by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Hatsan 85 Mossy Oak Break Up rifle.
This report covers:
- The specs
- Silencer
- Calm shooting behavior
- Sling swivels
- Sights
- Scope
- Quattro trigger
- Texas airgun show
There was a time when I felt reporting on a breakbarrel spring piston airgun was downright boring — I did so many of them. But in case you haven’t noticed, it’s been a long time since I looked at a breakbarrel. I chose the Hatsan 85 Mossy Oak Break Up (that’s the MOBU) Sniper Combo. I chose it because it is what today would be defined as a medium-powered spring rifle. At a velocity of 1,000 f.p.s. in the .177 caliber I’m testing, this rifle isn’t over-powered. I am hoping to get smooth performance and some accuracy by not pushing the velocity to the max. This model is also available in .22 and .25 calibers for the hunters.
I am testing rifle number 1212 00037. That sounds like a low number to me.
Now, the combo does come with a bipod, which on a breakbarrel spring rifle is about as handy as a crutch in a marathon. I will try it for the diehards who just have to see what it does, but I don’t hold out a lot of hope. Expecting accuracy from a spring rifle on a bipod is like juggling jars of nitroglycern — not a recommended practice. Can you say Anti-Artillery Hold? But it’s there so I will try it. I have been wrong enough in the past to know better by now.
The bipod clamps onto the barrel after the rifle is cocked.
The specs
And here we go! The Hatsan 85 is a spring piston breakbarrel air rifle with a conventional coiled steel mainspring. The cocking effort is reported to be — well, it isn’t listed but I will guess it’s something north of 35 lbs. I know it’s a bit stout.
Silencer
You grab the large silencer (yes, it does have baffled chambers) to cock the rifle. The barrel swings down and quietly compresses the mainspring, then on the return arc you discover that the pivot joint is really tight. That’s a good thing for accuracy and you can bet that it will break in. And better news — the joint is held by a locking pivot bolt! So you can always adjust the tension.
The silencer that Hatsan calls a moderator is baffled.
Calm shooting behavior
The recoil pad is thick and sculpted and is part of the reason the recoil isn’t felt that much. The Hatsan shock absorber system (SAS) removes most of the vibration from the rifle when it fires. I have only fired a couple test shots so far but I can attest that the action feels smooth and quick — no lingering vibration. All you really feel when the rifle fires is a forward recoil pulse.
The recoil pad is thick and sculpted to the shoulder.
Hatsan’s proprietary shock absorber system (SAS) isolates the shooter from most recoil and vibration.
Sling swivels
Sling swivels come mounted on the rifle right out of the box. The rear swivel is under the butt in the conventional location, but the front swivel is located where the left stock screw goes. There is a sling packed with the rifle, so everything is ready to go when you get it.
The stock is a hollow synthetic with a Mossy Oak Break Up camouflage pattern on the outside. The pull is 13 inches, which is on the short side, but it doesn’t feel that bad.
Sights
The open sights are fully adjustable (yea!) and are also Truglo fiber optic (boo!). But the fiber rods are dark and I think you can use them as conventional sights for greater aiming precision. The sight picture looks pretty sharp, just holding the rifle to my shoulder.
Scope
This is a combo, so yes, there is a scope. It’s a 3-9X32 that looks pretty clear, and it comes with the rings already attached. I will mount and test it for you.
I also have a new Leapers 11mm to Weaver adaptor that I plan to test for you on this rifle. So I’m getting a lot of mileage from this test!
The rifle holds well. It feels compact, which I like in a breakbarrel, and the forearm is not too fat. The weight is definitely forward, so the rifle should be very stead with the artillery hold.
Quattro trigger
The trigger is Hatsan’s Quattro that is fully adjustable. In the past I haven’t liked the Quattro that much on a spring gun, but on this test rifle it feels crisp and positive. The blade is very curved and located close to the back of the triggerguard so your finger doesn’t have too much of a reach.
Quattro trigger is very adjustable and feels great in the test rifle!
I am looking forward to testing this air rifle — just to get back in that familiar old groove. I guess I missed it!
Texas airgun show
The website is now live for the 2016 Texas airgun show. Download the brochure for detailed show information.
Tables are going very fast, so if you want one, reserve it now! Because this show is being held in the center of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, I think it is going to break all previous attendance records. The hotel and the club are both very easy to get to on freeways most of the way, so don’t worry about traffic.
B.B.,
i look at the information for the TX air gun show and practically drool. I teach and live in the northern Midwest, so the show is just barely too late in the summer for me to go. But man, if it could be just a couple weeks earlier . . .
Michael
HATSAN Period! Been waiting for B.B. to TEST! Just like Diana Gas air guns! I have been interested in Hatsan for years before they came to the states! Tried to get in on the lead end and did not have enough money or the right contacts? Either way they’re here now! The Turks have been building good plus guns sense before the Great Wars! Semper fi!
Quote:
” There was a time when I felt reporting on a breakbarrel spring piston airgun was downright boring — I did so many of them. Buut in case you haven’t noticed, it’s been a long time since I looked at a breakbarrel.”
