Sheridan 190B.
This report covers:
- Background
- Ammunition
- 190D bore size
- Umarex glass balls
- Aluminum balls
- 3-D printed ammo
- Rifled slug
- Two “pellets”
- Not a hunting big bore
- Summary
Today’s report will be odd, in that it transitions from a guest blog to a report I’m doing myself. Today I take over the series on the Sheridan 190B tranquilizer dart pistol and tell you about the custom projectiles Ian McKee has 3D-printed for it.
Background
This series is about a multi-pump pneumatic big bore airgun that is both affordable and safe enough for use in your backyard. I know that for a fact because when Ian delivered the gun we went out to my tiny suburban backyard and shot it.
This series exists because Ian and I wanted to explore the possibility of a big bore airgun that costs very little and is more suited for experimentation than for harvesting big game.
Truth be told, very few owners of big bore airguns are able to shoot them at their homes or on any suburban property. They have to shoot at a rifle range and that takes some of the fun out of having an airgun.
But there is a huge interest in the subject of airguns that shoot large projectiles. The Sheridan 190B tranquilizer dart pistol satisfies all these requirements.
Ammunition
As a tranquilizer gun, the 190B can shoot training darts with relative safety. The effective range is 50 feet, and from what Ian tells me the drop of a 109-grain practice dart is huge! Added to that these practice darts are extremely expensive. How does $30 for one dart sound?
So Ian decided to find different ammo that is more affordable. If this is going to work the ammo needs to be cheap. He told you that the 190B pistol has a .50-caliber smoothbore barrel, so I measured it. I did get 12.7mm/ 0.50-inches, but the diameter did vary by a few thousandths of an inch. Let’s see what that might be.
190D bore size
I measured the 190’s bore with calipers and got a variable reading that went from 0.495 to 0.505-inches. That’s as close as I can come with a dial caliber whose flat jaws cannot measure the inside diameter of a tube more accurately. It is nominally 0.50-inches, but without the correct measuring tool that’s as close as I can get.
Umarex glass balls
Umarex makes .50-caliber glass balls for slingshots. Unfortunately they measure 0.478-inches/12.14mm and are too small for the 190’s bore. Air will get by them when fired and they won’t be efficient.
Umarex glass balls for slingshots measure 12.14mm/0.478-inches. They are smaller than the 190’s bore and will be far less efficient. They rolled through the barrel easily. They work fine for slingshots but not for the 190B.
Aluminum balls
Ian also gave me a supply of .50-caliber aluminum balls, but when I measured them they came out as 0.490-inches/12.446mm. That’s closer but also too small for the 190’s bore. They rolled through the barrel easily too.
At 62 grains weight they are also quite heavy, though the 190 can drive a 109-grain practice dart. But the tranquilizer practice dart has a sealing end similar to the feathers on a throwing dart. It keeps all the air behind the dart while it’s in the barrel.
The aluminum balls are also smaller than a half-inch diameter, and therefore not useful in the 190. They also rolled through the barrel easily.
Besides these two Ian showed us two other commercial balls that do work in the gun. One is a smooth hard plastic ball that I think he bought on eBay and the other is a squishy rubber Nerf ball that looks like a golf ball on close inspection. Both these balls seal well and fly well, though the Nerf ball’s larger size does slow it a bit.
These Nerf balls are lightweight, softer and larger than the bore of the 190.
The Nerf balls are dimpled like golf balls. They fly better that way.
3-D printed ammo
The commercial ammo wasn’t all he wanted, so Ian 3D-printed some ammo of his own—some custom ammo that fit the bore quite snugly. The “pellets” he made do work.
Rifled slug
Ian borrowed a design from the world of shotgun rifled slugs for one of his projectiles. These are what we shot in my backyard. He put a 0.30-gram airsoft ball in the nose of each printed slug.
This is the “rifled slug” design that Ian made. The fins on the outside of the projectile cause it to turn as it passes through the air. The one at the bottom right was shot into my board fence and showed not a mark.
The slug on the right doesn’t look like it hit a board fence twice, does it?
So this ammo is affordable. Imagine paying 50 cents apiece but using each slug 50-100 times. Losing them will be a greater problem than damaging them!
