New Airforce build

[cluny1973]

Hi, any advice will be appreciated. I have searched and searched, done my homework. I just need some advice on a couple of things, this is what I am trying to build and what Im starting with:

I have a Condor SS frame with a 24 inch .25 LW barrel, stock bottle and valve with a TT tophat. 95 grains hammer and both a 10 pund and stock spring. The gun shoots 6 rings Jerry slugs (1/2 inch long, 62 grains) at 870 fps, max preload and 3,300 PSI.

What I would like to do:
Replace the LW barrel with a  TJ linner .25 auto in 32 inches. This rifle will be a dedicated boolit shooting gun. Add two more bushings for more stability and better harmonics. Get a custom end cap that also doubles as a bushing. The Condor SS frame shrouds the entire barrel, if I get a 32-33 inch liner, 8-9 inches will be sticking out. I think with the extra bushings, harmonics should be ok. I would like to add a muzzle brake to control barrel flip. Now, for the specific questions:

1. What is the OD of a stock, airforce Condor .25 barrel?

2. Do I need a thicker barrel to compensate for the length?

3. Is 32-33 inches too long? If so, what would be the ideal length?

4. If I get a large OD barrel, is there anyone out there who make custom sized bushings? can stock bushings be opened up? will the larger ID bushings negatively impact performance? Anyone making a bushing/cap?

5. Is adding two more bushings and a end cap bushing an overkill? if not, how should I space the bushings, evenly or doubled up?

6. Where I shoot, noise is not a problem so I wont put a moderator. Now, I'm sure I will get muzzle flip so a muzzle brake will be necessary. I have spent hours doing research and still have not made up my mind as to where to get the muzzle brake. Every manufacturer claims they make the best one, which ones have been used successfully?

7. Will frame flex be a problem? How can I make the frame stiffer? I am thinking about running picatinny rail adapters along the entire length of the frame, attached to the dovetail bottom rail and maybe on top too.

8. Where can I send the barrel for crowning, porting etc... to get it "drop in" ready? I think TT will do it.

Thanks in advance to everyone for their help.

D.

     

[Rescue35]

If you are planning on shooting "boolits" why not set it up for .257 instead of .250? You will have a lot more options.

[cluny1973]

I already have a .257 in the works.

[YEMX]

specific questions:

1. What is the OD of a stock, airforce Condor .25 barrel? .630" I think?

2. Do I need a thicker barrel to compensate for the length?  Not necessarily, the TJ 9/16" O.D. barrel should be fine.  You could sleeve it I guess...

3. Is 32-33 inches too long? If so, what would be the ideal length? If you want to, 32"-33" is fine, but a bit ungainly... Why not just a 30"?

4. If I get a large OD barrel, is there anyone out there who make custom sized bushings? can stock bushings be opened up? will the larger ID bushings negatively impact performance? Anyone making a bushing/cap? Stock bushings can be opened up for sure, w/TJ's get the 9/16 barrel... The larger I.D. bushings shouldn't negatively affect accuracy.

5. Is adding two more bushings and a end cap bushing an overkill? if not, how should I space the bushings, evenly or doubled up? I wouldn't say overkill, but there's better ways- again, PM Dyotat100

6. Where I shoot, noise is not a problem so I wont put a moderator. Now, I'm sure I will get muzzle flip so a muzzle brake will be necessary. I have spent hours doing research and still have not made up my mind as to where to get the muzzle brake. Every manufacturer claims they make the best one, which ones have been used successfully?  Why not give the Hatsan one a try?  At the very least, you'll just modify the cone a bit.  Since you're building a .250"

7. Will frame flex be a problem? How can I make the frame stiffer? I am thinking about running picatinny rail adapters along the entire length of the frame, attached to the dovetail bottom rail and maybe on top too.  Frame flex is always a problem- PM Dyotat100, he's got some really good ways to strengthen the frame!

8. Where can I send the barrel for crowning, porting etc... to get it "drop in" ready? I think TT will do it.
Tony doesn't mess with boolit shooters. He only tunes for pellets   

R&L is coming out w/a new valve as well... Knifemaker is doing the testing.  You could pick up one of these, since you're wanting to shoot .250" boolits.  You're going to need a valve with more flow to get more speed and FPE for boolits.

[cluny1973]

Thanks for your reply, you are right, Doug has a lot of experience playing around with the AF platform.

[YEMX]

Yes he does!  He just got done building my .257 tank...

[cluny1973]

Doug is a great guy man! I just got off the phone with him and hes going to help me put  the gun together. He lives a couple hours away from me, so he said to come down in a couple weeks. He has a barrel in 33 inches that I'm going to use and will help me with the bushings. Again, he's a great guy.

[cluny1973]

By the way YEMX, cold enough for you up there? lol

[YEMX]

By the way YEMX, cold enough for you up there? lol

Nah.... LOL!!!!  Too cold to shoot though!