Sheridan 190B.
This report covers:
- Not easy to get
- Why?
- No clue what to do
- The range
- The test
- First test – the “shotgun slugs”
- Penetration
- Test two – the wadcutters
- Test three – the domes
- What has been learned?
- Summary
Today we begin looking at the accuracy of the Sheridan 190B tranquilizer dart pistol that I’m testing as a big bore airgun.
Not easy to get
This gun isn’t being made any longer and the other tranquilizer dart launchers are too expensive to experiment with so I’m doing this examination for you because I can. I know nothing beyond what reader 45Bravo has told me and the few tests I’ve run this far.
Why?
In case you’re wondering why I would test such an airgun the reason is simple. It’s not that powerful, so it’s a pretty safe big bore to shoot and Ian McKee can 3D print ammo for it on demand. That makes it cheap to shoot. It’s a big bore that’s safer and cheap; what’s not to like?
No clue what to do
If this was a pellet gun I would have some idea of how to test it before I started. But this is something with which I have no experience. Where do I start? Well, I did talk to Ian about his experiences with the pistol and I also did shoot a couple of the printed projectiles when he dropped it off. You can throw in the velocity test, but there was no accuracy component there, so I think I will start with the target close.
The range
In the Part 4 velocity test I used my army duffle bag for a backstop. It is the toughest material I own and it suffered no penetrations of the projectiles when the gun was pumped 8 times and shot from three feet. Reader RidgeRunner said a sheet hung loose would stop the projectiles. I hung a moving blanket instead for a little more protection.
In front of the blanket I stood a tall cardboard box and taped 12-inch Shoot-N-C bullseye targets to the box. Then I backed up 18 feet, which was the farthest distance I could get with this range setup.
The test
The 190B is a multi-pump pneumatic and I find it hard to pump, so I limited each shot in today’s test to six pumps. I shot sitting down and used a monopod to steady the pistol.
I shot 3-shot groups because I had no idea how things would turn out. I held a 6 o’clock hold on the orange center of each bullseye.
First test – the “shotgun slugs”
The “shotgun slug” that Ian printed for the Sheridan 190B.
On six pumps the Sheridan 190B put three slugs into about 2.75 inches at 18 feet. The slugs all seemed to load with the same resistance, so I don’t think the fit was a factor.
Three shotgun slugs made this 2.75-inch group at 18 feet.
Penetration
How did the box and that moving blanket fare? Well, the slugs passed through both sides of the box and also through the blanket!
The shotgun slugs went through the front of the box.
And out the back.
And completely through the moving blanket!
So, RidgeRunner, your sheet idea won’t work for these slugs. They penetrate!
Test two – the wadcutters
Next to be tested were the wadcutters.
Wadcutters.
The three wadcutters all seemed to fit the breech the same. They went into a two-inch group at 18 feet.
Three wadcutters made a 2-inch group at 18 feet.
There was no penetration through the box. These didn’t even dent the back side.
There was packing paper inside the box and I saw one of the wadcutters in the paper. So for the third test I packed more paper in the box to prevent penetration.
Test three – the domes
The last projectiles I tested were the domes.
The domes.
The 190B put three domes into a 3-inch group at 18 feet. I will say the last dome loaded extremely hard and probably landed where it did (lower right) because of that.
The 190 put three domes into 3-inches at 18 feet, though the shot that’s low and right was probably caused by a too-tight fit in the breech.
These pellets didn’t go through the box but they did punch out parts of the back side. So stuffing paper in the box stopped the penetration. I don’t think it will stop the shotgun slugs though.
What has been learned?
I need to measure the projectiles before shooting them for groups. The wadcutters and perhaps the domes are the most accurate projectiles in today’s test.
Summary
This pistol is a blast! In think it’s a shame it can’t be purchased anymore.
I’m finding this test series fun!
B.B.,
Of course a moving blanket won’t work as the backstop for these projectiles!
RidgeRunner said a sheet not a moving blanket for a reason.
I’ll let him explain it for you.
shootski
shootski,
I know what he thinks, but it won’t work as he believes and I’m not willing to ruin ant sheets to demonstrate it.
BB
B.B.,
LOL!
https://www.creedmoorsports.com/large-curtain-for-portable-air-gun-range?srsltid=AfmBOoqFbidUpRU81tfwAmiS-mRp-jRejyiBZywznorn-yw8BgKzYf7x
shootski
PS: get some of these folks BRASS: https://alphamunitions.com
PPS: a very enjoyable read about a Newcomer to PRECISION: https://alphamunitions.com/undeniably-focused/
And, she doesn’t spray and pray!
Loved that article, shootski! Dry firing and visualization popped out at me…now where have I heard those terms before?
Tom,
Looks like something that Pyramydair ought to look into. Maybe use the Umarex Strike Point as the base. Hopefully with the trigger fixed and a large barrel incorporated with the change of breech and sights it will be better pistol than it was before. Better in the sense that you would want to use it.
Siraniko
I use a hanging rubber mat. The kind used in gym flooring and horse stall flooring.
This is hanging behind 6 pizza boxes filled with loose cardboard sheets. Some glued together, some not.
