Eagle Claw lever action repeater.
This report covers:
- The test
- Last time
- Today
- First string
- Discharge sound
- Adjust the power as we go?
- 5 clicks up from the bottom
- 6 clicks up from the bottom
- Discussion
- Summary
Today I do something very interesting with the Seneca Eagle Claw lever action rifle. It’s something we have discussed, and today you get to see it in action.
The test
I thought the test would be to shoot the Eagle Claw with H&N Baracuda Match pellets going out at around 875 f.p.s. Then I would see how many shots I got in that general neighborhood. Well — it didn’t work out as planned, but I still got an interesting test.
Last time
In Part Three I tested the rifle on it’s lowest power setting. That turned out to be unusable, shooting H&N Baracuda Match pellets at 269-275 f.p.s.
Then I dialed up the power wheel one notch and got an average of around 500 f.p.s. That was quite useable, and later in the test I was able to get back to that power after shooting the rifle at a higher power setting. The rifle was also quiet at this power level, producing only 69.2 decibels.
Then I bumped the power up one click at got an average 795 f.p.s. with the same Baracuda Match pellet. That was quite an increase, and the sound also increased to 93.8 decibels. After that was when I dialed the power back to one click up from zero and the velocity went back down to just under 500 f.p.s.
Today
It was my goal today to adjust the power to around 875 f.p.s. with this same Baracuda Match pellet and see what sort of performance there was. But the rifle I’m testing doesn’t adjust to that level. At 3 clicks up from the lowest setting the first 10 shots averaged 927 f.p.s. So you can get around 800 f.p.s. with this pellet, and the next stop is around 920 f.p.s.
Remember from Part 2 that the highest power setting gave about 965 f.p.s. with this pellet. So three clicks up from the lowest setting puts us about 40 f.p.s. below the maximum. There isn’t much middle ground.
First string
Okay, now let me show you the entire first string I shot today — the one that averaged 927 f.p.s. The rifle was filled to 200 bar and I’m using the same Baracuda Match pellet that’s been used in all the discussion up to this point.
Shot………..Vel.
1……………919
2……………926
3……………925
4……………928
5……………924
6……………928
7……………928
8……………925
9……………937
10..…………935
Look at the velocity jump for shots 9 and 10. That’s the rifle coming up on the power curve. But now look at the second string on the same power setting (3 clicks up from low).
Discharge sound
In Part three I recorded the discharge sound at 108.4 dB. Today with the power set at 3 clicks up the discharge recorded at 108.2 dB. So the sound is about as high as it’s going. This is no suburban backyard airgun!
The discharge at 3 clicks up is the same as at full power.
Shot………..Vel.
1……………934
2……………936
3……………929
4……………926
5……………921
6……………902
7……………908
8……………907
9……………903
10..…………897
Can you see that the rifle fell off the power curve around shot 4 or 5? I completed the string because most of the time I would not be shooting across a chronograph. I would just shoot a complete magazine.
So, what was the air pressure remaining in the reservoir when the rifle “fell off” the power curve? Let me show you.
When the rifle “fell off” the power curve there was still 180 bar of pressure remaining in the reservoir.
The rifle really hasn’t fallen off anything. What has happened is the valve isn’t working well on that power adjustment setting any longer.
Adjust the power as we go?
I’ve talked about adjusting the power up as the reservoir pressure drops, and I thought this was the perfect time to show that. So I now dialed up the power to 4 clicks up from the bottom and shot another string.
Shot………..Vel.
1.……………964
2……………965
3……………956
4……………955
5……………955
6……………960
7……………950
8……………928
9……………944
10..…………did not register
Isn’t this interesting? At 4 clicks up from the bottom the rifle started out as powerful as it was on the highest setting — eleven clicks up! But toward the end of the ten shots the power did drop away. That told me it was time to dial up the power another click. The average velocity for this string was 953 f.p.s.
5 clicks up from the bottom
Shot………..Vel.
1.……………954
2……………948
3……………943
4……………941
5……………936
6……………934
7……………929
8……………922
9……………916
10..…………908
At the start the power is almost where it was before, but in the middle of the string it starts dropping away. By the end of the 10 shots the power has fallen quite noticeably. This is probably the end of the useful shots, regardless of where the power wheel is set. The average for this string was 933 f.p.s.
Just so we know for sure, I did shoot a final string. This time the power wheel was set up 6 clicks from the bottom.
