GTA

All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Archery => Topic started by: Pellethuntr on January 31, 2022, 10:54:31 AM

Title: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on January 31, 2022, 10:54:31 AM
This thread is going to gauge interest in a .45 caliber arrow "kit" that will include 3D printed nocks and aluminum "nose cones" that fit standard 5/16 OD carbon fiber arrows (I bought mine at Wal-Mart for $4-5 each). Installation is easy, the original arrow nock can be removed by hand or with a pair of pliers, gently twist and pull and they will pop out. The new 3D printed arrow nock will slide in snuggly and does not require any glue so it can be replaced easily if damaged. The aluminum "nose cone" simply slides over the arrow and the field tip or broadhead you are using will hold it in place when threaded in.

What you will need to do is select arrows and cut them to length or have them cut to length. It is easy to cut arrows with an abrasive wheel on a rotary tool, angle grinder or cut off saw. The threaded insert must be removed and re-glued into the shorter arrow. I thread a field tip in and use a propane torch to heat it up until the glue loosens and then pull it out with pliers but it can also be done over a stove top or with a lighter if you have some patience. These were designed to fit a Sam Yang 909 with a measured bore diameter of .456 but the o-ring is forgiving and should allow for a few thousands of an inch in either direction. NOTE: I do not plan on doing any other calibers for a while but it is on my mind for the future. I found that the standard 2" Blazer vanes fit in a .45 barrel pretty well if the arrow is twisted a little while being pushed down the barrel.

The kits will include 6 Nocks and 6 Nose Cones. I am thinking $35 shipped to the continental US (PayPal preferably). I would need 2-3 interested parties to even begin making parts. As this is just a trial run I do not have 100 kits stocked and ready to sell, the kits will take a few weeks to ship. I will need to order more material and some tooling and wait for that to ship before I can start making parts. I am one man in a garage machine shop with manual machines but I think this is a worthy endeavor.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on January 31, 2022, 10:56:11 AM
I would like to point out that the nose come that is pictured is a low quality test piece that had been shot into a dirt berm a few times. The ones that will be included in the kits will not be so ugly. ;D
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Nomadic Pirate on January 31, 2022, 12:48:32 PM
I will be extremely interested if you eventually decide to make .357 kits :)
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on January 31, 2022, 01:00:04 PM
I will be extremely interested if you eventually decide to make .357 kits :)

I would like to do other sizes but I would need a barrel to use for test fitting. I don't like making parts that need to fit a certain parameter without having that parameter available for test fitting. I redesigned this nock probably a half dozen times before I was happy with the fit.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Nomadic Pirate on January 31, 2022, 09:16:17 PM
I have spare .357 Evanix barrels or even just parts that I have cut off

my nocks measure .350 but funny enough there is clear that they have rifleing marks,....bullets I use mic at .359
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Spacebus on January 31, 2022, 09:33:40 PM
I'm 100% interested in a .45 kit. My lands slug at .457, so these should work well. Are O rings included? No big deal if they are not, just need to know the size.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: steveoh on January 31, 2022, 09:42:40 PM
I’m interested. My barrel is .458. Interested in .357 also.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on January 31, 2022, 09:45:37 PM
I'm 100% interested in a .45 kit. My lands slug at .457, so these should work well. Are O rings included? No big deal if they are not, just need to know the size.

Yup o-rings will be included and in the event that you need spares they are #108 o-rings 1/4x7/16x3/32
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on January 31, 2022, 09:50:22 PM
I’m interested. My barrel is .458. Interested in .357 also.

I'm working with Manny on the .357

PS I'm super jealous that you have a Quakenbush .458! I found Dennis' website as a high school kid and that's what started my whole journey in big bore airguns. I will own one someday.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Nomadic Pirate on February 01, 2022, 12:59:20 PM
This are the shafts I would be planning to buy to put together a set of arrows for a .357
https://www.3riversarchery.com/easton-bowhunter-carbon-shafts.html (https://www.3riversarchery.com/easton-bowhunter-carbon-shafts.html)
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 01, 2022, 03:25:06 PM
This are the shafts I would be planning to buy to put together a set of arrows for a .357
https://www.3riversarchery.com/easton-bowhunter-carbon-shafts.html (https://www.3riversarchery.com/easton-bowhunter-carbon-shafts.html)

Easton lists them as having a 0.246" inside diameter so my nocks should fit just fine. I will have to redesign the nose cone to slip over the smaller 6.5mm shaft though.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: DLP on February 01, 2022, 09:35:05 PM
I have ones for my .50 Wingshot and would be interested in .45s for a couple of my .45 rifles. The only problem I have is they aren’t legal for any hunting in Mi. Only target practice. It’s hard enough to stop or pull crossbow arrows out of targets. I sure don’t look forward to target practicing with an air bow. But if they do open up hunting here with air bows, I will be all over it.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 01, 2022, 11:30:16 PM
I have ones for my .50 Wingshot and would be interested in .45s for a couple of my .45 rifles. The only problem I have is they aren’t legal for any hunting in Mi. Only target practice. It’s hard enough to stop or pull crossbow arrows out of targets. I sure don’t look forward to target practicing with an air bow. But if they do open up hunting here with air bows, I will be all over it.

