TalonBolt from AirForce Airguns.
This report covers:
- Last Friday
- Power
- The arrows
- The competition
- Ton’s secret sauce
- Robin Hood
- Best news of all
- Summary
Today we start looking at the TalonBolt from AirForce Airguns. Several readers expressed a desire for me to switch from springers to a precharged airgun, and here we go.
Obviously the TalonBolt is not an air RIFLE. It has no rifled barrel. So at best it’s an air GUN. But perhaps we should call it an arrow launcher, to align it with all the other arrow launchers that have recently come to the market.
Last Friday
I picked this airgun up at AirForce last Friday, so you and I are seeing it at the same time. I have to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of arrow launchers, though I must admit they are being well-received by archers and hunters
But my trip to AirForce was even better than I thought, because Ton Jones, who worked on the valve design on the TalonBolt, was there to walk me though the gun. And that is what I’m going to do for you in this series. I’ll tell you what’s possible with the TalonBolt and I’ll also tell you how to set it up for success, which is different.
I took this photo this past February, when Ton Jones was completing testing of the TalonBolt valve.
Power
If you read the description I linked to above you’ll discover that the TalonBolt will shoot a 400-grain arrow at up to 425 f.p.s. Well, I read the description and was confused. It says the 300-grain arrow comes to you with a 100-grain field point. In my mind that makes a 400-grain arrow with point. So I weighed an arrow from the box I was given. It weighed 341-grains.
The TalonBolt arrow I weighed was 341 grains complete.
So I removed the field point and weighed it. It was 99.8-grains.
The removable arrow field point weighed 99.8 grains.
So, the shaft without a point had to weigh 241.2 grains — right? It weighed 241.4 grains.
The arrow shaft weighed 241.4 grains.
The 0.2-grain difference between the complete arrow and what the point and shaft weighed separately is just the slop you get when weighing things on an electronic powder scale down to the tenth of a grain. Remember — there are 7000 grains in one pound, so 70,000 tenths! They are little!
That being the case, I weighed three different arrow shafts and got:,
241.4-grains
246.5-grains
244.2 grains
I see about a 5-grain weight variation in the weight of the arrow shaft. That is a manufactured assembly and I guess it’s hard to get much tighter than that.
The arrows
The TalonBolt arrows are hollow and made to slide over the hollow air tube inside the frame. Three of them come with the airgun, but I’d advise you to buy more. Pyramyd AIR sells a 6-pack. From this point on I will call that air tube the barrel. It is 26 inches long.
The arrows are 18 inches long, yet the barrel of the TalonBolt is 26 inches long, so the arrow does not slide all the way to the back of the barrel. That is intentional and is a part of the design. When loaded, just the point of the arrow sticks out of the frame of the gun. The Insyder video shown on the TalonBolt description page shows all that plus a hunt that was done with the TalonBolt.
The competition
You might think the TalonBolt competes with all the other arrow launchers, and I suppose it does. But the real competition comes from crossbows. This is a $700 arrow launcher that takes on $1,000 crossbows to those that cost over $3,000.
I have tested my Mission Archery Sub-1 crossbow for you. This is the crossbow that put three arrows in less than an inch at 100 yards. It’s called the Sub-1 because it shot a sub minute of angle. It still tests as one of the most accurate crossbows on the market. What I want to know is how will the TalonBolt stack up against it?
Ton’s secret sauce
This is why I was so fortunate to spend time with Ton Jones when I picked up the TalonBolt. He reminded me of the testing I had seen back in February. And he told me he knew the secret to accuracy with this arrow launcher.
First we must acknowledge that speed sells. So AirForce wanted this launcher to be the baddest and fastest they could field. I was there when Ton was blowing up arrows because the launch pressure was too high, so I know he gave the TalonBolt all it could stand. But losing a $10 arrow with every third or fourth shot isn’t conducive to making friends when you want to sell a product, so the valve was set to the maximum that would still keep the arrows safe. The Pyramyd AIR website says 425 f.p.s. is the max but that video I recommended shows 440 f.ps.
The TalonBolt no longer blows arrows apart. But sending them out at 440 f.p.s. isn’t conducive to long arrow life either. The arrows can bury themselves in arrow stops or even in the ground when shot from a high seat blind.
