Buying a Talon SS – Need Advice
I’ve been lurking here for a couple of weeks, and I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and buy a Talon SS .22. I’m planning to buy one with the scuba adapter and scope included to save a little cash. This is my first air gun, and I’m planning to use it to take care of some groundhog issues, and also target shooting with family and friends.
Based on the advice given here, I’ve also decided to buy a Hill pump. (I’m planning to get one without the dry-pak. I don’t want to deal with buying refills.) Eventually, I’ll probably buy a scuba tank, but I figured a good pump would be nice to have in any event. Could anyone point me to the correct adapter I need to buy to get the AF tank and Hill pump working together?
From what I’ve read in the AirForce manual, I shouldn’t bother with cleaning pellets, and I shouldn’t use gun cleaners because they can damage the seals and/or o-rings. They also say that a cleaning rod can be used. Any advice on what I should do in regards to maintenance, and are there any products I should be ordering to help with the task?
I have neighbors relatively close, and I’m trying to avoid disturbing them, so I’ll be doing the spring/fender wash/spacers shroud mod I’ve read about here. I’m also considering adding a rubber washer to the hammer to try to lower the hammer slap sound, but I’m not sure what to use to attach the washer to the hammer. I’d like to buy a real shroud, and a hammer mod from somebody who knows what they are doing, but those will have to wait until the shock to my wallet from this initial investment wears off.
I’ve gotten a lot of ideas from these forums, and I’ve really enjoyed reading the backlog of posts. In that regard, are there any other recommended mods I should look into. I’m particularly interested in making my Talon quieter, but I’d probably enjoy researching anything that’s worthwhile.
For groundhogs, what .22 pellets would you guys recommend? Based on what I’ve read the Beeman Kodiak Extra Heavy seem to be a good bet, but I’d be interested to hear any other recommendations.
If anyone has any other advice to share with a newbie, please feel free.
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I bought the string level at Lowes and used as Electrician’s pocket level to set scope vertical. I should not write after beers..
Mike
I got a couple of the line levels for leveling reticles. Works better than any of the expensive market choices. The levels are about 3 inches long. I stuck a magnetic strip on the bottom so they don’t go anywhere. Use a vise, level the receiver and then level the scope by the top turret. Double check with a plumb line.
I decided I want the groundhogs dead sooner rather than later, and I don’t have time to wait for the tuning. They’ve built a den under my deck against the side of my house, and tore up the insulation on the outside wall of my basement in the process.
So I went to pyramidair and ordered:
Talon SS .22″
Leapers Accushot 1-Pc Mount w/1″ Rings, High (They were out of stock on the Beeman’s Mount, and it was $60 more expensive.)
Leapers 5th Gen 3-9×40 AO Mil-Dot Rifle Scope with R/G, 1″ Tube
Scuba Adapter
12-oz. CO2 tank + Adapter
I made some compromises to get the price down a bit, but at least it will be in my hands in the near future.
I think I may have screwed up on the scuba tank. I got a 30 CF tank, and after doing some research it looks like most people have went with the 80 CF tanks. I was looking at it from the portability standpoint. Carryng around that 40-50 pound tank when I want to go shooting didn’t appeal to me. Also, the dive shop is close to where I work, so I can get it filled any day during the work week. We’ll see how it works out, I may have a used scuba tank for sale soon. I wish those carbon fiber tanks weren’t so expensive.
I have the same scope, 30mm, nice and bright. I use an old caddy to haul tank to range. I plan to use built in tank, good for at least 15 to 25 shots for hunting and leave 80 CF tank in truck.
I’m down to 2500 psi in my SCUBA tank and shooting 20 FPE. I nailed a squirrel at 15 yards today, no problem. Every one suggest cranking it up so I will when I refill to 3k. Enjoy!
Mike
Ah, a friend of Dr. Morgus is a magnificant friend of mine;)
I got an aluminum 6 sided string level that works fine. It sits on the top rail to level gun then I place on top of flat turret on scope to agree with rifle. $3 at Lowes.
OK, I’ll bite… what’s the Dr. Morgus ref and what’s for sale at Lowes?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgus_the_Magnificent
I bought the string level at Lowes and used as Electrician’s pocket level to set scope vertical. I should not write after beers..
Mike
I just clicked the submit order button on a my new Talon SS.
I decided I want the groundhogs dead sooner rather than later, and I don’t have time to wait for the tuning. They’ve built a den under my deck against the side of my house, and tore up the insulation on the outside wall of my basement in the process.
