I spent a little time on figuring out how to setup this rifle, and what ammo to shoot from it. Decided that it would suit me best as a hunting rifle for larger small game (up to raccoon size) out to 150m, and coyote size game inside of 100. Collapsable / adjustable stock with a flat spot for rear bag was in my list, so I wound up putting a Magpul SL on the buffer tube connected to a Law Tactical folding stock adapter.
Ergonomically, I found the rifle a little hard to handle in the field. My hand got a little torn up by the Pic rail the first time I took it out hunting. I decided to put a Magpul c-grip on the bottom rail, and that absolutely transformed the handling of this rifle.
The magazines for this thing are some of (if not) the best in their class that I have ever handled! I'll admit though, loading them into the mag well took some practice to nail down (I kept dropping them out through the other side that I loaded them from lol), but they're designed in such a way that it becomes a non-issue once I got the technique down.
Ammo - it's a laser beam with all 40-50gr pellets, but I knew the TJ barrel would shoot 60+ grain NSAs and Varmint Knockers extremely well, and sure enough I decided to dedicate 62gr (BHN-7) VKs and the 65.5gr NSAs to this rifle full-time. I can tune it to shoot the 62's around 900, but I decided to setup my rifle to shoot them around 850fps for a more optimal shot count.
The key benefits that make this rifle stand out to be are:
The factory moderator has some bark to it. Mr. Neil Clague made a custom moderator for it, and I have had good success quieting the rifle down with it. I also found Donny's adapter with the short and stubby Tatsu works wonders. For extreme silence, I can go full broomstick mode with the Ronin + extension.
Some photos and video that I shot of it (I don't record any of my hunts):
Broomstick mode:
Field testing:
Night time hunting setup with the thermal and one of my L3 PVS-14s:
Mags & ammo:
Fine tuning video (keep in mind, this is only an 8x mag optic):
AAA EVOL 30 + 62 grain Slugs at 130 Yards (119m)
https://youtu.be/amH3ucjF8wY
D.O.P.E. session before my last hunt:
American Air Arms EVOL 30 Cal - Quick Zero Session
https://youtu.be/l5W57jWg4Kk
Feel free to ask my unbiassed opinion on anything surrounding this rifle and I give you my feedback!
Ergonomically, I found the rifle a little hard to handle in the field. My hand got a little torn up by the Pic rail the first time I took it out hunting. I decided to put a Magpul c-grip on the bottom rail, and that absolutely transformed the handling of this rifle.
The magazines for this thing are some of (if not) the best in their class that I have ever handled! I'll admit though, loading them into the mag well took some practice to nail down (I kept dropping them out through the other side that I loaded them from lol), but they're designed in such a way that it becomes a non-issue once I got the technique down.
Ammo - it's a laser beam with all 40-50gr pellets, but I knew the TJ barrel would shoot 60+ grain NSAs and Varmint Knockers extremely well, and sure enough I decided to dedicate 62gr (BHN-7) VKs and the 65.5gr NSAs to this rifle full-time. I can tune it to shoot the 62's around 900, but I decided to setup my rifle to shoot them around 850fps for a more optimal shot count.
The key benefits that make this rifle stand out to be are:
- Durability
- Extremely stiff barrel / shroud
- It ALWAYS returns to zero after barrel removal
- Overall build quality gives it the feel of a well made firearm more than anything else
- Durability once again!!!
The factory moderator has some bark to it. Mr. Neil Clague made a custom moderator for it, and I have had good success quieting the rifle down with it. I also found Donny's adapter with the short and stubby Tatsu works wonders. For extreme silence, I can go full broomstick mode with the Ronin + extension.
Some photos and video that I shot of it (I don't record any of my hunts):
Broomstick mode:
Field testing:
Night time hunting setup with the thermal and one of my L3 PVS-14s:
Mags & ammo:
Fine tuning video (keep in mind, this is only an 8x mag optic):
AAA EVOL 30 + 62 grain Slugs at 130 Yards (119m)
https://youtu.be/amH3ucjF8wY
D.O.P.E. session before my last hunt:
American Air Arms EVOL 30 Cal - Quick Zero Session
https://youtu.be/l5W57jWg4Kk
Feel free to ask my unbiassed opinion on anything surrounding this rifle and I give you my feedback!
