by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Air Arms Galahad PCP in walnut is a striking looking air rifle!
This report covers:
- What we know
- What I want to see
- First string
- Second string
- Third string
- Fourth string
- Fifth string
- Sixth string
- Seventh string
- Analysis
- Out of time
Today I continue testing the velocity of the Galahad rifle from Air Arms. I told you in Part 1 that this rifle is complex and will require a lot of testing before moving on. Not only does it have a 5-position power adjuster, it also has a regulator, that adds an additional level of complexity.
What we know
In Part 2 we learned where the power bands are at each power setting. For example, we saw that the lowest power setting is virtually unusable, giving velocities with .22-caliber Crosman Premier pellets below 300 f.p.s. Power settings 2 through 5 are quite useful though. I find power setting 3 (Premiers average 749 f.p.s.) to be idea for general work outdoors and setting 2 (Premiers average 539 f.p.s.) is ideal for indoors. At those settings the spread of velocities was 14 f.p.s. and 15 f.p.s., respectively. That’s where the regulator comes into play.
What I want to see
You may not appreciate that a regulator isn’t designed for a gun with a power adjuster. The power adjuster works better on a gun that has no regulator, because the reg is balanced against a certain volume of air in the firing chamber. The power adjuster also has a firing chamber, but there is no regulator in the way, so some air still flows freely from the reservoir and that is how unregulated PCPs balance their power. For that reason, unregulated guns do better than regulated guns when there are power adjusters. Tell me if that still confuses you and I might write a blog about it.
So here is the test. I will fill the rifle and shoot on power setting 3. I will see how many strings of 10 shots I can get before the regulator quits. We’ll know when it happens because the velocities will drop fast after that.
First string
The first string averaged 762 f.p.s. for 10 shots. Let’s look at it now.
Shot……….Velocity
1…………….767
2…………….765
3…………….770
4…………….769
5…………….761
6…………….758
7…………….759
8…………….752
9…………….760
10……..…….758
The low was 752 f.p.s. and the high was 770 f.p.s. The extreme spread was 18 f.p.s. At this point this doesn’t mean much, but watch what happens as I continue to shoot.
Second string
The second string averaged 766 f.p.s. for 10 shots. Let’s look at it now.
Shot……….Velocity
1…………….779
2…………….774
3…………….770
4…………….765
5…………….766
6…………….760
7…………….753
8…………….752
9…………….778
10……..…….766
The low was 752 f.p.s. and the high was 779 f.p.s. The extreme spread was 27 f.p.s. Now you are seeing how the rifle performs. This second string was the most variable one in the test. Also, after firing string 2 the rifle was sitting at around 3000 psi, so for those who don’t have a means of filling to 250 bar, the rest of this test is what the rifle can do on a fill to 3000 psi or 206 bar.
Third string
The third string averaged 756 f.p.s. for 10 shots. Let’s look at it now.
Shot……….Velocity
1…………….774
2…………….759
3…………….759
4…………….753
5…………….756
6…………….750
7…………….755
8…………….750
9…………….750
10……..…….756
In this string the low was 750 f.p.s. and the high was 774 f.p.s. That’s a 24 f.p.s. spread.
Fourth string
The fourth string averaged 753 f.p.s. for 10 shots. Let’s look at it now.
Shot……….Velocity
1…………….763
2…………….756
3…………….752
4…………….764
5…………….746
6…………….751
7…………….752
8…………….750
9…………….747
10……..…….748
In string four the low was 746 f.p.s. and the high was 763 f.p.s. That’s a spread of 17 f.p.s. See how the velocity spread gets tighter as the reservoir pressure drops?
Fifth string
The fifth string averaged 752 f.p.s. for 10 shots. Let’s look at it now.
Shot……….Velocity
1…………….764
2…………….757
3…………….752
4…………….748
5…………….749
6…………….748
7…………….749
8…………….754
9…………….750
10……..…….746
In string number five the low was 746 f.p.s. and the high was 764 f.p.s. The spread was 18 f.p.s.
