Taipan Mutant Shorty Long(er) Term Review

[sactargetshooter]

The Shorty was ordered mid August 2016 and I have shot about 2 tins (1000 pellets, total) of JSB Express 14.35gr through it. There was a first impression review in this gate already, this is a follow-up of the long(er) term use of this rifle.

The form factor is great as I like shorter rifles/bullpups. Due to the well designed placement of magazine and breech, my scope height is a moderate 2.12" CTC between barrel and the scope. Not too bad for a bullpup. Having a compact 1" Clearidge RM 3-9x32 AO mil-dot scope definitely helps reduce scope height due to the compact size of the ocular bell.

Because it is a shorty, it is a little less efficient and a little louder compared to a standard. A 1/2" UNF adapter and a Decieater LDC quickly solve the noise problem, making the rifle very indoor friendly even at about 20 FPE. The white patch on the extended LDC is my dope sheet for field target matches.

I added hardware to make HST adjustment easier without tools. It is very quick (30 seconds or less!) to adjust HST from 28 FPE to 20 FPE (one turn), and from 20 FPE to about 10 FPE (another turn). It takes one shot for the velocity to settle down, but the convenience is unbeatable.

At an energy level of 20 FPE (for field target matches), a 230 bar fill runs down to about 185 bars or so in 3 clips (36 shots). I think the gun can shoot another 12-round clip at 185 bars, but I usually refill after 3 clips. Refilling from 170s bars to 230 bars takes about 55 strokes on a $72 HPA pump. Even I can do that in one single session!

I also added sling studs to the left side of the stock. This makes the carrying surface flat against my back and it is also easy to use the sling to stablize. With everything attached, the rifle is just a tad over 8 pounds, pretty comfortable to carry around!

The Versapod attachment under the fore-end looks fugly, but it is very functional. Versapod bipods are easy to attach and detach, moving from one rifle to another is a 5 second job. The tallest Versapod is great for sitting on a chair or stool in a blind. I have a shorter one for sitting on the ground or just a cushion.

I did recrown the barrel and accuracy seemed to improve after recrowning. I just shot the Mutant Shorty in the first 2017 Sacramento Area Field Target Match, and was one of the four-way second place tie. I am not particularly good, and the other 3 second place shooters shot .177 rifles that are more meant for open hunter PCP (.177 caliber, 12x scope, half mil-dot reticles, longer gun, etc.). I think this shows the potential accuracy of the Mutant.

All in all, I am very pleased with the Shorty!

[cilami]

Sac, thanks for your review, nice. I have three questions for you.

1. Where did you order the Decieater LDC, and cost?
2. Do you have the 300 mm or the 350 mm barrel?
3. What is your shot count at 28 FPE?

TIA,

Miguel

[sactargetshooter]

The LDC can be ordered from Krale in the Netherlands, look up the price at their web site for the current price in Euro.

I have the 14" barrel, guess that makes it the 350mm.

At 28 FPE, I think I got 24 shots before falling off reg.

[kzz1kaw]

I have the mutant veteran in a 22 and I'm liking it

[cilami]

I have the mutant veteran in a 22 and I'm liking it

Veterans show some improvements over Mutants. Post some numbers and/or groups and/or pictures if possible  .