.45 TEXAN-First Time Out

[rifle50]

Yes I did.......Got a Texan in .45 cal... Getting bored with my .257's, and after posting the rest of the Video's finished this summer, you will agree there isn't much more (I CAN DO) anyway with it

Wasn't impressed with the Texan when I shot one months ago in stock form......Then found out things one can do and OTHERS TOO,  help hot rod it so bought one. Before  receiving it, researched bullets and MOLDS, and now have 9 of them from 10 ordered   Last one will be here soon. 

NOW, have MUCH TO DO, so just slapped a scope and bi pod on it, and went to the range. Before gun arrived I had the $22 LEE 350 gr .458 mold and cast maybe 100 to have stuff to fire....

Also bought a bullet catcher. 1/4" steel and rated to stop without damage .44 magnum?  Include pics...Firing, actually knocked it off the 4x4 and each shot started to TURN IT. You can see last shots were hitting flat on left side. Also when looking DOWN into the 7" diameter rolled steel, lead was spinning with enough force to climb right OUT.. Found smashed lead several feet away. Have to lay a chunk on top..........It weighs 45 lbs.......

I carried the TRAP, all 45 lbs of it uphill to 100 yds.  350 gr are only 20 per lb. Have molds now to 410 grain. I shoot targets and don't kill stuff anymore and 1000's of rounds add up in lbs of lead.

Round ball were first fired, valve lock at 2800 lbs. Have to figure their PW out...They say for LIGHT stuff, tighten and for HEAVY back off the preload as heavy bullet is in barrel longer because slower and needs less spring??   After I was done, tightened PW and power fell off. Turned it WAY DOWN and power dropped 150 fps, So GUESS it works as I AM USED TO?

Didn't spend but a few shots at ROUND BALL.....Regulator at 2800, turned big tank off and couple shots was down to 2600-2500 psi and the RB was up to 990 fps at whatever factory PW setting was? 

Opened big tank valve and loaded the LEE 350 gr and valve opened at 2800 psi......increased PSI to 3100 psi in  100 lb increments, and valve opened with good dwell.....3200 and LOCKED UP.......3100 psi, with that 350 gr hit best of 813 fps and that is 516 FPE from stock Texan. Avarage was 800 + fps......At 3200 psi it was 645 fps........have parts coming to fix this problem and will....With the bullets/molds in the arsenal ready to go, and a little more  speed, the TEXAN will be possible to do exactly as my .257 did, and shoot and expect to hit things at 1000 yds, and with the stock 34" barrel, according to Hornady ballistic charts. expect to pick up at least 50 fps in months to come, and possibly more......When finished with THIS  PROJECT, 700 FPE will be had.......With Air-

To achieve this 1000 yd goal I have 3 bullets that B.C. is above .500 with one .575.... Not that CHEAP LEE MOLD 350 grain in picture. Fine bullet it casts, but NOT FOR 1000 yds Actually the ballistics will be almost same as my .257 in MOA needed to reach this distance and actually surprised me.  Didn't think air could do this with such heavy bullets. Still have to do it but sometimes the charts are in the ball park

Pic of the 350 gr bullets that hit the side of trap, and went into be captured smashed and are 1 1/2 inches wide.....at 100 yds. Opening on TRAP is 12" X 12"

Click PICS and get LARGER

Carl

     

[Prouzy]

Its a fun rifle to shoot.  I got one of Jeremys springs and never had valve lock again, in addition to not having to max out the power wheel.  Look forward to your story 

[MJP]

Interesting to see your new tex, and how she is going to work further out there. 700fpe is going to be easy on an inline valve, specially if you mount one of those 300bar carbon tanks you have. I have done it with conventional valve on the savage and I bet you are going to be close to 800fpe if you can get a good valve made.

Don't know about your bullet trap, how long it'll survive. I have an old tractor bucket as a backstop and it's pretty thick steel plate, but the constant hammering is taking its toll and holes are starting to appear.