Well BB, different people, different taste and culture.
Some guys find the bb-rifles boring. In your country you can buy a bb-rifle at the local tool-shop. In europe there is no bb-culture at all. So to me its a good thing you do the breakbarrel in Pelletier-style.
Ill run ahead of the full review/test and state the following:
From our house, the German border is at point blank range of my hw80/R1. So we live practically ON the border line. But in Holland we sort of dont know better that all airrifles are from German make. So when I was a kid, the known names were Weihrauch, FWB, Walther, Anschuetz and so on.
So in order to get a market share in the Western Europe airgun-market you have to do things right the first time you enter that market. Hatsan and Crosman failed in that playingfield. Crosman failed to put a worthy magumspringer in the market with their XL series: lousy trigger and inaccurate. Hatsan fared even worse with their breakbarrel and underleaver rifles: bad bores, mechanical failures and lousy trigger.
Hatsan pcp rifles a frequent visitors at my dutch gunsmith’s shop: they leak and are known to have a lot of mechanical failures.
Ill probably get Some comments this, from people who state THEIR crosman XL 1500 or THEIR Hatsan 125 is the best thing around since the evention of the steamengine. — okay….. sure you are right 🙂
My point is: it might take Years and Years for these manufacturers to re-establish their reputation. Unless: they develop a rifle that makes forget their previous lineup. But its gotta be a hell of a good rifle, matchgade barrel and trigger. And dependable and accurate.
Okay, thats it for today
Hee nog een Nederlander! 😛 (Hey another Dutchman!)
DJ,
LOL! You are going to catch it today!
From what I have been hearing Hatsan has come a long way recently. Are they up to the level of Weihrauch and such, no. I would put them ahead of Gamo, Crosman and such though. Hatsan has been paying real close attention to the US market and seems intent on being the leader in the entry level market over here.
They are hampered by their early reputation, but if you go back far enough, some of those German air rifles left a lot to be desired also. 😉
R.R.
You’re darn right about Hatsan quality now. I’m now the proud owner of a 125 & Striker 1000s brand new guns which I bought off my friend & he used that money to get a bt65 which is a top class gun. All are .177 as its the only calibre permitted in Sri Lanka. I’ve tuned the Striker & put in a new Titan mainspring & new seals as the original got a bit weak due to heavy use. It’s butter smooth & very powerful with the new Spring. The 125 is going to be tuned soon & I got down new seals from custom Air seals Aussie. Also got down a Vortex mainspring but since it’s only 4 months old the original spring is still at peak & won’t be replaced.But the best thing is also the main reason why I bought them from my friend, very very accurate. I’ve mounted Nikko Stirling 3-9×40 scopes on both & get 1/2 inch groups with both guns at 25 yds. The build quality is very good. I would love to have the camo stock, they look so nice especially the one that B.B. is testing, but the local dealer has only the black synthetic stocks & wood.
Errol
Dutchjozef, I agree with you for the best part of your reply! I also spent many years in and out and around your country’s! I found all of those air guns and fire burners to be most desired and up in the TOP of the very best! But! I would like to say that I purchase American made? But! I can’t say that not in the air gun world! I have had the best and got out of it and now it is even harder to find which really is the best outside of some that you have mentioned! Used airguns, air rifles and just guns seem to be my wants and purchases! But! you know it is not a free ride and some of us don’t mind paying more for the best even if it is not recognized around the world to be the best! I know that I have some Asian made air rifles that will stand up to the ones you have mentioned and I don’t hear much about anyone or every one running out to purchase them? Promotion! I had guns in your ranges in Europa years back and found it difficult to have much freedom when it came to any kind or type of guns! Thank you for reply’s! I do enjoy them! Kinda takes back to some fond memory’s in the Old countries! Semper fi!
I don’t think the bipods Hatsan gives with their rifles are for shooting. My best guess is that they’re made to display your rifle. Might actually be brilliant marketing! What do people do with a cool looking gun and a free bipod they can’t use for shooting? They use it to display the gun somewhere in their house.
Franklyundead,
I never thought about the display aspect. Good call!
B.B.
Franklyundead,
The problem with your theory is that Hatsan air rifles are not that good looking.
Perhaps it is for those who go off into the woods and sit down and lean against a tree and take a nap. They can put their air rifle on that bipod and not worry about it falling over while they are sleeping.
Hahaha well I bet the people at Hatsan think their rifles look good! And that strengthens my theory actually.. What’s THE way to make people get used to something ugly? Get them comfortable with the product by showcasing it everywhere.
Ridge,
You are nailing it pretty damn well!! 🙂
They are as ugly as a gremlin. Nothing to be proud of. If I was a female airgun, and gave birth to such an ugly baby, Id probably drown it. A coffee bean looks better than the hatsan.
But then again…… Im a sucker for classic lines
But I will say Hatsan uses some nice wood on their guns.
And yep do agree that the sniper guns tend to have weird designed stocks.
But still like camo on a gun.
gunfun1
that camo has a function: it disguises that ugly stock!!!!
