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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => PCP/CO2/HPA Air Gun Gates "The Darkside" => Big Bore AirGun Gate => Topic started by: Chpmnkh8r on March 26, 2019, 04:02:32 PM

Title: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Chpmnkh8r on March 26, 2019, 04:02:32 PM
For all you guys who have the knowledge and floorspace needed to "build" your own big bore gun.....I'm in awe!
Then there's guys like me, who are new to big bore Airguns and just have yet to stockpile the tools and brains needed to build one.
So I'm looking and leading up to getting something in the .35 to .45 cal. realm. I'm leaning more toward the .45 cal. though
After just some quick browsing is the Air Force Texan LSS pretty much the top choice?
Again, this will be for hunting Whitetail and Coyotes mainly.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: wimpanzee on March 26, 2019, 04:15:02 PM
It's not the most powerful, but I really like my Winchester model 70 in .45.

Very nice trigger, 5 shot magazine, and decent power - I'm hitting 200fpe after Will Piatt tuned it. It was only about 180fpe before.

They can also shoot airrows, but I keep my 909s for that.

Last time at the range, I had a 3 shot group (its tuned for 3 shots after Mr. Piatt) under 1" at 50 yards, and several groups under 2" at that range. Best ammo for me is Mr. Hollowpoint 155gr.

They are definitely powerhouses, but I have yet to shoot an Airforce gun that I liked.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Chpmnkh8r on March 26, 2019, 05:01:21 PM
Wimpanzee, I'll look into the win. 70. Question, did you ship the gun out to have the tune done to it? Or was it an option? How much for the tune?
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: wimpanzee on March 26, 2019, 05:29:29 PM
Wimpanzee, I'll look into the win. 70. Question, did you ship the gun out to have the tune done to it? Or was it an option? How much for the tune?

I shipped it to Will Piatt at saddlemountaingunsmith.com, it was the first winnie he had worked on, but he did valve work, trigger work, bolt work, barrel work, slugged barrel, chrony test, shipped back - gave it the all over spa treatment. $271.

The trigger was already nice, but now it is superb, extremely nice for the power it releases, and much much better than my 909s, but still not quite as good as the mutant, but thats a pretty high bar.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Habanero69er on March 26, 2019, 06:34:33 PM
Will Piatt is the Korean airgun guru. IMO, you can't go wrong sending your rifle to him

He's worked on all three of my Koreans & now they are much stronger shooters, more air efficient, with much better triggers.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: BigBird on March 26, 2019, 09:11:25 PM
FYI Bargain Gate probably has this.  There is a Clearance priced (blemished)
Airforce TexanSS PCP 45 Caliber Pellet Pellet Air Rifle
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/518601/airforce-texanss-pcp-45-caliber-pellet-pellet-air-rifle-blemished (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/518601/airforce-texanss-pcp-45-caliber-pellet-pellet-air-rifle-blemished)
I think these are rated up to 400 fpe and have the shrouded barrel to reduce sound.  Would be good for deer.  I'd get a 45 caliber over 35 for big deer.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: dyotat100 on March 26, 2019, 09:59:31 PM
Yes. 200 fpe in 45 is pretty sad actually. Has to have a real rainbow trajectory.

Texan 45 for deer for sure
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: BigBird on March 26, 2019, 10:37:53 PM
Yes. 200 fpe in 45 is pretty sad actually. Has to have a real rainbow trajectory.

Texan 45 for deer for sure
I think 200fpe will work for most north american whitetail.  I think you can get more out of the Winchester for more fpe, can't you?  It may reduce shot count but I'd rather have 2-3 good shots.  The main issue with the Winchester is the restriction in the length of bullet.  Your 155 gr probably has good trajectory just less retained energy.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: dyotat100 on March 26, 2019, 11:07:16 PM
Regular Texan is at 500 fpe.  That even has a rainbow shot.

155 gr at 200 fpe is only 765 fps.  To be good you need over 900 fps for flat shooting.

