Shortening FX Royale 500

Has anyone had any luck shortening a FX Royale 500? Every time I go hunting I feel like I'm carrying a 10' ladder through the woods and that's the biggest reason why I want to shorten OAL 3-5".

I found examples searching online where someone would use a shorter bottle and slide the moderator back down the barrel losing a little length ,but investing in another bottle is having me hesitate a little bit. 

I am open to ideas and please share your experiences if you have any of shortening your FX500.

Regards,
CJ

 
The two guys that I would send it too are AZ(Allen Zasadny) or Ernest Rowe. Ernest posted a couple of FX guns where he shortened the barrels. If it were me Id sell the Royale 500 and buy something shorter. FX Wildcat, Cricket, Edgun's Shorty or R3 Standard. Mutant is releasing its 25 soon. Those would be the pups I would recommend looking into if you decide on a pup.
 
The bullpup/carbine I had before was a FX Bobcat .25 and I wasn't to excited about how it felt it my hands. The Royale however is more of a traditional rifle that I am more familiar with and I'm very happy overall ,but the length is something I would like to improve. 

I've though about cutting the barrel ,but the machining required on the breech end looks to exceed my machining skills. 

CJ
 
Brocock makes a 34 inch gun, Air Arms has a couple of carbines and the take down rifle. All the guns mentioned will not have the power or shot count of your Royal.

Not sure but maybe someone like Neil Clauge can shorten the overall length with a custom LDC? Personally I wouldn't mess with a $1500+ airgun unless I knew I was capable. AZ, Ernest and I forgot in my earlier post John Hagan. John will be the most reasonable but not sure he will do it. If you decide on sending it to any of those guys and want their contact info PM me.
 
So you want to shorten it without changing the look or the feel and without shortening the barrel? How were you expecting to do it?


BTW the Bobcat is not a typical bullpup in layout or feel. If it didn't fit you well it doesn't mean that all bullpups won't. Most bullpups feel different to me (than each other). Just like with rifles, some are well designed and others are not perfect for everyone. 

The only way a good bullpup feels different to me is the balance - I.e. It is center balanced instead of front heavy so it's easier to shoot off-hand.

As for shortening the Royale, I am sure you can see that you will have to compromise on something you want. For me the obvious way would be a larger diameter but shorter shroud. A shorter barrel means more noise and less power (or more air used for the same power). 

If you buy an additional barrel blank and get it machined shorter, then you can keep your existing barrel in case you don't like the effect or you just want to switch back. It's nice to have options so it can be long or short depending on what you are doing that day.
 
Agree with Zebra,

machine another barrel even with the 500cc, 400cc or 480cc bottle than screw on a 6" LDC that will make it less than 39" maybe!

👎🏿 long as you know and noted above it will be noisier like a .177 ranchero without a LDC in medium power, about 50-100fps slower and loose about 20 shots.

A .25 vermy with a 480cc CF tank, with a fat LDC will be light and short for the backwoods.

 
"cj_86"Just googled the fat boy ldc and they look really cool ,but unfortunately not the look I'm envisioning. 

Ultimately looking for something like this:


The problem is it won't be that simple because of the clearance between the barrel and bottle. It may have to be a very small diameter shroud or an off-set unit. 

CJ
I like the concept! Looks really nice! :)
It would be even better with a CF bottle!
Tom
 
"Tominco"
"cj_86"Just googled the fat boy ldc and they look really cool ,but unfortunately not the look I'm envisioning. 

Ultimately looking for something like this:


The problem is it won't be that simple because of the clearance between the barrel and bottle. It may have to be a very small diameter shroud or an off-set unit. 

CJ
I like the concept! Looks really nice! :)
It would be even better with a CF bottle!
Tom
The "concept" looks like someone removed the barrel completely and replaced it with just a shroud. Now... I'm no expert....but....a few problems immediately spring to mind.... Lol.

In my experience air rifles work best with longer barrels, or more specifically, the right length barrel for the amount of air put through it for each shot. That's why bullpups are a great solution for shortening an air rifle. A short maneuverable center balanced package with no compromise on power, accuracy, efficiency and noise. Of all the options to shorten a gun, it's the one with the least amount of compromise.



 
CJ your best bet in my opinion is contacting Ernest. He has shortened FX ST barrels with success, he posted the info on airgun forums, do a google search. BSA r10 is a real nice gun and most are very accurate but they will not make close to the same power as a 25 cal Royal. Plus the cost of shortening your barrel with a custom LDC will be less money than buying an r10.

Would you be selling your Royal to buy an r10 or keeping both? If your thinking of getting a 2nd gun for hunting you need to try a bullpup. 25 cal I'd check out the Wildcat and Cricket. If a 22 cal the Mutant Standard.