Im just having a laugh gf1, different people, different tastes. If you like it….. who am I to say you have a bad taste?
If you like it…. good for you.
If I dont like it…. my bad.
If youre hunting smart animals like crow, rook or magpie…. then a camo barrel helps.
Them rooks are sooooooo smart. Ill give you an example. If you have shot a rook and another one sees it, you better bag em quickly, otherwise youll get a funeral above youre head. Here it comes:
the crow that witnessed the killing will fly to the other rooks and will tell them where it happend…..where it happend EXACTLY! They discribe the location in detail……. pinpoint accurately….. not at my neighbours, no MY HOUSE. They can also discribe me.
Im not joking……. they are so smart.
Dutchjozef
I know everybody has their own idea of what they like. I say that all the time. At least they are trying to cover the market. I’m glad they offer the out of the norm guns.
And maybe them rooks ain’t that smart if they come around where one just bit the dust. You know what I mean. And another ones gone and another ones gone and another one bites the dust. 😉
you have a point there.
It takes about two months until they dont visit our property.
in those two months I normally shoot between 70 to 110 of them.
our village is infested with them
in our neighbourhood we are the only ones with a wide spectrum of songbirds
they know they are safe here
Dutchjozef
We have problems with the starlings and grackles or black birds as we call them here.
Just like mad swarms of them. They land and will cover the whole feild. I found that I get more using a quiet spring gun. That being my Tx. The shot gun gets a few and then their gone. The noise scares them off which is good. But it doesn’t eliminate any of them. The air gun I can dispatch a good number of them before they figure it out and take off. And what is real weird they will go over and start plucking feathers out of the dead bird. But then that’s when I get them the easiest. There usually 3-4 birds around that dead one. So it looks like a black ball that stands out amoung all the others in the feild. Easy get’n.
DJ
I will agree with you on most all you said as well in terms of the best of the best guns do tend to come from Germany and Crosman and Hatsan have really missed the mark for spring guns in the trigger and powerplant areas for magnum springers. I have never had a Hatsan spring gun long enough to shoot for any accuracy at all since it was a 25 cal 200s that to me was pitiful at 500 fps velocity with 25grain pellets so it did not stay with me long at all. The three crosman NP guns I have are decent for what they are but are not in the same league with my D48, FWB 300’s or 124 for sure.
But I will take issue with you on the Hatsan PCP guns as I have a AT44s-10 long that is two years old now and is bone stock and has been such a fine gun that I have not seen the need to do anything with it except adjust the trigger to get a nice crisp close to a rekord feeling trigger as possible from it and have had no leaks or failure of any kind out of it and it shoots JSB 15,89 at 1010 fps for 35 shots and 18.13s at 975 fps for 35 shots and is a tack driver at 50 yards and will shoot 1 inch groups out to 100 yards if I do my part so it is far more accurate then I am capable of most days.
I believe I must have just got one built on a Wednesday instead of a Friday or Monday.
BD
BD,
I kid you not!!
My gunsmith curses these Hatsan pcp rifles. And for a reason, there are always some disassembled hatsans on his workingbench.
Do I want the {breakbarrel} hatsan rifles to be accurate and reliable?
Hell Yeah!!! Ive got a fwb 600, hw80, lgv comp ultra, lg55 and a lg55T. You see whats missing in my gunrack? Yep…. a .25 calibre mega-magum.
But its missing in my line-up for an obvious reason.
The moment hatsan gets everything right….. the game is on. Competition between german, brittish, american and turkish manufacturers will benefit us all..
DJ
I agree 100% as competition always benefits the consumer with better products and I guess I just got a good Hatsan PCP as I have easily 1500 or more pellets thru mine with not a single hiccup to this day.
My reference to being built on a Wednesday is a well known and docemented phenomenon in the automotive world that vehicles built on a Tuesday thru Thursday are assembled better than ones built on a Monday or Friday since the assembly line workers are hungover on Mondays from the weekend and are in to big of a hurry to get off for the weekend on a Friday to care what they are doing.
I would like to see an accurate and truly magnum power ( 35 to 40 fpe ) 25 caliber springer as well but am not holding my breath since if one was made we likely would not be willing to pay the price they would want for it. Just my opinion.
BD
B.B.
Perhaps it would be nice to see if this gun benefits from some tuning?
-Y
Yogi,
Nice try! 😉
I really don’t have the time to tear into all these guns. But this one feels good as it comes from the box.
B.B.
Yogi
I did some tuning on the .25 caliber guns that I mentioned below. By time I got them shooting smooth enough. Or should I say almost smooth enough compared to what I like. The pellet would hardly make it out the barrel. Let alone take a pest out at 35 yards. I will say that both guns grouped pretty good in at 20 yards after I got done tunning them. But on the other hand what guns don’t group good that close in.
I think I can go out on a limb and make a call right now. Matter of fact I will say that the Hatsan just ain’t going to shoot as well as the LGU I had or the Tx. I guess it’s one of those you get what you pay for things. If it does I will be surprised and a believer. Until then, well we will have to wait and see.
