A.E.A. the gun of the moment ?

[Nomadic Pirate]

The only downside I see in going with an AEA gun over AV, Umarex, etc. is they are usually a bit heavier than the competition. At least that is the case for the Challenger line. My .45 Bullpup is a HOSS and I plan on using it in a blind rather than stalking. At some point I'd like to get one of the lighter weight AEA guns, like the HP Max .357 that is putting out 150+ FPE, for a hunting gun that is easier to carry through the woods.

Yeah the big bore Challenger series is out of the question for me, that kind of weight makes them not appealing at all I don't care what power they put out.

Only one I would like is the 16" barrel ZEUS II .72 or the .58 if comes out with 16" barrel.

[cosmic]

All steel construction weighs a lot....

[DrGunner]

My .22 Challeger weighs 6.9lb, that’s certainly not in the realm of too heavy for me. The big bores are definitely a lot heavier, too heavy for practical use as a tote around hunting rifle, especially the longer barreled models.

[Wayne52]

Kevin the Challenger with the 357 barrel on it weighs considerably more than the .22's, the weight of the heavier barrel hanging out there makes a lot of difference for sure,  I agree with Manny on the 16" Zeus, I doubt I'd ever buy one but I'd like to shoot one some time.  I think Jim Chapman has one like that, . . . what a beast indeed.  You could hunt cape buffalo with something like that.

[Greg_E]

How much power does the 16 inch barrel lose compared to the 32 inch barrel? I'm guessing at least a 1/3 or maybe 1/2 power reduction (just a guess).

[Nomadic Pirate]

My .22 Challeger weighs 6.9lb, that’s certainly not in the realm of too heavy for me. The big bores are definitely a lot heavier, too heavy for practical use as a tote around hunting rifle, especially the longer barreled models.

Yeah, the small bore Challengers are definitely great guns is just the big bores that to me cross into the way to heavy for hunting on the ground weight ( fine if you hunting out of a blind )

Someone here posted his Callenger big bore is 16+ pounds,....that crosses into the uncomfortable zone.

[Nomadic Pirate]

How much power does the 16 inch barrel lose compared to the 32 inch barrel? I'm guessing at least a 1/3 or maybe 1/2 power reduction (just a guess).

I think you right on the about Half power zone

.........still 750 FPE out of a little carbine is pretty wicked in my opinion

[Spacebus]

How much power does the 16 inch barrel lose compared to the 32 inch barrel? I'm guessing at least a 1/3 or maybe 1/2 power reduction (just a guess).

I think you right on the about Half power zone

.........still 750 FPE out of a little carbine is pretty wicked in my opinion

How long is it with the 16" barrel? That's really compact. Ammo is kind of expensive, even if you cast your own. The new .58 might be the sweet spot.

[Nomadic Pirate]

How much power does the 16 inch barrel lose compared to the 32 inch barrel? I'm guessing at least a 1/3 or maybe 1/2 power reduction (just a guess).

I think you right on the about Half power zone

.........still 750 FPE out of a little carbine is pretty wicked in my opinion

How long is it with the 16" barrel? That's really compact. Ammo is kind of expensive, even if you cast your own. The new .58 might be the sweet spot.

Agree, I would go for the .58 if I was getting a ZEUS.

[DLP]

Someone here posted his Callenger big bore is 16+ pounds,....that crosses into the uncomfortable

That would be me. 16 1/2 to be exact. Bench and blind for sure. Although, with the sling, it’s not bad for a short walk.

I agree that the short .58 sounds nice.

[Spacebus]

A short .58 might result in my .45 BP going up for sale.

[Greg_E]

The Zeus carbine at 700-750fpe is pretty close to the Umarex Hammer, so is it worth it? That 58 is probably what they should have done first, almost the same power with ammo that should be more affordable, and in a black powder caliber so ammo should be easier to make. Going up might be .68~.69???

[cosmic]

Read somewhere that soon we can switch the calibers and barrel...

[Greg_E]

More companies need to offer barrel swap kits.

[Mr.P]

HP max .35 pistol on the way…

Got it via Bin Tac.  Super helpful. Now to find a good mold.  I was told 120 grain is a good target weight. 

[Nomadic Pirate]

HP max .35 pistol on the way…

Got it via Bin Tac.  Super helpful. Now to find a good mold.  I was told 120 grain is a good target weight. 

I think that gun is a 120-130 FPE piece, so I would stay under the 100gr for the projectiles

This is the caster I have used for years for my bullets, goood quality and great prices.
https://www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65

[Nomadic Pirate]

This one is always a great .357 bullet for those -/+ 130 FPE guns
https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-080B

[Mr.P]

Thank you - appreciate the tips.  I was also thinking that was heavy but that is what Bin Tac told me.  I will look for lighter molds for sure.

This is what has my eye for now:

http://arsenalmolds.com/products/9MM,%20.357,%20.38,%20BULLETS,%20CAST%20BULLETS

[Spacebus]

HP max .35 pistol on the way…

Got it via Bin Tac.  Super helpful. Now to find a good mold.  I was told 120 grain is a good target weight.

That's one of my favorite guns on the market, definitely on my "want" list.

Edit: I've also seen people making 150 FPE with the right weight slug.

[Mr.P]

I’m excited to try it out. I ordered nsa slugs in 108 and 125 grains, again was told the 125 grains shoot especially well. 

It will be interesting to play around with tuning this thing. I know it’s set up to have a cliff tune which is consistent with its marketing. With the right slug weight and hammer spring tweaks maybe some kind of lower powered but decent curve is possible. 


Anyone know if the AEA semi auto upgrade kits work on this gun as well?  Supposed to work with all HP series guns.