Two “pellets”
There are also two other “pellets”. One is domed and the other is a wadcutter.
These are the domes. Different materials make different weights.
And these are the wadcutters.
3D printing opens up a world of possibilities. If you can imagine it, you should be able to make it.
Not a hunting big bore
The 190D is not for hunting. It’s for experimenting in the world of big bore airguns. I know many airgunners who want to try a big bore but don’t want to splash out all that cash. And a big bore like this can even be shot safely inside the house—except in RidgeRunner’s case. So you get to shoot one of these a lot more than a more powerful big bore airgun.
Summary
Ian already gave you the velocities for all the ammo I just mentioned other than his 3D-printed rounds. That will be my job in the next report.
Tom,
Would paper patching or felt wads assist in the use of the marbles and aluminum balls? It can be safely muzzle loaded then cocked before use I think.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
They might work and I believe Ian considered that.
BB
I did try that with different materials and thicknesses.
Loading from the rest was hard to get the patch material to fit just the ball and not interfere with the bolt sealing.
Loading from the front was also tried.
But the pistol just didn’t have the power to push a tight fitting patched ball down the bore with much authority.
Ian.
That should have been “loading from the rear “ in the above response.
Siraniko,
You may be on to something there. Very likely a soft cloth “patch” similar to an old muzzleloader would work. Accuracy at anything other than short range will always be horrible though.
“The 190D is not for hunting. It’s for experimenting in the world of big bore airguns.”
BB,
Roger that! This thing is just plain cool, especially with the 3D-printed ammo.
I think a big bore airgun that can be shot in the backyard, the garage, or even in the house has lots of appeal.
It helps put the fun back in airgunning…which is never a bad thing. 😉
Blessings to you,
looking forward to the next report in this series,
dave
Dave
The recently acquired M25 in 7.62 has a detachable modular silencer. When I took the first shots in the backyard it was quite tolerable. The crack of the 95 fpe was like the Diana 350 magnum with a Titan spring.
And you are right about the fun.
Awesome! 🙂
Gee B.B.
How about trying the darts on Dale Evans?
Always have been curious about airgun dart tranquilizer guns. Hope this is the start of a Deep Dive into them?
-Yogi
Yogi,
Dale passed away years ago and I would never shoot anything at her.
BB
I may not be allowed to shoot in my home, but I can do such in my brand-new garage. It is not that big, but it is insulated and has rollup doors on the front and the side under a lean-to.
The bad part about it is I am going to have to get rid of a bunch of junk I have accumulated over the years. Yard sale time! Like Mrs. RR says, “If you haven’t used it in a couple of years, get rid of it.” That is easier said than done, but we are going to try. 😉
RR, feel your pain about getting rid of the stuff stuff. Nice to have that garage – you can never have enough garage space. At least some of us can’t.
FM,
I tore down our much bigger garage before I had this one built. That is where all the stuff was.
Now I must learn to get rid of all that stuff.
“I feel your pain.”
RR
Anyone with industrial backgrounds knows warehouses always get filled up. Garages are warehouses so they are supposed to be filled with junk or whatever. .
You may need it 10 years down the road.
Deck
Deck,
That is what I have told myself over the years. Now I am too old to use most of it if I did need it.
It is time to unpack the pack rat.
RR
“ It is time to unpack the pack rat.”
and make a bit of room for a shooting corridor out of the wind, snow and rain!
Deck
😉 Among other things.
This thing is most definitely a short-range fun gun, likely more than a bb gun. Accuracy? Who cares. A big bore dart gun. This could be almost as much fun as my Webley Junior. Maybe more.
I am curious about those “slugs” that Ian 3D printed. I have been giving some thought to getting one of those CO2 pistols for “self defense”. Those “slugs” might work pretty good in one of those things.
Actually the design of those projectiles are being used in some co2 powered less lethal handguns.
Ian.
I am going to have to look for those. One of those things will be a hoot in my new garage.
I have shot the 3D printed projectiles at longer ranges.
But that is going to be a topic for BB to cover in a future blog.
Ian.
BB,
This has been a fun series on the Sheridan 190B. I am looking forward to seeing how those giant pellets work out. I imagine shooting them at a dot marked on a cereal box paper target. The thwack of the wadcutter would be substantial. Five, .177 pellets can balance on the nose of the wadcutter, if you’re careful. This is a whole ‘nother level of ten meter air pistol shooting!
