.25 Walther Talon Mag accuracy and pellet test

[Bryan Heimann]

I will post more groups to this thread in the future.  Today I am posting some close range groups with 35.8 grain Eunjin Domes.  Last night I had the house to myself for a little bit, so I plinked a little on some 2x4 pieces and "zeroed" my scope with the Eunjins. It is zeroed a little high intentionally, to make up for the loopy trajectory I've anticipated with this heavy pellet.  This is a ten shot group at 16 yards.  I was on Tramadol last night and I had just rucked home from work after a long week.  So I was a little shaky, plus I varied my hold a little every 2 or 3 shots.  Rested on trash can, leaned against side of it, rested on backpack, off hand, etc.  It measures exactly 1.25" between centers.  I did it this way to get a good, realistic gauge of what my accuracy will be like in the woods, should I attempt "the unthinkable" and take my springer after a hog with a head shot.  The two high shots were one shot rested on the can with my hand for cushion, and the highest one was rested on the can without the hand.  I attribute that to the gun bouncing off something fairly solid.The rest were fired gripping the stock near the same place, but varied according to the rest I was using or no rest at all.  Anyway, I feel like this is a good example of what kind of accuracy you can expect after you've been humping through the woods all day, busting through draws and looking for signs of hogs while carrying this big hunk of steel with you all day    And, IMHO, for such a powerful springer that weighs less than 9 pounds, this is not a very hold sensitive gun.  The large hole and the cloverleaf that are in the orange, represent 8 pellets.  I think 5 of them went into the large hole on the bottom left inside the orange.  With practice and the right hold, this gun is capable of great accuracy with the these heavy Eunjin domes.  That said, I think that inside 16 yards my hold won't matter, all I gotta do is wait for the right shot to pull the trigger. 

[Bryan Heimann]

Not an accuracy test, just 5 quick shots at 6 yards on a fresh piece of wood.  I couldn't wait to share this with you guys.  Might have been the cheapest 2x6 at Home Depot, but it's still a 2x6 and the buckshot rips right through.  Much more consistent fit and finish than the buckshot I got from the shotshell.  Not zinc plated as far as I can tell, but they still fit the bore tightly and consistently.  Fits so tight I have to use a Sharpie to seat them.  The copper plated shot might work too, but I need to test them on the wood.  After enough hits, pretty much anything will eat through.  But this is a fresh piece, and single holes.  I need to shoot some groups with these at greater distance.

[Mpac]

I was wondering how they fit.I googled the #3 buckshot and couldn't find any just the lead and my local gun shop and nothing seems to be a good weight to use.

[Bryan Heimann]

The copper plated ones I removed from the Federal shotshells can be pressed in with just your thumb.  The lead BPI buckshot has to be seated with something solid, I can't just do it by hand.  Bear in mind, not all .25 bores will fit them.  Manny's .25 WTM will not fit the Eunjins, but they are easily pushed into the bore on mine with just your thumb.  Here is the link to Ballistic Products buckshot:

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/BPI-Super-Buck-Lead-Buckshot-3-8lb-250/productinfo/SBK03/

[Mpac]

Bet they would fit I hanen't found one pellet that  fits snug in my Hatsan I always flare to prevent seal burn and harsh shot cycle.Thanks for the link when I feel brave I'll order some.They weight 24 grain right?

[Bryan Heimann]

According to the website there are 18.8 buckshot per ounce, and at that weight each one should come out to about 23.27 grains.  Cost is $36 for 8 pounds, or about 2400 rounds, and it was about $11 to ship it here.  Even with the cost of shipping, that's only about 2 cents apiece.  About the same price as .22 Crosman Premiers, and I'd say they are worth every penny.  BTW I put the Gamo Rockets to the 2x4 test and they did not yield a full penetration.  You'd think they'd do better with the steel ball in the nose, but they aren't.  The Federal copper plated buckshot rips through just like the BPI buckshot does.  Nothing penetrates like a round ball.  Plus, BPI claims the buckshot is harder than most.  Their buckshot is supposed to be 6% antimony which gives it it's hardness to help it retain it's shape and penetrate better.  And unlike the stuff I got out of my shotshells, BPI's buckshot doesn't have any seams.  Pretty decent QC for buckshot, IMHO.  I hope that they shoot well.  When I figure out the most accurate pellet out to 50 yards in this gun, that's what I'll finally zero her with- but I'll always keep buckshot and Eunjin pellets on hand and maintain a card so I can use the mildot reticle for holdover and windage with my special purpose ammo.  They don't yield a full penetration, but nothing knocks the 2x4 around like the heavy Eunjin ammo.  I think that they are good to keep on hand for special jobs.  The buckshot is also great special purpose ammo, plus cheap to plink with- but it just flies through stuff and doesn't lay the smackdown like a heavy pellet does.