So I went to pyramidair and ordered:
Talon SS .22″
Leapers Accushot 1-Pc Mount w/1″ Rings, High (They were out of stock on the Beeman’s Mount, and it was $60 more expensive.)
Leapers 5th Gen 3-9×40 AO Mil-Dot Rifle Scope with R/G, 1″ Tube
Scuba Adapter
12-oz. CO2 tank + Adapter
I made some compromises to get the price down a bit, but at least it will be in my hands in the near future.
I think I may have screwed up on the scuba tank. I got a 30 CF tank, and after doing some research it looks like most people have went with the 80 CF tanks. I was looking at it from the portability standpoint. Carryng around that 40-50 pound tank when I want to go shooting didn’t appeal to me. Also, the dive shop is close to where I work, so I can get it filled any day during the work week. We’ll see how it works out, I may have a used scuba tank for sale soon. I wish those carbon fiber tanks weren’t so expensive.
Ah, a friend of Dr. Morgus is a magnificant friend of mine;)
I got an aluminum 6 sided string level that works fine. It sits on the top rail to level gun then I place on top of flat turret on scope to agree with rifle. $3 at Lowes.
OK, I’ll bite… what’s the Dr. Morgus ref and what’s for sale at Lowes?
Ah, a friend of Dr. Morgus is a magnificant friend of mine;)
I got an aluminum 6 sided string level that works fine. It sits on the top rail to level gun then I place on top of flat turret on scope to agree with rifle. $3 at Lowes.
Charlie, I have a beeman level , and it looks great on the gun, The only time I use it is when I’m setting up a scope so I get the cross hairs straight. Before I got the level ,I put a pocket level across the vertical adjuster knob which did the same thing. Its easy to move it between guns when necessary.
ive got a level like that -just needs a thin spacer where the two sections come together–squares it up nice-I only use it for a consistency refrence rather than anything else…helps me focus on the feel of holding so that things are lined up.
airtight_python thanks for the heads up on the level. I did some searching and found a few people saying they had some issues with the b-square levels. It’s unfortunate, because liked the design.
Based on the searching I did, I agree the Sinclair levels do look like they are made better. One of the folding ones would seem to be the way to go. I’m not real wild about the idea of needing to remember to fold it up when I want to shot though. The ones that sit close to the scope look like they would be difficult to see if you were looking through the scope.
Don’t get a level like that. Some are known to be a bit crooked.
Search Sinclair Intl. for levels. Better made.
Actually, it’s more fun that way, my friend. Take your time. Get a foundational gun, shoot the hell out of it and enjoy it, then figure out how you want to mod-up from there. Plenty of good folks here to help ya along the way.
Half the fun about AF guns is that they’re about as customizable as a ’69 Chevelle… 350 or 396? Maybe the 454! Do I want to keep the vinyl seats or go for leather? 😆
If you like to tinker, then take your time… As they say, it’s not the destination, it’s the journey. 😉
OK, that looks identical to the Beeman I have. That’ll do ya fine. On the other hand, since they’re identical, compare the prices and save a buck on whichever is cheaper.
But yeah, Saugus, you’re right… I haven’t figured out how they justify the price for these things. $25 or whatever? Pound for pound, it might be the most expensive piece on my gun. 😯
But they do work well, especially for off-hand shooting.
That bubble level works ok, I got the exact same one. The only thing I found after I bought it is that the white line under the level isn’t exactly at the halfway point between the two black lines in the glass. So I have to make the bubble go just to the right of the center line for the gun to be dead verticle. It’s also pretty damn expensive for what it is, but it’s ok.
Buzzcat, here’s the level I was looking at:
It clamps to the 11mm dovetail.
It was the first link that came up on google shopping when I searched for “B-Square Scope Level”
After looking at the list today I think I need to split it up between items to buy on the initial rifle, and items I can easily upgrade to later. So I think Pramodsid may be right about this taking a few months. 🙂
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The cheap 6 sided bubble is a good idea, as long as you shoot from the same spot you leveled your gun at all the time, but what if you go to different locations? You’d have to bring that level with you all the time to check. That’s the one thing I like about the B square level, (or a better one like it) it’s attached to your gun all the time. Couple that with a Harris swivel bi pod, and you can make your gun verticle instantly no matter how un level the surface is. My new bi pod has a big knurled knob underneath that you can loosen, letting you cant your gun some 20/30 degrees right or left. Just look at the attached level, and you’re there fast. I highly recommend the Harris bi pod that swivels, look at the level and adjust the cant within seconds without having to adjust a leg, or carry a seperate level to get gun verticle.