I’ve been shooting .177 pistols lately, the Markpoint, P17 and bolts through the Crosman 1377. The experience of shooting a big whonking 1/2″ diameter plastic pellet indoors would paste a grin across even the most serious shooters. If they were reasonably accurate, that would icing on the cake!
I wonder if a “ballistic curtain” type pellet catcher would protect the pellets from damage?
What kind of reactive target would be perfect for this system?
Enjoy!
Will
Will,
Your ballistic curtain idea is one several shooters have mentioned. I think it’s the way to go. With that the lifespan of the projectiles should be nearly indefinite.
BB
Will S.,
I have used a “ballistic curtain” When shooting my slingshots. A sheet or a light blanket works fine for such. If you hang such up and allow a good portion to be on the ground, it will “catch” the falling projectiles and allow for easy finding and gathering.
RR
I’ll find a sturdy blanket while out thrift shopping and make a curtain like you describe, out in the yard. You can shoot the good ammo if you can catch it. I have some slingshot potentials that were cut shortly after Hank’s great blog entry on making slingshots and how to shoot them. Outside.
Looking forward to warmer weather in the Northeast.
Will,
With a slingshot, a sheet will do fine, especially if it can move loosely.
“Glass slingshot ammo”? Didn’t we used to call them marbles? And one technique that was rumored (not that I tried it you understand)—heat the marbles on the stove in one of your mother’s pans. When they were good and hot drop them into cold water. The shock caused internal fractures and Presto! You just made frangible ammo! Supposedly worked best when shot against the cinder block walls of the garage or the outside of the fireplace chimney (as I was told).
Roger,
Nice! (speaking for a friend)
Roger,
That’s what I call them. Of course, I am an old geezer.
B.B. and Readership
Have you all LOST your marbles?
https://visit.houseofmarbles.com/news/the-marvel-of-making-marbles/#:~:text=Glass marbles are no longer,you guessed it%2C glass marbles.
Alternate technique:
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cracked-Marbles
These dart Projectors may have a large bore to fit the injectors, they probably could be fun for shooters without legal right/access to a place for shooting a REAL POWERHOUSE BIG BORE; but in the final analysis they are a weak Ersatz Big Bore Airgun…in my opinion.
shootski
PS: Do be aware that in many places (even in the USA) they could be found to be Dangerous or Destructive Devices. Especially in the Peoples Republic of New Jersey!
shootski,
That is another reason I do not live up there and why I live where I live. We still use our gray matter to keep our ears apart.
shootski,
Something else to consider. I have a “REAL POWERHOUSE BIG BORE”. I have a .457 Texan LSS with CF tank. Having a place where one of these things can be shot is beyond most folks here. There are actually some states that freak out when an airgun gets above .177 in caliber.
This thing can be shot safely indoors. I would not shoot my Texan indoors, even if allowed. Would you shoot your big bores indoors?
If my rememberer still works correctly, it was not too long ago that you poo pooed at .177 and .22 or sproingers in general.
RidgeRunner,
“…still works correctly, ”
I don’t believe i have ever “…poo pooed at .177 and .22 or sproingers in general.” True, I have spoken poorly about many airgun builds in many calibers that are not repeatedly accurate and imprecise.
I have owned and used many standard caliber airguns since well before getting involved in Big Bore airguns. As far as spring guns i used them to teach my children to shoot. Yes, i purchased the SIG ASP20s for myself since the Godfather of Airguns called them the spring Airgun of the new Millennium…which i still believe is a true observation.
I have in fact discharged my Big Bores inside my house (air blanks) on rare occasions and indoors at the 100 and 50 range with real bullets.
DonnyFL (celebrating being in business since 2019*) has some great solutions for making airguns Backyard friendly; as long as your containment is up the job and not illegal in your location.
shootski
PS: *No Thanks to the ATF!
shootski,
Sit down, relax, take a deep breath. I am certain you did not discover Dennis the day you started with airguns. Although I did want Gary to build my first airgun, I ended up buying a used Gamo CFX first. People usually start with sproingers. Some never get away from them. That’s OK also.
