Tuning AEA challenger, .30 caliber

[bear air]

Very nice Charles.

[2A Georgia]

Many thanks.  I'll keep the forum updated.  Currently ThikGirl is 90% disassembled.  I didn't realize I could take the breech/barrel off without degassing the valve/airtube assembly.  Trying to find the right wrench to remove the barrel nut.  While apart I will probably find a .305 cast to slug the barrel with and confirm .3035 which is what I have polished my sizer to. The accurate molds 3062s are dropping at .3025 and with a generous PCing push through the sizer using a hand press with just a little resistance.

[fixit]

HI Charles....in answer to your questions, I got my bin tac regulator back in March of '23 , and installed it immediately. As for the.311 ball, I have a lee.311 mold, plus a fair supply of factory 'no nib' balls, Speer, I think. The soft lead swages on loading, so they are a little difficult to load, but that may add to their accuracy. If I were to buy another ball mold, specifically for this rifle, I would probably go with the .308, or, if available, a .305, to maintain the swage at loading!

[2A Georgia]

ThikGirl is reassembled and awaiting a 4100psi fill (GXPump CS1 still down)
I saw on the "other" forum someone enlarged and chamfered the six TP holes so I gently chamfered mine.
TP 6 holes OEM=.125 inches
19JULY24 chamferd with min ID .135 inches
Two bonuses to removing the barrel; I gapped the magazine tolerance tighter than OEM so the first three shots shouldn't drift the mag right anymore.  I'll confirm that when filled and tested.  Second benefit is I actually pushed an unsized slug down the barrel and she miced .3036..3036,.3034.
My Lee sizer die is currently polished to .3034 so I'll probably leave it alone (again after testing). 
During this down time I enlarged my NOE68 mold to .304 with one thick driving band (like the NSAs).  I have about 20 of these for grouping and chrono testing.

[bear air]

Great work Charles. It should shoot harder now with the opened airways.

[2A Georgia]

Great work Charles. It should shoot harder now with the opened airways.

I am 90% leaning towards a Yong Heng beginning of August so couple weeks I should be able to 4,100 psi fill and chrono those fat driving band .304 NOEs.  I just might change my mind about double lunging a yearling deer during "primative" season....hmmm.....

[2A Georgia]

Got to Chrono the ported Challenger .3035 now that the GxPump is here.
I'm going to assume my two 150fpe shots as flukes and call it a solid 110fpe AG.
I believe 3900psi fill is going to be the sweat spot and the gun is now too powerful for pellets or any sub 60gr ammo.
The barrel band appears to be helping groups but I think I need to tweak my molds and we're close.
On the NOE group shot 1 was low and I held one dot fore the rest of the group.  The top right flyer is me or a poor casting....
The Accurate Molds look three slug widths for windage, but still too much vertical ...

[bear air]

What a beast. Great job Charles. You've really taken it to the limit. I think they are pretty decent rifles imo. Specially with some TLC.

[Back_Roads]

 Big bore hunting tip sight in for your highest power shot, fill to that psi for the hunt, if filled where temps are much warmer than ambient hunting conditions give a final top off to the sweet spot, or fill approx. 200 psi over, before hitting the woods.
 It is the first shot that matters most.

[2A Georgia]

Big bore hunting tip sight in for your highest power shot, fill to that psi for the hunt, if filled where temps are much warmer than ambient hunting conditions give a final top off to the sweet spot, or fill approx. 200 psi over, before hitting the woods.
 It is the first shot that matters most.

Excellent advice sir.  That may be the full 4500psi Bin says the air tube is still safe for .....Still a little QA/QC on the casting side but I am very close to "done"

[2A Georgia]

What a beast. Great job Charles. You've really taken it to the limit. I think they are pretty decent rifles imo. Specially with some TLC.

I was looking real hard at the Snowpeak M60B in 9mm or .30 (since I have molds).  This beast pretty much covers everything between the Notos and the Texan I've been dreaming about in .457.
My uncle's property has some Coyote and ground hog that just might get thumped on my visit.  If that 150fpe turns out to be reproducible I might take her out during Georgia Primitive Weapons (which includes AG).  That would be as much or more double lung fpe as my crossbow.  Have to use the MSR or Texan for the high shoulder shot, which is why I want a Texan...

[sicumj]

Just a note on the crown.  I use a brass piece cut to a 50 degree angle.  I use valve grinding compound both course and fine.  I typically use the lathe but you could save tear down and assembly time using this in a hand drill.  Oscillate the drill when cutting

[2A Georgia]

Just a note on the crown.  I use a brass piece cut to a 50 degree angle.  I use valve grinding compound both course and fine.  I typically use the lathe but you could save tear down and assembly time using this in a hand drill.  Oscillate the drill when cutting

I'm assuming this tightened your groups. 
Project Challenger has been on hold as she developed a leak and could not produce quarter sized groups with cast ammo.
I didn't help that the Condor SS puts ragged holes at 40-60fpe....
I don't have a lathe to turn such a device but you can pm me if you're open to making another one.
Maybe in March when small game season ends I'll get back on the Challenger when I'm not fishing....