.25 Armada

[YEMX]

LOL a bit, but not the weight! 

Also, the XLR stock that's on there isn't made like that anymore...  I think I paid $180 or something...  The stock prices have gone up a bit to $200 (their least expensive stock), and they now look like this:



I'm not sure exactly what I want for a stock, but I will be putting a folding adapter on it, to keep it short for transport.

That rifle was FUN to build!  How is she doing?

[mobilemail]

I have really grown to love it, it is accurate and unique. I believe it will be in line for an upgrade when the ART/Sikes valve gets released!  (But you're right about the weight, I added a front doing mount!  )

[oneshot61]

Thanks to the advice of Dillon, I cleaned the valve and poppet, added a little silicone grease to the poppet... and no more leak! Set the dual wire spring( long spring, cut 2 coils so I can go to a bit negative preload if I choose) from Tim at 3/4 turn in on the mds hammer, and got this string from 2900 to 2200 with 33 grain swagged slugs. (they are accurate out of this barrel, I put 20 in about an inch at 90 yards with a scope that creeps right on windage, new scope on the way)897,900,905,912,914,908,912,917,915,919,915,912,916,913,908,905,907,900,902,895. Went to 890, 882 after that. I wanted to keep the string in the 900's and a bit higher. I think with a bit more spring tension and a bit more pressure I could get a slightly higher longer string but im real happy with this. Its easy and nearly no spring tension. Very easy to cock.  Next will be a power tune with some 41-45 grain slugs. At this setting eunjin 43.2 go 870, (72.62 ft lbs) I threw one in just to check it. At 1 1/4 turn it pushed the 33 at 967. I think I have 6 turns available, got to check it with this spring and hammer combo. 

[YEMX]

Very nice string!!  I can't wait to see what she does w/the heavier slugs and higher pressure!!  Update us when you can!!

I have really grown to love it, it is accurate and unique. I believe it will be in line for an upgrade when the ART/Sikes valve gets released!  (But you're right about the weight, I added a front doing mount!  )

I'm glad you're enjoying it!  That means I did a good overall job with the design/build.  I'm sure she took a little tweaking to get it to where you liked it, but I'm very very happy you're enjoying it!

[Dairyboy]

Great job Daniel! I'm glad you got it all figured out now. That's shooting very good

[triggertreat]

Nice progress oneshot!  Sorry if I missed it, but what port size do you have?

[oneshot61]

It's 187 from valve to barrel. I did radius the port on the valve a bit to smooth out the flow and the bolt mods made a noticeable difference.

[mista meener]

very nice rifle and you really know your way around a PCP but did you ever shoot it at 40-50 yds maybe more to see how it groups?

[oneshot61]

very nice rifle and you really know your way around a PCP but did you ever shoot it at 40-50 yds maybe more to see how it groups?

Ive had it out to 90 yards with 33 grain swaged slugs, 20 shots into about an inch, and would have been smaller but found out in shooting that the scope was not holding windage or elevation. First time using the scope, so I had no clue. I have shot bbt 38.5 and 41 grain with good results, they just take the correct sizing for the choke.  The green mountain barrel in the marauder and armada(same thing different furniture) is quite accurate with several pellets and im finding bullets for it as I go. As with every gun and every barrel, you can see what others are shooting but each gun can be slightly different. I wish when people made molds for air rifle bullets they would consider the choke when making the mold. You can only size down so far before degrading the integrity of the bullet. And... every thing I know I learned from the guys here on the forums, asking questions, taking advice and testing. There are some really brilliant minds here and no one is to be overlooked. Its like a puzzle that lots of people have pieces to.

[mista meener]

very nice rifle and you really know your way around a PCP but did you ever shoot it at 40-50 yds maybe more to see how it groups?

