AA S510 XS Ultimate Sporter 22 - Final Chrono tests

Bob_O · Oct 8, 2018

Gentlemen,

Please see the below linked thread if you would like to see my testing leading up to these final charts. I have over 1,000 pellets through the gun now so I feel after today's tests, this is as good as it's going g to get.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/aa-s510-xs-first-40-shots-over-chrono/#post-360223

That thread has a full shot string I just did on the FX Streamline 22. Even starting from what I have determined to be the Optimal Fill pressure for the US (180bar) based upon this latest shot string, the ES still isn't as low as the FX factory reg of the Streamline.

This lower ES, which I would be satisfied with, comes only by sacrificing 29 shots. Instead of 60 shots that AA claims this rifle will get, I can only get 31 if I want to get the ES down to an "acceptable" value of 30.

Moving forward from here, my testing has shown me that the reg in the FX Streamline is set to 115bar, where the Ultimate Sporter 22 has it set at 125 bar. Now the Streamline makes a distinct "ping" the moment it falls off the reg. The velocity of my Ultimate Sporter will drop rapidly at 125 bar but will only ping slightly when it reaches 115 bar.

SUMMARY:

My Ultimate Sporter, if filled to 250 bar and shot down to 115 bar when it makes a slight ping, will get 101 shots with an ES of over 100. Being Air Arms makes a claim of 60 shots, there's no way the fill pressure is meant to be 250 bar.

If filled to 220 bar and shooting down to 125 bar, my US gets the claimed 60 shots with an ES of about 40.

In order to come close to the performance of my FX Streamline 22, I have to start at a fill pressure of 180 bar and end at around 125 bar.....this gets the ES down to 30 but reduces shot count to only 31.....nearly half of the AA-spec'd 60-shot claim.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

1. If the reg pressure on the Ultimate Sporter is in fact 125bar, determined by me only from a velocity drop, then it could stand to be lowered by 5 bar and do further testing. Note that the AA manual for this rifle states to refill the air cylinder between 110 and 115 bar.

2. If the reg pressure must stay where it's at - what ever that pressure may be - then the hammer spring could stand to be adjusted for more tension. As far as I'm aware, adjustments to the hammer spring tension are not easily made.

One last thing to note.....my Ultimate Sporter reaches the AA-claimed 950fps using JSB 15.89gr pellets, though only at peak and not by average.

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Guest · Oct 8, 2018

That's a shame your AA isn't tighter with the ES and SD. The numbers look similar to my S500 in .177 with a 10.3g pellet for 30 shots without a regulator and hammer tune. I can guess as to what the issue is but without taking it apart I can't say for sure.

It is a first gen gun and as we all know, the first generation of anything have teething problems. I'd be happy to look at it if you like, perhaps tighten things up. PM me if interested or not.

John

John "spysir" Blount · Oct 8, 2018

Thanks for the testing results. I must say I am surprised and wondering just how much of a fluke/or not your rifle is. The older AA410 bolt action can get pretty much the same power off a 2,900psi fill and hold 20fps ES. After years of using 20fps ES as a "sweet spot" I personally want 10fps ES or less with a reg.

It would be really nice to see exactly what AA did inside if anything other than add a "regulator". In the bolt actions it seems the .177's often require a bit of tuning and .22 can get away with just a drop in ( not the best shot count but good ES ). Any inclination to strip it and mic things?

Do appreciate the real world write up on this not too common yet airgun.

John

Bob_O · Oct 8, 2018

Thanks guys.

I updated the original post with some more details now that I'm on the desktop computer. I could only do so much from my phone. ;-)

Being the rifle is shooting well in the field and on the range, I'm not in any hurry at all to make adjustments or take it apart. I'm mechanically able to do it, I just don't feel it's necessary at the moment. I just figured I'd make a final post being I have shot enough pellets to consider the rifle and reg "broken in", have done several shots strings, have tested for accuracy and measured performance in the field.

Believe me, I would love to have this rifle give me an ES of 20 considering the best I've been able to get is 40 while still getting decent shot count. I mean, I tuned the Wildcat 25 down to ES of 6 and SD of 2.......but that rifle is more user-friendly as far as making hammer spring adjustments.

