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

[Greg_E]

Assuming they shoot OK, all the .510 stuff I cast would pay for almost all 3 molds. I have around 12 pounds of stuff ready for testing if that unnamed company will get my rifle back to me (and with a decent barrel this time).

[Spacebus]

Assuming they shoot OK, all the .510 stuff I cast would pay for almost all 3 molds. I have around 12 pounds of stuff ready for testing if that unnamed company will get my rifle back to me (and with a decent barrel this time).

Wow, I can't believe you are still waiting.

[Trucker3573]

Anyone have any experience with the both the hp custom and the challenger pro?  Is the pro really worth the extra 200 bones??

Wonder what is next? I would like to see a classic wood stock challenger pro. Would be sweet.

[Mr.P]

The pro I know is regulated with a very large plenum for high power.  It has side lever cocking. Someone recently started a thread about it and they seem to think the construction was excellent and showed quality machining and attention to detail. I don’t know about the original challenger and how that would compare in these areas.

[Wayne52]

The pro I know is regulated with a very large plenum for high power.  It has side lever cocking. Someone recently started a thread about it and they seem to think the construction was excellent and showed quality machining and attention to detail. I don’t know about the original challenger and how that would compare in these areas.

The thing that deters me from getting the pro is it's very heavy but other than that it's a fantastic gun in all calibers I'm sure.  SG's (Southern Gunner) latest video he says how much he really likes the AEA brand and in the video he talks about how brands and prices really don't make much difference to him.  He's shot probably about every gun imaginable and most of them he owns.  His latest purchase is a 30 caliber pro.

[Captain Paul]

Anyone have any experience with the both the hp custom and the challenger pro?  Is the pro really worth the extra 200 bones??

I had an HP Varmint for a short while (I swapped it for a Pro), which has the same receiver as the HP Custom.  I considered getting the Custom but opted for the Pro because:  a) the bolt action AEA's are an absolute PITA to operate (forget about fast follow up shots, the side lever is a huge improvement) and b) all the latest HP models use the same receiver as the semi-auto's, which means it looses a puff of air with each shot that, on the semi autos, is used to cycle the bolt.  So they're not as efficient with air as the older models.

Two things I don't love about the Pro are:  a) the buttstock.  Looks cool but is worthless IMO.  And b) the trigger.  Ignore the reviews that say the trigger is 1 lb, they're dreaming.  It's closer to 4-5 lbs and so far I haven't found a way to modify/adjust it.

[Captain Paul]

The thing that deters me from getting the pro is it's very heavy but other than that it's a fantastic gun in all calibers I'm sure.  SG's (Southern Gunner) latest video he says how much he really likes the AEA brand and in the video he talks about how brands and prices really don't make much difference to him.  He's shot probably about every gun imaginable and most of them he owns.  His latest purchase is a 30 caliber pro.

My Pro is 12 lbs with my replacement stock, scope, rings, suppressor and bipod.  The aluminum buttstock, although worthless IMO, actually weighs less than my plastic Magpul stock.  I wouldn't enjoy lugging it around in the woods to hunt, but since I don't hunt its not an issue.

My advice to anyone getting the Challenger Pro:  get rid of the picatinny rail adapter (it raises the scope way too high) and the silly aluminum butt stock (replace it with your favorite MILSPEC stock).  Buy the biggest can for the muzzle you can afford and a bunch of heavy slugs.  Then have fun. 

[Wayne52]

Paul my .22 is very nice compared to my .357, the .357 is hard to cock and has a hard trigger but the .22 is the direct opposite, my 30 cal is still much nicer than the .357 but nothing like the .22.  I can cock the .22 very fast when I'm out hunting, as a matter of fact it's so nice that sometimes I have to put it on safe because I can't remember whether I cocked it or not.

[Wayne52]

Anyone have any experience with the both the hp custom and the challenger pro?  Is the pro really worth the extra 200 bones??

I had an HP Varmint for a short while (I swapped it for a Pro), which has the same receiver as the HP Custom.  I considered getting the Custom but opted for the Pro because:  a) the bolt action AEA's are an absolute PITA to operate (forget about fast follow up shots, the side lever is a huge improvement) and b) all the latest HP models use the same receiver as the semi-auto's, which means it looses a puff of air with each shot that, on the semi autos, is used to cycle the bolt.  So they're not as efficient with air as the older models.

Two things I don't love about the Pro are:  a) the buttstock.  Looks cool but is worthless IMO.  And b) the trigger.  Ignore the reviews that say the trigger is 1 lb, they're dreaming.  It's closer to 4-5 lbs and so far I haven't found a way to modify/adjust it.

