As the last of the storms have blown out and the Sun has returned, I can now try to answer some of the above. First, the question as to 100 yard accuracy asked by the potential purchaser will have to wait. The wind is still fairly strong but at least steady so I could try for some testing but at my 40 yd targets only. As a comparison however I set my .25 Airmaks Katran Long up alongside the Taipan, both having the same general configuration (’tactical’ style, 700 mm barrels, Czech built) and both using some JTS Dead Center pellets 29.3 gr. I forgot to take a picture of the two of them side by side but the pic below I posted a few weeks ago shows they are kin.
The Taipan sighted in very quickly and performed at least as well as the Katran at the same range. Neither of them could produce the classic one ragged hole consistently given the wind but using my calm weather testing of the Katran as a yardstick I’d say the Taipan should do everything you want at 100. I’d go with the .25 over the .22 however as you may have more consistency with the latter at longer ranges.
Second observation regarding why the bottle on the Tactical may be a better choice than the smaller air tube on the regular model: shot count. I filled the Tactical up to the full maximum of 300bar (the manual says 175-250 is the ‘ideal’ fill). Tony had tuned it at my request to favor accuracy and shot count over raw power. After a bit over 100 shots I was still hovering around 185 bar. By this point, the tube under the Katran had dropped down below the usable level and needed a shot from my buddy bottle to stay in the game. So while the big bottle stuck out there may not be as attractive to some as the tube on the standard model, the trade-off I presume i
lies In an enhanced shot count.
My next observation, is this the more I used the gun, the more smoothly the action functioned. Since this is my first Taipan the system they use to drop in and release the magazines was a pleasant surprise. Easily the best I have ever used.The magazines drop in and lock in place with no effort and remain in place until you pull back the cocking lever and toggle the magazine release. Very slick and leading to a flawless feed, in contrast to many other manufacturers.
All in all a superb product that I am looking forward to using for a long time. The build quality is absolutely top-of-the-line, something reflected in the slick and flawless shooting experience I enjoyed today.
Finally, as to why Taipan chose to build this rifle in a manner that some of you find unfortunate I do not have an answer. I don’t know why they did what they did, but I do know that I am not disturbed by its looks at all and would not change anything if it was up to me.
Of course, YMMV.
David (see the photos from earlier post on the Katran. I DO like long guns.)
. David