6 clicks up from the bottom
Shot………..Vel.
1.……………917
2……………909
3……………909
4……………898
5……………888
6……………887
7……………883
8……………870
9……………865
10..…………DNR
After this magazine I photographed the onboard gauge once again. The needle is still in the green, but the rifle has used almost all its air.
Though the needle is still in the green, the Eagle Claw has no more stable shots at this point.
The average for this string was 890 f.p.s., but the extreme spread was 52 f.p.s. That’s too high for anything but shots at very close range. So, for a shot count we could say there are 4 magazines worth with 40 good shots when the power wheel is moved up from three clicks after magazine 2, and then one more notch each for magazines 3 and then 4.
Discussion
Here is what we now know about this Seneca Eagle Claw rifle. The power wheel does adjust its power over a broad band, but there isn’t much adjustability between the power stops at 500, 800 and 920 f.p.s. We can get 500 f.p.s., then it jumps to 800 f.p.s. and then to 920+ f.p.s.
We know we can keep it around 920+ f.p.s for at least 40 shots by adjusting the power wheel three clicks up for the first two magazines, one more click for the third magazine and one more click for the fourth mag. Hunters can use that kind of data, once they settle on an accurate pellet.
We also know that at each power setting the velocity remains very stable. That isn’t common for rifles with adjustable power, and for a powerful hunting rifle the Eagle Claw does quite well.
Finally I need to say that all Eagle Claws may not perform exactly as this one did. Remember that the first rifle I tested only had 7 power levels, so there may not be a lot of consistancy in these rifles. You need to chronograph your own rifle, but use my method to shorten the process.
Summary
This is the last time we will test the power. Next we look at the accuracy, which the Eagle Claw hopefully has in abundance
B.B.
Does a 20 fps difference between make a POI difference at 25 yards?
-Y
Yogi,
It shouldn’t
BB
Good morning.
It seems that we still have to log in before we see the current post. What do the IT guys say about this?
Bill,
They are still working on it.
BB
B.B.,
Seems like the Koreans have a different philosophy with regards to the use of the power adjustment. They don’t adjust the power to what you want. They adjust to maintain the power to a “useful” level. What that use is up to the end user though.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
And I think that’s because they view these air rifles as hunting rifles.
BB
I was reading many of your old blogs and re-read the “Who Was Edith Gaylord, Part 2” where you say she loved the Sharp UF-P Co2 carbine. I tried to look up that air gun but really could not find much information about the gun.
Why don’t you tell us about the Sharp UF-P that Edith loved? I think we would all be interested. Why not cover it in your blog? Maybe you still have the gun.
Jonah,
I no longer have the Sharp carbine. I will think about it. Maybe I can mine some info from the old Airgun Letters.
BB
BB
Is that the gun that had a special scope mount on it so Edith could shoot with her dominant eye?
It’s been awhile and maybe my rememberer is not remembering right.
GF1,
No. That was a Gary Barnes special PCP that had that mount.
BB
BB
So what gun is Jonah talking about.
BB,
This is a hunter for sure. The Koreans do indeed understand using an air rifle for hunting.
I am curious as to what the power wheel is changing. Is it changing the transfer port? Is it changing the hammer spring tension? What effect would a regulator have on the power adjustment? Would a good size plenum after a regulator still allow for the power wheel to function?
RR,
It changes the hammer spring tension. A reg does improve things a lot. I could get 90 shots from my regulated Career 707 set at 30 foot-pounds. It had 17 adjustments and I dialed them up just like today.
BB
BB
Off topic, yet still relevant in terms of enjoying our airgunning activities for as long as possible, whether they be hunting, target shooting, tuning, whatnot…no requirement to be a person of faith in order to benefit though personally, whenever FM is on a walk or hike, seems there is abundant evidence for a Creator all around.
https://aleteia.org/2021/06/29/the-one-habit-aristotle-einstein-thoreau-and-augustine-all-shared/
Basil,
Amen to that!
BB
FM,
I find it strange that I have always been one to walk around when deep in thought. I must be a genius.
As for admiring the Lord’s creation around me, I thank Him each and every day that I have it to enjoy.
RR
Totally agree about the Lords creation.
Isn’t it amazing how you can look at the same place every day and see so much different amazing things.
God paints a different picture every day no matter how beautiful you thought it was yesterday. It is always more spectacular the next day.
