Home Blog  
Competition Hatsan 85 MOBU Sniper Combo: Part 7

Hatsan 85 MOBU Sniper Combo: Part 7

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Hatsan 85
Hatsan 85 Sniper rifle combo.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

This report covers:

  • Back to the Hatsan 85 MOBU Sniper
  • A test of the new trigger adjustments
  • Many different holds
  • Try something different
  • Evaluation so far

Back to the Hatsan 85 MOBU Sniper

Today we return to the Hatsan 85 Mossy Oak Break Up rifle, to see whether Bulldawg76’s trigger adjustment screws have any impact on accuracy. I don’t think they will, but I do think they will make it easier to shoot the rifle at targets. That will be a help by itself.

I am shooting off a rest at 25 yards. Naturally the artillery hold is being used. I’m resting the rifle on my off hand, back by the triggerguard

A test of the new trigger adjustments

I began where we left off in Part 5. The rifle is sighted-in and I selected the H&N Baracuda Match with 4.52mm head as the pellet to try. Boy — was I shocked when the first shot was a 10! For a few shots everything looked good, but then on shot number 6 the group opened up. By the time 10 shots had been fired the group measured 1.551-inches between centers. That’s very similar to the 1.422-inches I got with the same pellet before the trigger was adjusted.

Hatsan 85 Baracuda452 group 1
The first 25-yard group of 10 H&N Baracuda Match pellets with 4.52mm heads measures 1.551-inches between centers. Sorry about resting the head of the pellet in one of the holes. I didn’t see it when I set up the photo.

Many different holds

I fiddled around with different holds, trying to improve things, but I always came back to holding the rifle balanced on my off hand touching the triggerguard. The rifle is very muzzle-heavy when held that way, but it seems to do best when I’m behind the trigger.

After shooting a bunch more shots with other holds, I returned to the first hold and tried another 10 shots. This time the group opened up to 2.237-inches and I knew the day was over for me and this rifle. I had lost my ability to concentrate. Or had I?

Hatsan 85 Baracuda452 group 2
The second 25-yard group of 10 H&N Baracuda Match pellets with 4.52mm heads measures 2.237-inches between centers, and is obviously due to shooter error. I’m getting tired from concentrating too long.

Try something different

I thought I would try some pellets I had not tried before and see whether one of them might do a little better. Certainly as tired as I was, if one did do well, that meant it had a lot of promise.

The first pellet was a bust when it missed the target altogether. On to pellet number 2 — a BSA Wolverine. The Wolverine is an 8.44 grain dome that sometimes does surprisingly well in powerful air rifles. When the first shot went to the left of the target I thought it was going to be a bust. But when shot number 2 went to the same place I perked up. To make a long story short, 10 Wolverines landed in 1.172-inches at 25 yards. That’s the best group this rifle has shot to date for me. And I could tell I was tired from shooting and concentrating on the hold. I think the Wolverine might do even better.

Hatsan 85 Wolverine group
This group of BSA Wolverine pellets measures 1.172-inches between centers. It is the smallest group I have shot at 25 yards with this rifle to date. I know this isn’t the best 25-yard group I ever shot, but it does show a lot of promise for the Hatsan 85.

There will be at least one more part to this report. I’m curious to see what the Wolverine pellet can do when I’m fresh and on my game.

Evaluation so far

The Hatsan 85 MOBU Sniper rifle is turning out to be a niice poweful breakbarrel spring-piston rifle that doesn’t go too far with the power. In other words — it’s a gun you might like. The scope that comes with the combo doesn’t work well with it, and I substituted a UTG 4-16X50 scope in its place in Part 5. That scope is mounted in a set of 2-piece BKL rings that are holding the scope rigid.

I felt the trigger was too heavy after adjustment, so reader Bulldawg76 sent me a set of screws that are longer and give a broader range of trigger adjustment. That setup, which was installed and tested in Part 6, is working fine and does help me shoot the rifle.

Bottom line is this may be a spring rifle to consider. It’s less expensive and more powerful than the RWS 34, and even though the accuracy is not comparable, it still seems good. Next time will tell for sure!

55 thoughts on “Hatsan 85 MOBU Sniper Combo: Part 7”

  1. BB
    I am glad the trigger adjustment is making the gun easier to shoot for you but am disappointed at the groups it is shooting even with the trigger setting.