My AEA HP Carbine .25 cal semi is about the funnest gun I have for hunting, I've really gotten to like that gun a lot, it's  not as accurate as my Challenger LS .22 but it's really great out to about 40 yards for sure.

[Captain Paul]

My AEA HP Carbine .25 cal semi is about the funnest gun I have for hunting, I've really gotten to like that gun a lot, it's  not as accurate as my Challenger LS .22 but it's really great out to about 40 yards for sure.

Sounds like my Varmint .22 was much harder to cock than yours, weird.  I wonder if they changed the hammer spring?

My next rifle might be an HP Carbine (semi-auto) in .30 cal.  I think it would make a good gun to keep in the truck.  I've got to thin out the herd a bit before I can even think about getting another rifle though...

[Wayne52]

Paul back when I bought my Challenger LS .22 is was either that or buy the conversion for my semi auto to make it into a varmint rifle, I chose the Challenger because it was only $100 more than what the conversion kit costs.  The Varmints have a stronger hammer spring in them than the semi auto does which is why your varmint cocked so hard.  With the conversion kit for the HP 25 cal semi I would have gotten more energy (10fpe) than what I get with my Challenger .22, I figure 70fpe is more than enough for a .22.

[Greg_E]

all the latest HP models use the same receiver as the semi-auto's, which means it looses a puff of air with each shot that, on the semi autos, is used to cycle the bolt.  So they're not as efficient with air as the older models.

Where does that air come out? Could it not be plugged?

[Greg_E]

Assuming they shoot OK, all the .510 stuff I cast would pay for almost all 3 molds. I have around 12 pounds of stuff ready for testing if that unnamed company will get my rifle back to me (and with a decent barrel this time).

Wow, I can't believe you are still waiting.

I should update my other thread, but no real info right now. I called their skills into question, so I'm sure it is sitting in a corner being punished. [edit] got off the phone with them and getting a refund, all the barrels that they have are of similar condition, which doesn't say a lot! I was warned and should have listened, don't let anyone else make that mistake!!!

Maybe I should send them an invoice for everything I spent on the rifle accessories and request shipping instructions for all the parts that I am charging on the invoice??? Not going to buy an Airforce, just not what I want, and don't know of any other .510 rifles out there or if I could even afford them. Should probably just save up for something like a Bushbuck and get a premium rifle that will do what it says on the box. Or if Crosman was smart, they might make me a deal and get a Bulldog 457 or Gunnar 357/457 in my hands. All that negative Hammer stuff could be turned into positive (hopefully) Bulldog/Gunnar stuff. Small fish in big pond, they don't send stuff like that to people like me and I don't watch the paid reviews anymore because I generally can't trust them. One negative review and most places cut you off.

Back to AEA, they have some interesting stuff, but nothing that really stirs me to buy one (or I would have one by now). Not sure what it is, just doesn't look like something I want. Zeus in .510 would be interesting, but they chose 54 and probably not the same 54 as any black powder anythings. Trying to get some common sizes between platforms to cut down on accessories needed and a new BP rifle is very likely the next thing and probably in 50 cal which is sort of .510.

[Mr.P]

all the latest HP models use the same receiver as the semi-auto's, which means it looses a puff of air with each shot that, on the semi autos, is used to cycle the bolt.  So they're not as efficient with air as the older models.

Where does that air come out? Could it not be plugged?

I thought the muzzle blast  was used to cycle the bolt but maybe not

[Raider03]

Assuming they shoot OK, all the .510 stuff I cast would pay for almost all 3 molds. I have around 12 pounds of stuff ready for testing if that unnamed company will get my rifle back to me (and with a decent barrel this time).

Wow, I can't believe you are still waiting.

I should update my other thread, but no real info right now. I called their skills into question, so I'm sure it is sitting in a corner being punished. [edit] got off the phone with them and getting a refund, all the barrels that they have are of similar condition, which doesn't say a lot! I was warned and should have listened, don't let anyone else make that mistake!!!

Maybe I should send them an invoice for everything I spent on the rifle accessories and request shipping instructions for all the parts that I am charging on the invoice??? Not going to buy an Airforce, just not what I want, and don't know of any other .510 rifles out there or if I could even afford them. Should probably just save up for something like a Bushbuck and get a premium rifle that will do what it says on the box. Or if Crosman was smart, they might make me a deal and get a Bulldog 457 or Gunnar 357/457 in my hands. All that negative Hammer stuff could be turned into positive (hopefully) Bulldog/Gunnar stuff. Small fish in big pond, they don't send stuff like that to people like me and I don't watch the paid reviews anymore because I generally can't trust them. One negative review and most places cut you off.