Marko

[rifle50]

Its a fun rifle to shoot.  I got one of Jeremys springs and never had valve lock again, in addition to not having to max out the power wheel.  Look forward to your story 

It is finally RAINING here on the WEST COAST........So end of DUST    Will be a project this winter......Will post things in coming months as it progresses.

Carl

[rifle50]

Interesting to see your new tex, and how she is going to work further out there. 700fpe is going to be easy on an inline valve, specially if you mount one of those 300bar carbon tanks you have. I have done it with conventional valve on the savage and I bet you are going to be close to 800fpe if you can get a good valve made.

Don't know about your bullet trap, how long it'll survive. I have an old tractor bucket as a backstop and it's pretty thick steel plate, but the constant hammering is taking its toll and holes are starting to appear.

Marko

I know 700 fpe will be a REASONABLE TARGET...For 800 yes, I have 300 bar bottles. Just got a 1000 ml Carbon 300 bar bottle that Will mount on the REAR as stock does ......As you stated to get a VALVE large enough air OUTPUT and will screw into the bottles 18mm x 1.5 threads, and still NOT BE TO THIN like as in WEAK!!!  Something good will come out of it, I am sure.........Then the Springs to open that valve.....

If you are tearing up a Tractor Bucket, you are probably correct that this 1/4" steel will be trash soon? Don't know the grade but probably ISN"T TOUGH?   I was trying to do the right thing and save hundreds of lbs of lead during playing at the range. But if it doesn't work, I guess I will order in lead by the quarter TON I used several hundred lbs in .257, and TEX eats lead and AIR voraciously    Will keep me interested for another year MAYBE Once I get something as good As I CAN, I loose  interest and become very bored with it, as no challenge anymore..........

Thanks for reply Marko.............................Carl

[uncle paulie]

Best of luck with your new gal! Can't wait to hear how its performing!

pv

[Jesse]

In for the updates!! Very cool!

[Tofazfou]

Good stuff Carl.

I actually JUST SHOT A 712 FPE Texan...............HOLY COW that Sum Booger is loud and powerful.  At 55 yards, it completely obliterated a 1 gal paint can using a 304 gr HP.  I got it all on video too.............woohoo.

[rifle50]

Good stuff Carl.

I actually JUST SHOT A 712 FPE Texan...............HOLY COW that Sum Booger is loud and powerful.  At 55 yards, it completely obliterated a 1 gal paint can using a 304 gr HP.  I got it all on video too.............woohoo.

Great Cedric........Somebody had  some serious mods right?  Or at least a strong  enough spring to open valve a lot higher   psi?   Wasn't Nicks was it? I think his his stock......What mods got them the 700+ fpe?

 I have the 4350 psi bottles and I just got in 5 different springs, and ALL are stronger rated than stock 20#, and each is stronger  than the one before it......Tomorrow will test with one of them...  Valve mods for MORE AIR FLOW and will see......

I only fired mine twice now and valve lock above 3100 psi but made 547 fpe and as you said, for an airgun it is quite powerful......

Running the numbers with my projectiles through ballistic computer and with stock barrel, I could now shoot it to 1000 yds and with just 50 more fps which I think will be fairly conservative estimate for mods I have planned, and it will use pretty same MOA as my .257 for extreme distances......And that is a surprise to me.....Once those big bullets get moving they just keep going      3 of my molds, and  I now have 10, drop bullets at over .500 B.C. and  one is .575 B. C.  Real world experience with the .257 says they will be  LESS    Will be an interesting winter getting it sorted out.

At 550 fpe it jumps so hard on tripod will be very difficult to get GROUPS?  In end, may have to put this in a stock and shoot from my rests to have it recoil BACK and be easier to shoot a group??  I have added weight to front of frame, scope and a 1000 ml CF tank on rear and it weighs 15 lbs now with also bi-bod, but haven't shot it yet with added weight. 

