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

[customcutter]

Nooooo no no- I have the long stock .22 Challenger, with wood stock. His is the HP Varmint. I was just saying I can pull my action from the stock & test it to see if mine is making a puff of air with each shot like he describes his as doing. I’m thinking it won’t, but figured I could test for him...

OK, thanks.  I have a spare Al bottle that came with the used AEA HP Carbine I bought.  Looking for an inexpensive way to "make" an HP Varmint without using my action.  I know I can buy a barrel and bolt and covert, but didn't want to do that.

[CountDooku]

I have really been looking at the challenger or HP standard as my first PCP but keep seeing comments on the magazines. Is there even a way to get these guns working with a different style mag (DAR or other) or would that mean a total redesign of the gun?

[sb327]

I think the issue with the mags is largely due to the masses not liking the plastic and style they are.

Most who have no issues with the mags don’t always speak up.

I will say I have had no issues with my 30 carbine mag. It has been through several learning curves with the grandkids. I have two more still in the package.

I do however get that some folks seem to have gotten some duds.

Dave

[Captain Paul]

I got a spring kit from Harbor Freight and swapped out both the trigger and seer springs in the rifle.  Easy to do and now the pull weight is much less (maybe 2 lbs?) but still too long and gritty.  I filled the tank to about 3,400 psi and shot two magazines to 50 yds.  Using JSB KnockOuts.  My first two groups were to sight in the scope.  Here are my 2nd two groups.  Wind was 5 mph from behind - right.  With a better trigger this rifle will do better.

[Mr.P]

I saw a review and apparently the HP max does not have some of the issues that gave been described from the earlier guns. I will post a link because the person doing the review was pretty surprised about the differences. Among other things, it has a better trigger, no air puffs, etc.

I found out today is very easy to access the hammer so I took it out and put some lubrication on it.  Again amazed at how simple and well built this gun is. The hammer setup would lend itself to adding additional weights if anyone wanted to go that route. 

Here is the review that highlights the improvements on this gun.  This is one of only a couple of videos I could find (that wasn’t  just some superficially-knowledgeable guy basically on screen fawning over manufacturers and debasing themselves in the hopes they will get sent more guns to review).  Those are useful if you want to get hyped up to buy some thing I suppose.

[sb327]

I got a spring kit from Harbor Freight and swapped out both the trigger and seer springs in the rifle.  Easy to do and now the pull weight is much less (maybe 2 lbs?) but still too long and gritty.  I filled the tank to about 3,400 psi and shot two magazines to 50 yds.  Using JSB KnockOuts.  My first two groups were to sight in the scope.  Here are my 2nd two groups.  Wind was 5 mph from behind - right.  With a better trigger this rifle will do better.

Nice!

Dave

[Mr.P]

I lucked out - some vendor on Amazon had a spring that is the same dimensions a bit lighter than the stock heavy spring. I can use this for a lower pressure fill when I want to pump by hand.  The HP max spring is 8mm.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08KQJSC9L?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title


Waiting for DonnyFL adapter so I can finally fire more than just an odd shot here or there.

Update:

That spring at the same length as the stock spring is strong enough to just barely open the valve at 4500 psi.  I think this might be a great spring for a tune with a curve down near 3600-4000 psi. 

I was thinking - someone was 3d printing light ammo - setting a bb in the hollow tip of a printed plastic  Diablo pellet.  If I want to have a low power tune for this gun it might be interesting to 3-D print hollow pellets to use as sabots to launch lighter 50-75 grain .25 or .257 slugs.  Good idea, bad idea, who knows. 

[DrGunner]

The magazines are just a PITA to learn to load. Once you get the hang of it, they’re not THAT bad. I’ve just been spoiled by better designed mags on my other PCPs. We are just finding something to whine about; typical first world problems.

The mag design would NOT stop me from buying the Challenger- I love mine.
I’m designing a single shot tray to allow me to test many different loads at different power settings without having to load/remove a mag at all.

