Flying Dragons PCP

[rsterne]

Al, I already commented on that string in the other thread.... excellent results.... As to your statement about 14.3 gr pellets giving a higher shot count, I disagree, you usually get more shots as the pellet weight increases.... Also, you are pushing the 14.3 gr pretty fast, you are at the point where I would be looking at 15.9 gr. JSB Exacts, or 16.0 gr. Predators, if they are accurate in your barrel.... If you want the best in long range accuracy, it's pretty hard to beat the JSB Exact Series in one weight or the other.... The 18.1 gr. Heavy is my all time favourite pellet in .22 cal....

Bob

[rsterne]

Today I modified the receiver to accept the 8-shot .22 cal PRod magazines.... This was NOT my idea, I borrowed it from stalwart on the GTA who originally used a 10-shot .22 cal MRod magazine.... The basic idea is to machine a notch big enough for the PRod magazine in the receiver.... It looks like this....



You can see the back of the barrel which has been machined to 7/16" OD and protrudes 1/16" into the notch, providing a stub for the magazine to clip onto.... I used a 5/8" end mill and the notch is 1/8" deeper than the bottom of the barrel stub.... I removed a small amount of the front of the existing breech opening, and also faced a bit off the face of the bolt to get enough room for the magazine.... Here are the modified barrel and bolt....



I cut the stock bolt nose off 0.40" from the (new) bolt face, drilled and tapped it 8-32, took a piece of 1/4" drill rod 3/4" long and did the same with it and used a 1/2" long piece of an 8-32 screw as a stud to attach the new front of the bolt to the old stub using loctite.... I then turned the shaft of the bolt down to 7/32", and the probe section down to 3/32" and adjusted the lengths so that the shoulder is flush with the back of the barrel port and the probe pushes the pellet just past the port....

The mods to the barrel were tricky.... I used the old front O-ring groove for the rear O-ring and cut the barrel off about 1/8" behind that, losing about an inch of length.... The 1/2" OD portion of the barrel is a lousy fit in the receiver, so when I moved the shoulder over, I made it a better fit.... The locatons of the O-rings, barrel port (on the bottom so not visible in the photo) and the set-screw hole are all critical, as is the 7/16" shoulder.... I didn't add a groove for the third (forward) O-ring I don't see any reason for it.... Also what you can't see, there is an internal O-ring groove inside the barrel in the space between the external O-ring and the back.... That O-ring is a #009 and fits nicely on the 7/32" bolt nose to seal it.... I had to rechamber the barrel of course.... Here is the breech with the magazine in place....



It took a ton of measuring, thinking, drawing sketches, and careful fitting to accomplish this job, and my thanks to stalwart for all his help.... If you want to get your FD-PCP or XS-60C converted as a repeater, please contact him on the GTA Forum....

Bob

[AmBraCol]

As always  - thanks for sharing this build with us!  I love seeing how a plan comes together.

[avator]

Bob,
 Are you suggesting that Stalwart is offering this mod as a service? At a price of course.

[AmBraCol]

Bob,
 Are you suggesting that Stalwart is offering this mod as a service? At a price of course.

Here's the link to the project, Bill.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=59114.0

[airgunwarriors]

Al, I already commented on that string in the other thread.... excellent results.... As to your statement about 14.3 gr pellets giving a higher shot count, I disagree, you usually get more shots as the pellet weight increases.... Also, you are pushing the 14.3 gr pretty fast, you are at the point where I would be looking at 15.9 gr. JSB Exacts, or 16.0 gr. Predators, if they are accurate in your barrel.... If you want the best in long range accuracy, it's pretty hard to beat the JSB Exact Series in one weight or the other.... The 18.1 gr. Heavy is my all time favourite pellet in .22 cal....

Bob

Bob,

I will most definitely look into the 15.9-grain JSB Exacts!

Just received my first tin of 18.1-grain JSB pellets and must say that I am very impressed by them.

Hopefully, you can pick up a pretty good deal on the 15.9-grain JSB Exact pellets; long range accuracy is what I after.

Regards,

Al.

[vigilandy]

Today I modified the receiver to accept the 8-shot .22 cal PRod magazines.... This was NOT my idea, I borrowed it from stalwart on the GTA who originally used a 10-shot .22 cal MRod magazine.... The basic idea is to machine a notch big enough for the PRod magazine in the receiver.... It looks like this....