Another off subject.
Yesterday, I took a couple of shots with my new 2240. It is LOUD!
Another thing I noticed is the trigger return spring would make any attorney tickled pink. There is no way you are going to accidently discharge this air pistol.
RidgeRunner,
The trigger pull weight can be reduced by over-compressing the spring found under the grip panels. Start slow so as to not weaken the spring too much, though stretching it out again can somewhat reverse the effects if you go too far. For those tickled attorneys I’ll add, proceed at your own risk.
Airman
P.S.
Does anybody know if dry firing the 2240 without CO2 in the system, or the 1322 without compressed air, is harmful for the airguns in some way? How about frequently, as in practicing trigger pull?
Thanks for any information.
Airman
Airman
I messed with alot of different Co2 and pump pistols by Crosman through out many years and have had no problems with them after dry firing. Same with Maximus’ and Discovery’s and Marauders and other variants of those type of guns.
I say dry firing is no problem at all.
Gunfun1,
Excellent. Thanks for letting me know.
Airman
Yep sure. No problem.
Airman
I have cut coils off the 2240 and 1377/22 trigger springs and stretched them to get the the trigger release pressure I wanted.
Its very easy to do for those interested in trying. And you can even leave the grip cover off and dry fire till you have the trigger release how you want it.
And thanks for bringing that info up.
Gunfun1
That sounds like a good method, I will give it a try. Glad I was able to contribute. I am going to make my own 2240 shoulder stock next. Perhaps I will share a photo…
Airman
Please do share pictures if you make your own shoulder stock.
I should do that also. Just got to find the time and material first.
Looking forward if to it if you do.
RR
Airman of the board is dead on with making that spring pressure lighter for your 2240 trigger.
Next you could order the parts or a trigger assembly from a Benjamin Marauder pistol and have a fully adjustable 2 stage trigger. It really is the best way to go. That’s what I use with my Discovery/Maximus conversions with the 1399 or RAI AR butt stock adapters.
The Marauder pistol trigger assembly is the ultimate trigger for those type pistols and conversion guns.
Search up Hiveseekers blogs on the Crossman custom shop guns. The KT series. I posted pictures of the different trigger assemblies back then. The custom shop guns used a adjustable trigger assembly that was different than your gun and for sure no way as good as the Marauder pistol trigger components. Search for his reports and you will find alot of info and very useful comments.
BB,
Good morning sir, I am curious to know if you might consider shooting a string with a slightly higher starting velocity from a fresh 2 bar fill, to see if the jump in velocity that occurs with this technique
can be flattened out a bit? So start at 4 clicks on the power wheel, and use the same method. It works well.
Rob
Rob,
I will do it for you, but I think it won’t flatten that much.
BB
B.B.,
Enjoying your examination of the Eagle Claw. I just need to keep reminding myself it isn’t a Big Bore.
“Finally I need to say that all Eagle Claws may not perform exactly as this one did. Remember that the first rifle I tested only had 7 power levels, so there may not be a lot of consistancy in these rifles. You need to chronograph your own rifle, but use my method to shorten the process.
Summary
This is the last time we will test the power. Next we look at the accuracy, which the Eagle Claw hopefully has in abundance”
I think the readers need to be aware that without a Chronograph it is virtually impossible to wring out the performance out of a hunting PCP. Before owning a Doppler RADAR Chronograph i searched for appropriate for prey terminal performance, acceptable accuracy in projectile candidates first and then fine tuned with Striker/Hammer spring adjustments. It was a cheaper way to go (for me) with expensive per projectile cost. That isn’t your typical test format so I understand your need to use your standard review approach.
All that has changed with since I started using a Doppler RADAR Chronograph. It allows me to do projectile precision, accuracy, and power driven adjustments all at the same range session. The cost of even the most expensive Doppler RADAR Chronograph can be amortized in ammo/air/time savings in a surprisingly short interval. Not to mention the increase in usable data, in organized, manipulable files and lack of shot up Chronographs littering down range!
I’m searching for a target reading-scoring system or App to use as my next Ballistics toy. They are coming own in cost and improving in simplicity and functionality.
Looking forward to the future blogs and hope that this Eagle Claw proves to give you at least HUNTER LEVEL accuracy!
shootski
PS: the IT folks are back in good graces for now!
GF1,
A CO2-powered Sharp UF-P
B B
BB
Ok thanks.