My 257 make 200 fpe on 3000 psi with 92 gr. 
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: screwwork on March 26, 2019, 11:07:37 PM
Slayer all day long, is I am going to say... .357 cal, multi shot has taken big game in VA or go bigger to a .452
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Ben in Va on March 26, 2019, 11:18:58 PM
.357 XP Badger.  You could go light slugs for the yotes and have some screamers.  I was getting 975fps with 120grns.  Then you could up the weight and knock some deer down.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: BigBird on March 26, 2019, 11:42:53 PM
Slayer all day long, is I am going to say... .357 cal, multi shot has taken big game in VA or go bigger to a .452
What velocity are you getting with your slayer?   Sounds like a deer slayer!  Website said something about 975 fps at 275fpe with a "Bell curve" (maybe ok for range??) and, taking away shot count, easily 140gr at 1050 fps (342fpe).  Sounds like it is easy to adjust?
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: screwwork on March 27, 2019, 02:22:34 AM
Dan,
My Slayer came from a great guy in VA, he has posted some of his hunts in the AAA gate.  My tune was with 965fps w/120gr ammo, currently, I am shooting 142gr now. Keith is tuned for 142gr BT, 4 shots @ 275.60 FPE with his Slayer.
Here is a post that talks about the .357 cal airguns and ammo.
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=153122.0 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=153122.0)
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: wimpanzee on March 27, 2019, 08:10:50 AM
Slayer would definitely be the way to go if you have the money for it. I hope to buy one some day if I can ever stop buying cheaper guns :D
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Chpmnkh8r on March 27, 2019, 09:06:11 AM
Awesome! So you're saying if I get a Slayer I should have it tuned.
357 or 45?
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: wimpanzee on March 27, 2019, 10:50:28 AM
Awesome! So you're saying if I get a Slayer I should have it tuned.
357 or 45?

I don't think Slayers require any tuning. Tom should be able to ship you exactly what you need for your application.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: screwwork on March 27, 2019, 11:29:56 AM
Awesome! So you're saying if I get a Slayer I should have it tuned.
357 or 45?

I don't think Slayers require any tuning. Tom should be able to ship you exactly what you need for your application.
That's correct, Tom will tune it for you.

There are a lot of great big bore choices, you need to really define the following, budget, cal, fpe, optics, hunting style, open country, heavy bush/marshland etc. what is your longest shot you able to make within your capabilities. What are your hunting laws for the areas you what to hunt also makes the choice of cal/fpe to be a legal hunter for those areas?

Are you willing to play the waiting game, if yes, watch the GTA classified for a great deal on a used bigbore.
People here change are always upgrading/downgrading all of the time. Take the time, do your research GTA is a great resource and everything has been discussed many times before.     

Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Zeddymon on March 27, 2019, 11:31:55 AM
Wimpanzee i would really consider the range you want to hunt, if you need that long range then the higher fpe gun will be needed and the one with flatter trajectory,
i feel really good about my win45 @60yds considering deer jump and power
                                Corsair.357 @100yds  "                                   "

all the rifles others have mentioned are awesome, and can compete at or beyond that 100yd mark
i myself think the slayer HP .357 is the sweetest looking one of any
https://americanairarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Slayer-Rifle_white_2_clean_400_304.png
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: BigBird on March 27, 2019, 12:34:49 PM
...if you need that long range then the higher fpe gun will be needed and the one with flatter trajectory
FPS would trump FPE for long range.  You'd probably want the 357 and using a 120 or 140gr at 975FPS you'd still be around 180- 200 FPE at 100 yds with about 11" drop sighted in at 30yds. 
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Loren on March 27, 2019, 03:01:01 PM
How about the .40cal Badger XP-Airguns.

This would be my choice for whitetail. 

(https://i.imgur.com/rKZ6US2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EcEleiY.jpg)
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: BigBird on March 27, 2019, 03:20:21 PM
How about the .40cal Badger XP-Airguns.

This would be my choice for whitetail. 