Bob, why did you go with the PRod magazine instead of the Mrod? Convenience or issue with fit?  Also, I know that these are not interchangeable-- can you tell me why?  I've been searching for an answer on this for a while and haven't found anything.   

[stalwart]

Bob, it's beautiful. Pure and simple.

Guys, if you ever get a chance to collaborate with Bob... take it. I learned a bunch, and the guy is kinda fun to hang with!

I am doing a short first run on these (in 10 shot), to nail down some cost numbers and techniques. I have parts left for 2 more guns or conversions, in this run. PM if interested.  Lead time on the next run is TBD.

The pistol mag is more compact, takes longer pellets, and a gun modded for them will take Lloyd's .30 cal (7 shot) mags. I'm going that route in a long term project I can't wait to start. Neither has issues with fit, but, neither can just be slapped in. They each have their own reasons for careful work, and both are good choices for their own reasons. Here's a pic of the Mrod setup... you can see that the pistol mags tuck in very nicely, and will leave room for a smaller scope, set low.

[rsterne]

Well I got the rifle back together today, and it works beautifully.... I get 20 shots from 1500 down to 1000 psi within 30 fps (4%), 692-720-692, which averages 705 fps (20 FPE) so that works out to 1.66 FPE/CI, which is stellar efficiency at that power level.... The bstaley O-ring buffer really works well to detune this gun for moderate power and lots of shots.... It stuck all 20 shots in the same 3/8" OD hole (at 20') while running the string through the Chrony, so the accuracy will be there I'm sure....



With a Leapers 3-9 x 32AO scope in medium rings the tube easily clears the PRod magazine, although if the turret sticks down very far below the tube on your scope, it may not fit unless, like on mine, it is either in front of or behind the magazine.... The gun as shown above weighs 6 lb. 13 oz., so it's under 6 lbs. without scope, and with the 1" shorter barrel the gun is under 39" long.... I would say that if my son can shoot, the Grouse are in for a really bad time this fall....

Bob

[rsterne]

Sorry, stalwart, but the .25 cal (and Lloyd's .30 cal) mags are 0.050" longer yet again than the PRod mags (which AFAIK are only available in .22 cal).... All the MRod magazines are the same height, however, but the PRod (being 8-shot instead of 10) is lower (more scope clearance) and requires a shallower cutout below the barrel.... One benefit of the PRod mag is that it will take Predators.... Yes, it was a lot of fun picking your brain on this project, I really do appreciate the help.... Any of you guys that want a repeater, I'm sure it will be worth the cost of the conversion....

Bob

[avator]

Very nice. You guys amaze me with this stuff. I wish I had an unlimited budget, I would take two of everything you guys do. However, if I don't want to grow old and die a lonely man, I need to throttle my cravings.

[cclingma]

Those are such nice setups.  I'm feeling jealous.  I so bad want to be a machinest.

[vigilandy]

If only this was possible with basic tools... 

[avator]

If only this was possible with basic tools...

Agreed, this would be a tough task with my flat file and Harbor Freight screw driver set.

[avator]

If only this was possible with basic tools...

Agreed, this would be a tough task with my flat file and Harbor Freight screw driver set.

I was talking to Betty Lou about these guys and she said she wouldn't want their electric bill.

[stalwart]

She's right.

If more people understood how much of a shop rate a competent owner actually takes home... there would be less people wishing they had a shop.

I like Betty Lou, and you can tell her I said so. Always liked smart girls.

[avator]

Yeah, I kinda like her too. Her list of qualities is endless. I'm a lucky guy.

Thanks

[Scott Endler]

Is this XS60C PCP based on the first generation rifle and using an aftermarket fix for the leak at the valve? What was the fix? I can't find the other thread where it was discussed.

[Kailua]

Is this XS60C PCP based on the first generation rifle and using an aftermarket fix for the leak at the valve? What was the fix? I can't find the other thread where it was discussed.

Add an 113 oring in the rear end of the valve so there are two side by side.  Yes it is the first gen rifle.  I think the second gen has a different designed valve.  All the PCP rifles are all fixed for leaks by Mike.  The CO2 first gen rifles can be bought fixed for $70 and unfixed for leaks at $50.

To change the subject my hats off to rsterne and stalwart.  Glad they are members of the GTA.

[stalwart]

Thanks, Paul.

It's an honor to be in present company.