    I reviewed the reports and in part 3 it shot the best group of any pellets tested with the JSB 10.3s and you commented you would definitely try them at 25 yards. I know a lot has took place since part 3 and you have probably forgot about them and the group you shot at 10M with them so I was hoping you could try your next shooting session.

    I think the extra power of this rifle is overpowering the lighter pellets as well as allowing the gun to recoil more than it would with the 10.3 grain pellets and therefore I am hopeful that they may prove to be a good match for this gun and its power level.

    I look forward to the last report in hopes it will show more promise from this rifle.

    BD

    • BD,

      I did try it with JSB 10.3s at 25 yards. It wasn’t that good. Read the very first test in Part 4:

      /blog/2016/03/hatsan-85-mobu-sniper-combo-part-4/

      So far these BSA Wolverine pellets look to be the best. I think in the next part I will test a bunch of different pellets that I haven’t tried yet. I’ll shoot 5-shoits groups and only go to 10 if they shot promise like the Wolverines did.

      B.B.

      • BB
        I missed the test with them at 25 yards as I saw at 10M they did very well. But wasn’t that also before you did the trigger adjustment with the screws I sent you.

        I was thinking with the trigger adjustment more crisp and predictable now that they may show better groups at 25 yards. I just hope you can find a pellet that it does well with in the last report.

        BD

  2. That is too bad. I was kind of rooting for this one, if no other reason than that I admire Hatsan’s innovative nature, their power and testing with “real” world pellets.

    I was going to say try something heavier, but a quick look at the P.A. catalog shows the 10’s being in the upper limits for the most part,… with the exception of maybe a half dozen super-weights. I was really surprised to see a 21 grain HN “Piledriver” in .177. Heck, I do not shoot that heavy in either of the two .22 springers.

    Best of luck next time out.

  3. BB,

    I have been going back and forth about a Hatsan sproinger for some time now. The one I have been looking at is a Webley Tomahawk. Buldawg’s fix for the trigger has really tempted me to go ahead and get it. I have hesitated because of concerns over hold sensitivity and accuracy. I have not been that thrilled with the reviews of Hatsan sproingers that I have seen. Maybe, just like the Gamo CFX I had, it just needs “the pellet”.

  4. BB

    My Hatsun 95 Vortex has a decided preference for 10.5 grain Premiers in the brown box. They may not work in your test rifle but my Diana 34 loves them. This has become one of my favorite pellets.

    Decksniper

  5. Decksniper,

    That is a pellet I have resolved to try in the next test. I almost did it today, but by the time I came to the end of the shooting I was too worn out to do my best. I wondered whether it might not be a good one.

    B.B.

  6. BB

    I should add that I sort the Premiers with a Pelletgage. Most in my lot are 4.50 mm but there are some outliers that will have a different POI. Weight has not been a concern.

    Decksniper

  7. I just read through this entire series, and I’m finding myself without any real useful data to compare against. Judging a springer like this against my Talon is a very unfair comparison both in price-point and in method of operation. So what *should* I be expecting in a mid-power springer like this, accuracy-wise, as far as your “average” out-of-box rifle goes? Not talking ultra-high-end or super-cheap-chinese rifles, but something you’d find around the same price on the rack.

    Most PCPs I’ve read about will do ~.5 or groups at 25 with the right pellet and a decent shooter. Should I be expecting the same for a decent springer with correct technique? An inch? More? I’m mostly just curious, because my first reaction to a 1.5+” group at 25 yards (from shooting my Talon, and a lot of rimfires) is a resounding *YUCK!*, and I’m not sure if that’s actually being fair to the rifle.

    • Komitadjie,

      What you are seeing in this series is on the poor side of average for a breakbarrel spring-piston air rifle in this price range. The exciting thing is if I can get it to shoot better, the price is very good.

      Spend just a little more and you move up to the RWS Diana 34, where the accuracy becomes pronouncedly better. Look at this series:

      /blog/2015/01/diana-rws-34p-breakbarrel-air-rifle-part-3/

      Now, if we can open the competition to other springers, the Air Arms TX200 Mark II will actually challenge a PCP. Look here:

      /blog/2014/02/tx200-mark-iii-part-13/

      Pay particular attention to Part 11, where the rifle shoots tighter at 50 yards than this rifle did at 25!