Sixth string
The sixth string averaged 749 f.p.s. for 10 shots. Let’s look at it now.
Shot……….Velocity
1…………….750
2…………….750
3…………….749
4…………….745
5…………….746
6…………….751
7…………….749
8…………….751
9…………….753
10……..…….749
In string 6 the low was 745 f.p.s. and the high was 753 f.p.s. That’s a spread of just 8 f.p.s. My instincts told me this was very close to the last string on this fill, but I pressed on just the same.
Seventh string
The seventh string averaged 638 f.p.s. for 10 shots. Yes, we have fallen off the power band because the regulator is no longer working, due to the reservoir pressure being too low. Let’s look at it now.
Shot……….Velocity
1…………….755
2…………….750
3…………….755
4…………….742
5…………….740
6…………….no shot fired
7…………….190 (must have been a double feed from the shot before)
8…………….561
9…………….605
10……..…….642
Can you see how fast the velocity changed on shot 6? That’s what it looks like when you fall off the reg. I’ve never tested a regulated gun that also had adjustable power before and I suppose other similar guns might perform somewhat different, but all of them fall off the reg in pretty much the same way, which is to say dramatically.
Analysis
First I want to note that I got 65 good shots on power setting three! Across all 65 shots the low was 740 f.p.s. and the high was 779 f.p.s. — a spread of 39 f.p.s. Since I’ve not tested a gun like the Galahad before I have no frame of reference, but WOW! That’s an impressive number of good powerful shots on a single fill. At the end of the test the onboard pressure gauge is reading 110-115 bar (1,595 psi to 1,668 psi).
You shooters with 3000 psi air tanks have to subtract 20 shots from the maximum shown here. You get 45 good shots per fill on power setting 3, when shooting the Crosman Premier pellet. That’s still impressive! Compare that to unregulated PCPs and I think you will agree.
Out of time
I thought I was going to wrap up the velocity test today, but once again I have run out of time. I still want to test the maximum power I can get, as well as how easily the rotary magazine handles longer (heavier) pellets. Because they are where the greatest power will lie.
The Galahad is an expensive airgun, and also one with some complexity because of both the regulator and adjustable power. I want to make certain I test it thoroughly.
B.B.,
I had thought the power adjuster just affected the transfer port aperture the way it is set up with the Marauder. Now you are telling me that the power adjuster is actually fiddling around with what I call the plenum? I think a blog on that is needed.
Siraniko
In the case of Air Arms PCP rifles with the adjustable power wheel, you are adjusting the transfer port opening. But if you consider “power adjustment” as a general term, there are many ways to do that. And I concur….if BB can put something together outlining the various methods of power adjustment in PCP rifles, that would be excellent.
Heck, it could even be a two parter….PCP’s and Piston guns.
Side note for BB, I might suggest trying a different pellet over the chrony. JSB/AA pellets have given much tighter spreads in the Galahad’s that I have tested.
Tyler@PA,
I think he already did the Piston guns in /blog/2010/02/changeable-air-transfer-ports/ and in this series /blog/2008/11/the-air-transfer-port-part-3/
PCP power plants are something he has not written much about compared to the blogs related to spring/gas piston guns.
Siraniko
Ask and you shall receive. Thanks Siraniko.
Tyler,
I will be sure to give some JSB pellets a try in the next test. The Galahad has so many features that it takes time to explore them all.
I hope today’s test astounds the readers like it does me. I have never seen a PCP that put out as many shots as this one. I know some that have electronic valves/hammers can do it, but with just a reg and a power adjust, this is pretty astounding.
B.B.
Yes, yes it does. It took me some time to digest it all. We did a similar test on camera, but with the 18.13 grain JSB pellets….give or take 60 shots, but with an extreme spread of under 15 fps. And yes, that’s for all 60 shots if I recall correctly.
