Bantam HiLite 177 - shot count & hand pumping

[Marc In Iowa]

Hi, my name is Marc, and I hand pump my PCPs (my introduction in front of the 12 step, Airguns Anonymous program meeting). 🙂

I've been shooting my GAMO Urban 22 for plinking and fun. But I've also gotten interested in Hunter Field Target (HFT) for which I needed 177, more accuracy, an adjustable stock for best repeatable hold and a higher shot count. I also wanted a light, easy handling rifle for off hand shooting. Many FT shooters will go heavy because it steadies the rifle. I shoot HFT just for fun and wanted a fun rifle.

A week ago I bought a 177 Brocock Bantam HiLite with 480cc carbon fiber bottle (rifle weighs 7 lbs), Lothar Walther barrel, adjustable trigger, cheek piece and shoulder pad.

How's that working out for hand pumping?

My Urban has a 105cc steel tube that's pretty easy to hand pump in a single session; 45 pumps for 30 shots at ~18 fpe (after a few pumps to pressurize the fill hose).

The Bantam's 480cc carbon fiber bottle is way more pumps but also way more shots; 170 pumps for 120 shots at ~14 fpe. This takes you from 130 to 200 BAR (2900 psi).

170 pumps (after a few pumps to pressurize the fill hose) is WAY too many for me at age 68 to do in a single session. It'd be hard on the hand pump too for that matter (gets too hot, hurts the seals).

So ... I broke this up into eight 30-pump sessions over two days + 10 extra pumps to top off the bottle at 200 bar. The pumping to 2900 psi (200 BAR) is not too bad itself but it IS a lot of pumping!

But, with that big carbon bottle, I'll probably never have to interrupt a shooting session to repump if I keep the bottle topped off in between times.

Why am I doing this (hand pumping)?

Well, I started with a hand pump because I wasn't sure if I'd like shooting PCPs enough to justify buying a tank or a compressor. Now, having purchased a $900 rifle, I've settled that "like it enough" issue.

Will I still keep hand pumping?

I need the exercise.

I've never been great at exercising "just to stay in shape"; too boring. But I will exercise for fun (previously tennis, raquetball, etc.) or to accomplish something fun (shooting air rifles!).

Having said that, spreading the pumping over two days worked pretty good.

I'm reminded of the comment from Confederate soldiers about the Henry repeating rifle, "That Yankee gun you can load on Sunday and shoot all week."

It's not all perfect. I need to run a full 120 shot string over my chronograph to document and study the fps and consistency at various fill levels. I'm not looking forward to two days of repumping after that. It's not that the work itself is so bad, it's more like I might get some great weather for shooting ... right when I'm empty.

If I fiddle with the tune (probably will), that's more shooting and more pumping during a concentrated time.

We'll see. I am tempted by the Nomad portable compressor to fill the rifle; lot more flexibility for opportunity shooting. But if I had one, would I ever hand pump ever again? Probably not.

BTW ... my Urban is about 1.5 pumps per shot. The Bantam is about 1.4 pumps per shot. That's pretty good for both! A tribute to their valve and hammer systems; Bantam "Harper Slingshot hammer" and the BSA/GAMO "self regulating valve."

I really like both rifles!

I'm pretty happy with the Bantam purchase but I do have more work to find it's best performance. I've already tested it with 11 different pellets from 6.8 to 10.65 grain. Best group so far was .53" CTC at 25 yds (7 mph wind), bag rested on the front; one ragged home.

[ranchibi]

Marc, I still hand pump too as both my PCP’s have small reservoirs. I was “given” a Yong Heng and have not used it as of yet as I am waiting to purchase a carbon fiber fil tank and use the YH to top that off. The Nomad compressor would be quicker to set up than the YH as it is electric and I think more convenient. I think it’s good to have different ways to fill the PCP’s just in case of any of them need servicing. You could also regulate your Bantam as AoA carries the HUMA for it ($115 I believe) and that would give you an even flatter shot string. Enjoy your Bantam and have fun in HFT!

[Luis Leon]

A week ago I bought a 177 Brocock Bantam HiLite with 480cc carbon fiber bottle (rifle weighs 7 lbs), Lothar Walther barrel, adjustable trigger, cheek piece and shoulder pad.

The Bantam's 480cc carbon fiber bottle is way more pumps but also way more shots; 170 pumps for 120 shots at ~14 fpe. This takes you from 130 to 200 BAR (2900 psi).

170 pumps (after a few pumps to pressurize the fill hose) is WAY too many for me at age 68 to do in a single session.

Marc, life is too short more shooting, less pumping, seems like your pretty much committed so? You could always go back to hand pumping. I refilled my Compatto 10 times today, over 200 pellets down range, if I was still hand pumping? Maybe a quarter of that.

[Marc In Iowa]

... life is too short more shooting, less pumping

Yes, I do subscribe to the "life is short" reality. Even my wife said today, "Just order the compressor."

If I order it, I'll have to make a pact with myself ... must create some form of regular exercise or you have to go back to the hand pump. That threat might do it.

I'd still be exercising in fulfillment of a fun goal. 🙂

[Marc In Iowa]

... could also regulate your Bantam ...

Yup. The dealer I got it from had a Bantam (his) set up with an Altaros regulator made to go between a bottle and the block. We'll see. If I can get 60 shots with a low es on the middle of the power band for HFT, I'll be happy without the regulator.

Plinking with the full 120 shots should be fine too. I plink 5" diamond shaped metal targets today at 75 yds, all with unregulated rifles.

[randy_68]

I would hope that the .177 on med power would get you at least 60 shots if not a lot more. I get 60 on high power with my .22 with an extreme spread of 25 fps or less.

[Marc In Iowa]

If I order it, I'll have to make a pact with myself ...

Maybe a sign I tape to the compressor.

         WARNING
Bad potential karma
      Exercise first!

🙂

[csitas]

Hey Marc . You'll push "the life theory " if you don't move  around . I'm 75 and I hand pump. Just take a break once in a while on a long pump. I bought the air compressor everyone was crying about on Ebay . I use it also , no trouble . At one hundred and eighty bucks layed in, you can't go to far wrong.I've had mine about one year now.

[Marc In Iowa]

You'll push "the life theory " if you don't move  around .

Yup. My air gun hobby has been good for me. I live on a high (for Iowa) ridge on the side of the slope, maybe 30° down angle. I had to clear my forest of scrubby brush (invasive honeysuckle) and a couple of small trees to set up my 82 yard shooting lane. Every time I fiddle with targets I walk down and back on the hill. Good for my health!

Maybe not good enough, but good nonetheless.