Thumper is back. 100fpe Impact

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MonsterMaxx

MonsterMaxx

Member
Jul 27, 2017
352
5
South Carolina, United States
I've missed my old friend, Thumper. Always liked this rifle, she developed a leak last October and I was reluctant to ship to Ernest, I hate shipping gunz. Anyway, finally did and just got it back today.

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Eager to test it I quick like mounted a Helos scope on some Vortex precision match rings and setup on the table for it's trial run.



1555976341_8917133575cbe50959216f9.89010452_IMG_20190422_193119.jpg




Some 50.15gr pellets loaded in the side shot and let her off the chain. First pellet out of the gate: 948fps!!! That's just breaking the 100fpe mark.



Dialed the scope in at 25yds, 50yds and 75yds. It's one ragged hole at 75 when I do my part.



Yes, I'm happy.



Now I just need to find a 600mm barrel...
 
100 fpe with an Impact?

That's scary power.

Ernest is the MAN!
Click to expand...


I've been making 105 fpe for a while now 50gn at 970 with a 700mm barrel. Single port with no extra plenum but it uses a lot of air. Should be easy to kill deer or pigs with a well placed head shot. With a larger valve and 60gn projectiles 120 fpe should be easy.
 
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It's the original Impact w/ all the updates, bought about 6mo before the X came out so not a 600mm X barrel.

Where does one measure the barrel from and to? I measure 650mm from mag to end of barrel. That can't be right.



I had some Wiki gauges and got Ernest to put them on too. He's got the reg set just south of 140bar.



1 full sideshot mag from 250bar at max power before it falls off the reg. That's 23 .30 cal pellets for those of you not familiar with sideshot mags. I used to get 2 mags, but that was down in the 820-830fps range.



Ernest doesn't do these tunes anymore - per FX USA. I had to beg and plead (if you want to call it that.) My rifle may be the last one he ever. Nice guy, I got several personal calls from him while he was tuning it. I have to say "many thanks for doing mine."



At 25 and 50yds it's dead center on the crosshairs. At 75yds I'm +2mil. I never write this stuff down so can't really say what it was (back in October.) Really need to figure out chairgun and make a dope dial for the scope so I don't have to relearn every time I go out.
 
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100 fpe with an Impact?

That's scary power.

Ernest is the MAN!
Click to expand...


I've been making 105 fpe for a while now 50gn at 970 with a 700mm barrel. Single port with no extra plenum but it uses a lot of air. Should be easy to kill deer or pigs with a well placed head shot. With a larger valve and 60gn projectiles 120 fpe should be easy.
Click to expand...

~~~~~~~~

How does your Impact feel when you shoot at that power level? 

I ask that question because the vibration and recoil(?) I feel when I shoot my Impact at 73 fpe is not reassuring. I.e. I question whether the rifle's internals are designed to withstand that level of power.
 
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What's your shot count at that high bar?

I thought the Impact shouldn't be run that hard...??
Click to expand...


Maybe 13 or 14 but I would only need that power hunting larger game where shot count won't really matter.

I don't see any problems running up to 170. I have a .22 slug liner in it right now and it sends them fast at low pressure.
 
Upvote 0
100 fpe with an Impact?

That's scary power.

Ernest is the MAN!
Click to expand...


I've been making 105 fpe for a while now 50gn at 970 with a 700mm barrel. Single port with no extra plenum but it uses a lot of air. Should be easy to kill deer or pigs with a well placed head shot. With a larger valve and 60gn projectiles 120 fpe should be easy.
Click to expand...

~~~~~~~~

How does your Impact feel when you shoot at that power level? 

I ask that question because the vibration and recoil(?) I feel when I shoot my Impact at 73 fpe is not reassuring. I.e. I question whether the rifle's internals are designed to withstand that level of power.
Click to expand...

It bucks pretty good, but I trust that Ernest wouldn't set it up if it would self-destruct. I need a better LDC now too.
 
Upvote 0
How does your Impact feel when you shoot at that power level? 
I ask that question because the vibration and recoil(?) I feel when I shoot my Impact at 73 fpe is not reassuring. I.e. I question whether the rifle's internals are designed to withstand that level of power.
Click to expand...

Feels OK to me. I've been gunsmithing (mostly powder burners) for about 40 years and working on pneumatic and hydraulic systems for about 30 years and I don't see much risk in running the Impact at this pressure. The pellet probe retainer is my only concern so I keep the rubber but pad up at that pressure. 
 
Upvote 0
100 fpe with an Impact?

That's scary power.

Ernest is the MAN!
Click to expand...


I've been making 105 fpe for a while now 50gn at 970 with a 700mm barrel. Single port with no extra plenum but it uses a lot of air. Should be easy to kill deer or pigs with a well placed head shot. With a larger valve and 60gn projectiles 120 fpe should be easy.
Click to expand...

~~~~~~~~

How does your Impact feel when you shoot at that power level? 

I ask that question because the vibration and recoil(?) I feel when I shoot my Impact at 73 fpe is not reassuring. I.e. I question whether the rifle's internals are designed to withstand that level of power.
Click to expand...

It bucks pretty good, but I trust that Ernest wouldn't set it up if it would self-destruct. I need a better LDC now too.
Click to expand...

~~~~~~~~~

Did you sign a waiver -- absolving Ernest of any liability?😂
 
Upvote 0
How does your Impact feel when you shoot at that power level? 
I ask that question because the vibration and recoil(?) I feel when I shoot my Impact at 73 fpe is not reassuring. I.e. I question whether the rifle's internals are designed to withstand that level of power.
Click to expand...

Feels OK to me. I've been gunsmithing (mostly powder burners) for about 40 years and working on pneumatic and hydraulic systems for about 30 years and I don't see much risk in running the Impact at this pressure. The pellet probe retainer is my only concern so I keep the rubber but pad up at that pressure.
Click to expand...

~~~~~~~~~~

Very impressive credentials indeed!

Do you perform any airgun mods for the public?
 
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Click to expand...

~~~~~~~~~~

Very impressive credentials indeed!

Do you perform any airgun mods for the public?
Click to expand...

I have not, I just retired last September so I'm just trying to enjoy life without having any schedule or responsibilities. I piddle with my airguns and the boat project I told you about.
Click to expand...

~~~~~~~~~

I feel ya, man.

Doing what you want when you want is an awesome feeling -- just as life was intended.

Now, if only I can get Vickie on board.😉
 
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Maxx,

Fantastic rifle and all praise to Ernest for his great work tuning it for you. I am skeptical about getting that much power with the reg at only 140 bar... have you tried a different gauge to see if it agrees with the one that's showing 140 bar? You now have as much power as a .22 long rifle does! 

I tuned my Wildcat .30 to shoot the 50 grainers at an avg. of 906 ft/s for about 91 fpe...which is about the outer limit for my Wildcat .30...I was shooting for 100 fpe but just couldn't get there. I actually set it down to shoot the 50's at 890 ft/s on Monday when I was playing with her, because that is the setting where she will put all 7 shots into 1/2" at 50 yards, and that's 88 fpe which is nothing to scoff at. Any faster and the groups opened up slightly...and at this setting I am also getting 23 shots from a 250 bar fill.
 
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