(https://i.imgur.com/rKZ6US2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EcEleiY.jpg)
Nice stocks!  Richards microfit?
I like the classics.  The 40 Badger from AGD is only $799. You can also call up Dennis Quackenbush (Quackenbush Airguns) and see if he has any "Long Action 458 Outlaws".  I am reminded of Dennis's guns as I think the breech end of the tube copies the quackenbush more than the QB.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Loren on March 27, 2019, 05:24:32 PM
Yes a Richards Microfit
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: wimpanzee on March 27, 2019, 05:43:26 PM
Wimpanzee i would really consider the range you want to hunt, if you need that long range then the higher fpe gun will be needed and the one with flatter trajectory,
i feel really good about my win45 @60yds considering deer jump and power
                                Corsair.357 @100yds  "                                   "

all the rifles others have mentioned are awesome, and can compete at or beyond that 100yd mark
i myself think the slayer HP .357 is the sweetest looking one of any
https://americanairarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Slayer-Rifle_white_2_clean_400_304.png

Absolutely, I consider my 70-45 a 50yard gun for whitetail, but I would shoot a coyote at 75 with it.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Zeddymon on March 28, 2019, 09:42:21 AM
Wimpanzee i would really consider the range you want to hunt, if you need that long range then the higher fpe gun will be needed and the one with flatter trajectory,
i feel really good about my win45 @60yds considering deer jump and power
                                Corsair.357 @100yds  "                                   "

all the rifles others have mentioned are awesome, and can compete at or beyond that 100yd mark
i myself think the slayer HP .357 is the sweetest looking one of any
https://americanairarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Slayer-Rifle_white_2_clean_400_304.png

Absolutely, I consider my 70-45 a 50yard gun for whitetail, but I would shoot a coyote at 75 with it.

i would also shoot a yote at 75 with it, it is not as bad of a rainbow as some may feel, i am still searching for the perfect ammo for mine, i like the cost of the hunters supply 150gr fp and 138gr fp, but most need a bit of sizing, AG pro's 150's slip right in but they "selected" for that,
please every one chime in on their fav's
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: BigBird on March 28, 2019, 11:55:02 AM
At 100 yards ballistic coefficient is going to make a difference in FPS and therefore affecting POI and FPE.
Does anyone have any stats on 357 bullets for BC?  Is there a Bob's NOE 357 that anyone has used?
My chairgun defaults only have 45 caliber bullets so extrapolating to 140 gr (357) I used the HP BC at 0.0690 (probably close to FP) and round nose at 0.1050
HP
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=6315)
RN
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=6316)
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: wimpanzee on March 28, 2019, 01:01:56 PM
.45 round nose is more like .070 BC. When I was shooting my 909 with EPP-UG, that BC matched up pretty closely with drop at target at 75 and 100 yards for me.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: BigBird on March 28, 2019, 01:31:32 PM
.45 round nose is more like .070 BC. When I was shooting my 909 with EPP-UG, that BC matched up pretty closely with drop at target at 75 and 100 yards for me.
Ok. That's 45 caliber but I bet the 357 would have better BC (maybe if they have the same length?). 
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Zeddymon on March 28, 2019, 04:55:56 PM
At 100 yards ballistic coefficient is going to make a difference in FPS and therefore affecting POI and FPE.
Does anyone have any stats on 357 bullets for BC?  Is there a Bob's NOE 357 that anyone has used?
My chairgun defaults only have 45 caliber bullets so extrapolating to 140 gr (357) I used the HP BC at 0.0690 (probably close to FP) and round nose at 0.1050
HP
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=6315)
RN
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=6316)

wow!!!  thats why you guys love chairgun!!!
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Kinetic45^ on March 28, 2019, 06:07:33 PM
At 100 yards ballistic coefficient is going to make a difference in FPS and therefore affecting POI and FPE.
Does anyone have any stats on 357 bullets for BC?  Is there a Bob's NOE 357 that anyone has used?