Ton told me that the arrow launcher ships with two different Ring-Loc air orifices, and, with the smaller 0.180-inch orifice installed, the shooter gets around 350-375 f.p.s. from the same arrow that goes out at 450 when the factory 0.232-inch orifice is used. And now I will tell you why I brought my Sub-1 crossbow into the discussion. You see, it shoots a bolt that weighs about 418 grains at 340-350 f.p.s. So the TalonBolt is right where the Sub-1 is, and right now I have both of them.
Robin Hood
Ton told me to never shoot the TalonBolt at the same place twice. That was a lesson I learned in Las Vegas when I almost Robin-Hooded (shot one arrow into the end of another arrow) two arrows at 90 yards with the Sub-1. When I tested my Sub-1 I purposely did not shoot at the same place twice. I did almost put two arrows into the same hole when the distance to the target was 30 yards or less. So I will take Ton at his word and never shoot at the same place twice with the TalonBolt. I will, however, find a safe way to show you what happens when you do!
I had him set up the test launcher for me with the factory-included 0.180 orifice. And, if you like, you can buy the optional set of Ring-Loc valve orifices so you get all velocity possibilities. Remember, a standard longbow shoots an arrow at less than 225 f.p.s., so you are smokin’ with the TalonBolt — even when it’s set at the lowest possible power setting!
Best news of all
With the 0.180-inch orifice Ton tells me to expect about 20 shots at the 350-375 f.p.s.– ON A 2000 PSI FILL! Yepper, guys, 2,000 psi is all she takes. That makes the TalonBolt a gun for guys who use a hand pump. It may take some time, but it shouldn’t ever get too hard to pump us this gun. Or, if you own a conventional scuba tank, you’ll get lots of fills.
Summary
What we have in the TalonBolt is a reasonably priced arrow shooter with widely adjustable power, accuracy that’s supposed to be stunning and lots of shots. What’s not to like? We’re gonna find out!
B.B.
Maybe some day you could do a blog on the tranquilliser guns that are used on large mammals?
-Y
PS So do you go to the rifle range or the archery range to shoot it?
Rifle range, you won’t be physically attacked there. (Semi-joking)
BB,
It’s not quite as hot as Texas here, only about 97 degrees F…everyday for the past 3 weeks.
Since my wife has MS, she can’t work in her garden without using this:
https://www.mycoolingstore.com/polar-products-kool-max-cooling-secrets-torso-wrap.html
And since I have to mow several acres every week she bought me one, too (hers is tan; mine is black).
I also have a smaller one that goes around my neck and down my back.
With those two belts on, I can mow on the ZTR for an hour (which is as long as the packs stay cool at 97 F).
My wife wanted me to let you know, as she thought it might help with your outdoor summer testing. 😉
Blessings to you,
dave
Thankyou Dave for that bit of information. Looking forward to being a “Cool Dude”
You are most welcome. 🙂
Dave,
Thanks for that. I have a cool vest that uses ice cubes inside it. Same Idea I think.
Tell your wife thanks from me.
BB
Yes, BB, same idea; my wife was concerned for your safety in this heat; I’ll tell her; you are most welcome. 😉
Don’t know if this is a little exaggerated, but it may be worth some attention – and FM thinks this would apply in other places besides Texas. Here in Florida the heat seems to shut down the brains of many drivers, causing the RIL – Road Idiocy Level – to spike up.
https://jalopnik.com/historic-texas-heat-is-breaking-cars-in-weird-ways-1850692402
Yes Sir, it’s not just Texas and Florida; sadly, RIL is way up all over the country! 😉
Tom,
I know that a longer barrel allows a PCP to give a pellet maximum velocity from the air reservoir. How does a longer barrel help a short arrow?
Siraniko
Siraniko,
It’s more complicated but works the same. That’s what the test was to determine. That video shows it pretty well.
BB
Tom,
What video?
Siraniko
Siraniko,
Second paragraph under The arrows
The arrows are 18 inches long, yet the barrel of the TalonBolt is 26 inches long, so the arrow does not slide all the way to the back of the barrel. That is intentional and is a part of the design. When loaded, just the point of the arrow sticks out of the frame of the gun. The Insyder video shown on the “TalonBolt description page” shows all that plus a hunt that was done with the TalonBolt.
BB
Tom,
Found it! Might be helpful for others if you included the link https://youtu.be/MKpXFw0PAsw
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I tried to. I spent 10 minutes trying every way I could to embed that video and the Pyramyd AIR web page kept coming up. That’s why I did it the way that I did.
BB
Can they compete together at a match?
I’m waiting for the Crossbow that shoots pellets. But now that silencers are OK on airguns it may be unnecessary.