      B.B.

  8. I’m sure I’ve been influenced by my experience shooting field Target, but I wouldn’t even consider a gun that wouldn’t shoot less than a half inch at 25 yards and a quarter inch would be better. In my mind, that means European springers or my Mike Melick tuned xs46u.

  9. What I’m wondering about is the .30 Hatsan springer.

    Maybe it will be good but if it’s anything like the .25 under lever Hatsan I had and other .25 break barrel guns I had I doubt it.

    But it’s just a shame this .177 break barrel Hatsan is being so temperamental. Sure makes you appreciate a pcp or pump gun.

    Sure glad my .177 Tx is a shooter though. That gun is like they asked me personally what I would like from a spring gun. A fixed barrel underlever, excellent trigger, stock design, quality, excellent shot cycle, oh and one of the most important characteristics of the gun. It’s very accurate for a spring gun.

  10. BB
    Wasn’t you suppose to get a .30 or .35 caliber Hatsan ppcp to test? Would love to see you review one or the other.

    Then maybe the Hatsan .30 caliber Hatsan break barrel springer.

    I bet you that would be a eye opener in performance if the 2 different power plant guns were compared.

    • Gunfun1,

      I think the .30 Hatsan springer would benefit from a domed lead pellet significantly lighter than what’s available. If someone offered a good .30 pellet at about 35 grains, I’d bet the Hatsan could get over 30 foot-pounds, perhaps almost 35.

      Hmmm. JSB and H&N, are you reading this? :^)

      Michael

      • Michael
        You may be right. But remember they use some pretty heavy duty springs and preload on the spring in the .25 caliber springers to get them to make any kind of fair velocity. I bet the Hatsan .30 caliber has crazy spring pressure. And you know what that does to a springers shot cycle.

        But what I would be afraid of with a lighter pellet in the .30 caliber Hatsan springer is it would make the piston and seal come close to like what a dry fire situation does to a spring gun. Not no good for the piston or seal.

        So it would need to be a certain pellet weight I’m betting for the gun to pick up velocity and not hurt the gun or even the shot cycle with piston slam from a light pellet. But if that magic pellet was found it just might be a cool gun.

  11. I think having a real good trigger is vastly overated and did not do that much in this case. I have a 22 disco with a horrible trigger that will shoot at 35 yds into a ragged hole with Crossman ultra mags or CPHP very lucky with that rifle. in the early 90’s I was the only one buying savage heavy barrels got my friends to buy them in 223 and 308. the triggers need a come along to fire them and I never saw more accurate guns. when replacement triggers came out like maniacs we bought them and they made no difference. you can with some patience and practice get used to any trigger

    • Mildot52
      You know your probably right about triggers being overated.

      I had a few Disco’s and some nitro piston guns all the way to the feather weight trigger the FWB 300 has. And I could still shoot those guns good as I kept in mind that I needed to be light with the trigger finger to get use to that particular trigger on that different gun.

      I have that 1377 that I converted to a rifle with Disco parts. And that’s including the trigger assembly. I even put the two set screws in to make the trigger adjustable that Buldawg found out about. It did help the feel of the trigger. It didn’t make it a great trigger though. No kind of way does it compare to a Marauder trigger like I had on one of the conversions in the past. And I can shoot this one I have now and don’t see any difference in accuracy really. It’s just the Marauder trigger and adjustability makes it feel better when I shoot compared to even the modded Disco trigger.

      So really the only thing that comes to mind for me is that a adjustable trigger helps me fine tune the trigger to what I want to feel when I shoot. And as you do make adjustments on a good trigger maybe the feel does help make a difference. I know I have used the second stage trigger stop to eliminate over travel and second stage spring pressure to help control my gun when the shot goes off.

      So maybe triggers are overated and maybe it is all about getting use to a trigger. But I still will take a good trigger that adjusts over a trigger you can’t feel break when the shot goes off and can’t be adjusted. I already played that ballgame with many air guns over time. Overated or not I want a adjustable good trigger.

