Taipan Mutant ... Is one AWESOME BullPup + MODS as they happen ( On Going )

[Zebra]

I bought one last week based on all the great feedback:



I went with the shorty because I already have a standard length Cricket bullpup. If you look at how little of it extends in front, you can see how it functions as a pistol carbine as well as a rifle. It's as short as some actual pcp pistol carbines except with a longer barrel (22" overall and just 6lb).

At the risk of sounding like everyone else, I just love this thing. The build quality, design and metal-work are better than almost every other pcp bullpup available any price range. I was surprised (in a good way).

It's accurate, light, accurate, comfortable, efficient, accurate, adjustable, safe, durable, short, amazing trigger and of course very accurate. It's the quietest gun I've ever used too. The shroud is significantly more effective than everything else available. I've been very impressed with how quiet some other 22 cal guns have been previously. This one is just better. It's not mouse fart, it's flee fart (if the flee farts into an LDC in a sound proof room). I can't believe they offer a shroud extension. It really doesn't need it.

I will replace the stock with a carbon fiber one that I'm making but, for those who prefer to keep the wood, sanding and recoating the Mutant stock would solve most people's (minor) issues with them. They left the pores unfilled so it feels a little rough around the grip as it comes. Rubber coating the grip would help too.

 The balance is a few inches behind the grip instead of just in-front like the Cricket. I am currently using a Clearidge ultra RM (taken from my Cricket) and it might be a little light (12oz) for such a light rear balanced gun. A heavier longer scope would shift the balanced forward and the Mutant is accurate enough to make use of a slightly longer range capability.

In a way, I'm glad it's a bit of an ugly duckling because, while everyone was going nuts over the Impact and other nice looking guns, we got ourselves the bargain of the century by comparison. When the 25 cal comes out, I may sell the rest of my pcp collection.

Ernest converted his Shorty into a 30 cal 850fps repeater. I might see if I can swap my son for one. Very versatile well made platform. Other brands can learn something from the  Taipan people (whoever they may be) on what the quality should be on a $1000+ air gun....

[Motorhead]

Decided to take a look inside the air tube last weekend and see first hand the regulator & plenum being used ?
Made a degas plug from a small bit of peek making dumping the air tube super easy !
* Talon Ag forum picture ...
 

That done, unscrewed air tube from valve body allowing finger to go in and draw out the plenum spacer.
Small 3mm screw into bottom of Regs spool and it pulled right out too.

Had read reports the regulators come pretty GOOPED up with internal grease that can/could effect consistency ... Yup, after removing C ring and pulling out the spool & bevels ... DANG over greased it was indeed.
Just wiped off all the excess grease and reassembled ... The regs look like this ( Talon AG forum picture )


Next was a little bit of MODIFICATION to the plenum and can only state what was done being no pictures were taken.
* The factory plenum spacer was @ .700" long, an O.D. of @ 1.055" having an I.D of @ .890" IIRC 

When stacking on the bench the Regulator, Spacer along side threaded valve body MADE NOTE where the factory vent hole was in the tube relative to the reg body o-rings 
Plenum spacer had the vent hole nearly at the front reg o-ring that would allow REPLACING spacer with one Longer gaining plenum volume as well of thinner wall thickness gaining some more 

*So what we did was use a short piece of 1 1/8" O.D. thin wall Stainless tubing ( .058 wall ) and turn the diameter down just a tad so it fit air tube I.D. perfectly.  In adjusting the length so the vent hole was now at the rearward reg o-ring was able to add @ .225" in length of plenum and have I.D. now at 1" gaining .105" of internal diameter.
Now with the plenum wall thickness at just @ .025" was glad i choose Stainless because doubtful aluminum would take the crush load upon it  .... Assembled air tube and took it to 10% over max fill pressure of 250 bar ( @ 3600 psi ) going to 4000 PSI.  Cycled gun about 30 shots then proceeded to reattach degas tool and DUMP the plenum pressure quickly which SHOULD HAVE CRUSHED the plenum spacer if not up to the task.  After empty of air took apart to check the SS plenum for crush damage finding none !!
So back together it went as tested 

Had made note where hammer spring tension had been previously where gun was set to shoot JSB 15.9's at exactly +/- 900 fps.
Set back to this position the gun now was shooting @ 40 fps faster telling me I gained some efficiency from the gains in plenum volume. ( less pressure drop per shot within plenum )  so was able to back off hammer spring more !
Real PLUS ... tho not utilizing it right now is MAXIMUM POWER with heavier pellets should get an increase as well.