Bob_O · Oct 8, 2018

Just had the thought that maybe my reg pressure was set to what the 25 caliber model might have it set to.

This would make a 22 caliber hammer spring too light.

Dairyboy · Oct 8, 2018

I think the reg is bad. That's a bell curve no matter how you look at it. Not sure why those Brits like AA and BSA struggle making a good reg. Smart move by Daystate to get in partner with Huma on there regulated guns

blackdiesel · Oct 8, 2018

Do Air Arms use Lang regulators or did they develop their own brand? Something might be wrong with it. Not being negative but I have several unregulated guns with a tighter ES that that. But don't forget the important thing and that is the gun is accurate. Everything else is secondary.

Bob_O · Oct 8, 2018

I have to agree that it's a reg problem. With the previous full shot string, my first shot and last shot had similar velocity. With today's full shot string using the same fill pressure, the first and last shot velocity aren't even in the same neighborhood.

stoti · Oct 8, 2018

Thanks Bob, very thorough and honest review, I appreciate it. Hopefully you can get the regulator issue worked out and get some acceptable numbers. I enjoy all of your videos. Thank you. Stoti

Bob_O · Oct 8, 2018

Thanks bd and Stoti.

I don't know who makes the regulator for this one, all I know is what was stated by Sheila in Steve's (AEAC) video where she said "It comes with a regulator that's been developed over the last 18 months". She didn't elaborate and Steve didn't ask any further questions about it.

Guest · Oct 8, 2018

Air Arms make thier own regulators.

Eaglebeak · Oct 8, 2018

I'm sure that I heard or read an ad somewhere that Huma is supplying the regulators. It shouldn.t make any difference who makes them, they all work basically the same. Your rifle is behaving like an unregulated gun. The old S510 was a pretty good shooter without the reg, so is yours but that is not the point. I'm sure that AA has done all the R&D and modified the valving to optimise their guns to get the best performance from their regulated versions. There is definitely something amiss with your example. I would suggest you send them a copy of your test strings and see what they have to say.

Bob_O · Oct 8, 2018

There's a "H" on the side of the receiver, maybe that's a designation for Huma. If so, there's definitely something going on. Heck, even if it wasn't a Huma there would still be something going on. I'm going to check and see what the turn-around time is for Pyramyd Air.

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Guest · Oct 8, 2018

I'm sure that I heard or read an ad somewhere that Huma is supplying the regulators. It shouldn.t make any difference who makes them, they all work basically the same. Your rifle is behaving like an unregulated gun. The old S510 was a pretty good shooter without the reg, so is yours but that is not the point. I'm sure that AA has done all the R&D and modified the valving to optimise their guns to get the best performance from their regulated versions. There is definitely something amiss with your example. I would suggest you send them a copy of your test strings and see what they have to say.

Can you please link your source about AA using a Huma?

Bob_O · Oct 8, 2018

Oh man....4 to 6 weeks.

I sent an email through the Huma website. I'll let you all know what they say.

Eaglebeak · Oct 8, 2018

I have no link. I just remember seeing a review somewhere, and yes Bob, the H on the receiver specifies the brand of the reg. I'm fairly sure that that was mentioned as well. Perhaps I've just got my wires crossed with AA and Daystate. It shouldn't be hard to confirm. It's not a state secret.

Guest · Oct 8, 2018

I've sent an email out to Air Arms as well, I'll be sure to post their response when I get it.

Bob_O · Oct 8, 2018

Thank you guys!

JoeKool · Oct 8, 2018

Thanks for taking the time to do this testing Bob-0

!! I love Air Arms air rifles but their performance should be on par with their gun’s good looks though. They do have rolling development within their manufacturing. So I’m routing for them to iron out the kinks with this model. Final word... A regulated air rifle should not have a bell shot curve.

Bob_O · Oct 9, 2018

Thanks Joe!

I got a reply from Huub already. While he did not answer the question about if his regulator is in this new AA model, he did say this:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your email. 40 fps spread looks like no regulator in it

You can use one of the Air Arms regulators for it perfectly

I will be off the forum until late evening. I have about a 14-hr work day ahead if me....starting at 6 a.m. See you guys later.

AA S510 XS Ultimate Sporter 22 - Final Chrono tests

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