About the Pneuma and pellet head size

[darryl]

I read on the Hatsan site that the rifle has a choked barrel. Owners, in your experience, does the Pneuma benefit from pellets with a larger head size? I ask because even though the barrel is choked, some chokes are not as tight as others. For instance, I've been told that the choke on the P-rod is on the loose end and can benefit from a larger pellet head diameter. I've tried some H&N FTTs at 5.54mm, and they shoot fine in the P, even out to distance. So that's why I asked. I know all rifles are individuals, but...(always let then tell you "No").
thank you,
darryl

[Ribbonstone]

So far, my .177 version hasn't been too picky.  Have tried 5 pellets and it only disliked one.
Winners:
Kodiak 10.6gr. 4.50mm
JSB 10,1gr. 4.52mm
JSB 8,4gr. 4.42mm (but you may need to adjust the gun to get it slow enough)
Eun Jin 16gr. (head size unknown)

The only loser pellet was CPH's.

Not sure you're right about P-Rod being under choked.  Mine certainly seems to be quite tightly choked.  Does seem the majority of them (mine included) prefer larger sized pellets.

[Ribbonstone]

OK... no scope movement from start to finish of the test.  Well adjusted, but only one 5-shot group per pellet.

 At least 4 pellets show real promise, two deserve a retest because only one shot was “out”, and 4 are probably a waste of time in this barrel.

[darryl]

Hi Rib,
Man! That Pneuma really isn't pellet picky. Is it? That's very good info in the photo. The C-T-C measurements tell the tale for your gun. I wonder which you'll choose?
darryl

[Ribbonstone]

Am hoping the Kodiaks work out at longer range, as I've got a few tins and they aren't as useful in the lower powered .177's.

So far, have had good shooting short range pellets turn to &^^& at long range, but have never had crappy short range pellets self-heal and shoot well at longer range.  So I weed out the "wanna be" pellets in order to make the best use of limited long range test time.

[darryl]

sound wisdom, Rib.

[Ribbonstone]

Most tests (and some at 40yards):

With three pellets really in the running at 20 yards, each got a 30 shot test at that range to rule out “freak”groups.

Eun Jin.  Felt right when chambering, but could benefit from careful selection. All they got from me in this test was a quick visual check (removing the dented, deformed, or odd-ball ones):


JSB 10.1gr.  These fit loose in the barrel, with very little resistance felt when chambering.


Kodiak 10.6gr.  These seemed to fit “right” in the barrel, with a little bit of resistance when chambering.


So the winner at 20 yards is the Kodiak.  Will test the others as time allows; wouldn't be the first time a 2nd or 3rd place 20 yard pellet took 1st place at 40yards but I have to go with the odds.

So I got to 40 yards today (wife went off to a late “Body Pump” class, so I had a little time to set up an at-home 40yard range).  Only two groups:


This isn't MOA performance (more like 1.2MOA) , but seems like it will do fine out to 60-70 yards on squirrel critters. Testing will tell, may just “get stupid” past a certain range and not be able to hit a garbage can lid, but I'm betting that once I get to 60 yards, will have found a pellet that can stay inside of 8/10ths.

[darryl]

With my shooting skill, any of those groups would be to-die for. Those Kodiaks at 40 yards on the nutter target look like killer groups to me, especially the head shots. I appreciate this testing you're doing with the Pneuma. You're highlighting what the rifle is capable of even as you search for your perfect pellet. Good luck with the 60-70 yard testing. I look forward to seeing those results. Nice work, Rib.
darryl

[Bullit]

Very good shooting, and Thanks for taking the time to show everyone your progress to decision.  I'm sure it will be good reference for new owners of the Pneuma, as it's growth in popularity continues.

[Ribbonstone]

Been fun...discovered quite a few things in researching.

Marketed elsewhere under the Hatsan brand. The .25 version is available in Canada, and evidently its possible to get one to the US. Wood stocks and longer tube/longer barrel versions are also sold, but none of those is going to be available at the current sale prices at some US dealers.

The valve stem (which is all steel...the seal is part of the valve body) is how the low powered versions differ from the high power....evidently all the other parts are the same, just a different (and interchangeable) valve stem.

Getting to the valve stem is a lot easier than every other PCP tried so far.

Have NOT done it yet, but there are ways to convert the automatic safety into a manual one...would be nice not to have it self-set.

[darryl]

good info, Rib. I wonder if those longer tubes can be bought there, then imported here? I bought a custom steering rack from near Toronto years ago, but it's not the same, I'm sure.
darryl

[rsterne]

As the demand for Hatsans increases, so will the accessories available.... There are spare air reservoirs and LW barrels available now in Canada, the valve stems are coming in the next order, and possibly longer air reservoirs as well.... Check out this source....

http://www.airgunforum.ca/store/index.php?cPath=22_30&osCsid=9r6p5op2hnssh7p8injs6cviu6

Note all those guns are the under 500 fps Canadian version (only the valve stem is different).... and for parts....

http://www.airgunforum.ca/store/index.php?cPath=25&osCsid=9r6p5op2hnssh7p8injs6cviu6

I am not affiliated with this store, I'm just a satisfied customer....

Bob

[darryl]

good looking-out Bob. I saved the links for future reference.