Hello, hello,
I finally went out shooting today. Not the perfect setup but at least I was able to cycle some mags and a full tank of air.
So first personal feedback and feelings after 9 mags shot today:
The mag loading is interesting with the need to feed the first pellet from the back of the magazine after fully rotating counter-clockwise the faceplate. Then load the rest as usual from the front turning clockwise. The mags are easy to load and I think they are also a good gauge to check your pellets skirt shape and size, as the opening is precise and holds all the deformed skirt, you can push them through with the help of another pellet if you judge that it isn't too off. Personally, I like that. Loading the mag in the breech is a breeze and works well. Loading the pellets in the barrel is nice and smooth and you will feel if one of the pellets wasn't true in shape as the lever will have a slight stiffness to it. That is the first AG that I can feel the difference in the pellets while loading, "I think" it is due to how precise the barrel is at the breech, please shine some light if you think that I am off.
I like the ease of filling the tank with the quick fill probe. With the stock setting and today shooting, I think I got in the 100+ shots on the fill before falling off the reg around a low 1300-1500psi or so.
About shooting the Raptor? As Travis from JSAR told me to not try to adjust anything on it until the gun if fully broken in somewhere in the 250 pellets. So, I haven't touched anything except adding pellets and air. As of now, I can see that the groups are tightening and become less rugged and have no flyers at 35 yards, I know that it is expected for a gun like that at 35 yards. But not taking my time and shooting from the back of my truck I can see that things are getting more refined. Even cycling the lever and the trigger is getting finer, knowing that it has plenty of adjustment left towards a light trigger.
Safety: That is one thing that I would have liked to have a little bit more feedback from. What I mean by that, is that I would like to have to put more energy to set the lever from the safety to the fire position, with a more set position on "F" and "S". To me, it feels like the lever is not held properly and prone to move too easily. I will contact Travis in that regard.
Here are some pics of groups at 35 yards, 6th, 9th, and 12th magazine, from the back of the truck and mostly fast shooting. 12 shots for each pic. I had made a challenge with our exchange student to do the smaller group with a full clip. 12 for the Raptor 22 and 10 for the vet .25.
I will try to get more updates as I go. As requested by Travis for the first few mags to try to guess the speed by the sound report. I haven't pulled the Chrono and I don't know at what speed I am shooting the JSB 18.13g, I would guess an 850-880 fps by the sound, but I feel like it is more in the 920-940 fps from the impact. I will probably pull it out next when I'll start adjusting her. That baby is really quiet when outdoor. That is definitively a backyard friendly AG at the stock tune.
Oh and I almost forgot about the Blackhound scope Genesis 6-24×50 FFP MIL, the glass is really good even at 24x the picture doesn't have a blurry or darker border compared to my Aztec Emerald 5.5-25×50. so far the scope has performed flawlessly. That baby is on the heavy side, but I will mostly be using the raptor for bench or rested hunting. The turrets are positive and loud enough. I haven't used the zero stop yet, I will use it when I'll fully zero the scope for 35 yards.
I know that isn't too much usable info, but I am trying to give feedback as I use and discover the Raptor. I might review some feelings or observations as I get to use it more. If you would ask me if I am regretting my purchase and the time spent waiting, I would loudly say NO regrets at all. I would say so far, for the first time out it has been the most natural and good feeling AG I have owned. Am I looking at the Mini for hunting? The answer will come out soon after seeing what the Black Widow can do.
Here was our setup
Papy_Yosh