Tinker tinker 
Scott

An update of data after crunching numbers on plenum spacer size and volumes ....
The OEM plenum spacer worked out to have a volume of @ 7.19 cc's
The Replaced plenum spacer @ 11.9 cc's
Increase in size @ 4.75 cc's
This an @ 49.34% increase within the plenum spacer setting between regulator and valve.
* Valves internal cavity itself is present adding to the "TOTAL" plenum volume used for a shot.
Having no measurement of the valves internal volume, CANNOT state what the percentile is for a total gain in plenum volume however

[Motorhead]

After the above bit of tinkering addressed an issue in design that may or may not be of valid concern ?
Shown is the mutants Hammer, Velocity adjuster etc parts ( Talon AG forum picture )


Where my concern was is that the BRASS adjuster cap has a precision rear hole that supports the rear of the hammer as it slides rearward when cocked and forward upon firing. The diameter of hammer and that of the bore it slides within IS NOT VENTED ... While cocking gun is a not issue forcing the air out as hammer is pushed into the caps hole ... Firing the gun and speed that hammer falls there is a HUGE suction created as the hammer is drawn out of the caps hole 

Fix was to drill a small .040" vent hole on a diagonal angle starting at the max diameter by threads and have the hole intersect the hammer bore near the rear of it.
Now this bore is vented and hammers free motion increased.

* Shooting it again with same settings ... yup gained a few FPS was able to incrementally back off the hammer spring tension a tad more 

[robertr]

 That's digging deep to get everything out of that rifle you can Motorhead, excellent.

[TleVta]

Suuuweeeet!!!

Scott, I spoke with you last month about possibly bumping up the power on the Mutant, and you did mention the plenium being a factor. I've never wanted to open up my gun, but it's good to see what it looks like here.

4 shot /95 yard group with my Mutant shooting the 15.9 JSB's



Is that Minute of Squirrel?

[Wildcatter]

Have you tried the jsb 18.13's?

[Wildcatter]

Great shooting,  btw.

[TleVta]

Thanks. The 18's are good, but the 15.9's are a bit more accurate in this gun.

[TleVta]

Thanks. The 18's are good, but the 15.9's are a bit more accurate in this gun. I want to think the 18's will shoot better in Scott's gun, now.

[Motorhead]

Thanks. The 18's are good, but the 15.9's are a bit more accurate in this gun. I want to think the 18's will shoot better in Scott's gun, now.

Trouble is JSB 18's are so inconsistent in sizing these past few years. 
My Mutant shoots BOTH 15.9's (900fps ) and Crosman 14.3's (950 fps ) so well whats the point when it's used on squirrel or less size targets.

[Rallyshark]

Thanks. The 18's are good, but the 15.9's are a bit more accurate in this gun. I want to think the 18's will shoot better in Scott's gun, now.

Trouble is JSB 18's are so inconsistent in sizing these past few years. 
My Mutant shoots BOTH 15.9's (900fps ) and Crosman 14.3's (950 fps ) so well whats the point when it's used on squirrel or less size targets.

I don't have a Mutant, but I've had the exact same experience with the 18.13s.  I've pretty much written them off, and only shoot the Crosman 14.3s and H&N pellets.  The exception being I will shoot the 25.39s when I need to crank up the juice for a "tough job".

[Wildcatter]

I've had just the opposite experience.  My FX Wildcat throws the 15.9's down range accurately, but not laser accurate like the 18.13's.  The crossman 14.3's aren't even worth a mention in the FX.  No consistancy and I've had more head size problems with the 14.3's then anything else.  My experience with the 18.13's has even been getting better; the tins I'm getting are more consistant and very few have any skirt damage.  They are being well packaged by the supplier I purchase them from on Ebay.  He triple bags them AND boxes them. 

[cilami]

Having read about these Ukrainian pups for near 2 years now having to weed threw the fact & fiction of "Short" & "Standard" configurations, finally made the plunge ordering a Standard which is just 27 1/2" long.
While there Short is 22" & change, did not want to sacrifice power or stability having such a compact version.

