My first post here and have a question:
Has anbody set up their Condor specifically for long range shooting? I have a .22, and was wondering what fill pressures, pellet(s), stock configuration would be best suited. Also, should I replace the barrel and if so, with what (manufacturer, length)? Going to use it for a long range small bore shoot, and maybe prairie dogs. Appreciate any suggestions.
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here is a good place to find cool add ons.
http://talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9980
I’ve got the WOK butt 😯 ( I can already here the jokes coming) that attaches to the bottle. Really helps with shouldering the rifle that improves the cheek weld. I put the trigger guard on one of my rifles too.
Soon I hope to put a shoe on my .25. I’ve been tinkering with it and it’s starting to shoot better groups than my .22
I’ll look into it and see about ordering one. Haven’t looked at all the goodies on TalonTunes but am guessing that’s where I’d find this trigger shoe?
AGH – I’ll bet the quality of the trigger on the FX and AA are a big factor. The trigger on my .22 Mrod is so much smoother than on the codor and I’ve done the trigger work to as best of my abilities.
I find myself going to the M Rod a lot because it is really more accurate shot for shot and I really think the trigger has everything to do with it.
That’s why I like the WOK trigger shoe and power wheel setting at 0.
I was wondering because I’ve found that with most pellets my downrange accuracy improved in this gun when I back down the velocities. Ive tried about 30 different pellets, including some cylindrical and a boat tail, and none gave the best accuracy at the highest setting. Maybe a heavy cast bullet would benefit.
Had the Condor out with my FX Royale and AA S510, and while the Condor was more powerful, 100-125 yard prairie dogs went down more frequently to the other guns. I though the Condor was just a less accurate design and put it aside.
Then a few weeks ago started shooting a friends TalonTune Condor and it could knock the gonads off a flea at longer ranges, granted it’s a .25 and has options my stock gun doesn’t, but trying to figure out what to do to make my gun comparable in performance.
Understand the work you put into this and appreciate you sharing the knowledge.
Good info Tulsa.
One of the biggest factors in my own shooting with the Condor has been staying “on the scope” until the shot hits. Because the pellet is in the barrel for a longer period of time than a firearm, keeping the rifle on target seems more critical.
I did. I always start low and work my up and then back down. It’s eaiser for me to see the POI affect.
To answer your question, the Condor is still very effective (i.e. accurate) at lower FPS. However, the trajactory at low(er) FPS will have a greater arc, thus a greater holdover at greater distances.
I’ve got a Hawke 1/2 mil-dot and set at 20x and I’ve got a 3 mil-dot hold over at 100 yards.
Let me expalin the method to my madness.
I started the .22 at 875 with the JSB 18.1. I kept turning up the “wick” until the POI at my desired zero in this case 50 yards, started to change.
I started to see change at about 1150fps. 😯 I know, too fast.
So I dropped it back to 1100fps. Groups were acceptable at 50 yards, but really fell apart beyond that distance.
Still not what I wanted. So little by little I slowed it down. When I started getting 2″ and smaller groups at 80 yards, I felt it was good to go for what I needed it to do.
I put the gun back on the chrony and it was putting them down range at 1000fps give or take a few fps.
I was also getting a fair number of shots per fill. I don’t recall the number but it was around 20.
Now all of this took me about two entire tins of pellets and a couple of days of chrony work and range shooting not to mention I must have walked twelve miles back and forth to the targets. 😆
Keep in mind that I’m trying different start pressures and top hat settings. I try to leave my power wheel (excuse me. my preload spring tension adjuster) as low as possible. Maybe it’s me but it seems the lower the setting on the PSTA, the easier for the trigger to “break”. Let me say now if you don’t have a WOK trigger, get one. It will help with accuracy.
I’ve shot a lot of other pellets too and the JSB have the edge on other pellets.
Plus, they shoot well in all of my other guns. I don’t want nor need a different pellet for each gun.
It’s good to look for tight groups. This emplies consistant accuracy. About the smallest prey I shoot is a starling, or about a 2″ kill zone. I will sometimes can’t get any closer than 80 yards; starlings are smart birds. I’ve made a couple of kills further out, but rare for me.
