AEA Queries for AEA challenger elite owners

[Asher]

I own an original challenger bullpup in .457 (.460-.461)

when the elite came out, I nearly got one. The quick disconnect, better guage location, better trigger, nicer, lighter, more ergonomic stock, muzzle brake, all looked much improved compared to the original. Two things stopped me

One was seeing people having problems with the regulator, the other was the release of the upgraded power valve for the original, which I bought and installed.

The valve took me from a max of 400 FPE with 200gr (i tried heavier ones, power maxed for mine at 200gr) up to 575 with a 240gr, and 650ish FPE with single loaded 355gr. I really like this even though it makes it use more air.

I'm wondering a few things. I understand that both guns use the same type of valve? Could the elite have the upgraded valve installed? If so, I'm guessing that the regulator can not be set high enough for the rifle to make as much energy as I listed. Can the regulator be removed or otherwise gutted to make essentially an unregulated elite with all its improvements, but the power of my upgraded original challenger? Are there any other reasons this can't or shouldn't be done or other considerations I'm not thinking of?

My other question is if, like the original, the .457 elite's true groove diameter is actually .46-.461 like so many of the original challengers. I make my own .460 slugs for mine and they work quite well. While I'm sure this inaccuracy in bore diameter is annoying for most, it doesn't bother me as I swage my own slugs and had a custom die made. If they are actually true .457s now, is the barrel interchangeable with the original? If not, this isn't a deal breaker as I do have a .457 reducer die, it's just faster for me to make .46s and not need to reduce them unless I'm making them for my don cothran. Pic because why not

 

[BriarpatchMtn]

I own an original challenger bullpup in .457 (.460-.461)

when the elite came out, I nearly got one. The quick disconnect, better guage location, better trigger, nicer, lighter, more ergonomic stock, muzzle brake, all looked much improved compared to the original. Two things stopped me

One was seeing people having problems with the regulator, the other was the release of the upgraded power valve for the original, which I bought and installed.

The valve took me from a max of 400 FPE with 200gr (i tried heavier ones, power maxed for mine at 200gr) up to 575 with a 240gr, and 650ish FPE with single loaded 355gr. I really like this even though it makes it use more air.

I'm wondering a few things. I understand that both guns use the same type of valve? Could the elite have the upgraded valve installed? If so, I'm guessing that the regulator can not be set high enough for the rifle to make as much energy as I listed. Can the regulator be removed or otherwise gutted to make essentially an unregulated elite with all its improvements, but the power of my upgraded original challenger? Are there any other reasons this can't or shouldn't be done or other considerations I'm not thinking of?

My other question is if, like the original, the .457 elite's true groove diameter is actually .46-.461 like so many of the original challengers. I make my own .460 slugs for mine and they work quite well. While I'm sure this inaccuracy in bore diameter is annoying for most, it doesn't bother me as I swage my own slugs and had a custom die made. If they are actually true .457s now, is the barrel interchangeable with the original? If not, this isn't a deal breaker as I do have a .457 reducer die, it's just faster for me to make .46s and not need to reduce them unless I'm making them for my don cothran. Pic because why notView attachment 573164

I got a .457 Challenger Elite shortly after the came out as my first air gun. The grove diameter slugged around .461. I cast my own with NOE 460-315 mold. Also have had a mold shaved off .050, and shortened pin to restore stability, drops 270gn. (Neither fits in mags) Mine perfered sizing slugs .459.
Unfortunately still dealing with issues, a new barrel due to arrive at dealer anytime. Struggled with accuracy problems from day one, being new I chased down all the wrong avenue's before getting a bore scope and learning I had a crap barrel. Worse didn't find it till after warranty expired.
I've also had reg issues, 1st was my mistake, 2nd original owner manual didn't have instructions to degas before turning down regulator, 3rd I believe I simply shot out and any settings above 170bar and jumps straight up to 250bar.
When everything is here, will be doing new reg, valve pin, polishing trigger, barrel, and finding a good hammer spring length for tune. So basically staring over.
Interesting idea about gutting reg to make it unregulated. Not sure if would work though. Besides the passing through the reg, both port holes out tank and into phlegm are small.
I've been interested about the reg internals and since I'll have a bad one, I'm planning try getting it apart for a look see.

 

[Asher]

I think i saw a thread of yours regarding your troubles, I hope you get it worked out. I polished my barrel last winter, I think it helped with velocity consistency but it was already accurate. A longer while back I had my trigger sear break in two and decided to have a new one machined from hardened tool steel, it's been solid ever since.

Maybe you could post some pics of some of the internals as you take it apart, might help give me a better idea of whether my wish is possible. I wouldn't imagine the holes between the main tank and plenum would matter too much, if the reg was gutted, it would all essentially be all one air reservoir no? I wonder what would happen with an upgraded power valve and the reg set to 250 bar. Don't suppose it'll go any higher will it? I assume it isn't supposed to.

Maybe one of these days you should try some of my .460 slugs