DrGunner

I have really been looking at the challenger or HP standard as my first PCP but keep seeing comments on the magazines. Is there even a way to get these guns working with a different style mag (DAR or other) or would that mean a total redesign of the gun?

[Spacebus]

I lucked out - some vendor on Amazon had a spring that is the same dimensions a bit lighter than the stock heavy spring. I can use this for a lower pressure fill when I want to pump by hand.  The HP max spring is 8mm.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08KQJSC9L?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title


Waiting for DonnyFL adapter so I can finally fire more than just an odd shot here or there.

Update:

That spring at the same length as the stock spring is strong enough to just barely open the valve at 4500 psi.  I think this might be a great spring for a tune with a curve down near 3600-4000 psi. 

I was thinking - someone was 3d printing light ammo - setting a bb in the hollow tip of a printed plastic  Diablo pellet.  If I want to have a low power tune for this gun it might be interesting to 3-D print hollow pellets to use as sabots to launch lighter 50-75 grain .25 or .257 slugs.  Good idea, bad idea, who knows.

The only thing I don't like about plastics in ammo is the micro plastics that end up everywhere. We were considering poly composite decking, but the thought of the material basically constantly shedding micro plastics around our house, garden, etc. is off putting. I see ammo that incorporates plastic the same way. I do fully recognize the ballistic advantages that can be found with plastic sabots and stuff like that.

[CountDooku]

The magazines are just a PITA to learn to load. Once you get the hang of it, they’re not THAT bad. I’ve just been spoiled by better designed mags on my other PCPs. We are just finding something to whine about; typical first world problems.

The mag design would NOT stop me from buying the Challenger- I love mine.
I’m designing a single shot tray to allow me to test many different loads at different power settings without having to load/remove a mag at all.

DrGunner

Thanks for the feedback. I have been eying the challenger as the price is so cheap but also the HP standard customized as it is regulated and Lego style. I know huma makes a reg for the challenger bullpup but then shouldn't i just get the hp standard customized?

[Mr.P]

I lucked out - some vendor on Amazon had a spring that is the same dimensions a bit lighter than the stock heavy spring. I can use this for a lower pressure fill when I want to pump by hand.  The HP max spring is 8mm.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08KQJSC9L?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title


Waiting for DonnyFL adapter so I can finally fire more than just an odd shot here or there.

Update:

That spring at the same length as the stock spring is strong enough to just barely open the valve at 4500 psi.  I think this might be a great spring for a tune with a curve down near 3600-4000 psi. 

I was thinking - someone was 3d printing light ammo - setting a bb in the hollow tip of a printed plastic  Diablo pellet.  If I want to have a low power tune for this gun it might be interesting to 3-D print hollow pellets to use as sabots to launch lighter 50-75 grain .25 or .257 slugs.  Good idea, bad idea, who knows.

The only thing I don't like about plastics in ammo is the micro plastics that end up everywhere. We were considering poly composite decking, but the thought of the material basically constantly shedding micro plastics around our house, garden, etc. is off putting. I see ammo that incorporates plastic the same way. I do fully recognize the ballistic advantages that can be found with plastic sabots and stuff like that.

I print in pla+ which can decompose completely as I understand it. Pretty durable and smells like maple syrup when printing instead of melting styrofoam.


And I agree - the magazine may not be ideal but they work great.  If that is all that is holding you back…

By the way the Amazon spring I posted a link to is not heavy enough to get any power out even at 3000 psi.  It is quiet and  shoots everything just not with much oomph.  That spring would have to be for some ultralight pellet for sure. 

[customcutter]

Don't recall anyone posting info on the AEA barrels.  Are the choked or not?  Especially in .22 or .25?  Thanks

[Spacebus]

I lucked out - some vendor on Amazon had a spring that is the same dimensions a bit lighter than the stock heavy spring. I can use this for a lower pressure fill when I want to pump by hand.  The HP max spring is 8mm.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08KQJSC9L?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title


Waiting for DonnyFL adapter so I can finally fire more than just an odd shot here or there.