Thanks for the input................Carl
             

[Prouzy]

Carl

BC's over .500, what were you getting on your .257 and will this have more potential? The shroud definitely helped with muzzle moving, I also made a heavier forehand grip out of laminate but thought it could benefit from complete stock, as it is pretty light. Im guessing a MB would be another option as well.  Look forward to seeing this develop.

[MJP]

And they say pcp guns don't have recoil 
First mod to the valve that could push more power easily is taking the return spring out, you really don't need one. I have none in any of my guns.
My lw barrel really likes bullets around 290-360gr from 770J to 1024J with those weights, haven't tried much more heavier that that.
No problem hitting pistol shiluette ram at 300m / 330yds repeatedly.
Marko

[rifle50]

Carl

BC's over .500, what were you getting on your .257 and will this have more potential? The shroud definitely helped with muzzle moving, I also made a heavier forehand grip out of laminate but thought it could benefit from complete stock, as it is pretty light. Im guessing a MB would be another option as well.  Look forward to seeing this develop.

B.C. of my  85 gr spitzer and the Modified LBT LFN were close to .4 with the estimator. Actual firing at distance and putting in the actual MOA needed for that distance, I just trial and error added DIFFERENT BC to get actual moa and it came down to about .250 or so......Expect the same with the .45 slugs. 

I have shot Doug's .308 and his shroud made a lot of difference in muzzle flip..........I already have a muzzle break installed and does help quite a lot, plus added AirForce accessory weights that slide on front of frame and that helped.

I shot it this week and these simple additions helped a lot and bumped up psi to 3400 and almost hit 600 fpe, (591)
My next time out I expect to hit close to 650 fpe?

In the end I will ONLY go to MAX FPE just to see what I can get........I already see that for general shooting it will be in the 2900 psi-3400 psi or there about........Accuracy is good and I have to FINE TUNE for best accuracy with 8 molds, the other 2 are Round Ball....

Main thing now is getting to control on recoil for groups.....I am getting an adapter to get rid of the standard bipods and mount my DUPLIN for F-TR  class in F-Class Powder competition. It is 3 times as wide a stance, micro elevation adjustments, cant adjustable and feet are FLAT RAIL.....:This alone will allow to recoil straight back and not grab bench and muzzle jump.........take me awhile to get it where I want and YES it will probably be better than my .257 actually......... Still have to do it but with what computer ballistics tells me, It will be done......

Carl   

[Prouzy]

Thats fantastic! Cant wait to see pucs of the set up. That bipod sounds very interesting 

[rifle50]

Thats fantastic! Cant wait to see pucs of the set up. That bipod sounds very interesting 

Here is  link to the Duplin Bipod I have had for several years on my 1000 yds Tactical .223.  Pic of it on the .223. It will give MUCH more stability than a regular bipod and notice FEET that I use on a tightly wound Door mat to slide on.
http://duplinrifles01.businesscatalyst.com/products.htm

I have ordered a quick disconect adapter that will fit this bipod and attach it quickly to PICATINNY RAIL on the TEXAN. Just ordered that part. It will get together soon

Carl

[Prouzy]

Nice pod! That is really quite a platform.........love that .223 planted atop 

[aceflier]

Any updates on this Carl? I would also like some info on the stock spring in the Texan. Do you have measurements of that spring? Keep us updated I love my texan but would like to get 900fps out of 340gr if possible.

[dyotat100]

I have Nicks Texan. I have messed with it just a little.

On 3000 psi I'm at 500 fpe with 280 gr. With 372 gr it's at 550 fpe on 3000 psi.

Bump it up to 3500 psi and it makes 600 fpe with the 372 gr.

I'm running the stock hammer spring. I also limited the travel of the valve to .115". Stock travel is .300" with a soft o ring in it.

It makes more power. Need to take it out and see how it does now being able to shoot bullets at more reasonable speeds.