      • you are right about having a good trigger. I have a FWB 602 that if a bird flies over the house it goes off and 2 FWB 300s all good triggers.. but I would not go insane working like a swiss watchmaker fixing a trigger lol nor would I spend big money on a good trigger. I outshoot my friend with iron site on an AR with stock trigger while they have 1×4 scopes and $200 gissele triggers

        • Mildot52
          Your one statement says it all.

          “I would not go insane working like a swiss watchmaker fixing a trigger lol nor would I spend big money on a good trigger.”

          If it comes with a good trigger great. If not I adapt or usually ended up not having that gun. But that’s just me I’m kind of weird that way of not keeping a gun if it’s not what I like. I went through many air guns trying them out. Took me awhile but I got what I want now and very happy with their performance.

      • Interesting point. Superstar shooter David Tubb claims in his book that a competent shot (or he at any rate) can learn how to shoot any trigger. I toyed with that idea with my CZ 75 SP-01 whose trigger is inferior to my other guns. Sometimes I thought I was learning it or maybe the trigger was breaking in. But on the last outing, it shot erratically and I traced that to the delayed break on the trigger. That’s it. The pistol has been sent off for a trigger job and a new trigger blade to the tune of $300! That will bring the total cost up to around the cost of my Smith and Wesson 1911, so I guess you are looking at around $1000 to get a really solid pistol.

        Matt61

  12. All I can say is that with a match-grade trigger you can send the shot immediately without hesitation when you get the perfect sight picture. With a heavier trigger, there’s a bigger gap between the perfect sight picture and when the trigger breaks. That’s why Olympic shooters use triggers that break at 2-4 ounces.

  13. I must have missed the test of the bipod on this rifle. I would think that would be death to the dynamics of a springer. In any case, the group sizes are not my idea of a sniper rifle. It’s a tough game for new competitors. Not only do they have to prove themselves, but they have to compete against some really outstanding designs that are already established.

    ChrisUSA, thanks for your advice about the Marauder. Maybe someday, but there are some things holding me back. One is my indoor 5 yard distance that is already kind of overwhelmed with my B30. Another is that I am not set up for the logistics of an air tank, and manual pumping kind of takes away from my image of shooting. (It also would raise my heart rate.) Still, I can imagine the kind of accuracy you get. One of the dirty secrets of my range is that my Crosman 1077 with crude iron sights and a horrendous trigger shoots about as well as my springers with scopes. Maybe I’ll shoot the Marauder at an airgun show someday.

    Matt61

    Matt61

    • Matt61,

      It was not the Marauder specific, that is all I have,… just PCP in general. A nice single pump or multi-pump with a nice trigger would do just as well, especially at closer ranges. That lack of thump and bump does miracles for accuracy. A nice single pump might be my next one,… adult sized.

    • Matt 61

      Not to be the “devils advocate” but my hw30s is very satisfying at my 5yd indoor range… although you may have your hands full with the b30 and 1077 at this time. 🙂

      • PH
        So you like your HW30 so far? Thought you had a longer distance to shoot at outside also?

        Just thought I would ask. Haven’t heard from you in a while. Or maybe I missed your recent comments. That’s what happens when old age starts creep’n in you know. 🙂

        • GF1

          Yeah I haven’t posted in awhile. I am facing many challenges with my daily life. Good news is I’m still steadily emptying pellet tins. 😉

          I shoot that sweetheart any way I want any where I want. Inside the house, outside the house, rested, off hand, sitting, back against a tree. I haven’t tried hanging upside down yet. 😉

          I love it so much I almost don’t shoot anything else. The p17 and the 2240 are the only other ones that have a prayer of being shot. 🙂

  14. Off topic, but I just found a gentleman who makes target grips using a 3d printer. They don’t look like Morini’s or any good wood grips, but you can get them in almost any shape, and he will make them to your hand measurements, so you might save time filing and filing with putty to get the perfect fit. I won’t post his web site address unless BB says it is OK, but you can him with a Google search.

    He has patterns for many pistols, both air and powder. This might just push me over the edge to buy a Daisy 747, as I don’t like the factory grips.

  15. A thought:

    Way late in the “game”,… since this part 7,…. but did anyone else notice that the trigger seems to lend itself to a “back and upward” pull, -VS- a traditional straight back pull? That would seem to be a more natural thing, ergonomic if you will, with the hand on the pistol grip section of the stock. Am I imagining things? The look of the trigger from the side looks very non-traditional.

