Baikal MP513M .22 cal

[Toxylon]

I've been breaking in the tuned MP513, and have progressed to the first chrono sessions.

When it comes to the shot cycle, things are looking much better than with the factory setup, even though the mainspring is now dramatically stronger. Yes, the gun still kicks with authority, but the jumpiness, twang and mechanical noise, which were no joke at this level, are pretty much gone.

Cocking effort is hard and harsh, at H135 level, but with worse ergonomics. I don't mind, I'm used to magnums.

So, what's the velocity, post-operation?

Chronoing conditions were non-optimal due to bad weather, so take these with a pinch of salt, but shooting .22 cal pellets ranging from 11.9 gr. Hobbys to 17.13 gr. Silverpoints, the muzzle velocities were in the 224 - 275 m/s, or 735 - 902 fps range, with muzzle energies really quite consistent, at a little under 28 to a little over 29 J, or app. 21 fpe.

Starting from the 12 fpe AND worst-cycle-ever beginnings, I'm really happy with the results so far. I'm still pretty sure that a better-quality piston seal would yield the "missing" 3 Joules / couple fpe, without any other changes, while still improving the shot cycle.

[subscriber]

Excellent!

[Toxylon]

My Beastly Baikal acquired some new fittings recently. I found an adapter that would enable the tremendously loud gun to accomodate a standard Western moderator.

Today, I tested the Baikal with two different moderators, a new Weihrauch one and my trusty old Decimeater. The lightweight Weihrauch didn't cut the noise much any, while the heavier Decimeater took off the sharpest edge off the report, but didn't really lower the volume. This is a gun with very hard mechanical noise, where a moderator helps none. Compare this to my LGV, which is like a different gun with the same moderator on.

The Baikal front sight assembly is such that when the moderator tap is without a cap or a moderator tightly on, the front sight blade falls off without support, and the front sight tunnel revolves around the barrel. I'm afraid I lost something from the front sight here in winter.

[subscriber]

A lot of springer noise is from the mechanism.  If the mechanism is harsh, so is the noise.

Springers are not "powerful" compared to PCPs.  Springers have a very spikey air pressure profile, with low muzzle pressure.  Thus, moderators don't do much for springer muzzle blast; because there isn't much to begin with.

[Toxylon]

Subs,

What you say is true, but I have learned well-made springers can be effectively moderated  - something guys like Tom Gaylord never accepted or understood. My LGV, for instance, turns from a gun-like "POP!" into a vague "puts" with a can on the nose, something that even keen-eared bunnies don't interpret as a threat. It's not only about the volume, but the type of sound.

With the rough n' ready Baikal, there was only a small change in the signature. But I would need to get someone to shoot it for me, while I stand some distance to the side / back, to really tell.