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.
All Replies
You just dug deep into your pockets … 🙂
Truly said about your wallet experience… 😉
Your gonna be busy for a few months……
😀
The list never ends …it just goes on and on 😆
Thanks again to everyone for their input.
Just thought I’d post an update on my plans/wishlist.
Talon SS w/ 18″ Barrel
Full Tuning
Vented Barrel Bushings
O-ring Mod
Hammer Slap Mod
Scope Mounts – Beeman 5039 (1 Pc. High, Adjustable Scope Mount)
Scope – Leapers 4-16×56 Illuminated Scope
Scope Level – B-Square
Bipod – Harris HBR-S, mounted with 11mm to Weaver Adapter
Laser – Aimshot 8100
Shroud – TBD
Scuba Tank, + AF adapter
CO2 Tank, and Adapter (For target shooting)
Tins of Pellets (Kodiak Extra Heavy, CP, JSB, Predators)
Pellet Holder
Divers silicone spray
Allen Wrentches
Blue Locktite
Feeler Guages
You hit the Bulls Eye…
“Check which pellet your Talon/Condor loves the Best and the get ready to stock it…”
I strongly believe in that 8)
I did mention that to Charlie in my first post too so he gets his right choice…… :8
No worries, it’s worth repeating… 😉
No offence taken. But if I learned anything, its don’t buy a poo load of pellets before you try them… that’s what I did with CP’s, and found neither my 12″ or 18″ barrel liked them much at all. Oddly enough, I did have good luck with Crosman 14.3 “Hunting Field” pellets, which most others have bad luck with, so it’s good to test different one’s, see what works, then stock up.
EDIT:
Synopsys quote: “I would hold off buying any pellet in bulk until you figure out which pellet works best in each barrel or you may end up with a whole bunch of ammo the rifle does not like. Like me.”
Oops… sorry guy… I quess I said the same thing you already said! Missed that.
I have to second the CP pellets.
I did a range day Sunday and started off with Beeman Kodiak Hvys and Miesterklugan (sp) round nose not expecting the CP’s I have to do any better than the Kodiaks.
I was breaking in my 24″ 0.177 barrel and the CPs shot way, way better than the others. Which is odd because the Kodiaks shoot way better than the CPs in the 18″ barrel I had in it previously…
Which is good news since I got two boxes of the CPs…
My 10/22 shoots one ammo great but in another 10/22 the same ammo is not so great… 😕
I would hold off buying any pellet in bulk until you figure out which pellet works best in each barrel or you may end up with a whole bunch of ammo the rifle does not like. Like me. 😳
IMHO Buzzcat, Don’t underestimate the CP pellets. All my hunts have been with CP pellets. I truly don’t like the Death Dance when I take my shot on the prey be it whatever. I haven’t seen any of my prey move for more than 5-10 seconds(95% truth 🙂 ). 5% dont go tell the Sheriff 😯
With all due respect to Saugus18 and you I truly admire the fact about the Kodiaks. I stay in a semi urban area and do shoot out of the window (RARE). Have had some bad experiences with the Kodiaks. To mention a few facts.
> Once while shooting at low power that is under 750 fps the there was an instance where larger deflections was seen from the POA
[ The main reason is the weight of the pellet, the Kodiaks are heavy and they appreciate the 850+ fps velocity]
> Now when I say deflection, I mean it was about a feet away (Its just my experience so pardon me If I am wrong)
> The Kodiaks do serious damage if you are not very careful and serious with it.
To conclude try CP’s for hunt..
I take head shots if the prey is anything above 2lbs……..(Between the ear and eyes from the side or just the center of the eyes if the hunt is at night as they stare at my flashlight). I have never got a flier with my CP.
If there were drift in the POI it was due to the change in air pressure or my aim.
I have taken upto 10 lbs with the CP’s….Have the posts on the Hunting section too……
The ground hog is not found in my part of the country but there are mid sized predators and I have knocked one that weighed 10lbs.
Cheers to all….!!! No offence if any of my words have been unkind…
Happy safe Shooting !!! 🙂
My last 2 cents.
I would recommend getting the Beeman adjustable one-piece scope mount for any Air Force Weapon. Depending upon the distances shooting, because of the elevation distance between the barrel and scope on Air Force guns, the adjustable scope mount allows you to sight the scope in for shorter ranges without using up all of the scope’s elevation adjustability.
I believe the Beeman number is 7039 – one piece and it gives you the 1″ height necessary to get a good look through the scope.
charlie615 quote: “Now I’m thinking about getting an 18″ barrel for the reasons bullseye stated. I’m guessing 90% of the time I’ll be shooting at between 10 to 50 yards.”
The SS with 18″ barrel would be more than enough for those ranges. I did the same thing some time ago and loved it. Great combo. Here’s a pic of what my gun did at 20yrds to the sheet metal from my target stand. Right thru with Kodiaks… (12″ only dented it)
And here’s what it did to thicker sheet metal at 70 some yards with Kodiaks. Major dent action…
So you’ll have plenty of power to 50 yrds, and beyond. I have several configurations for my gun, including a Hi Flo bottle with .25 barrel, and I still use the SS with the 18″ more than anything else, it’s just right unless you want to shoot beyond 60/70 yrds accurately
(Yes, I shot the Sherrif lol)
FWIW, and not to contradict Pramodsid’s experience, I really like the CPs for punching paper, but they’re no good for hunting anything with fur. Especially something the size of a groundhog.
Unless you’re patient enough to wait for a clean headshot (and more often than not you probably won’t be :wink:), the CPs are just going to ventilate the critter and cause an unnecessarily long death-dance, if in fact the critter doesn’t manage to high-tail it out of there first and then die a day or two later.