Ive had it out to 90 yards with 33 grain swaged slugs, 20 shots into about an inch, and would have been smaller but found out in shooting that the scope was not holding windage or elevation. First time using the scope, so I had no clue. I have shot bbt 38.5 and 41 grain with good results, they just take the correct sizing for the choke.  The green mountain barrel in the marauder and armada(same thing different furniture) is quite accurate with several pellets and im finding bullets for it as I go. As with every gun and every barrel, you can see what others are shooting but each gun can be slightly different. I wish when people made molds for air rifle bullets they would consider the choke when making the mold. You can only size down so far before degrading the integrity of the bullet. And... every thing I know I learned from the guys here on the forums, asking questions, taking advice and testing. There are some really brilliant minds here and no one is to be overlooked. Its like a puzzle that lots of people have pieces to.

that is amazing accuracy

[oneshot61]

That's a 1/2 inch group at 90 yards. 3x9 scope. The bullet and gun are more accurate than I am. I think it was at 940 fps. I'm hoping for some time to shoot some heavier stuff this week.

[oneshot61]

I ran those shot numbers through loyd sikes air efficiency calculator and got 1.91?? 2900-2200 psi, 20 shots, 33 grain average speed 908, 215 cc . Did I make a make a mistake somewhere? That's way up there. I need to run that string again just to be sure.

[triggertreat]

I ran those shot numbers through loyd sikes air efficiency calculator and got 1.91?? 2900-2200 psi, 20 shots, 33 grain average speed 908, 215 cc . Did I make a make a mistake somewhere? That's way up there. I need to run that string again just to be sure.

1.91 FPE/CI is correct for the information given.  A 35 lbs/shot average at over 60 FPE is something I have never been able to do regulated using 34gr pellets so kudos to you, but sounds like you are unsure of it.  Replicating it to be sure would be a good thing.  I am going to try my hand at an unregulated SS valve tune using the 43.2gr Eun Jin pellet.  I should be able to reach 2.0 FPE/CI easy based on your numbers and setup.  I am just waiting on the pellets and that special spring.  I would be happy just coming close to your posted tune

[oneshot61]

I would rather question my numbers and get it right. Seems awfully high for the set up. I went back and looked at my notes, they are the same as posted, but.. I'm definitely not above making a mistake and writing something down wrong. And considering what I've seen you and other post.. I've got a malfunction somewhere ...in my own opinion. I'll definitely reshoot at the first opportunity. Thanks for the comparison and info.

[D-RIG]

Daniel I must say your gun is amazing , I'm looking forward to seeing what you can achieve
when it's all done ( well I guess there never done are they ) keep up the good work . I'll be in touch .

[oneshot61]

Hey Dale!! Thank you! I can't stand it.. im going tomorrow to shoot at lunch. I looked back on a mags worth of 38.5 with the spring set different and the string look very similar.. but who knows, we will see what happens.

[triggertreat]

I found another string that is similar that may help you.  Acefier posted a unregulated string with a .187 port back on the 5th that averaged 65.7 FPE using 43.2gr.  He posted a fill from 2700 shot down to 2100 for 16 shots and used 100 psi less than you.  The efficiency was 1.94 FPE/CI and averaged 37.5 psi per shot.  He said he was using an SSG with a 10lb spring.

[oneshot61]

Couldn't stand it.. shot this today. 18 shots, 33 grain, 906 average, my top speed is down a bit..2900-2200. Used a bit more air and did not let my tube cool from filling like I normally do. 1.7 efficiency. When I can I'll fill, let it cool down, check pressures and shoot again. Either way, I'm pretty happy. Time for some heavy lead and power tune;)

[Prouzy]

Very nice!  Hoping to replicate some of it :-)

[oneshot61]

A couple of notable things. When I put Tims dual wire spring in with a slight gap, my shot string flattened out and I got more power. When I added the mds with his long dual spring, more power and even better string. Same thing again with the bolt mod and radiusing the valve port. All these things are making a much more efficient gun and more powerful. I've also noticed that the swaged slugs being so consistent in weight and size, has added to a better string. Also, I loose psi after filling and cooling.. how much depends on how low on air I am or if I'm just topping off. Tricky, when trying to make all things equal.