I am sure it does. The part that impressed me the most is the range of adjust-ability the gun possesses with that velocity adjustment. The shot count on low power is ASTOUNDING, and while the velocity may not be good for much, it is impressive all the same.
Tyler,
It’s good seeing you active on here. I miss being able to call you to place my PA orders! 🙂
And I agree – I’d like to see B.B. write more about adjusting power on PCPs, how regulators work, what happens “off regulator”, etc.
Jim M.
BB,
You could indeed write a blog on the various ways the power is adjusted on different air rifles and the interrelationship of power adjusters and regulators. I’m all eyes!
RR,
Now that is a blog! I’m not sure I suggested that, but together you and I share a brain!
Thanks,
B.B.
B.B.
My friend’s PCP, after 2 magazines worth of pellets velocity drops about 25 fps per shot. So your strings are VERY impressive.
-Y
B.B.,
I had a nice, rather lengthy post and it vaporized. 🙁 I will echo the above calling for an article. Your testing seems to defy your statement. Very nice numbers. I suppose the M-rod with its port screw adjustment can be considered a power adjustment? That would be a case where a non-regulated,.. power adjustable gun,… not doing as well as this. I can get 24-26 shots from a 3500 fill. I do not know the spread or fps as I have not re-chronied it since last adjusting. I doubt that it is anywhere close to what you are getting with this.
Chris
Chris,
When I’m doing lengthy posts, I tend to type them in my word processor (MS Word) and copy and past them in the blog. I had one lengthy post vaporize on another sight and I got into the habit of type and paste.
Jim
Jim,
I am pretty computer dumb,…. but (I did) just figure how to open WordPad which is free and then copy and paste the text to the comment box here. I do not have the pay to play programs like Office and such. I will keep this in mind for future lengthy post. When they vaporize,… it is usually, always?, showing the internet connectivity dropping out momentarily. It does it off and on all day. It has a funny way of showing up all good and then the minute I hit send, the connectivity drops, and up pops “this page can not be found”, and all is lost. Thanks for the advice. Chris
Chris,
I have the same problem at home with loosing internet connectivity. We are far enough out to have only a very marginal DSL line – its usual speed is barely better than dial-up. We are considering going with one of the satellite options but it seems that our neighbors who have tried satellite internet have more problems than it is worth.
For a free word processor with more features than WordPad, try Google Docs.
Jim
Hi Chris,
Hope you had a great Christmas. Another comparable way to do this, since you don’t have Word, is to start an email to yourself and type your post in there. If your computer or email client auto-saves, then you’re set. If it doesn’t, just save the email as a draft, and re-save a couple times while composing.
Happy New Year!
Jim M.
Jim M.,
Yes, just fine on Christmas. Thanks for the advice. I am sure the help you gave as well as Jim Q. will help more than just me. You have a Happy New Years as well. Chris
The other thing that I learned was that a regulated air rifle will still function after falling off the regulator setting. I had, (mistakenly), thought that the rifle would just stop functioning, period. I had figured that once the air fell below a certain point,… that the regulator would not allow any more air to pass,… something like an automatic shut off valve.
Perhaps if doing an additional article, wait until you are done with this testing. Maybe it will make you re-think things. People do add regulators to M-rods with some pretty impressive results. With the M-rod though there is an added level of complexity due to having hammer and striker adjustability in addition to the port screw adjustment.
This will be interesting as testing continues. Maybe something is “special” with this rifle in that it seems to defy conventional wisdom. I do not mean “special” as in just your rifle,… but rather the entire set up. What is evident is that it is Air Arms quality through and through. A nice hollowed out, well internally braced synthetic stock would be interesting to see. Minus 2+ pounds?
Chris,
The tunability of the Marauder is one of the reasons I have seriously considered one. I have thought of adding a regulator, replace the barrel with a 24 inch LW barrel, lengthening the shroud and reservoir and then putting it into a nice custom walnut stock. Or buy a Daystate.