GF1,
You are expressing the frustration I have had with Hatsan spring guns over the years. That is the very reason I selected the 85 for this test. I just hope I am right and it is accurate.
The Turks are among the world’s finest gun makers. They rival the Germans and the Brits and they certainly know how to rifle barrels. I see a lot to like on this 85, like the pivot-bolt tightening. So let’s hope it will meet out expectations.
B.B.
BB
And we will soon find out. 😉
And I will have to say that yep that Hatsan QE pcp gun I had was nice.
But as far as that SAS deal. Well to me that can be categorized right up there with the PBA velocity war gimmick.
And I’m pretty sure deep down inside you already know it ain’t going to be no AirArms, Weirauch, Diana or FWB.
And I’m not saying it’s a going to be a bad gun. I should say from what I exsperianced with the ones I had its not the gun for me. Hopefully you can convince me otherwise. But I doubt it.
Well I have to say that I had some Hatsan guns throughout time. One was a break barrel with the gas ram in .25 caliber and the other a under lever spring gun in .25 caliber.
First I will say the the quattro trigger is nice. But nothing like a Tx 200 trigger. But better than the Crosman spring and nitro piston triggers.
And that SAS is a joke really. Sure didn’t help the two guns I mentioned.
And the bi-pod on a springer or gas ram gun belong together as much as a elephant and a mouse. The spring gun being the big ole thumping elephant and the bi-pod being the little mouse that’s about to get squashed. Yes I tryed bi-pods on springer/nitro guns. No it’s not a good combination. But listen. Real close. Did I just hear BB say artillery hold again?
And I will say that both .25 caliber guns I had was not good shooting guns. They kicked and vibrated and was hard to cock. Not much power either. Now on the other hand maybe the smaller calibers might do good in this Hatsan camo gun.
And I will say that I do think the camo guns are cool looking. Now I do like a nice walnut or laminated stock gun the most. The camo guns do have their place though. Well maybe somewhere else besides a spring gun.
But if you like camo I think this snow camo looks kind of cool. And the picture of the gun on a white background just don’t work out. Should have a different back drop color. But anyway here it is.
/product/benjamin-trail-np2-rifle-snow-camo-combo?m=3886
GF1
You never changed out the second stage screw on the Quattro trigger on your 200s to a longer screw so it could be adjusted properly is why you did not like that trigger because when I got it from you and went thru it before I sold it and fixed the broke safety link and installed the longer screw it was adjusted to have a positive second stage stop with a very light and crisp break that is as good as my D48s T01 trigger or the FWB 124s as well.
It was by no means close to a 300s trigger or a rekord trigger but was very nice for a Quattro trigger in my opinion.
My AT44s-10 has been modified the same and is quite nice as well for the quality of the trigger that they are.
BD
BD
Read again. I said I liked the quattro trigger.
I can live with the quattro trigger. It’s along ways from being a Tx trigger though. Now the Bengamin Nitro Piston triggers are a joke.
And I’m talking about all out of the box as shipped triggers on each gun.
Not modified triggers. That’s a whole nother story there
GF1
Yep misread it as I thought you said you did not like the Quattro triggers and yea the crosman triggers either NP or NP2 are a joke and can be helped some but the only true way to make them decent is with a GRTIII or GRT 4 trigger.
None will be a TX, FWB or HW trigger by any means but the Quattro can be made quite good with some TLC
BD
BD
Yep they can be made better. But it’s just a shame they ain’t that way out of the box.
So I will give Hatsan a thumbs up on the quattro triggers.
GF1
I like my AT 44s trigger now and the guy I sold the 200s to liked the trigger it had after I replaced the second stage screw to adjust it to a decent 2 stage trigger.
BD
B.B.,
I seem to remember the difficulty of keeping a scope in place on other Hatsan’s.
In your pictures and also the pictures on PA’s site it appears that the Hatsan 85 has a scope mounted in dovetails but in another picture it appears this gun has a weaver adapter sitting atop the gun? I’m confused, as usual.
My real question is, does this gun have a hole on top for a scope mount stop pin or some other way of keeping a scope in place?
kevin
Kevin,
It has a scope stop block that can be repositioned on the spring tube. I really should have shown that in Part 1, but I planned to show it when I mount the scope. From what I see, this will be a solid anchoring system.
B.B.
Thank you.
Hatsan appears to be listening. That’s a good thing.
kevin
BB
The Hatsan I had with that type of dove tail and stop was one of the guns that I had to put 2 sets of scope rings on to keep the rings positioned forward enough to keep my eye relief right. Yes two back rings and two front rings. That’s the only way I could keep the scope and the ring from sliding towards the back of the dovetail.
Maybe the lower calibers have less spring in them than my .25 I had. So maybe your gun your testing won’t be affected. Make sure you use a lead pencil and mark a line on your scope at the back of the rings. And also a line on the rings at the dovetail.
Kevin
Click on the picture of the gun and it will take you to the PA page.