Just as there are some sproingers not worth owning, there are some PCPs that are not worth a plugged nickel. The truth is, I truly wish I owned some of Dennis’ air rifles. Ah well, you cannot have everything.
It is also a false statement that he who dies with the most toys, wins. What? He is still dead.
RidgeRunner,
Just finished my HITT workout so i’m pumped.
It was long after. Best i recall it was the day after i started moding my 2250. I found that Dennis had the best steel breech and .25 caliber barrel as well as his Bulk Fill CO2 tube that screwed into the front of a 2250 tube replacing the standard cartridge. That created a 2550 with enough power to drive a Pellet Man 40 grain .25 bullet (slug) to great effect.
The rest of my personal airguns were Single, Multi Pump and PCP 10 Meter Hämmerli Target guns. Then i got the AIRROW Stealth in frustration after not getting my call in to Dennis for my first full up DAQ rifle…three additional tries and i had my .458 LA and many more Quackenbush to follow along with a continuing relationship with the man to this day.
True statement: He who can get the “toys” he wants and regularly shoot what he has is a contented airgunner!
shootski
shootski,
There can be quite a difference between quantity and quality.
Just so you know, I am envious of the Airrow.
RidgeRunner,
Quantity is a problem that can usually be solved by appreciating what we have now.
Quality is subjective for some. I try to really hard for a bit of objectivity when i evaluate things…the BUZZ can make that difficult but not impossible.
The AIRROW is by no means perfect. The metal work is as near perfection as is humanly possible and the barrels are by Lothar-Walther. The technology of the magazine and the trigger are not up to today’s standards; they were a cross between Speargun, Paintball, and a pneumatic original concept. A bottle regulator helps make the trigger usable on HPA by dropping the pressure closer to CO2 values.
I still enjoy shooting the almost four decade old airgun and getting 80+ FPE out of the .25 caliber 20″ barrel.
I have a few more modifications in mind to improve the magazine to barrel sealing.
shootski
You may be on to something with your definitions of quantity and quality. I myself find both to be subjective. I intend to do with fewer airguns than I have at present. There was a doctor that died a few years back who had over four hundred.
When it comes to quality, it is indeed subjective to both what one considers to be quality and to what is the financial outlay. With several airguns approaching or well over one hundred years old, I find it difficult to ascribe to most that have been made in the last twenty years with what I consider true quality.
Most of what I own use walnut as their wood. Plastic is almost nonexistent, though I am not objective of a well-made synthetic stock. Some have aluminum, though it is more often of the aircraft grade. I am a big fan of machined steel.
As for the Airrow, both you and myself have been around true quality airguns to be aware of its shortcomings and to be able to overcome such. I do not own one as it was very expensive for an “off the shelf” air rifle at the time it was new, though in many respects it would fit my definition of quality easily. Were you aware that the Israeli military purchased several chambered in 9mm?
RidgeRunner,
Wood furniture is certainly wonderful to the touch when well chosen and crafted.
It can often be just as serviceable as synthetics as long a it is properly treated and maintained. Metal can be beautiful and/or extremely serviceable in HARD use as well as capable for the long run if properly chosen and maintained; the same can be said for the more recent high quality synthetics.
The AIRROW 8S STEALTH series came in .177-.25 Caliber as standard there was a 9mm/.38 Caliber Action option somewhat like an AR-15 complete Upper.
The best i can tell only 300 were ever built with many going to various Special Forces outfits for evaluation and use.
As in most PCPs to this day the early evaluators and owners failed to understand the difference between Maximum Rated Pressure and the Maximum Usable Pressure…i guess all those folks buy their vehicles and other things for the MSRP/Sticker price ;^)
Happy Easter!
He is RISEN
shootski
shootski,
This is why chronographs are so wonderful. I had a .177 Talon SS I filled to 1900 PSI.
AMEN!
Curious detour on our conversations centered on conventional airguns. I will be looking forward to the report on speeds and accuracy as related to shape, i.e. ‘rifled slugs’ vs 3d printed pellets. Fascinating!
Henry
PS. Ian, do you use public domain or commercial software to make your designs?
I use different software for different things.
Depending on how complicated and precise the object needs to be.
