Impacts and Javelins

[Spartan]

So as I fall deeper and deeper down the slug rabbit hole (for my M3, specifically), something occurred to me that I already knew but hadn't really pieced together previously. The crew over at Patriot who designed (or at least were involved with the process for designing) the Javelins shoot Impacts almost exclusively. So a fair assumption can be made that the FX barrels and the Javelin slugs were meant for each other.

But I don't hear a ton about them from Impact shooters. Some, but other slug brands seem to get more press, at least recently.

So what say you? How have the Javelins stacked up in your Impacts? I placed an order for several recently from Pyramyd to see for myself, but curious about other's thoughts.

 

[weevil]

I found that the Javelin 218s were better than anything else in both my impact and panthera. However, once I shot the Altaros slugs, everything else went in the trash.

 

[qball]

I found that the Javelin 218s were better than anything else in both my impact and panthera. However, once I shot the Altaros slugs, everything else went in the trash.

Altoros slugs are indeed at another level with double the BC, sadly the cost is also per proportionally higher and then some. They really shine and show their worth after 200 yards!!!

HOWEVER, at 150 yards and closer NSA and Javlin slugs are more than good enough unless in 20mph+ wind. NSA slugs are my go to because they are as same price as pellets and made here in USA.

 

[weevil]

Altoros slugs are indeed at another level with double the BC, sadly the cost is also per proportionally higher and then some. They really shine and show their worth after 200 yards!!!

HOWEVER, at 150 yards and closer NSA and Javlin slugs are more than good enough unless in 20mph+ wind. NSA slugs are my go to because they are as same price as pellets and made here in USA.

Each to their own, of course. I like the fact that they are dead nuts accurate at 890fps, which makes for a very sedate and quiet shooting cycle. Others have needed >960fps to group in the same ballpark.

 

[qball]

Each to their own, of course. I like the fact that they are dead nuts accurate at 890fps, which makes for a very sedate and quiet shooting cycle. Others have needed >960fps to group in the same ballpark.

To be honest I’m only resisting buying Altaros slugs because I’m a cheap a$$.

Plus with relatively mild wind the higher BC isn’t needed at 150 yards or closer.



Although with some tuning most slugs/bullets are most accurate and consistent at Mach 0.8 which is ~900 fps depending on temperature. So it’s no surprise that Altaros are dead nuts accurate at 890FPS. Most of the time I tune my slugs regardless of the weight to right about 900-920 fps. If other slugs aren’t shooting well at 900fps then the tune needs work. For harmonic issues you need to try 10fps increments which is easily archived with the preload screw.

 

[weevil]

The tune was worked to death over the winter but the Altaros just came out better. The Panthera, with its very rigid barrel and no valve adjuster makes it easy to see which slugs perform well. The Alteros are so consistent due to the fact they’re turned and they have a subtle boat tail that keys into the pellet probe very slightly for consistent loading. As for the price, I’d rather pay for premium slugs rather than the endless shoot straighter accessories like barrel tuners, tensioners and rails. The one downside is that they’re not hollow points, so not as good for pesting. Not a big deal for me cause I use the 177 for a bit more safety and subtlety. You gotta give ‘em a try!!!!!! Shoot less but smile more?

 

[qball]

The tune was worked to death over the winter but the Altaros just came out better. The Panthera, with its very rigid barrel and no valve adjuster makes it easy to see which slugs perform well. The Alteros are so consistent due to the fact they’re turned and they have a subtle boat tail that keys into the pellet probe very slightly for consistent loading. As for the price, I’d rather pay for premium slugs rather than the endless shoot straighter accessories like barrel tuners, tensioners and rails. The one downside is that they’re not hollow points, so not as good for pesting. Not a big deal for me cause I use the 177 for a bit more safety and subtlety. You gotta give ‘em a try!!!!!! Shoot less but smile more?

I definitely will try them soon, but do need to shoot down my stock of NSAs. Fortunately I’m down to about 20 boxes so almost there.

 

[Spartan]

I went to add some Altaros slugs to my cart while I was already buying some other things at STO, but unfortunately they were out of the "smooth" variety I wanted to try. Oh well. I'll keep an eye out. The lack of a hollow point is a bit of a detractor, but accuracy is king, so I can get along without that feature for now.

Also order a bunch more of the Javelins today. Have seen/heard mixed opinions here and elsewhere about the FX liners prefering .217 or .218, so of course having to buy both for each weight. Sigh... Oh well.

 

[weevil]

The Altaros are the crack cocaine of the slug world. I sense they’ll be more dealers soon.

 

[TheShooter (aka Seeker)]

If only their slugs were not that heavy.

 

[Centercut]

From what I can tell, the Altaros won’t become more popular for a few reasons.

- Everywhere you look guys are shooting FAST. And that speed affects most shooters PRIDE. “Look at me, I’m shooting 40 grain slugs at 1040 fps!!!” So as silly as it sounds, Altaros are not much more popular because of PRIDE. Shooting at only 850 - 900 fps makes them feel poorly about themselves. So they “try” the Altaros, but try them at 1000 fps, are disappointed, and quickly move on to old style slugs.

- Cost. Despite the fact the we NEVER hear about the high prices of boutique slugs like AVS, Griffin, etc that are significantly more than NSA for example, these same shooters will whine about Altaros which happen to be comparable to boutique slugs.

I’m cool with shooting the Altaros at 885 to 890 fps, and benefiting from the accuracy and next level BC. The .25 Smooth 49.5 grain I shoot have a confirmed BC of 0.21 G1.

 

[weevil]

From what I can tell, the Altaros won’t become more popular for a few reasons.

- Everywhere you look guys are shooting FAST. And that speed affects most shooters PRIDE. “Look at me, I’m shooting 40 grain slugs at 1040 fps!!!” So as silly as it sounds, Altaros are not much more popular because of PRIDE. Shooting at only 850 - 900 fps makes them feel poorly about themselves. So they “try” the Altaros, but try them at 1000 fps, are disappointed, and quickly move on to old style slugs.

- Cost. Despite the fact the we NEVER hear about the high prices of boutique slugs like AVS, Griffin, etc that are significantly more than NSA for example, these same shooters will whine about Altaros which happen to be comparable to boutique slugs.

I’m cool with shooting the Altaros at 885 to 890 fps, and benefiting from the accuracy and next level BC. The .25 Smooth 49.5 grain I shoot have a confirmed BC of 0.21 G1.

Perhaps childhood exposure to Walmart shelves packed with Gamo boxes proclaiming “1040fps” can lead to the speed fetish in later life.

 

[TheShooter (aka Seeker)]

Well, some folks hunting with the slugs need high speed for the projectile expansion when the do the vitals shots.