Click on the 7th picture and you can see the dovetail and scope ring stop. One of my Hatsan’s had this arrangement. And I bet that’s what this gun has. And don’t remember if mine hat a hole for the back ring.
Then if you go to the 13 picture I believe that’s just a generic picture showing the quattro trigger. But one of my Hatsan’s had that type of dovetail. It would accept the picatinny/Weaver rings as well as the conventional 11mm rings.
GF1,
Before posting my question I went to the PA site and looked at all the pictures, read the description, read the specifications and even looked at the owners manual.
The 7th picture shows a gob of something way behind the rear scope ring. Picture 13 shows a weaver adapter that isn’t shown in any of the other pictures, isn’t mentioned in the manual, isn’t mentioned in the specs or description other than scope mount (singular) included. Ergo my question.
I’m anxious to see part 2 since this has been an issue with previous hatsan’s.
kevin
Kevin
And as I said only telling what I know.
And that glob in the 7th picture is that cheap little scope stop BB is talking about.
As far as a hole in the tube for a scope ring stop set screw. Like I said. I don’t remember if mine had a hole.
But once you find out let us know. Because if it ain’t got one it sure needs one. And that is one little detail in the design that should not of been left out. If it don’t. Shame on Hatsan for that. And I’m willing to bet it don’t because I would of used a scope stop pin in the back ring instead of putting the two sets of rings on the scope.
I myself won’t be too quick to judge until I see how it tests out. Who knows, maybe they got it right this time. Things can and do change. If you’ll remember the early Hyundai cars were not good at all. Now they have climbed way up the quality list compared to what they were (Consumer Reports is what I read). So nothing is holding back Crosman, Hatsan and others except themselves. I had such hope in the Crosman NP2, just to be let down. If you have one and like it, great. I’m not saying they are junk, just not the world beaters I thought they were going to be. Here’s hoping for change on this one!
Doc
Doc
Quality is not bad on the Hatsan guns that I mentioned. The characteristics of the spring and gas ram fun is what made the .25 caliber guns I had not fun to own.
That’s what is going to be hard to over come. The guns characteristics. Quality as far as I’m concerned is great on the Hatsan’s.
Suppose to say.
The characteristics of the spring and gas ram (gun) is what made the .25 caliber guns I had not fun to own.
And if you notice I have said maybe the smaller caliber guns will be ok.
And no judging here. Just going by the Hatsan guns I had that match the gun BB is testing with all its little design features. And again I’ll say it. Maybe the smaller caliber guns will shoot ok.
GF, nothing directed to you…just in general. We are good!
Doc
I understand and yes all good. I was just stating what I seen on the similar guns I had.
That’s why I got them. I really do want a .25 caliber and up break barrel or under lever or side lever air gun. But they just didn’t pan out. And just for the record I also had a .25 caliber Benjamin nitro piston gun that just didn’t end up being what I wanted.
I’m really interested in the .30 caliber break barrel they came out with. That’s the one I have high hopes for. But I’m still skeptical about how it performs. But could you imagine the knock down power it would have with that big chunk of lead at 550 fps. But I hope it does good and proves me wrong. We will see.
GF, I too like the idea of a .30 cal break barrel. I’ve already read one report on it. 25 to 28 ft lbs of energy. 490 to 510 fps…..that was with 44.75 gr and a 50 gr pellets.
That said, the cocking force was estimated to be 50 pounds.
Doc
Wow 50# pounds.
But still I think I’m going to search today and see what info I can find out there about it.
I wonder if they are the first to make a .30 caliber spring gun now that I’m thinking about it?
My phone again or me.
How about 50#.
Or 50 pounds.
GF1,
I am a bit perplexed at your interest in a .30 cal. break barrel springer.
If one were to not have the PCP support equipment,…I could understand.
You do however, and I would think that for the benefits offered by PCP’s,…I would think that it would not even be a consideration. Rough #’s,…but an extra 3-500 fps bump with no nasty bump and thump,….what is there to offer to a person already set up for PCP?
Hey BB, question about the Texas Airgun show, will there be a long range big bore competition this year?
Auronotcs,
Not this year. They will have big bore on the public range, but no match.
B.B.
Well, it looks like a nice rifle at a fair price…………if it shoots. As I have stated in the past, these rifles should be offered without a scope. I prefer to select my own and it would lower the price a bit.
Mike
When stating about how useless bi-pods are on break barrel air rifles, don’t forget the Umaraex Fuel. Thoough that one is mounted to the forend stock. You and RicK Eutstler both seemed to like the way that bi-pod worked.
Apart from accuracy with the bipod, how do you cock the rifle? And shooting it reminds me of the early days when I got into a nice prone rested position with my spring piston airsoft rifle. The results were always disappointing, and I could not figure out why. So, either this gun has solved the problems in operating and shooting a breakbarrel spring gun with a bipod, or they are playing to the tactical market. What are the odds…
ChrisUSA, on the subject of ammo for the sling, I believe I am recapitulating history. At first, I went for smooth rounded stones (used for landscaping in my neighborhood). Then, I decided that more elongated rocks worked better. Golf balls have done outstandingly well. I think their machine-made regularity outweighs its purely spherical shape. My dream would be elongated lead bullets. I wonder if those could be made in the same kind of mold used to make lead bullets for firearms? The shape would be a little different.
