirMaks or whatever brand it is that Utah carries. Everyone is going to have different results from environmental conditions, particular rifles, tuning efficiency etc. But in any case it seems to have a pretty low shot count in stock, maybe even too low for the PRS crowd they are aiming for? I mean if 10 shots is the requirement for a stage I would want more wiggle room for when things dont go to plan.

 

[Glem.Chally]

Good video Chris, well presented.

 

[Airgunmann]

If they could stack 2 300 cc bottles one on top of the other that would be great

 

[UpNorthAirGunner]

UPDATE: After a few more days of playing with different tunes and learning more about this new valve system I can report you DO NOT need the Tungsten hammer. The details on the inner guts of this valve are still not fully clear to me, but in talking with Ernest, this new FX valve is optimized to operate with less pressure and lower hammer spring tension with results equal to what we have been able to get in the past running in that 170-190 bar range and beating the hell out of the valve with modified springs and Tungsten hammers. So I am taking this Tungsten Hammer out and putting in the regular hammer to run my tuning tests again.

This makes sense because you'll notice in my video I am cranked all the way down to 13 on the powerwheel getting 34 grainers in that 1000+ FPS range. I think by adding in the regular hammer vs. the Tungsten, it will give me a wider spectrum of Powerwheel settings. Will report back my results.

 

[Centercut]

UPDATE: After a few more days of playing with different tunes and learning more about this new valve system I can report you DO NOT need the Tungsten hammer. The details on the inner guts of this valve are still not fully clear to me, but in talking with Ernest, this new FX valve is optimized to operate with less pressure and lower hammer spring tension with results equal to what we have been able to get in the past running in that 170-190 bar range and beating the hell out of the valve with modified springs and Tungsten hammers. So I am taking this Tungsten Hammer out and putting in the regular hammer to run my tuning tests again.

This makes sense because you'll notice in my video I am cranked all the way down to 13 on the powerwheel getting 34 grainers in that 1000+ FPS range. I think by adding in the regular hammer vs. the Tungsten, it will give me a wider spectrum of Powerwheel settings. Will report back my results.

Looking forward to it Chris, thanks for the stand up reviews. I think what I and lots on AGN would like to see is the gun to shoot as FX advertised - .22 LR Rimfire performance. That means we’d like to see the 40 grain slugs going approx 1030 to 1050 fps. At that 95ish FPE level, how is the accuracy and shot count with STOCK bottle from 250 bar on down? 300 bar bottles are ok from the bench but not practical for NRL-22.

 

[MongooseV8]

Looking forward to it Chris, thanks for the stand up reviews. I think what I and lots on AGN would like to see is the gun to shoot as FX advertised - .22 LR Rimfire performance. That means we’d like to see the 40 grain slugs going approx 1030 to 1050 fps. At that 95ish FPE level, how is the accuracy and shot count with STOCK bottle from 250 bar on down? 300 bar bottles are ok from the bench but not practical for NRL-22.

I agree that would be great to see. Cant wait to see what FX does with different configurations.