Back to AEA, they have some interesting stuff, but nothing that really stirs me to buy one (or I would have one by now). Not sure what it is, just doesn't look like something I want. Zeus in .510 would be interesting, but they chose 54 and probably not the same 54 as any black powder anythings. Trying to get some common sizes between platforms to cut down on accessories needed and a new BP rifle is very likely the next thing and probably in 50 cal which is sort of .510.

Hey, the Zeus is available in .72 and .58 caliber. I can't find many reviews of the 58 cal version.
The 58 cal is only available with a 32" barrel at the Pellet Shop.

[Greg_E]

Yeah, the Zeus 58 might actually be a more useable power level, wish they had a .510 size or one of the challenger in .510. The 495 stuff just doesn't sit well with me, it's non-standard. This is especially so when you consider all the black powder barrels that they could have purchased which are often .495 bore with around .510 in the grooves. The patch takes up the space and drives the rotation, or get a bullet that presses into the grooves like the Lee REAL designs (that many people hate).

Maybe I should just buy another Bulldog 357 and get a custom barrel to .452-.454 like I was originally thinking, or maybe the 457 version though kind of waiting for Pitbull to work these over and see what we can really expect out of them. Or maybe AEA will surprise me and make something I want, the Big 9 would have been an option if I didn't already have a Bulldog 357. A friend has the Big 9 and it has plenty of power and seems accurate and no problems so far. Need to cast up a bunch of ammo and send it to him for testing, would at least give him some other options than buying ammo. Another friend has the shorter 9mm (I think Challenger), need to send him some stuff sized to .356, he's tested .357 and .358 and it just doesn't fit.

If anyone knows Bin and wants to suggest that he send me a Zeus 58, I'd be happy to invest in some different molds for testing  . Accurate Molds can make just about any design in these larger sizes, so the options are plentiful (but somewhat expensive),

[Spacebus]

Assuming they shoot OK, all the .510 stuff I cast would pay for almost all 3 molds. I have around 12 pounds of stuff ready for testing if that unnamed company will get my rifle back to me (and with a decent barrel this time).

Wow, I can't believe you are still waiting.

I should update my other thread, but no real info right now. I called their skills into question, so I'm sure it is sitting in a corner being punished. [edit] got off the phone with them and getting a refund, all the barrels that they have are of similar condition, which doesn't say a lot! I was warned and should have listened, don't let anyone else make that mistake!!!

Maybe I should send them an invoice for everything I spent on the rifle accessories and request shipping instructions for all the parts that I am charging on the invoice??? Not going to buy an Airforce, just not what I want, and don't know of any other .510 rifles out there or if I could even afford them. Should probably just save up for something like a Bushbuck and get a premium rifle that will do what it says on the box. Or if Crosman was smart, they might make me a deal and get a Bulldog 457 or Gunnar 357/457 in my hands. All that negative Hammer stuff could be turned into positive (hopefully) Bulldog/Gunnar stuff. Small fish in big pond, they don't send stuff like that to people like me and I don't watch the paid reviews anymore because I generally can't trust them. One negative review and most places cut you off.

Back to AEA, they have some interesting stuff, but nothing that really stirs me to buy one (or I would have one by now). Not sure what it is, just doesn't look like something I want. Zeus in .510 would be interesting, but they chose 54 and probably not the same 54 as any black powder anythings. Trying to get some common sizes between platforms to cut down on accessories needed and a new BP rifle is very likely the next thing and probably in 50 cal which is sort of .510.

Why no love for the Texan? Are you specifically looking for a big bore with a magazine? If the Challenger came in .510 I would have one instead of my .457

[Greg_E]

Just not a fan of the Airforce stuff, no other real reason. It is nice to have even that 2 shot magazine which was one of the reasons I went with the Hammer. I also (wrongfully) assumed that a big company like Umarex really couldn't be that bad, a lot of people are happy with their Gauntlet (1 and 2). The whole attitude about this level of "quality" being good enough is just what's so wrong in a lot of US manufacturing, this wasn't a $200 rifle. Then you look at AEA and everything that is a real problem gets addressed quickly.

[Captain Paul]

all the latest HP models use the same receiver as the semi-auto's, which means it looses a puff of air with each shot that, on the semi autos, is used to cycle the bolt.  So they're not as efficient with air as the older models.

Where does that air come out? Could it not be plugged?

I thought the muzzle blast  was used to cycle the bolt but maybe not

I pulled the barrel (to remedy a burr in the crown) and didn't see any way of muzzle pressure being used to cycle the bolt.  I didn't fully disassemble the receiver, but it appeared to be coming from the valve area.  Thinking I might have had a bad breech o-ring I contacted Bin Yan and he told me the "puff" was normal and why.

[Mr.P]

Thanks, good to know. I was looking at the conversion kit and I misunderstood how it worked.