I think a lot of the problems is people shooting at lower then normal fps with this gun. I think speeds need to be up around 900 + fps.

[aceflier]

Thats good news. Wish I knew anything about the gun to do stuff with it. It's my first airforce and dont even know where the valve is lol. Can't find any info on it either on the web.

[Tony Fryery]

The top hat should be like any other airforce rifle. Very easy to remove and place an o ring behind it. There's a couple of videos on YouTube how to remove the top hat with 2 flat blade screwdrivers. I don't the thickness of the top hat stem, but you can get an assortment of o rings for pretty cheap. Doug may chime in on the size he used on Nick's Texan.

[Samoset]

Yes I did.......Got a Texan in .45 cal... Getting bored with my .257's, and after posting the rest of the Video's finished this summer, you will agree there isn't much more (I CAN DO) anyway with it

Wasn't impressed with the Texan when I shot one months ago in stock form......Then found out things one can do and OTHERS TOO,  help hot rod it so bought one. Before  receiving it, researched bullets and MOLDS, and now have 9 of them from 10 ordered   Last one will be here soon. 

NOW, have MUCH TO DO, so just slapped a scope and bi pod on it, and went to the range. Before gun arrived I had the $22 LEE 350 gr .458 mold and cast maybe 100 to have stuff to fire....

Also bought a bullet catcher. 1/4" steel and rated to stop without damage .44 magnum?  Include pics...Firing, actually knocked it off the 4x4 and each shot started to TURN IT. You can see last shots were hitting flat on left side. Also when looking DOWN into the 7" diameter rolled steel, lead was spinning with enough force to climb right OUT.. Found smashed lead several feet away. Have to lay a chunk on top..........It weighs 45 lbs.......

I carried the TRAP, all 45 lbs of it uphill to 100 yds.  350 gr are only 20 per lb. Have molds now to 410 grain. I shoot targets and don't kill stuff anymore and 1000's of rounds add up in lbs of lead.

Round ball were first fired, valve lock at 2800 lbs. Have to figure their PW out...They say for LIGHT stuff, tighten and for HEAVY back off the preload as heavy bullet is in barrel longer because slower and needs less spring??   After I was done, tightened PW and power fell off. Turned it WAY DOWN and power dropped 150 fps, So GUESS it works as I AM USED TO?

Didn't spend but a few shots at ROUND BALL.....Regulator at 2800, turned big tank off and couple shots was down to 2600-2500 psi and the RB was up to 990 fps at whatever factory PW setting was? 

Opened big tank valve and loaded the LEE 350 gr and valve opened at 2800 psi......increased PSI to 3100 psi in  100 lb increments, and valve opened with good dwell.....3200 and LOCKED UP.......3100 psi, with that 350 gr hit best of 813 fps and that is 516 FPE from stock Texan. Avarage was 800 + fps......At 3200 psi it was 645 fps........have parts coming to fix this problem and will....With the bullets/molds in the arsenal ready to go, and a little more  speed, the TEXAN will be possible to do exactly as my .257 did, and shoot and expect to hit things at 1000 yds, and with the stock 34" barrel, according to Hornady ballistic charts. expect to pick up at least 50 fps in months to come, and possibly more......When finished with THIS  PROJECT, 700 FPE will be had.......With Air-

To achieve this 1000 yd goal I have 3 bullets that B.C. is above .500 with one .575.... Not that CHEAP LEE MOLD 350 grain in picture. Fine bullet it casts, but NOT FOR 1000 yds Actually the ballistics will be almost same as my .257 in MOA needed to reach this distance and actually surprised me.  Didn't think air could do this with such heavy bullets. Still have to do it but sometimes the charts are in the ball park

Pic of the 350 gr bullets that hit the side of trap, and went into be captured smashed and are 1 1/2 inches wide.....at 100 yds. Opening on TRAP is 12" X 12"

Click PICS and get LARGER

Carl

   

Where did you pick up that bullet trap?