GTA
Airguns by Make and Model => Hatsan Airguns => Topic started by: A.K.A. Tommy Boy on March 20, 2023, 01:04:46 AM
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Today I had planned on shooting both my 22cal Walther Talon Magnum and my 25cal Hatsan 125 TH.
It was a little windy today but the temps were close to 40F.
I had planed on shooting from my backyard patio but it was hard to see the target that I had placed out under a oak tree.
To gain a better view, I moved inside to my upstairs bedroom window.
I rigged up a makeshift shooting bench on a flipped over hepa filter, it was a real redneck setup but it was all I had to work with.
I then got a folding chair to sit on.
The day's shooting was marred by scope movement problems but I managed to get 25 shots off.
The scope mounts were inching backward ever so slightly with each shot today so there were slight POI changes.
Total scope mount movement was around 1/4 of an inch.
After I was all done shooting I tore everything down and replaced the dovetail scope rings with weaver type rings.
I then re-sighted the scope in at 25 yards. The heavy duty Weaver rings solved the scope movement issues.
I had a southwest cross wind today and I was shooting due West. A little windy but not too bad.
After I was done I counted 24 out of 25 hits, 5 on the box close by with 19 hits on the stick-on target and one clipped branch in front of the target at 10 yards away.
Clipped Branch you say ? Thats right I was shooting into woods with a few branches in the way.
That is exactly what happens some times if one is out hunting so this was good practice picking my shooting lanes.
Today for pellets, I was shooting 22cal Eunjin/Senica 32.4 gr. pointed hunting pellets. I really like these pellets.
I also really like my Hatsan 125s. These rifles have got some real Smack to them and hit with authority.
With all the scope issues on the Walther, I did not finish until dusk so I did not get to shoot the 25cal Hatsan 125 TH today.
For anyone reading this post and considering getting one of these big Hatsan magnum rifles, consider the weight of the gun and the strength needed to cock one. These are big long rifles.
My rifles weigh around 11 pounds with a scope on them and the cocking force is right at 50 pounds... or more.
Most folks who have one of these must use two hands to cock them. Some even struggle even with two hands.
I did real heavy work all my life and I am still really strong.
Even at 74 I am still strong enough to cock mine with one hand, my left at that.
I know that the day is fast approaching when I won't be able to handle one of these rifles anymore.
Fortunately for me, I can still hunt with and shoot mine off hand but using a rest is the best option if available.
So be advised, these are really great guns for some but poor choices for others.
Best Wishes - Tom
Todays Weather:
Fair
39°F
4°C
Humidity 53%
Wind Speed SW 13 G 20 mph
Barometer 29.95 in
Dewpoint 23°F (-5°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Wind Chill 31°F (-1°C)
Last update 19 Mar 5:15 pm CDT
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That"s pretty good Tom, love the setup lol.
Question, how do springers hold up being cocked for 3-4 hours compared to the gas piston break barrels; especially in the cold?
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That"s pretty good Tom, love the setup lol.
Question, how do springers hold up being cocked for 3-4 hours compared to the gas piston break barrels; especially in the cold?
Hi buddyb
As far as spring powered rifles go, my Hatsan 125s do ok. I don't leave them cocked anymore that I have to though.
If I am out hunting, they stay cocked until I am done. After that I shoot the pellet out of the barrel to clear the rifle.
I like these two rifles when things get really cold.
Cold weather in a gas piston rifle can be problematic. My Vortex gas piston in the Hatsan Edge failed and leaked in really cold temps this winter.
It was -20 F outside. My garage is normally unheated. I left the edge cocked and loaded out in the garage for a couple of days.
When I went to shoot it the air had leaked out. I think what happened was the o-rings got hard at -20 F and leaked.
The rifle was 7 1/2 years old. It was shooting strong up until then. I have a Vortex Striker that is the the same age and it is OK.
I always stored those rifle barrel down to lube the piston rod seals. I have decided to not leave my gas piston rifles cocked in extreme cold weather like that anymore.
Best Wishes - Tom
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What sling do you use on your 125 sniper?
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Nice shooting Tom, especially in those harsh conditions.