I know that is a long winded explanation but sometimes knowing the road makes the journey a little easier.
Hope this helps!!
And information on your gun, it’s appreciated. Have you looked at effects of long range accuracy with the power dialed down a bit? If so, what did you see?
I don’t get much better groups than 4″ at 100yds.
My set up and it may not work for your gun is below. I’ve found that no two guns shoot the same as i’ve tried others set up. However, here ya are.
Condor .22 24″ barrel.
No mods, pretty much stock other than the normal stuff you need to do to the AF rifles.
I do have a WOK trigger on it. It give a much better “feel” to the trigger. Also I have found that with the PW on “0” the pull is easier and more consistent.
chrony tested at 1000fps
shooting 18.1g JSB
2000psi fill
top hat gap is .110″ with an O ring under the top hat
“0” on the power wheel
zeroed at 57 yards for a 1″ kill zone.
attached is a video I took shooting it at 93 yards off a bench rest. Perfect day, no wind and ideal conditions. I’ve had much worse. Won’t show those. 😆
[video src="http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/j321/airgunsoftulsa/?action=view¤t=9fd6f130.mp4" /]
good luck with your shooting. Stay in touch.
The 100 yard groups I’m getting average about 4″ which I think should be tighter. Have tried a range of medium and heavy pellets, different power settings, and have tried keeping shots within various pressure ranges to minimize intrashot variability. From the actual shooting point of view, have rested the rifle on a lead sled, on bags, off of bipod.
The most probable cause of so-so accuracy is the shooter, so I’m looking for simple things related to how I’m getting on the gun: the stock, the grip – don’t have a problem with the trigger. But if the simple steps don’t work, then need to start on the gun, which is behind the questions on barrels, valve modifications, and suggested fill pressures.
Thanks
For your long range Condor in the making, what are you doing to it? I’ve worked with different airguns but don’t really know where to start with this one. Would like to see what others having more experience shooting the Condor think needs to be done. I get acceptable 100 yard groups, but not great. Not sure if it’s the intrinsic accuracy or if it’s my inability to shoot it consistently. Was thinking about putting an FX Verminator buttstock on it, might help on my end.
Welcome AGM,
Condors can be set up to do very nice long range (for airguns) shooting. The longer the barrel, the more accuracy and velocity. I have an 18″ .22 cal barrel and can group decently at 125 yards under less than ideal conditions.
No matter what you want to do with your Condor, someone here has probably already done it and will likely be more than happy to help. Enjoy your rifle. 🙂
1st off……WELCOME to the madness!
2nd, how long is long? If proven to be accurate, most standard guns can shoot out to 100+ yards with some success. Are u planning on shooting further? if so, i would switch the barrel and power setup to something more suitable for long range. Like casting your own slugs. BUT, the Diablo pellet can reach out there, it just depends on how far you wanna shoot to.
My condor is in the MAKES right now to become strictly a 100+ yard gun… :wink:. My long range big bores and small bores shoot cast bullets and not pellets. While a 22 or 25 cal airgun can shoot out to 200+ yards, the accuracy in most is not there cause of the pellet design.
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AGH,
my condor is a secret for now…lol! Wanna get it together and see how it performs before i start blabbering too much hype…lol!
But its gonna be a long range ?? cal shooting cast bullets and not pellets 😉
As many stated above, pellets can work just fine. I learned a long time ago about POWER. Most of the time, 80 FPE or even 60 FPE can be too much for a squirrel or sparrow. ACCURACY is the utmost important.
I’ve shoot 25 cal Pointed Eun Jins in my condor with much success. The same with Kodiaks. I’ve shot them out to 150 yards on Jack Rabbits with complete pass throughs. But the shot count sucked at over 80 FPE!
Between WalkonKing and Tony at talon tunes, theres plenty of supped up parts to buy for you condor.
Or if you go stock, start with a good pellet like JSB in any caliber or even Kodiaks. I prefer 25 cal hands down. The Kings or Kodiaks can reach way out there. Adjust the power adjuster to get best results in stock config. I have to admit, i’m way outta CONDOR Practice and i’m sure lots of things have changed since i had my condor all hoped up. Lots of good advise here.