Use Predators at the very least, and Kodiaks for the best all-around insurance.
18″ Barrel will bring a smile on your face 🙂 and make you jump out of your chair with accuracy at 50 yards. 😯
And with a shroud your talon (18″) would not be as long as the Condor with 24″ + 4″ for the shroud 😳
No offence to all the Condor Owners with 24″ barrel and a shroud on it.
Your Weapon Rocks too 😆
I have the talon 18″ with shroud and it seems perfect, great fun to shoot at 50 yards.
Okay before I forget, some homework you need to do on the CP pellets if you wanna have a clean barrel and don’t wanna dirty your fingers every time you load a pellet.
I buy boxes of 650.
> Empty a box in a bucket of luke warm water (Just enough water to immense the pellets in water)
> Just use some washing powder and mix them thoroughly, keep them for say 10 mnts.
> wash away the water and see the dirt wash away, do repeat the exercise one more time.
> Then just spay the tap water onto the pellets in the bucket. (Final touches)
> Dry the pellets on pieces of newspaper
> Collect pellets and put the in a plastic box, drop 5-8 drops of oil(can be any barrel cleaning oil, make sure its not any oil that is flammable due to the high pressure that is released from the valve and the movement of the pellet)
> Mix them well, and leave them the way they are
> Now you are ready to shoot. :4
Now I know you might say, What the hell why all the pain….. 😡 😥
To me the answers are…..:
> Its a one time exercise when I buy 5 boxes.
> I make 6 packs in small plastic containers (Lasts me for a year or so that would be 2500 + pellets)
> I have not had a single flier with CP. ( If anything went wrong ..it was either the pressure or my aim)
Note: Out of every box of 650 be prepared to see 50 damaged pellets.
These ones deliver the punch. I have a video in the hunting section which sent
feathers flying and should give you a real time picture.
This forum is to share and help each other….. 🙂 I have learnt a lot from our senior forum members and its payback time !!! :4
Happy Safe shooting my friend !!!
Sorry for the long write up but couldn’t cut short.
And about your query about talon tunes ….you don’t have to ship a talon to him…
Just name the weapon and choose the options…he’ll do the needful…more you spend …mightier your weapon gets…
In the end you have a Silent TANK….
I suggest you write to him and have a word with him…..
He will guide you and you can choose what is most necessary …
Thanks very much for all of the advice.
Now I’m thinking about getting an 18″ barrel for the reasons bullseye stated. I’m guessing 90% of the time I’ll be shooting at between 10 to 50 yards.
Question: At that range what barrel length makes the most sense?
Also,you guys have convinced me that a scuba tank would be a good purchase. I’ll be heading to the scuba shop during lunch to see if I can pick one up. I’m thinking 80cf should be a good size to buy. I’ll probably still get the pump to have as a backup.
electrician, thanks for the advice on the silicone, scuba tank, rail, and wrenches. I’m adding the silicone and wrenches to the shoping list. The rail will probably wait until I get the basics done and I’m ready to get a laser for short range.
I’ve been browsing talontunes.com and another question came to mind when I was looking at the hammers.
Question: What’s the advantage of having a heavier hammer?
Also, does Tony sell complete Talons or would I need to buy one elsewhere and send it to him?
Divers silicone, comes in spray also, the spray gets into places you can’t reach when the gun is together, silicone around the breach and use the stiffer stuf for where thr o-ring seals on the tophat.. My scuba tank was $168.00 and cost $5.00 to refill. even when my tank is low , I initially fill to what the scuba tank has and then bring it on up to 2800 or so and stop.
Too much pressure dosn’t make your gun any better and can cause problems, and as most people here can tell you it will start shooting its best fps around 2500psi.
Its best to make friends with your filler at the dive shop, and be up front about what you will be using the air for. High press.air is dangerous when not handled properly and he will be more comfortable to sell it to you because he knows that you know what you are doing. It takes a good while to pump up the tank with a hand pump. 5 minutes of pumping then 15 minutes of cooldown between filling will keep your pump working for a long time. If your near an electrical supply get a small set of Klien allen wrenches. Theres really just a few you need, and they are the small sizes. .050, 3/32., etc. The AF scope parts your getting are light weight and you need to use care when tightening them up. The tri-rail is a part I have on both my guns, It raises the scops up some so you have a better position to put your face when aiming. I have my Lazer mounted to the left side tri-rail and a light on the right. I lot of people buy the tri-rail but they don’t use all three sides.
Sears/ Craftsman sells a package with the .050 and 1/16th allens. The .050 is the one for the grub screws on the tophat.
Don’t forget, blue locktite and feeler guages. Where the tophat is set always comes up and you need to measure it as set by AF, before you move it.
My two cents would be to consider purchasing a Talon with a longer barrel (or a Condor) and buy an aftermarket shroud. You will end up with a gun with more power, better long range accuracy and also quieter than a standard Talon SS with a 12″ barrel for not much more money.
I did this with my Talon SS and went with a 24″ barrel and aftermarket shroud.
I also went from .177 caliber to .22 caliber and when using CO2, I get more velocity with a 16 grain .22 pellet than I got with a .177 grain out of the original Talon SS and it is quieter – depending upon the shroud you get.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Wow, you’re gonna like that setup.
Does the B-Square level clamp on or screw in? IIRC, it’s designed to screw into the side of B-Square mounts. I don’t think the Beeman mount has a hole/mount point that will let you do that.
An alternative is the Beeman scope level. It clamps on the dovetail.
Again, nothing wrong with the B-Square, but both of them are pretty expensive little suckers for what they’re designed to do, so you want to make sure you get one that going to fit. 😉
EDIT: After further thought, I think the screw-in level might be the BKL, but I’m not sure and I’m too lazy to check.