Taipan Taipan Veteran II Tactical aka Ugly Fat Pig

[MMP]

I have both in .22. I use the 550 in tight spaces and in a lot of brush and out the truck window. I use the 700 when I’m hunting with a tripod and not moving much and most of the shots are 100* yards.

So besides the size/weight, are you not noticing any differences between the two?

My thought is that the 550mm might be better suited for standard pellets, and the 700mm better for slugs due to the velocity differences. I believe the 700mm is going to generate higher velocities which would be desirable for slugs, but perhaps too high (or at least unnecessary) for typical pellets.

On other hand, the 550 barrel would have inherently slower velocities better suited for pellets without needing to reduce the HST and disrupt the factory balance between the valve and hammer.

(I'll also note that I'm interested in the .25, although I don't know the caliber makes much difference in relation to the barrel lengths)

 

[Pfddi]

I shoot slugs exclusively with the 700. It is extremely accurate with them. I will occasionally shoot pellets but 90%+ of the time it is slugs. I shoot both with the 550. The 550 is more accurate with the pellets, but it is also great with the KOs and FX(RMR). I can shoot the 22g slugs and the 22.07 JTS with the same tune and a slight scope change. The 550 is also quieter than the 700, so it is better for the shorter range pesting.

I have only adjusted the HST on each of the Vet 2s. There was no need to change anything else! The triggers were setup by Tony very well.

I would say the experiencee would be very similar in .25 as I have with the .22.

 

[MMP]

I shoot slugs exclusively with the 700. It is extremely accurate with them. I will occasionally shoot pellets but 90%+ of the time it is slugs. I shoot both with the 550. The 550 is more accurate with the pellets, but it is also great with the KOs and FX(RMR). I can shoot the 22g slugs and the 22.07 JTS with the same tune and a slight scope change. The 550 is also quieter than the 700, so it is better for the shorter range pesting.

I have only adjusted the HST on each of the Vet 2s. There was no need to change anything else! The triggers were setup by Tony very well.

I would say the experiencee would be very similar in .25 as I have with the .22.

Interesting that pellets are shooting better for you out of one barrel over the other. Do you happen to recall approx what velocity the pellets are shooting at from each barrel?

That info on the sound is interesting as well. I guess I assumed the longer barrel would have been quieter, but I suppose that only holds true when shooting at the same fps.

 

[Ranchibi]

So besides the size/weight, are you not noticing any differences between the two?

My thought is that the 550mm might be better suited for standard pellets, and the 700mm better for slugs due to the velocity differences. I believe the 700mm is going to generate higher velocities which would be desirable for slugs, but perhaps too high (or at least unnecessary) for typical pellets.

On other hand, the 550 barrel would have inherently slower velocities better suited for pellets without needing to reduce the HST and disrupt the factory balance between the valve and hammer.

(I'll also note that I'm interested in the .25, although I don't know the caliber makes much difference in relation to the barrel lengths)

The two main differences between the 550 and 700 is barrel length and plenum volume. The 700 has a 72cc plenum while the 550 has a much smaller one, I have a 550. Both have CZUB barrels both great for pellets and slugs but the 550 is better for lighter slugs right out of the box, mine shoots 18gr pellets @ 975 and 20.2gr NSA @ 920 both more accurate than I can shoot. I think the .22's regs are set around 130 bar. The 700 has a lot more power on tap just being longer and little heavier, not much though. You can up the reg pressure on the 550 and get more power. The carbon fiber/kevlar reservoir is rated to 300 bar, I fill to 265-275 bar and I get close to 90 shots. You can purchase the 72cc plenum extension from Tony ($32) but it will not fit under the 550's shroud....would have to get an aftermarket adapter for a thinner LDC and or get a longer barrel. Fantastic well thought out PCP's!

 

[Pfddi]

Here are my speeds:

550
Varmint Knocker 22.5g 916fps
JTS 22.07g 912fps
JTS 18.1g 977fps
AEA 21.9g 919fps
JSB 25.39g 860fps

700
FX Hybrid 25.4g 944fps
KO 25.39g 940fps
JTS 18.1 1085fps

I did shoot a Crossman CPHP 14.3 out of the 700 and it broke the sound barrier! Scared the h3!! out of me on the first shot!

 

[Ranchibi]

Here are my speeds:

550
Varmint Knocker 22.5g 916fps
JTS 22.07g 912fps
JTS 18.1g 977fps
AEA 21.9g 919fps
JSB 25.39g 860fps

700
FX Hybrid 25.4g 944fps
KO 25.39g 940fps
JTS 18.1 1085fps

I did shoot a Crossman CPHP 14.3 out of the 700 and it broke the sound barrier! Scared the h3!! out of me on the first shot!

My tune for my .22 550 is similar to yours! The 550's are fun lil beasts! I am contemplating a 700 .22.....

 

[MMP]

Thanks for those numbers. Every time I think I settle on a barrel length, I end up flip-flopping. I'm probably splitting hairs at this point, but I like to be 100% content with my decisions.

Shooting small game/pests in the 25-60yd range, I really don't think I have any legitimate need for slugs. My gut is telling me to go with the 550mm primarily due to ending up closer to ideal pellet speeds right out of the box, with the added benefit of reduced size/weight. I suppose the "risk" is that I'll miss the larger plenum and increased power of the 700mm if I do end up dabbling with slugs in the future.

 

[Ranchibi]

Thanks for those numbers. Every time I think I settle on a barrel length, I end up flip-flopping. I'm probably splitting hairs at this point, but I like to be 100% content with my decisions.

Shooting small game/pests in the 25-60yd range, I really don't think I have any legitimate need for slugs. My gut is telling me to go with the 550mm primarily due to ending up closer to ideal pellet speeds right out of the box, with the added benefit of reduced size/weight. I suppose the "risk" is that I'll miss the larger plenum and increased power of the 700mm if I do end up dabbling with slugs in the future.

I shoot lighter NSA 20.2gr .218 slugs from my .22 550 mainly when I pest for ground squirrels, slugs drift much less in wind but I mainly shoot pellets for targets.

 

[Pfddi]

@MMP I have shot pests at 100 yards with the 550 using pellets with no problems!
It would stretch out further if I needed to but I’m lucky enough to have enough guns to take and swap as needed. The 550 is really a great gun and it competes with my EVOL 22 with the plenum extension when I take a shorter barrel gun out. The 550 is that good!

 

[MMP]

@MMP I have shot pests at 100 yards with the 550 using pellets with no problems!
It would stretch out further if I needed to but I’m lucky enough to have enough guns to take and swap as needed. The 550 is really a great gun and it competes with my EVOL 22 with the plenum extension when I take a shorter barrel gun out. The 550 is that good!

That's good to hear. A 70-75yd shot would probably account for maybe 1% of the shots I'll ever want to take.

 

[actionpistol]

I have the 700mm in 25 and it's really accurate with KO's. Last year I played with pellets and JSB heavies mk2 shot 0.18 5 shot group at 30 yds. I didn't write the speed down but did record the target. I'm shooting the KO'S out of it but maybe this summer I'll revisit the JSB heavies MK2's again at longer distances. But I generally shoot pellets out of my Taipan long with the rear cocking lever. It's accurate at 100 yds.