If you place the target you are shooting at in quadrants, every few weeks you can rotate some of the boxes.
Behind all this, I have a 1/4 sheet of aluminum angles 45 degrees down.
Don’t have an old army duffle bag to use. Whatever happened to the Army Surplus stores?
-Yogi
Wow, I did not expect that! This is a real fun!
Interesting tests. Did you have the packing paper inside the box for the shotgun slugs test? I would like to believe that a box full of rubber mulch material would stop the slugs. It does appear that the ricochets you experienced with the duffel bag have been eliminated. That makes me feel better about you conducting these tests.
Elmer,
No, there was no paper inside the box for the slug test. Of course rubber mulch would stop the slugs, but the holes they make in the box would limit you to just a few shots before the mulch spilled out.
BB
I typically use a small box with ballistic (aka: duct seal) putty in the back of it for shooting BBs at. It is similar in how it works to the quiet pellet trap that Air Venturi markets. Maybe something along those lines would be worth a try?
ILOVEWORDPRESS! ILOVEWORDPRESS! ILOVEWORDPRESS!
OK fine. Let us see if I can remember what I typed, or close to it anyway.
My slingshot had a draw length of over three feet with surgical rubber hose. I would use glass marbles. These would put a serious dent into galvanized metal trash cans from about fifteen feet away.
I think that what shootski is referring to is the sheet is more apt to give upon impact, allowing it to slow the projectile rather than having it penetrate. The very mass of your blanket resists its giving with the impact which means it must be more resistant to penetration.
I can certainly understand your reluctance to experiment with various backstops. In my youth and ignorance, I started with a sheet. This worked fine, so further experimentation was not required.
There, I think I was able to type the gist of my thoughts I had witnessed disappear into NeverNeverLand. ILOVEWORDPRESS.
P.S. I would really like to have this pistol to play with.
Remember to copy your text before triggering your comment, RR. Says the FM who has been frustrated by dissapearing text eaten by WordPress on occasion.
BB,
The variable transfer port (TP) is interesting, given that the number of pumps is the main way to change the power of the shot. If I were to find one of these wonderful dart projectors at the local flea market, how would I think about how to use this variable TP feature in conjuncion with the number of pumps, in order to affect the power behind the dart?
This is a max/min Calculus problem for you Engineers out there, but it seems tweaky to try to do as a newbie out in the field. Effective Rules of Thumb probably exist for this.
We are loving this air gun and what excellent testing you guys are doing with it. Thank you!
Will
BB,
.50 cal diabolo wadcutters, now that’s something you don’t see everyday!
Would be fun to see one pictured side by side with a .177 wadcutter.
Off topic,
Today I took out the Daisy Winchester Model 12 BB rifle. The modern all plastic version of the Daisy 107.
There is no doubt that it’s designed for a youth. You can hold it up with your pinky and the LOP is about 12″.
Got it on sale for my collection and any young person that may visit, but that hasn’t happened in 20 years.
The stock is useless for any adult. My chin rests high on my thumb and I can’t use the sights unless I moved my cheek way back, and that requires pulling the stock away from my shoulder. What to do?
I could lengthen the wood stock, attach an arm brace and shoot it like a long pistol, it really is light.
Or I could cut the stock off behind the pistol grip and shoot it from the hip or aim it lining up the sights holding it in the air. It would be just like having a compact sawed-off pump shotgun for instinct shooting. AKA Plinking. Now that would be unique and lots of fun. On second thought I should probably remove the stock on this now discontinued collectable and make a pistol grip for it.
Bob M,
The Daisy Winchester Model 12 BB gun has a nice shape. I’d like to see you make a nice pistol grip for it just for fun. Having the butt stock gone allows your hands to be closer to 90 degrees to each other, which makes cocking easier. Maybe something like um…
Will S,
Nice drawing. Fancy grip design. Will certainly test my ability to be a Jesus striker. Navy term for Carpenter.
A Striker is someone trying out for a trade designation. Now that Ace of Spades will be a challenge for sure.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Working on replacing my well pump today, Ka-Ching. 280 ft down.
Bob M,
Speaking of Sailor Carpenters: https://southernwoodenboatsailing.com/news/jesus-was-a-sailor
‘Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water, and when He knew for certain only drowning men could see Him, He said all men will be sailors then, until the sea shall free them’
Fred went below to his bunk and prayed.
what a great true story.
shootski
Bob,
A Jesus Striker is a term for a new guy carpenter that I have never heard before. But it’s an easy one to remember!
Fun stuff, this air gun hobby. It is open-ended: there are lots of different facets in which to involve one’s self.
Enjoy!
B.B. and Readership
https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com/blog/eye-to-eye-combat
What! Interesting read even for folks in The Peoples Republic of New Jersey as well as all the folks who take walks in the woods or the wilderness everywhere there are predators.
shootski
Shootski
I’m thinking many of us are obliged to you for sharing the two experiences. Until I was 16 years old I never feared any dog. They never got to smell my fear because stupid me didn’t have any. Then came the day I met a trained and maybe mistreated Pit Bull. I tried staring him down and happily he was unable to break his restraining chain coming after me.
Deck