I have many NOE molds and pretty much every one that could be used for air rifles.  The issue is the power the rifle has, few will handle much above 130 well.  Shoot them yes, but not much FPS out of the barrel.
You asked about the BBT style bullets-
The 357-136-FN (128 as a HP) has an estimated BC of 0.17 but I actually got better tables close to real world if I used .145 / .15 [and either the GL or RA4 drag profile]
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_527 (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_527)

There is a heavier BBT bullet that has done well in rifles that can reach 850 FPS (or better) with it's 152gr BTHP. The 359-175-HP-BT. Cast in 1:40 alloy  it chambers easily and has shown consistent 1.5" or less at 100 yards in a variety of rifles. BC estimated .17, I'm getting between .15 to .16 using drag profile GL, not the G7 or G8 some people try to use which just does not work for the blunt HP nose profile.
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_578 (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_578)

Are you aware that a gas check style bullet has almost as good or better sometimes the BC of a boattail? And accuracy can be better than both a flat base or a boattail too.
Here's one to consider if your air rifle has the power.
Very good reports on it's accuracy (1/2 MOA @ 100yds) and it's designed as a hunting bullet. BC is .16 / .165     My favorite.
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_590 (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_590)

On the lighter side I've had fair to good accuracy at 100 (+- 2"  to 3") which is well smaller than the vital zone of a deer with these lighter bullets below BUT if you have one of those barrels that measure big they may be too small.  In my .357s that really are that and not those closer to .359 bore they shoot OK as they cast close to.357.

359-115-RF {the flat point seems better than the HP accuracy wise though}
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=34_260 (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=34_260)

TL357-135-RF-AU5 {and in this one, the HP is 128gr, nice weight and length for those weaker rifles but good in the more powerful too}
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=34_264 (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=34_264)
I shoot this one unsized and just lube with Accuracy oil or 10 wt synthetic shock oil.
Note this is listed as a '9mm' bullet, and usually casts .357, hence shooting them unsized works OK
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Jeremy1982 on March 29, 2019, 01:51:02 AM
I 2nd the badger.I hunt whitetail here in Va and have several tuned and powerhouse guns.The badger would be in the top for best bang for your buck.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Chpmnkh8r on March 30, 2019, 11:29:37 AM
I 2nd the badger.I hunt whitetail here in Va and have several tuned and powerhouse guns.The badger would be in the top for best bang for your buck.

Awesome, thanks. Now what would be your #1 choice for a .35 PCP and the same for a .45 ,PCP?
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Kinetic45^ on March 30, 2019, 01:29:34 PM
Having a .357 Pitbull, WAR FLEX, and a Texan (and a .457 Texan too) I chose to order a .357 Slayer.
I'm still waiting on delivery, it takes 90 days or so and I have a week left but it is the one that had reviews that could not be ignored.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Chpmnkh8r on March 30, 2019, 02:08:32 PM
Having a .357 Pitbull, WAR FLEX, and a Texan (and a .457 Texan too) I chose to order a .357 Slayer.
I'm still waiting on delivery, it takes 90 days or so and I have a week left but it is the one that had reviews that could not be ignored.

Carl, I sure hope you come back on here and give a review of your Slayer .357. I know it's just a matter of time for me and I'll have one before next deer season comes in. Right now I'm just relying on all you guys and how you feel about what you have.
Ron
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Kinetic45^ on March 30, 2019, 03:05:39 PM
Having a .357 Pitbull, WAR FLEX, and a Texan (and a .457 Texan too) I chose to order a .357 Slayer.
I'm still waiting on delivery, it takes 90 days or so and I have a week left but it is the one that had reviews that could not be ignored.

Carl, I sure hope you come back on here and give a review of your Slayer .357. I know it's just a matter of time for me and I'll have one before next deer season comes in. Right now I'm just relying on all you guys and how you feel about what you have.
Ron
Yah, I will be.

I forgot to mention that I also has a 357 Ataman M2R Tac rifle which was a really good design and accurate PELLET gun but just not a heavy slug shooter that I needed so I sold it to a friend.
Title: Re: .35-.45 cal. Big game (whitetail) gun?
Post by: Jeremy1982 on April 02, 2019, 10:17:29 PM
if moneys not a issue...look at the extreme 457.I have knocked a many of whitetails off there feet with mine.The 330 gr to the front shoulder is a mean punch!Not many 4 legged animals in North America could take the hit and walk away!If I were going .357 I would say the Slayer!