And you can be proud that you still can manage to cock- and shoot these airguns at your age. That is indeed not for everyone.
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What sling do you use on your 125 sniper?
Hi Robert.
I have slings but I don't use them. I carry my rifles.
The slings tend to hang up in all the brush where I live.
I carry my rifles at port arms so that I am ready to make a quick shot if the need arises.
Years ago I missed out on taking the buck of a lifetime because I had my rifle slung on my shoulder.
By the time I got the gun off of my shoulder, up and ready to shoot the buck was gone into the woods.
Had I had the rifle in my hands, I stood a fair chance at harvesting that huge whitetail.
I have never used a sling on a rifle since that happened.
Best Wishes - Tom
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I'm trying to figure out what sling will fit the fittings it comes with. Wish it had come with QD studs.
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Nice shooting Tom, especially in those harsh conditions.
And you can be proud that you still can manage to cock- and shoot these airguns at your age. That is indeed not for everyone.
Thank you Rudy.
I did a lot of heavy lifting in my working life
I was a master repair machinist, in industrial manufacturing for 40 years.
The many of the machine parts and fixtures were really heavy.
I did a lot of heavy lifting each day.
Consequently I became very strong and I still am.
Best Wishes - Tom
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I'm trying to figure out what sling will fit the fittings it comes with. Wish it had come with QD studs.
My two 125s are the old style and don't have the fittings so I can't see what you have got.
Take pictures of your fittings and check with a gun shop.
They should be able to set you up with a nice sling.
Best Wishes - Tom
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Nice write up Tom. I’m a big fan of the 125s
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Thanks Tom, I'm looking at the springers more and more.
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Question, how do springers hold up being cocked for 3-4 hours compared to the gas piston break barrels; especially in the cold?
When out in the woods, my springers sometimes stay cocked up to four hours at a stretch, although I try to keep cocked times under that.
To know what happens with a coilspringer with extended compression time, years back I chronoed my then-go-to & well-broken-in Gamo 440 .22 cal fresh, after 1 hour cocked, and after 2 hours cocked:
The gun would lose about 3 m/s (10 fps) after two hours at full compression. However, Gamo mainsprings are low-quality parts, and the gun had seen much use. Since quality aftermarket springs last about 6 times longer than crappy factory springs, and take a set just a fraction of them in the break-in, they would lose much less velocity as well.
Back in the late 90's Ken Pang did a much more rigorous, bigger and more extended test on this. Keeping a bunch of coilspring guns cocked for a week lowered muzzle velocities by only about 10 to 20 fps.
So, I wouldn't worry about coilspring durability under any typical hunting situation.
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Nice write up Tom. I’m a big fan of the 125s
Hi Jeremy.
Thank you for your reply and kind complement.
I'm with you, I really like my 125s
Maybe I'll get to shoot the 25cal today.
Best Wishes - Tom
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Question, how do springers hold up being cocked for 3-4 hours compared to the gas piston break barrels; especially in the cold?
When out in the woods, my springers sometimes stay cocked up to four hours at a stretch, although I try to keep cocked times under that.
To know what happens with a coilspringer with extended compression time, years back I chronoed my then-go-to & well-broken-in Gamo 440 .22 cal fresh, after 1 hour cocked, and after 2 hours cocked:
The gun would lose about 3 m/s (10 fps) after two hours at full compression. However, Gamo mainsprings are low-quality parts, and the gun had seen much use. Since quality aftermarket springs last about 6 times longer than crappy factory springs, and take a set just a fraction of them in the break-in, they would lose much less velocity as well.
Back in the late 90's Ken Pang did a much more rigorous, bigger and more extended test on this. Keeping a bunch of coilspring guns cocked for a week lowered muzzle velocities by only about 10 to 20 fps.
So, I wouldn't worry about coilspring durability under any typical hunting situation.
True, very good advise.
Best Wishes - Tom
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Thanks Tom, I'm looking at the springers more and more.
Hi buddyb
Thank you for your reply.
Good luck in your search for a springer.
I hope you can find one that you will truly enjoy.
Best Wishes - Tom