    It would seem to lend itself to certain “leverage” advantages as well.

  16. Chris USA
    If you click on the picture at the beginning of today’s blog it will take you to the PA page about the gun. If you scroll through the pictures on that page there is a picture looking from the bottom left side of the gun at the trigger.

    The trigger still operates the same. They just went straight back with the trigger blade then curved down. The only thing I see about the blade is it might give more finger contact area on the trigger and make the trigger seem easir to pull. But I myself found I like a straight blade trigger that I has very little contact area of the finger. Like that one pistol BB tested awhile back. The trigger blade was actually like a pin or bolt sticking forward for your finger to contact. But to me the less contact area on the trigger blade is more precise feeling trigger to me.

    • GF1,

      All good points. Just a thought. I noticed it the first time I saw it. There was a good pic of the trigger exposed too. “seems easier to pull”,….. that might be the “key”.

      • Chris USA
        Hard to say. Would have to have two different types of trigger blades and try them on one gun. Then what might work for one gun might not work for another.

        Get you a AirForce pcp gun and tell me what you think about that trigger. They have a different type of trigger and pull than other guns. There good. They just have a different feel.

Leave a Comment

Buy With Confidence

  • Free Shipping

    TEST Get FREE shipping on qualifying orders! Any order $150+ with a shipping address in the contiguous US will receive the option for free ground shipping on items sold & shipped by Pyramyd AIR during checkout. Certain restrictions apply.

    Free shipping may not be combined with a coupon unless stated otherwise.

    View Shipping Info

  • Shipping Time Frame

    We work hard to get all orders placed by 12 pm EST out the door within 24 hours on weekdays because we know how excited you are to receive your order. Weekends and holiday shipping times will vary.

    During busy holidays, we step our efforts to ship all orders as fast as possible, but you may experience an additional 1-2 day delay before your order ships. This may also happen if you change your order during processing.

    View Shipping Times

  • Shipping Restrictions

    It's important to know that due to state and local laws, there are certain restrictions for various products. It's up to you to research and comply with the laws in your state, county, and city. If you live in a state or city where air guns are treated as firearms you may be able to take advantage of our FFL special program.

    U.S. federal law requires that all airsoft guns are sold with a 1/4-inch blaze orange muzzle or an orange flash hider to avoid the guns being mistaken for firearms.

    View Shipping Restrictions

  • Expert Service and Repair

    We have a team of expert technicians and a complete repair shop that are able to service a large variety of brands/models of airguns. Additionally, we are a factory-authorized repair/warranty station for popular brands such as Air Arms, Air Venturi, Crosman, Diana, Seneca, and Weihrauch airguns.

    Our experts also offer exclusive 10-for-$10 Test and 20-for-$20 Service, which evaluates your air gun prior to leaving our warehouse. You'll be able to add these services as you place your order.

    View Service Info

  • Warranty Info

    Shop and purchase with confidence knowing that all of our air guns (except airsoft) are protected by a minimum 1-year manufacturer's warranty from the date of purchase unless otherwise noted on the product page.

    A warranty is provided by each manufacturer to ensure that your product is free of defect in both materials and workmanship.

    View Warranty Details

  • Exchanges / Refunds

    Didn't get what you wanted or have a problem? We understand that sometimes things aren't right and our team is serious about resolving these issues quickly. We can often help you fix small to medium issues over the phone or email.

    If you need to return an item please read our return policy.

    Learn About Returns

TEST Get FREE shipping on qualifying orders! Any order $150+ with a shipping address in the contiguous US will receive the option for free ground shipping on items sold & shipped by Pyramyd AIR during checkout. Certain restrictions apply.

Free shipping may not be combined with a coupon unless stated otherwise.

View Shipping Info

Text JOIN to 91256 and get $10 OFF Your Next $50+ Order!

* By providing your number above, you agree to receive recurring autodialed marketing text msgs (e.g. cart reminders) to the mobile number used at opt-in from Pyramyd AIR on 91256. Reply with birthday MM/DD/YYYY to verify legal age of 18+ in order to receive texts. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg frequency may vary. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. See Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.