Mike, regarding Sweet’s 7.62, you’re right that it is powerful stuff. Some of it got into a crack in my finger and caused an infection. But the question for me is if it is still doing damage to the bore of my Mosin if the patches don’t come out clean? I imagine that the layer of dirt I’m trying to remove is protecting the bore while it’s there. I’m going to give the Mosin another try this weekend and will zero in at the 7 yard line…
Matt61
I would use some Ballistol on the Mosin’s barrel. Soak with the Ballistol then brush the bore with a new or near new brush. Do this a couple times and wipe the bore after brushing. Next, soak the bore and let it sit over night.
Repeat the process the next day. This cleans really well. Also, the Ballistol is mild to work with, great stuff.
Mike
Matt 61
Try lead fishing net weights for the sling
Fido3030
Multi pump pneumatics were the Magnum airguns of my era. if you wanted power, you would go out and buy a Crosman 760 or 1400 or Benjamin Sheridan. I’ve tried a full powered Springer and gas RAM and I just can’t shoot them as accurately as a Multi pump. The only springer I would be interested in now is a Whiscombe or RWS 54 with recoil reduction systems.
Brent
Multi pump guns shoot silky smooth just like pcp guns.
I grew up on 760’s and .22 rimfire guns and shot guns out on a farm as a young whipper snapper.
Me and my buddies shot the air guns alot. I still remember when I got my .22 caliber Benji pump gun. It was a power house compared to what we was use to in our air guns.
Everybody wanted to try it out. Well I soon found myself not even getting to shoot my new gun. I remember that real good. I had to call a time out and make a new rule. We started rotating our air guns so we had a chance to shoot all of our guns. We would shoot 2-3 shots before we rotated to the next gun. I still remember that some of the 2-3 shots seemed to take forever when you was shooting a gun you might not of cared for. But when you got one of the good shooting guns in your hands it’s like those 2-3 shots were gone before you knew it.
But in all truth about the matter we had a blast shooting when we was kids. And I still do with my kids. Just can’t see it any other way.
Matt61— TRY WIPE OUT! I have been using it as my only bore cleaner for 5@ years. I have 4 Mosins, including one made in 1898. It looked like it had not been cleaned since the 1918 revolution when I got it. One week of wipe out and the bore was clean, free of copper and dirt. Wipe out works. Look them up on the internet for details and information. I no longer use bronze brushes. Only wipe out and a few patches. Why 7 yards? That’s where I shoot my Red Ryder. At least try 100 yds. A good condition Mosin should group inside 25-30″ at 400 yards. Ed
A quick off topic question on PCP High Pressure Air tanks,…..
Do they have a lifespan? Periodic test are offered on the PA site. Must they be tested? Why not just slather it down with soap and water and look for bubbles,….or is more of an X-ray type test? On board tanks for that matter as well,…. as they are a mini tank themselves.
Since we all talk safety, I would think that I would have heard this discussed by now. 4,500 psi is not something to be played with,…. I would think.
They cost some coin and since I am getting ready to go PCP,…. I would like know.
Thanks for any thoughts, experience, or advice. Chris
Chris USA
Nowhere to respond above.
The .30 caliber break barrel should have a real good thump going on with that big chunk of lead even at a lower velocity in at closer distances. It’s just all the characteristics that come along with that package.
And believe me I have a few different aspects of shooting covered with the air guns I have now. A .30 caliber springer that does shoot good and accurately would make me happy to have.
GF1,
Well, you do volunteer pesting “missions”,… so I guess a bigger critter at closer quarters? I could see that.
Any tank testing thoughts on the above question?
Thanks, Chris
Chris USA
Yes 15 years is what I remember it to be. And hydro tested every 5 years. But maybe that has changed now days.
And you should search “hydro testing” to see what it’s about. And they should give test interavals and life spans probably too.
And no not bigger critters in closer with the .30 caliber springer. Probably just the opposite. First power would probably not be sufficient to kill something like a raccoon. Even in at 25 yards. It’s more on the idea that you have a bigger diameter projectile flying at something like a mouse. That way the bigger diameter pellet will have more chance of hitting the mouse. That way that bigger diameter helps take away some of your shot error. And of course the more accurate that .30 caliber is the less error you have to worry about on your shot.
Picture a 1/8″ dot on paper and a .300″ diameter .30 caliber pellet hitting to the left let’s say of the 1/8″ dot. How much can your shot be off and still hit that dot? Now just think if you had a small .177 caliber pellet hitting to the left of that 1/8″ dot. You got to place your shot more precisely for the small .177″ diameter .177 caliber pellet to hit the dot.
That’s why I will take my .25 Marauder over a .177 or .22 caliber pcp gun pretty much always if hunting.
But anyway. That’s why I would want a good shooting .30 caliber springer.