Have to say all that has been said on a positive note rings true ... Trigger is So adjustable it rivals some of the best MATCH GRADE triggers I own on Long guns ( AG's ) The CZ barrel is well ACCURATE as all get out !

Overall mechanics, metal work, fit & finish is absolutely top shelf stuff and so telling of what the Eastern Europeans / Ex USSR countries can manufacture.  Honestly world class stuff here !!

If there is a fault ? ... it would be that the WOOD WORK is just average being nothing fancy & 100% Function & Form over aesthetics & pleasing lines/ shapes.

As a note of internal mechanics ... was very interested to view and decipher there "SORTA" way of having a "No BOUNCE" type hammer / spring configuration.
Similar to FWB / STEYR and likely others, the hammer is just a long rod with a catch ring for holding sear.
It weights just a tad over 16 grams ( Super light weight ) and is compressed against ONE VERY HEAVY spring having a very short stroke.  There is ABSOLUTELY NO PRELOAD PRESENT upon firing having the spring throwing the hammer at poppet with a spring so stiff there is no way a bounce could get generated.
* In reading threads over on the TALON forum those who have them & crunched efficiency numbers claim 1.8 - 2.0 FPE/cuin.  While personally have not run the numbers yet myself, it would not surprise me once turned down a bit from factory power setting as delivered.

Power as it came out of the box was insane !!! ... JSB 15.9's @ 1030 fps yet still accurate inside 50 yards.
Noise while muffled indeed had a crack in the sound signature. Once over the Chrony turned it down to shoot the 15.9's @ 910 fps the noise level collapsed to a dull pop being IMO very back yard friendly and still accurate as heck.

This is my latest gun to fool with and while MOST feel these Mutants are ready to rock right away and honestly don't need to be fiddled with ... I'm a tweaker / tuner & will be fiddling to find out what makes these Pups tick while fine tuning what I can find ... 

This an INTERNET photo.  They come in BLACK or a BROWN wood stock. There are 3 lengths of @ 22" for the short, @ 28 for standard and @ 30" for the long.
ONLY the SHORT & STANDARD seem too have been sold thus far .. tho hear from a dealer spoken with they have the Long now to sell.

I have been checking different forums looking for numbers to calculate the efficiency of the Mutant Short. I have not found many complete shot strings. To my surprise, the efficiency calculated from 3 complete data sets were 0.88, 1.03, and 0.97 fpe/ci. So, after reading about claims of 1.8-2.0 fpe/ci for the standard, I wonder what can explain such a huge difference between the shortie and the standard.  Any thoughts?     

[Motorhead]

Spend much time reading about the shortys and most have leaned on the power pretty hard attempting to get the 18 grain pellets up at 850 fps or faster if they can. * @ 30 ft lbs give or take
While you can get em close, due to the short barrel fitted they become air hogs & efficiency really suffers.

After all even the manufacturer rates the SHORTY as a 25 ft lb gun where the standard with longer barrel is a 35 ft lb gun. * These are the practical MAX power ratings IMO.

In the case of most Standard owners, able to TURN IT DOWN being at +/- 30 ft lbs and see gains in efficiency.

[cilami]

Spend much time reading about the shortys and most have leaned on the power pretty hard attempting to get the 18 grain pellets up at 850 fps or faster if they can. * @ 30 ft lbs give or take
While you can get em close, due to the short barrel fitted they become air hogs & efficiency really suffers.

After all even the manufacturer rates the SHORTY as a 25 ft lb gun where the standard with longer barrel is a 35 ft lb gun. * These are the practical MAX power ratings IMO.

In the case of most Standard owners, able to TURN IT DOWN being at +/- 30 ft lbs and see gains in efficiency.

Thanks Scott. Yes, I see your point, but check the youtube video below! That is a stock Shortie, and using the numbers presented from minute 6:05 to 6:48 in the video, the efficiency is 0.88 fpe/ci.

[Motorhead]

Spend much time reading about the shortys and most have leaned on the power pretty hard attempting to get the 18 grain pellets up at 850 fps or faster if they can. * @ 30 ft lbs give or take
While you can get em close, due to the short barrel fitted they become air hogs & efficiency really suffers.

