They, AEA seem to be having a good run, but for me personally, the operating difficulties and short magazine is a no go.On the 357’s, Bighorn or Challenger are hamstrung with short magazines, besides I have a shortened Bulldog that gets 911 FPE with 152 grain HP and will feed 180 grains through the Magazine. Being a caster for 50 years, I just can’t get excited about 357 pellet guns.Hard to find a 252 bore repeater that has the kind of power of the Bighorn posses without paying close to 2k. The AEA 25 Bullpup may be close but is hampered by horrible hard cocking, At 72 with basal arthritis, that is more pain than I need. But they seem to be satisfying their owners, thing is, China guns just not my cup of tea.Benjamin introduced me to Kral type aurguns, built like a tank, so easy to work on and operate not to mention that very accurate. I think I would enjoy a step up to the Bighorn.Regards,Roachcreek.
I've been following this because it's a nice rifle and I like reading. As an AEA owner I have to step in and say the 4500 PSI is inaccurate. The pressure tube can handle 5,000 PSI, but the valve doesn't work well at those pressures and you lose power. I only fill my .45 Challenger to 250b, but I did fill it to 300b once to see if there was an advantage. If I can figure out how to strap my chronograph to the Emperor I'll be able to get some data with my cast slugs. The magazine is a bit on the small side for a BIG bore, but the same depth magazine is now found on the .30/.357 platform and it allows for a .710" projectile, not too shabby. I can hand load the super long .457 350/305 grain boat tail slugs right into the chamber with no problem. The .45/.50 side lever action is now found on the .30/.357 and I really like it, even with everything dry and no lube. How much does the bighorn weigh? It's a handsome rifle.
Quote from: Spacebus on November 12, 2021, 07:30:44 PMI've been following this because it's a nice rifle and I like reading. As an AEA owner I have to step in and say the 4500 PSI is inaccurate. The pressure tube can handle 5,000 PSI, but the valve doesn't work well at those pressures and you lose power. I only fill my .45 Challenger to 250b, but I did fill it to 300b once to see if there was an advantage. If I can figure out how to strap my chronograph to the Emperor I'll be able to get some data with my cast slugs. The magazine is a bit on the small side for a BIG bore, but the same depth magazine is now found on the .30/.357 platform and it allows for a .710" projectile, not too shabby. I can hand load the super long .457 350/305 grain boat tail slugs right into the chamber with no problem. The .45/.50 side lever action is now found on the .30/.357 and I really like it, even with everything dry and no lube. How much does the bighorn weigh? It's a handsome rifle.I was just going off the previous owner statement of the 4500psi tube. I have never held one. These aren't in the same use as the aea. They're not super high power hunting rigs. They are mid level pellet and light slug use guns. They are just under 8lb no scope. 60-80fpe in 25 80-100 fpe in 30 and 130-150fpe in 35 depending on how you set it up. They look nice and have a nice trigger that makes them a joy to shoot. Not quite deer worthy but predators beware.
Why does AEA not offer any type of warranty? Who can fix these when/if they go bad for those of us that do t know how?
Roachcreek your 25cal Bighorn is doing 2 full mags with your 46.5gr cast at just over 900fps avg. That's 20 full power shots at 85fpe.