New rifle (not an M-rod :-) )

[JQR]

With all the Maruader talk (and it's good stuff) I feel like I know almost as much about a rifle I don't own, as I do about the ones I do own.

I thought I'd through out something different. Was just about to order a MAC1 2250XT with all the goodies including a longer match barrel, as I wanted a smallish CO2 shooter without carts. I had been going back and forth between 2250XT and a 2nd Talon. Just when I was about to order I changed my mind and went with the Talon.

Talon frame (4.5ish inches shorter than the SS or Condor frame). 12" .177 barrel (have a .22 12" barrel also), SS endcap. Needs a little help in the sound dept so it will have to get a little longer but this feels perfect so far. More than enough power for my indoor offhand shooting at 10m and 20y and will also see plenty of 'walk around' time on the family property.

The well worn SS needs a new trigger group, but will get either the 18" .177 barrel the came with the Talon or a shortened version of the 24" .22 barrel I just picked up. It will be my bench gun on the backyard range (limited to 30 - 35y)  on CO2 or air, and will be able to reach out for longer range fun when I get the chance.

Being 4 inches shorter doesn't sound like a lot but with the short barrel it make a huge difference in the way the gun feels. Here it is in front of the TSS.
Now I just need to figure out why I can't get it to group... the barrel is of proven accuracy, it spent a year in the TSS.

[longislandhunter]

Nice looking rig !!  

I have a Talon with the 18" .22 barrel and it's a tack driving hammer....   I just recently finished sighting it in with the 18.1 gr JSB's and to say it loves the pellet would be an understatement..... ragged hole groups all day if I do my part....  

Enjoy your new Talon,,,, she's a looker  :)

Jeff

[kp4att]

NICE SHORTY... TALON... COOOL.

JQR.... WHAT ABOUT THE WEIGHT BALANCE???

[JQR]

kp4att - 9/30/2009  11:16 AM
JQR.... WHAT ABOUT THE WEIGHT BALANCE???

With the full 20oz tank it's a bit butt heavy. But with a 12 oz bottle, the smaller scope, no bipod and a little less frame it's noticably lighter than the TSS and balances well in my hands. They both have 12" barrels in them at the moment.

The TSS will get the .22 24" barrel installed for the weekend.

[ribbonstone]

..but worth a try.  Nice looking pair of rifles.

Really learned to like my talon SS when used with CO2.  Had a very hard time getting groups with the issue .22 (12") barrel, so tried a 12" 5mm barrel. Still very hard to shoot well.  If set up just like your picture, but with ONLY the tip of my index finger on the trigger and the pad of my thumb behind the grip (like a big pinch) it would groups well. Can curl your hand around the grup lightly, but ANY side hand pressure at all, and it would scatter shots horizontally.

Now for whatever reason, after trying two factory barrels, decided to try a 16" take off .177 barrel (was taken off an old  Gamo 126 single stroke pneumatic match rifle).  Lathed the barrel to fit the breech, made a set of black Delrin bushings, and give it a try.  Was a whole lot less sensitive to hand pressure...could be the weight of the thick barrel, could be the better fit of the bushings to the frame, could be something I've not thought of.

Just an added picture... didn't keep this look long:

[JQR]

ribbonstone, appreciate the insights.
I never explained that the barrel I'm using was a proven performer in the TSS before I swapped in the .22 barrel. I think I found the culprit... The TSS came with a 12' barrel. These are thinner than the 18 and 24 inch barrels. Talon came with an 18" (thicker) barrel.  the DUH! moment was when I realized the set screws that go through the frame to the barrel bushings were differnt lengths. Kinda makes sense since the bushings are thinner on the thicker barrels. Anyway... I switched the set screws and was able to get good even torques on all the mounting points and shorty is out-performing her big sis.