[Ken T]

The #3 buckshot I got from ballistic products varies considerably in diameter.Some were extremely hard to seat  in a Hatsan 125,others were a very loose fit in the breech.I have not had the time to sort by diameter but it is certainly required to get any accuracy.

[Bryan Heimann]

Well, I've only fired maybe a dozen or so.  Maybe I have yet to get to the poorly fitting ones, all of the BPI buckshot I've used so far fit too tight to seat by hand.  Some pop into the breech easier than others, but all require a good bit of force to get them started.  I can't imagine they would be suoer accurate out to a very long range, but they are obviously good for something.  You can't beat the price for plinking, and they are great penetrators.  For long range accuracy on small game, I will probably stock to the FTT's.  Eunjins could probably do the trick on anything up to raccoon size, and I bet they are good for boiler room shots at night on coons and c-rats.  And finally, hard lead buckshot for close-up shots on predators, if they prove accurate.

[Ken T]

I need to get back to working with the buckshot.The price is right and accuracy at least for plinking or hunting is obtainable.In my initial and only use of them I completely missed the pellet trap with one shot and put a major dent in a 55 gal drum the trap was setting on so they will probably have good penetration.

[Bryan Heimann]

Get it out and try it.  As far as I can tell with my broken chrony screen, my WTM is either hitting around 735 fps for about 28 fpe or 755 fps for about 29.5 fpe with BPI buckshot.  Either way, she's a hammer for sure and the numbers on the screen don't vary by much so they fit good.  By the way the 36 grain Eunjins are hitting between 600 and 610 as far as I can tell by the screen, which is 29-30 fpe.  FTT's are in the 800's.  These numbers are much healthier and more consistent than they were before I cleaned out the goop and shimmed the breech seal.  I had initially planned an all-out power tune for this gun, but now I am happy with her just like she is 

[Bryan Heimann]

Gamo Rocket, 820-830 fps, 31-32 fpe based on the advertised 20.8 grain weight.  Didn't penetrate as well as the buckshot in my 2x6, but the verdict is still out on this one.  Bone is harder than wood, and the initial impact of this one might crack a skull better, and still give the benefit of expansion with the lead pellet bringing up the rear in the wound channel.

[Bryan Heimann]

So much for firing 50 yard groups.  We went to "Jellystone Park" which is a Yogi Bear theme park.  Neighbor's tents were less than 50 feet away, with no access to the river- not even a trail.  No shooting going on or even any fishing, but we still had fun.  More like a theme park where you sleep in a tent than camping- I told the wife if I have to pee in a toilet then it's not camping . Kids were pretty dissappointed that they didn't get to hunt or fish, but there were still a lot of fun group activities planned.  Kind of like a weekend summer camp where parents get to attend.  Still, I told the wife that I am planning the next camping trip!  I still have cabin fever.  I am dying to get in the woods right now.

[Bryan Heimann]

Didn't really have time to set up a rest, really don't have time for much at all lately.  I do most of my posting with my phone during the hurry-up-and-wait phase of getting from point A to point B   Anyway, here it is- ten shots, ten yards, off-hand with BPI #3 buckshot.  Almost exactly 3/4" between centers, but I pulled the 8th shot a little bit and opened it up to the size it is now.  After the third or fourth shot, the size/shape of the hole didn't even change until I pulled #8   I am pleased with the accuracy of this ammo, especially for the price- 2 cents apiece, almost the same as .22 CPHP's