GF1,
Thanks for the perspective on the topic/usage of .30 cal. springers.
On the tank testing, notes made and will research.
And since B.B. “see’s and read’s all”,…..maybe an article? It is about safety after all.
Thanks again,…outa’ here,…. Chris
Chris USA
I believe he has done something on safety.
Again go to the top address bar on the top of your PC screen and search for. “HPA tank safety Pyramid Air blog”
If BB done a blog about it. It should come up.
Chris,
I’m overdue for an article on tanks. I can include something about testing.
B.B.
B.B.,
Thanks. I think that would be good. With PCP’s becoming all the “rage” and more and more offered all the time, it would be timely. I am not sure where PCP’s were 5 or even 10 years ago, (I’m sure P.A. has a good idea on that based on sales and new offerings over that time span), but they seem to be on the rise.
And, with people being people, especially if you have your own pump, the old,.. “It will never happen to me”,.. train of thought will (surely) come into play,….more often than not,.. if I were to guess.
Thanks again for your interest,….Chris
Chris USA,
Will try to answer as many of your questions as I can. Testing is required on the fill bottles whether they be aluminum, steel or fiber wrapped aluminum by the Dept. of Transportation (DOT). However, according to what I have read cylinders that are less than 2″ in outside dia. AND less than 2 feet long are exempt from DOT Hydro testing. That means 99% of PCP’s with cylindrical style tanks would not have to be tested.
The DOT requires air tank manufacturers to label the tanks with a specific designation depending on how the tank is made that regulates how often it has to be tested and its overall life length. The fiber wrapped aluminum bottles have to be tested every 3 or 5 years depending on the DOT designation and have a lifespan of 15 years. I have 2 bottles myself and on the bottle it states the 5 year test length. I would think most of the better quality tanks and valve setups for purchase out there will be 5 year as well.
If you will be taking your tank to be filled at a business (i.e. dive shop, paintball store/field) they will normally check the tanks they fill for a hydro test date before they fill it. If you have a hookup at a local fire station or other non-business with a suitable compressor they might be a little more lenient about that. And if you have your own compressor, well you can make your own decision on if you want to hydro test it. However, remember this is the Dept. of Transportation. So once you fill your out of date bottle, put it in your car and drive said car on a public highway, you are very much accountable for that out of date bottle. Just sayin.
As for safety, I would say that keeping your mind on what you are doing while dealing with HPA equipment is the best advice I could give those with little or no experience. Double check that you get your foster fitting or probe inserted and locked in correctly, remember and follow the proper sequence of operations during your fill, be vigilant to fill your equipment SLOWLY (reduces fatigue), make sure everything stays clean so you don’t get contaminants in your air supply. You know, basic stuff.
I used to work on the weekends at a local paintball field (years ago) and saw what CAN happen. 98% of the time an accident among people who knew what they were doing came down to loss of focus on the task at hand. I have always told people that you need to be careful and respectful of HPA, but there is no need in being fearful or paranoid about it.
Hope this was helpful. David H.
David H,
(Thank You) for your time in explaining some of the aspects involved. I will make notes of yours and Budawg’s comments (below) and add to my PCP notes. I do plan on filling my own via an automatic compressor and was looking at a smaller carbon fiber wrapped buddy bottle sized tank as a starter.
Thanks again, Chris
I will let y’all know that I caught a whipping hose in the Plexus, the wormscrew clamp was still on the end of the hose.
The good part is that the pressure was only 150psi but it still sent me to one knee.
Reb,
Don’t fool around with those hoses! I have been hit when a hose exploded with 3,000 inside.
Use microbore hoses and save the pain.
B.B.
It’s an expansion and contraction test, just like any other high pressure vessel. They submerge the vessel under water to provide a safe cushion in case it does rupture and measure how much water it displaces under pressure.
Reb,
Thanks. I will search testing more. I would think that fire extinguisher testing would be different from HPA tanks,…..but then again,….I have no idea at what pressure fire extinguisher tanks are tested at either.
I would be interested to know what a failure is,……non-testing,….and what form it may take,….as in,….slow leak,….TO,….full blown explosion. Also, it would be interesting to know what .001″(+) expansion actually does occur under such testing.
My little fire extinguisher maxed out at 200psi but my 2stage compressor maxed @ 150 and it was interesting feeling how easily the temperature would rise while filling it.
GF1,
Did it,…..tank “capacity” article,….(1),……which I will also read. Again, maybe an article on why it is important to get your tank tested. And, how. And, what it involves. And, what it cost. And, what are the type of “failures”.
And maybe for some,….lack of a better word,….”fun”,….. some “horror” stories to really drive the point home on why testing is a must.
Outa’ here,…. again,……Chris Thanks,……. 😉
Chris,USA
To add some more info to what David H said above on tanks and lifespans he is correct in that most are 15 year lifespans on steel, aluminum and carbon fiber wrapped aluminum and all have the manufacture date affixed on the tank either by a sticker or stamped into the tank if its steel or aluminum. Then when its tested after 3 to 5 years of service it has a new sticker attached to it or a new date stamped into it by the test station.