RR,
It works for me. Fit was the biggest consideration. The RAI stock took care of that. How are the PCP supplies coming along? I believe the “biggies” were an automatic pump, a tank and a chrony. A HP air dryer was something I kicked around too when I was getting set up. I decided to pass on it and all seems to be fine. I am pretty sure that the Omega has that built in,.. which I believe is what you were considering.
Chris,
As of this moment, none of it has happened. Life has kept me preoccupied with other matters than playing with my toys. I did happen to spend some big bucks this week, but it was for my loving wife. We bought her a new Subaru Forester. Of course now I may have less resistance when I start talking about compressors and such. 😉
RR,
Smart man! 😉 I have a ’11 Rav4 and like it well. The Forester was another option. Both stay neck and neck with each other in Consumer Reports quality ratings. Good choice and,…. good luck on the rest. 🙂
Chris U
I saw something interesting on a gun show I was watching yesterday and it made me think of you.
They were shot gun bird hunters and they was talking about how it’s important to get a gun that fits you right.
But they told how they check for legnth of pull. They bend their trigger arm so it’s at a 90° with your trigger finger pointing straight up. Then they set the butt of the gun in the corner off the bend and slightly on the bicep. Then if your finger reaches around the trigger that should be the correct length of pull when you shoulder the gun.
I have tryed it on my guns. The ones that my trigger finger falls into place naturally when doing that test do seem to be the more comfortable guns to shoot.
Just thought I would share that with you. 🙂
GF1,
I use the same method. I thought that I remember that it was at the line between the first finger joint and the second. Either way,… if you get it that close you are 99% in the ball park. That is exactly where the M-rod with the 6 position stock fits. The 6 position is fully extended and it has the RAI 360 degree adapter in it as well. Of course, we can all shoot guns with a shorter length of pull,… but having it right there does seem to make a difference in comfort and overall natural “feel”. I guess it is one of those things that you don’t know until you have tried it.
As you know,.. I use the Limbsaver slip on butt pads to push the LOP out on the TX and LGU. They add 1″. I would go the same route with the Maximus if I get one.
Chris U
Yep you will need it for sure on a Maximus then. The factory synthetic stock on a Maximus is a shorter length of pull than a Marauder.
Chris U
I’m wrong. I meant the Maximus has a longer length of pull than the Marauder. Not by much but it’s longer. The way the stock turns down changes the pull a little when you grip the Maximus. Without gripping it’s just a slight difference. So I guess that’s a factor also.
GF1,
Yea,… that is another cheap add on that could be (included) with budget rifles,… spacers. Simple plastic. Cheap. 1/4″ increments, at least 4. Most people just don’t know or don’t care I guess,.. I don’t know.
Chris U
I got a few guns that came with spacers like that but can’t remember what they were.
And for the most part I guess it’s just not thought about as you say.
RR,
I bought a Huntsman Regal XL last month. It’s only my second PCP, so I’m new at that game. I have not had time yet to put the Regal through its paces, but I really like it so far. I also don’t have the inclination to tinker, or re-build, so I like that’s it’s good to go, at a high performance level, out of the box.
Jim M.
Jim,
I am like sooo envious!
Is it not a beautiful air rifle? Does it not handle so nicely? Is not the operation of it so smooth? Just think, that is the entry level Daystate.
These are the reasons I bought my HM1000X. It is not just eye candy. It comes to my shoulder like it was made for me. The operation of the action is butter smooth. The trigger breaks crisp as the most fragile crystal. And to top it all off, it will put five shots in a one inch group at one hundred yards! I know, because I did it!
You had best beware! You have crossed over into the true Darkside of airgunning. Once you have had the opportunity to really enjoy that Regal you will find that you will not accept anything below a certain level of quality. You will know it can be better.