Who knows? I jokingly asked for a semi-auto crossbow and there it was one day.
Now a boomerang launcher might be interesting. Not sure about the return though.
All kidding aside, I can see it replacing a crossbow as long as there is enough air on board for a hunt. But, I think something along the lines of the Senica Aspen operation may another option.
I would buy a Center Point Bullet Crossbow as soon as it was available. There’s a guy in England selling plans for one, but I’d prefer a factory product.
Bullet crossbows are used to hunt small game. Probably be great can killers, too. A .36 round ball at 500 fps, say?
Bob,
Pelletbows have been around for ever. Since elastic bands weren’t available they used wood for power.
I’ve made a couple of pelletbows that use a pair of bows mounted to a single handle for power.
Just some trivia.
https://anthromuseum.missouri.edu/e-exhibits/pellet-bows
Hank
Hank,
Yes, pellet bows have been around forever. But they used to be called stonebows. Read about them here:
/blog/2016/01/catapult-guns-and-velocity/
BB
Yup, pelletbows/stonebows were made in both crossbow and longbow configurations.
I’ve made a couple of the longbow styles and (successfully) hunted small game with them. They have a 10-15 yard effective range.
Ammunition is the main advantage of a stone/pellet bow. Arrows take a lot of time and effort to make (and are upsetting to lose/break shooting at a rabbit) and suitable stones are readily available to pick up.
Hank
Need to get these covered by the Pittman-Robertson Act so more state wildlife agencies approve them for hunting.
If’n I were to git a arrer launcher, this’n wuld be it.
The quality build, the ease of charging this and the number of powerful shots per charge make this a superb arrow launcher.
A little bit off topic.
Warning! The following is a personal opinion that you may disagree with! I do not care.
Something I have never truly understood is the desire to have an incredible number of shots for a hunting air rifle. I can see where a large number of shots would be benificial at the shooting bench, but how many shots are you going to take in the field? I do not know how things are where you folks live, but here we have daily bag limits. Small game wise, we are only allowed six squirrels, rabbits, doves, etcetera per day. I do not need 100+ shots to achieve this. That is just extra weight to lug around.
Everyone talks about lugging around compressors, tanks, pumps, etcetera all the time. Really? Why? If I am traveling a good distance from home I can see that, but just going for a little hunt down the road?
Now these new-fangled sproingers with magazines, I can almost see that. If those sproingers were of better quality, I might even get one.
RidgeRunner,
Arm chair and Video hunters are labels that instantly came to mind as i read your very appropriate RANT.
Most folks don’t hunt and all too many of those that still do have little experience or knowledge. Remember that the semiautomatic AR platform is one of the most popular hunting rifles these days :^O
Need I say more….
shootski
‘nough said. Ah well.
Tom I either just had a stroke of genius,
Or perhaps just a stroke.
But here’s my idea. This might be just the thing at 100 yards to make jelly Chuck shish kabob. Without broadheads or with?? Frank
Frank,
You need to seek immediate medical aid. 🙂
BB
BB,nuh uh! My parents had me tested.
That’s funny and it’s true LOL
Frank
That throws arrows about as fast as my 1911 Co2 lookalike BB pistol throws BB’s!….
Wonder how loud it is?…
Pretty cool!… : D
Thanks for the blog,
Jesse
Jesse,
Very loud!
BB
BB,
Would the design allow a “TalonBolt SS” to be built?
Thanks.
Bill
Bill,
Please watch the video. That is explained.
BB
billj,
In a word no. Here is the video Tom is referring to https://youtu.be/MKpXFw0PAsw
Siraniko
That’s a bit of a bummer; and one point where the high-end crossbows will always have a market…
Still pretty cool… 😀
Jesse
B.B.,
Interesting for Utah hunters where the (antiquated and based on little or no knowledge of airgun performance) hunting regulations require: Firearms season only, arrow shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrow at 400fps or faster. Notice how the talonbolt meets those “minimum” requirements.
The so called barrel actually has an effective length of about: 26″ air tube +18″ bolt = 44″ since that is the length the shot air pressure acts on the Bolt. I wonder since you said it was very loud how much pressure remains when the bolt clears the air tube? Watching Tyler’s shot was interesting. Given the velocity of sound and the velocity of the shot the sound arrived at the prey before the bolt! I would want some way to reduce the report as much as is possible. I think AF needs to do some Research & Destruction!
I have a few ideas on what would help hush the report.
shootski