I was just talking to AZ about the entire slug infestation trying to knock Diabolos out of the park. Here's what he says, and backed up what I thought. First, can anyone prove there is a 36.2 grain .22 that has a BC of 0.158? Because that's higher than any .22LR that I know of.
Second, out of any and every barrel maker, even my remark to AZ on what he thought about having HART make a hand lapped, prototype for soft cast sized to ten thousandths slugs? He said they'll take your money like any of the other big name barrel makers and accuracy isn't guaranteed. True. He pretty much said he's sick of guys wanting pellet guns to shoot slugs as good as what some pellet guns can spit Diabolos. He also said though if ANYONE has it close to doing both, it's Korean barrels like Sumatras & Evanix with their micro grooves. I already knew that owning several of both.
FX liners & sized soft cast slugs can work well. You need the right fit, twist, speed, power setting, and don't expect as many shots.
I wanted a Huben but I knew I was never going to buy one of these Gen 1-5 as far as I'm concerned these are all prototypes. He has 5 in his shop right now and although admittedly they have some great advances, they are a straight up bitch to work on, time, and good luck keeping it at optimal settings for very long. Maybe that's just 5 that had to be sent to him but that's 5 too many and I wasn't thrilled at all when I heard they have to be sent in for any maintenance at all.
Conclusion of conversation? Higher BC's are desired. Trading accuracy to get it isn't what pellet guns are about. The .177 came in as a laser threading the needle in FT and making shots most people can't make with a .22LR as they have them zeroed at one distance & don't usually know the hold over or under for anything else. Good for body shots. My questions on a RAW .357, or possibly a tethered .257 just pissed him off. He asked if I ever shot a big bore. Yes. Have you ever shot a .357 RAW? No. Well, unless you're going to get a custom 20lb stock and BR shoot it, it's good for body shots on varmints. If I tried to hit a Rabbit in the head at 80 yards, I doubt I'd hit it. If I went for the body, probably. Fact is these big bores are not as easy to shoot as say a .177, .22, or even a .25 set at 880fps w/ 25.43 Kings. Just like a Garand is excellent to shoot prone. I hate the 760 Pumpmaster as it kicks like a mule. Big bores require consistency akin to what a springer shooter with a hold sensitive rifle is used to.
I talked w/ the fella that owns Rat Sniper Slugs. He basically said he focuses on 100-200 yard at most. If you need more than that, reach for a powder burner. I tend to agree though all I ever wanted in an air rifle was .22LR ability. I like the guys harder/brittle .30 Kryptonite slugs, and if they're dead on at .300, as The Evanik Rainstorm is only choked to .299, I'll try some. LW uses deep lands & grooves for air guns. I think blow by is a slight issue, and the 0.004" choke doesn't like hard lead at air gun pressures.
Besides FX's liners, I'd personally call TJ's Liners as from what I understand, you can order just about any dimensions and combinations in any length you need.
I have one question on slugs. I've tried to Call Mr. Hollow Point to ask him directly. Maybe someone here knows. What platform/barrel are the 29 grain .177's in 4.50, .51, .52, .53, .54, or .55 meant to be shot from accurately?
The more I think about it, the more I think I may forego a RAW .357 & stay with .30 as the biggest. I absolutely love my Sumatra .25 (and Craig) so it'll be some experimentation with both to see who wins. I think I'm keeping my Rainstorm .22 set at 860 w/ JSB 18.1's for 50 shots regulated as I can literally still send them out to 200 yards and easily keep a 4" group with a junk scope. If they were weighed, sized, and I had a 1/10 mil-quad SWFA no wind I'm sure they'd do what a good .22LR could do and hold 2" @ 200 yards. It's about targets for me so the high BC was cool for reaching out there but I don't need massive ftlbs. Just my opinion.
Thanks James,
Have seen you here quite awhile.
Yeah I have talked to AZ too. He's not to thrilled with the whole slug thing. Tried to get a .25 RAW from him but no luck. So he talked me into a FX Crown .25. Thought that would be go for trying slugs. But now the more I read might reconsider and sell it. I got RAW .30 from him and he said it was one of the best shooters he ever had. Also have Royale 500 he worked on. Just might keep that one too. Thanks again for the reply. I have alot to think about.