Now, should you become insane and decide that you would rather have a Crosman than a Daystate, please let me know and I will be happy to work something out with you on your Regal. I would not want you to suffer with having such a thing in your collection.
B.B.,
Did the magazine come in contact as you shouldered the rifle? From the photos it looks as though it is placed right where my cheek would rest, even if (perhaps especially if) I were a righty.
Michael
Michael,
I don’t shoot from the shoulder through the chronograph, so I didn’t know. But I just shouldered the gun and yes, it does touch. But nothing moves that can be flet, so it’s just one more part of the stock. It may even help locate my cheek.
B.B.
B.B.,
It did occur to me that its location might actually be a good thing.
I have a couple air rifles with Monte Carlo buttstocks where the forward contour coincides with the edge of my cheekbone. I soon found myself using that as a tactile landmark. Normally I dislike Monte Carlos, but if the contour just happens to be where it can help me be more consistent, hey, I’ll take it.
Michael
The one thing that struck me in the report is that AA still has not developed an anti double load feature. Many other makers, some that cost a lot less, have solved this issue. For the price they should solve this problem.
Another caveat I have with Air Arms pcp’s is the location of the safety. In the worst place possible; obviously designed by an engineer, not a shooter.
David H.
David,
While not PCP’s, the Walther LGU with it slide type is very nice and ambi. The TX is ok with it cross bolt but not ambi. Like you, a button on the trigger is the worst. The M-rod is good but has it’s opponents. What I find MOST ironic is that you have lower end rifles like the 499 and the Red Ryder and the safety’s do not even automatically reset. Don’t get me wrong, I like it,… but why not the same option on a much more expensive rifle? Oh well,…. I suppose that it is something that will always be around. Good point though.
BB and Fellow Airgunners
This new Air Arms Galahad seems to be following the trend of short air rifles with long barrels, larger air cylinders, but still not quite a full bull-pup design if my conclusions are correct. I’m not sure if the design would work for me as I shoot mainly from a rest. With half of my shooting taking place indoors, I would enjoy the no.2 power setting with the subsequent large number of consistent shots. Although quite expensive, this feature combined with a regulator make this rifle very appealing as my first PCP. An acquaintance of mine has a beautiful walnut Brocock Contour which is a nice, short(36in), accurate air rifle, but barely gets 30 consistent shots in .22cal before having to refill. Although I like the Brocock, the limited number of consistent shots seems to be a compromise I’m unwilling to put up with. On average I shoot at least 100 shots per session. Sometimes it seems the large number of quality PCP airguns on the market today becomes a detriment to the uninitiated consumer. This where BB’s blog with its wealth of information becomes a Godsend when having to navigate ones way through the many features touted by the many manufacturers who are vying for our dollars.
You also inquired about my health, BB. I’ve been recuperating at home for a week now, but just before being discharged, I damaged two tendons that control my ring finger, and pinky of my dominant right hand. This required another operation, along with six weeks in a ridged cast from my fingertips to my elbow. No shooting for me for the duration. However, I’m glad to be home for Christmas with my wife, and daughter. It will be a few months before I’m 100%, but I’m fortunate that I will recover.
Ciao
Titus
Titus,
Thanks for the update on your health. I will continue to pray for you.
B.B.
Titus,
Good to hear from you and best of wishes for speedy recovery. Being home has to be a big stress relief and uplifting to the spirits.
I’m wondering if the Galahad’s regulator and hammer spring can be adjusted to suit the shooter’s own preferences. Serious air gunners always have a favorite pellet(s) they like using and will often tune a gun to get the optimum performance from that particular pellet. The power adjuster on the Galahad may not be able to adjust the pellet speed to the optimal power band of a particular pellet. It’s probably “one size fits all” right now.
Jerry,
Welcome to the blog.
Neither of those parts is user-adjustable. Of course anything is possible, but at the risk of voiding a warrantee.
B.B.