Update:

That spring at the same length as the stock spring is strong enough to just barely open the valve at 4500 psi.  I think this might be a great spring for a tune with a curve down near 3600-4000 psi. 

I was thinking - someone was 3d printing light ammo - setting a bb in the hollow tip of a printed plastic  Diablo pellet.  If I want to have a low power tune for this gun it might be interesting to 3-D print hollow pellets to use as sabots to launch lighter 50-75 grain .25 or .257 slugs.  Good idea, bad idea, who knows.

The only thing I don't like about plastics in ammo is the micro plastics that end up everywhere. We were considering poly composite decking, but the thought of the material basically constantly shedding micro plastics around our house, garden, etc. is off putting. I see ammo that incorporates plastic the same way. I do fully recognize the ballistic advantages that can be found with plastic sabots and stuff like that.

I print in pla+ which can decompose completely as I understand it. Pretty durable and smells like maple syrup when printing instead of melting styrofoam.


And I agree - the magazine may not be ideal but they work great.  If that is all that is holding you back…

By the way the Amazon spring I posted a link to is not heavy enough to get any power out even at 3000 psi.  It is quiet and  shoots everything just not with much oomph.  That spring would have to be for some ultralight pellet for sure.

Didn't realize PLA could hold up in a barrel like that! Thanks for mentioning that, perhaps there is a place for plastics in my ammo.

Edit: After posting I went and found some scholarly articles on PLA and there are almost no naturally occurring enzymes that can break down PLA. It can be industrially composted, but not naturally.

[Wayne52]

I've never had problems with any of the mags that came with four different AEA guns, they all seem to work just fine for me.  My ammo is all hand cast too.

[Captain Paul]

Don't recall anyone posting info on the AEA barrels.  Are the choked or not?  Especially in .22 or .25?  Thanks

I was told (by Bin at The Pellet Shop) that the Varmint barrel has a "gradual, slight choke" that works especially well with slugs.  I hope to do some accuracy testing this week with a variety of slugs.

[Captain Paul]

I've never had problems with any of the mags that came with four different AEA guns, they all seem to work just fine for me.  My ammo is all hand cast too.

I neither like nor dislike the mags, but they do seem to work.  No problems so far.  I would buy a single shot tray if one were available.  Just to have in case I didn't want to shoot 12 rounds in one go.  There's plenty of room to hand load in my Varmint .22 but a tray would make it even easier.

[sb327]

Don't recall anyone posting info on the AEA barrels.  Are the choked or not?  Especially in .22 or .25?  Thanks

I was told (by Bin at The Pellet Shop) that the Varmint barrel has a "gradual, slight choke" that works especially well with slugs.  I hope to do some accuracy testing this week with a variety of slugs.

From slugging, none of mine are choked. Early on Bintacllc Bin claimed non choked.

Has anyone slugged their barrel and found it to be choked?

Dave

[Captain Paul]

....This is one of only a couple of videos I could find (that wasn’t  just some superficially-knowledgeable guy basically on screen fawning over manufacturers and debasing themselves in the hopes they will get sent more guns to review)....

My two biggest Youtube dislikes are a) people who just love to hear themselves talk and b) people like you describe above.  Two big thumbs up for your comment.

[Captain Paul]

Don't recall anyone posting info on the AEA barrels.  Are the choked or not?  Especially in .22 or .25?  Thanks

I was told (by Bin at The Pellet Shop) that the Varmint barrel has a "gradual, slight choke" that works especially well with slugs.  I hope to do some accuracy testing this week with a variety of slugs.

From slugging, none of mine are choked. Early on Bintacllc Bin claimed non choked.

Has anyone slugged their barrel and found it to be choked?

Dave

Not yet, and you could be right.  What diameter was your .22 Varmint bore?  All my slugs are .217.

[sb327]

I would have to slug it again, can’t remember the exact diameter.

Dave