For quick proof of concepts sometimes use Tinkercad.
It’s easy to use and it’s FREE !!!
For really elaborate things I use Fusion 360.
With an educators license as I teach people how to use it.
(Ever the enabler no matter what the hobby.)
There are other 3D modeling softwares out there.
And MILLIONS of 3D print files available online for free or a small fee.
Ian
Thank you Ian! I use an electrical CAD programs (one of Fusion stepchildren) for work and SketchUp for one of my hobbies, woodworking, but I have been reluctant to spend the time to learn a mechanical packages. I have to start somewhere so Tinkercad will be it. I see myself gravitating to something more serious eventually, but in due time.
Appreciate the info!
Henry
What is the point of the airsoft “BB” tip? To protect the slug from damage when it hits the target? What happens to the slug without the tip?
Roamin,
Well, Ian?
BB
Without anything in the tip it is a relatively neutral front to back weight bias.
But it’s not fast enough to have any hollow point effect.
Ian.
The slugs them selves need to be heavier in the nose ( it’s solid plastic, and hollow at the base) so they have a slight weight forward bias.
Airsoft balls of a nominal 6mm diameter can be purchased in various weights. So you can taylor the slug to your preferred weight.
Also aluminum balls or steel balls can be inserted into the nose of so desired.
Ian.
BB,
Maybe a felt wad, or stack of them, behind a 3D printed body, with a dart tip (or Velcro tip)?
Even if you have to assemble them they would be reusable.
This unit could turn out to be way too much fun. ‘Big Bore, on a Budget’
Bill
I have thought about foam earplugs with a wire dart pushed through them like used in blowguns.
But never tried them.
Ian
BB,
Perhaps you should try the stiff wire through the foam earplug trick with this. It might be real fun with a dart board.
RR,
We shall see.
BB
You could try shooting it mortar-style, arcing your shots to targets placed on the ground, for another fun version of enjoying this “piece.”
Basil,
You know, it’s funny, but when I was in the Army there was a sub-caliber device for mortar training. It fit a 4.2-inch mortar and fired plastic shells that had a .22 blank in the nose to pop when they hit.
BB
FM could pull out his still-working circa 1962 REMCO toy bazooka, and target plastic jugs with the one surviving plastic shell – confess to have done that already and it’ll take down an empty jug at 10+ yards; the spring on that thing still packs somewhat of a punch. No doubt today this ‘zooka would be banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and also in some of our Sheeple’s Republiks. 😉
FawltyManuel,
Oh! : ) Your post caused a flood of great memories. : )
I didn’t realize it until just now; That was my first Big Bore airgun!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1188220350/remco-bazooka-shells-missiles-yellow?gpla=1&gao=1&
You have a collector’s item in that Bazooka! The range of sales reported as $2.00 to $2,000+
shootski
Shootski…WHAT!? Then it will have to be pried from FM’s cold little dead hands. The plastic shells included were blue, have one left. The bazooka is in pretty good condition and still shoots with some authority. As usual, original box is gone, so is the small cardboard bunker-shaped target it came with; kid FM used to line up his rubber soldiers and shell them into “oblivion.”
FawltyManuel,
The box and ALL the contents are probably what gets the higher valuation.
FM rubber soldiers? YOU are a more disciplined man than i Sir…i used mine in our neighborhood War Games as a very effective sniper/anti personnel weapon. I would no doubt be considered a potential future Mass Murderer in need of rehabilitative services in today’s climate.
shootski
Team
Love the article. Your common nerf gun is actually 50 Cal. Wonder how your pellet would work in the Cricket Pro pictured below. I can pretty much soda cans at 4 meters with half darts. Now I have to order 50 cals airguns darts.
Very cheap large bore at $7.00 at Wally World. FPS is about 125 FPS with nerf 1/2 darts
Kind Regards
jda001
I have never shot a paint ball gun but a big bore backyard gun is a pretty good description of a paint ball gun. Ammo is cheap, reactive, and biodegradable. I would never shoot any gun at a person but it could be a fun plinker.
David Enoch
You can soak a Superabsorber bead water bead ” in water, and use as a projectile. It self seals inside the barrel, if the bead has a larger diameter.
I love those big 3D printed pellets! What a great idea!