After all even the manufacturer rates the SHORTY as a 25 ft lb gun where the standard with longer barrel is a 35 ft lb gun. * These are the practical MAX power ratings IMO.

In the case of most Standard owners, able to TURN IT DOWN being at +/- 30 ft lbs and see gains in efficiency.

Thanks Scott. Yes, I see your point, but check the youtube video below! That is a stock Shortie, and using the numbers presented from minute 6:05 to 6:48 in the video, the efficiency is 0.88 fpe/ci.

I just did a quick number crunch on my personal standard having some @ idea on shot count it has been getting ...
Numbers entered into Lloyds calculator where not concrete figures tho close 

Regs are set at 145 bar ( @ 2100 psi )
Tank fill 250 bar ( @ 3600 psi )
15.9 wt pellet at 900 fps yields an efficiency of @ 1.38 

I have ONLY been filling to @ 3200 psi and taking the 60 shots before refilling finding no poi change.
That taken / entered into the data calculated would make it near 1.8 ... tho am shooting below 145 bar as well ... yea kinda vague data.

Again ... numbers are not concrete and still shy of claims read, tho awfully darn good for a .22 cal PCP shooting at this power.

I would tho not be surprised that the efficiency would rise to those claimed figures at further reduced power setting. 

[cilami]

Spend much time reading about the shortys and most have leaned on the power pretty hard attempting to get the 18 grain pellets up at 850 fps or faster if they can. * @ 30 ft lbs give or take
While you can get em close, due to the short barrel fitted they become air hogs & efficiency really suffers.

After all even the manufacturer rates the SHORTY as a 25 ft lb gun where the standard with longer barrel is a 35 ft lb gun. * These are the practical MAX power ratings IMO.

In the case of most Standard owners, able to TURN IT DOWN being at +/- 30 ft lbs and see gains in efficiency.

Thanks Scott. Yes, I see your point, but check the youtube video below! That is a stock Shortie, and using the numbers presented from minute 6:05 to 6:48 in the video, the efficiency is 0.88 fpe/ci.

I just did a quick number crunch on my personal standard having some @ idea on shot count it has been getting ...
Numbers entered into Lloyds calculator where not concrete figures tho close 

Regs are set at 145 bar ( @ 2100 psi )
Tank fill 250 bar ( @ 3600 psi )
15.9 wt pellet at 900 fps yields an efficiency of @ 1.38 

I have ONLY been filling to @ 3200 psi and taking the 60 shots before refilling finding no poi change.
That taken / entered into the data calculated would make it near 1.8 ... tho am shooting below 145 bar as well ... yea kinda vague data.

Again ... numbers are not concrete and still shy of claims read, tho awfully darn good for a .22 cal PCP shooting at this power.

I would tho not be surprised that the efficiency would rise to those claimed figures at further reduced power setting.

Wao! Pretty certain the standard has about twice the efficiency of the short. That did not stop me from ordering mine. Forty-eight shots at 25 FPE with JSB 15.89, with an ES of 14 fps, is good enough for my needs! It probably will be here sometime next week ...    

[dman1114]

Spend much time reading about the shortys and most have leaned on the power pretty hard attempting to get the 18 grain pellets up at 850 fps or faster if they can. * @ 30 ft lbs give or take
While you can get em close, due to the short barrel fitted they become air hogs & efficiency really suffers.

After all even the manufacturer rates the SHORTY as a 25 ft lb gun where the standard with longer barrel is a 35 ft lb gun. * These are the practical MAX power ratings IMO.

In the case of most Standard owners, able to TURN IT DOWN being at +/- 30 ft lbs and see gains in efficiency.

Im pretty stoked with mine....  I get in excess of 30 shots from a 220 bar fill.   shooting the 18.1's at 865 fps...   Like a lazer too..  not bad for having only 136 cm3 of air

[cilami]

Interesting! I have been looking for the air tube volume and found two figures: about 185 cc (vendor) and 160 cc (TAG forum). I guess 136 cc is the actual amount of air available. Using that number the efficiency is about 1.03 fpe/ci using the 48 shots@840 fps example above. Thanks Dman. 

[wimpanzee]

I turned mine down to about 31 fpe, and I can shoot way down off the reg before fps drops. Last time I looked, it was down to 110bar, and my gauge seems to read about 10bar low. This allowed more than 60 shots from a 250bar fill.