I understand completely, I can't hunt any big game species with any type of airgun here in NY. As a dedicated hunter it definitely takes the fun out of air bolts and big bore airguns in general. I don't do much target shooting other than to sight scopes in.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 02, 2022, 11:08:34 PM
I had a busy day but I had a chance to shoot three arrows today over the chronograph. Only two registered and the third was an error that was my fault. The first arrow was 485fps and the second was 465fps. Pretty impressive for a 400 grain arrow. Accuracy seems like it's gonna be good as all three arrows hit in a 4" circle even though I was not trying to shoot a serious group.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Spacebus on February 03, 2022, 08:04:49 AM
I had a busy day but I had a chance to shoot three arrows today over the chronograph. Only two registered and the third was an error that was my fault. The first arrow was 485fps and the second was 465fps. Pretty impressive for a 400 grain arrow. Accuracy seems like it's gonna be good as all three arrows hit in a 4" circle even though I was not trying to shoot a serious group.

That should be enough velocity to take down pretty much anything with broad heads.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 03, 2022, 09:06:28 AM
That should be enough velocity to take down pretty much anything with broad heads.

Absolutely, I have a crossbow that shoots a similar length and weight arrow around 370-380 fps and I have shot clean through a bunch of deer even out to 40-50 yards with  2" Shwacker broadheads.

I don't know if I'll get a chance to shoot groups today or not. We are getting pounded with snow, it started an hour ago and it is supposed to snow into the night.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Spacebus on February 03, 2022, 09:33:02 AM
That should be enough velocity to take down pretty much anything with broad heads.

Absolutely, I have a crossbow that shoots a similar length and weight arrow around 370-380 fps and I have shot clean through a bunch of deer even out to 40-50 yards with  2" Shwacker broadheads.

I don't know if I'll get a chance to shoot groups today or not. We are getting pounded with snow, it started an hour ago and it is supposed to snow into the night.

I know what you mean! I haven't had time or energy to do anything airgun related the last few weeks. We got slammed with a foot of snow three weeks ago, then last weekend was two feet, and we are expecting 8-12" tomorrow! I do snow removal for businesses in town for a local seasonal services company.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 03, 2022, 09:45:23 PM
Who wants to put their money where their mouth is? I need a minimum of 3 pre-orders of the .45 kits to cover cost of materials and some tooling. I'm gonna stick with the $35 shipped to the continental US. I'm guessing lead time for me shipping to you is 3-4 weeks from when I get payments processed (mostly due to slow shipping from the suppliers). I can have all the pieces made in a day or two but I have no control over waiting on materials that are in transit. All payments will be PayPal goods and service, your purchase will be covered. Comment here and send me a PM for PayPal info.

Let's get this project off the ground!
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Spacebus on February 04, 2022, 03:48:12 PM
PM sent! I hope we can get two more "volunteers" since the air bolts available online are wicked expensive for so few. Part of the reason I went with a big bore was to shoot arrows!
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: DLP on February 04, 2022, 08:35:07 PM
Pm sent. I am game to try them. Can’t hunt with air bows yet. But if I can pizz off the traditionalist bow snobs, great.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 05, 2022, 03:36:05 PM
Material has been ordered and I am expecting it here towards the end of next week. I will update the thread when it arrives and I have started machine work.

I ordered enough materials to do a number of kits so if you are reading this thread and you're interested in a kit comment here and/or shoot me a private message.

The .357 kits are in the works. I am waiting on a piece of barrel being mailed from Manny to use for testing. I will be doing the CAD/machine work and then sending a batch of them to Manny for testing.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Nomadic Pirate on February 05, 2022, 04:14:50 PM
Material has been ordered and I am expecting it here towards the end of next week. I will update the thread when it arrives and I have started machine work.

I ordered enough materials to do a number of kits so if you are reading this thread and you're interested in a kit comment here and/or shoot me a private message.

The .357 kits are in the works. I am waiting on a piece of barrel being mailed from Manny to use for testing. I will be doing the CAD/machine work and then sending a batch of them to Manny for testing.

Still looking, my stuff is packed all over the place I have to go under the house and try figure out the containers,....hopefully I will be able to send out the barrel shortly
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 05, 2022, 04:36:55 PM
Still looking, my stuff is packed all over the place I have to go under the house and try figure out the containers,....hopefully I will be able to send out the barrel shortly

No worries, it looks like I have enough to keep me busy for a couple weeks anyways. Send me a PM when you get it to the post office.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Nomadic Pirate on February 07, 2022, 05:12:12 PM
Found it !!...going to town tomorrow so I can send it out.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 07, 2022, 07:20:39 PM
Found it !!...going to town tomorrow so I can send it out.

Awesome thank Manny! Can't wait to get some out to you for testing!
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 09, 2022, 04:04:45 PM
Update:

The aluminum and the tooling I need to make the nose cones is here so I will be starting that later today.

Still waiting on a big batch of o-rings to come but I expect them by the weekend.

Should have kits starting to ship out by Monday so keep an eye out for a message asking for address if I haven't gotten it from you yet.
Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 09, 2022, 10:28:22 PM
Small Update:

I spent quite a few hours today working out an efficient way to machine the nose cones. I think I got it!

The first two rolled off the line looking pretty decent. 8)

Title: Re: Gauging Interest In .45 Arrow Kits
Post by: Pellethuntr on February 14, 2022, 12:04:01 AM
The o-rings are in and kits will ship tomorrow. Check your PM's for a message from me asking for shipping address.

P.S. - I've been doing a little more testing and it seems best to put a little drop of super glue on the nock before inserting it in the arrow. I hadn't thought about having to "unload" the arrow until just the other day. Depending on how tight your bore is, if not glued the nock may pull out of the arrow and be left in the bore if you needed to remove the arrow without firing. The nock can be easily removed with a cleaning rod but that's a bit tedious. I would also recommend using a low viscosity silicone or other non-flammable based lube on the nock o-ring and on the fletching to protect them from the friction in the bore when loading and firing. They last a lot longer that way.

Happy shooting guys and thanks for backing this project! Hopefully they are a hit and we can get lots more people involved. Can't wait to see some target pictures!