The date is in the form of month ( 01, 02 ,04 etc ) / ( year 12, 14, 16 ).
There are some very expensive carbon fiber wrapped aluminum tanks that have a 30 year lifespan but you will not want to pay the several thousand dollar price tag they command.
There are three type of tests that can or need to be performed on a tank depending on it age and those are a VIP ( visual internal inspection ) where they remove the valve and visually look inside the tank for any sign of corrosion or pitting that would compromise its integrity to contain the pressure it is rated for, then a hydro test consists of placing the tank in a big tank of water that has a precisely marked level of water in it and the tank is submerged in the tank and filled with water to a set volume and pressure and the rise in the level of the water in the tank is measured again very precisely which gives them a figure as to how much expansion of the tank took place during the filling and pressurizing of it with water so it is then determined if it is till safe or not by that amount of expansion. then the is a visual eddy test which is usually only done on a tank that has been out of service for an extended period of time which involves the VIP inspection as well as an X-ray of the tank by a specialized machine like they would use for testing welding integrity to look for microscopic cracks that the VIP or Hydro test will not detect.
I have a 1976 model Luxifer scuba tank that I got 2 years ago and its last hydro was in 1991 or the 15 year lifespan. I have a friend that has his own fire extinguisher business so he has all the required test equipment to perform all the above test. He did all the above tests on my scuba tank and said it passed with flying colors so although it is out of date as far as the 15 years stated by the DOT it is still safe for holding the 3000 psi it was designed to hold and he did state that with the test results he saw he would not hesitate to fill it to 3500 psi and it still be safe.
Hope this helps explain the testing and safety precaution a bit better.
BD
Buldawg76,
(Thank You) for that added info. Between your comments and David H.’s comments (above), I have some good advice and notes will be made. I am looking at a compressor and a carbon fiber wrapped buddy bottle sized tank for starters. I have a fire ext. company local and will have to call to see if they have the testing equipment and what their test cost are. I would think that they would buy new tanks and test as needed and once a tank has expired it’s lifespan, they would just toss it and start with a new one again. Glad you got someone that will help you and bend the rules a bit while still making sure you are being safe.
Thanks again, Chris
Chris USA
The carbon fiber Benjamin buddy bottles work out nice. I had a couple throughout time. The Shoebox will fill them in around 45 minutes approximately. Maybe a little longer and you should easy get 7-9 fills on a Marauder.
Here’s the one I had. And it should give a dimension somewhere in the description so you get a idea about size.
/product/benjamin-carbon-fiber-tank-90-cu-in-gauge-hose-w-female-quick?a=4203
Chris,USA
You are correct for the most part in that the fire extinguisher companies only use their tanks till they are out of date and discard for the smaller ones that are hand held, but the large high dollar roll around tanks used in large facilities can be used pretty much until they fail a hydro so there are some that last a lifetime.
My old scuba tank is one that was made before the DOT started placing life spans on tanks so from what I was told by my buddy as long as it passes testing every 5 years it can be used till it fails.
Just one place you can look for a cheap if not free tank of 44, 66 or 88 CF carbon fiber wrapped aluminum is local fire house’s since it is not uncommon for them to upgrade their tanks sooner than the 15 year lifespan they have. You may be able to purchase a used one from them or even be given it to clear it out of their house with a few years of life left in it. I was able to buy one from one of our FT members that lives in the Atlanta area that has connections to fire houses for 50 bucks and it is a 66cf tank with three year life left in it.
Firemen use the time of air they provide to reference size of the tanks so a 44cf tank is a 30 minute tank, 45 minute tank is a 66cf tank and a 60 minute tank is a 88 cf tank all at 4500 psi pressure.
My fire extinguisher buddy has also told me that carbon fiber tanks are safe to use as long as their are no nicks, deep scratches or any external damage to the carbon wrapping that will compromise the strength of it or internal corrosion or pitting of the aluminum liner well past the 15 year lifespan that the DOT places on them. So as long as I have my tanks inspected every 5 years he says they will be perfectly safe for use , but as David H stated if you have the tank in your car going down the road and any accident was to happen from it being in your car either by it exploding or you getting in an accident and it being damaged so it would explode and cause harm to others you would be in violation of federal law and be charged accordingly.
My 66cf tank stays at home and is used to fill my 90 ci tank and guns here and my 90 ci tank is what I take to the FT matches with me to fill my guns at the matches.
BD
I have a 20 lb propane tank that was used twice. It looked like new. But, since it was passed the expiration date, the station would not fill it unless it was tested. Yes, good luck finding a place to do that around here. But then I found another fill station that doesn’t check the dates. Problem solved.
Mike
Big Iron,
Thanks for the reply. While you are talking a Propane tank and I was asking about HPA,….from reading Buldawgs and DavidH’s comments above,…I would have to wonder if “problem solved” would not rather be “problem created”? Propane?,……that’s the stuff that catches fire,….right? 😉 Be safe.
With Chris USA on that.
Sorry but safety first.
Or was that a joke? I hope.