Airforce .177 Condor Slugger *FAIL*

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Rob_in_NC

Rob_in_NC

Member
Jan 3, 2020
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Barnardsville, North Carolina
Saw that AirForce had the .177 Condor 'blems' for $395 and I'd always been interested in a .177 slug gun so picked it up. Have posted a couple times on it on other topics, but in the interest of not continuing to hijack others, I'll make my own post.

This is the standard Condor, 24 inch barrel.

The weather broke today and is quite nice out so went out to do some testing. After much tinkering with fill pressure, PW setting and top hats, I ended up with the following:

2400PSI fill .123 Valve cap 3-1 Power Wheel 15gr NSA .177 slugs

30 shots starting out at 974, a high of 1007 and ending at 970. I can live with that.

I decided to test out accuracy and set up at 45 yards. This is where the issue started...ha!
I did several groups and they all were about the same as the pic below. I noticed the NSA's fit quite loose in the breech end of the barrel.

For S&G's, I decided to try some 13.4gr JSB Monsters out of it. Immediately noticed they fit tighter. Fired off a group and after seeing 5 go through what appeared to be the same hole, I did 3 more for an 8 shot group. Much better. Not sure how they'll do at longer range, but at least this is encouraging. I know they are a bit lighter than the NSA's, but fitting a bit tighter, I would surmise that velocity will be much the same. I didnt chrony them today. Regardless, if they do well at longer range, I'm not sure I care what the velocity is at this point. The reality is I wont be shooting this much past 50 yards anyway 99% of the time.

I'm a bit torn now. I like the idea of a .177 slugger, though for what reason, I'm not sure. Still, if my goal is to hit small objects at range and the JSB's do it, does that object really care if it's hit by a slug or a heavy pellet? More testing in order for sure.

NSA 177 Condor.jpg
JSB 13gr Condor.jpg
 
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MongooseV8 said:
I would at least try a couple other slugs or brands before giving up. You know the pellets will work out, so you can always fall back on them if the slugs dont perform.
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I'm sure I'll try more. Just wanted to piss and moan about it for a little bit. Still was happy with the JSB's anyway!
 
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I put up a WTB ad, hoping another .177 slugger has an assortment they may send, but I didnt know that UA had a ZAN assortment so I'll check that out, thanks!

Also of note before anyone tries to crucify me, I'm not knocking NSA's. I love them in some of my other guns; this Condor just didnt like them (at least at that speed).
 
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I've noticed that the 12.5 NSAs that I've put thru go into the breech much easier than the CPHPs that I have been shooting. The precision was very good...but only at 10 m which doesn't necessarily translate to the field, so I need to get outside eventually. The box says that they are .178, so maybe it's worth looking for something slightly larger.

The PO dropped off some H&N and JSB slugs today, so those are on the docket w plans on doing a lot of chrongraphy in a controlled environment...my basement

I'm of the mindset that it's a winter project, so success isn't a matter of life or death. Pinging metal at distance w tiny projectiles is just a worthy challenge.
 
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Sleestak said:
I've noticed that the 12.5 NSAs that I've put thru go into the breech much easier than the CPHPs that I have been shooting. The precision was very good...but only at 10 m which doesn't necessarily translate to the field, so I need to get outside eventually

The PO dropped off some H&N and JSB slugs today, so those are on the docket w plans on doing a lot of chrongraphy in a controlled environment...my basement

I'm of the mindset that it's a winter project, so success isn't a matter of life or death. Pinging metal at distance w tiny projectiles is just a worthy challenge.
Click to expand...
If you find that the H&N and/or the JSB slugs do well for you when you get out to test them, let me know and if you are willing, I'd like to get maybe 5-10 of each to test. Will compensate you for time/postage/etc of course.

and yes... this isnt going to make or break me if the whole thing turns to a fail. Just a tinker project!
 
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Rob_in_NC said:
If you find that the H&N and/or the JSB slugs do well for you when you get out to test them, let me know and if you are willing, I'd like to get maybe 5-10 of each to test. Will compensate you for time/postage/etc of course.

and yes... this isnt going to make or break me if the whole thing turns to a fail. Just a tinker project!
Click to expand...

DM me w your address and I'll send them your way.

I can throw in some NSAs if I have something that you don't (I have the 3 different flavors of .177 that NSA offers)

I'm cheap, but not disgusting, so no worries on compensation.
 
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Leading up to my purchase, the few discussions that I was able to find regarding this topic were pretty discouraging but I want for it anyway.

I recall reading that the twist and choke are less than ideal for slugs but that doesn't necessarily mean that there isn't a product out there that won't work.

Being stubborn and bored I'm kind of obsessed w making it work but it may just be shedding of tears eventually
 
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ChuckHunter said:
Have any of you guys tried eliminating the choke? Usually only have to shorten the barrel by a half inch or so. I believe Air Force uses Lothar Walther barrels.
Might make all the difference and maybe back the power off some! Slugs are such a rabbit hole when it comes to tuning.
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Thought about it 🤔 but it shoots pellets pretty dang good. I'm confident I can cut and re-crown, just not sure if it didn't gain anything shooting slugs, if it would effect going back to pellets ?
I also have a couple of rifles with unchecked barrels that do well with slugs.
 
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Yes ... don't give up just yet.

Q ... is that a Choked or Unchoked barrel ? 12G or a Poly ?

The 12g LW .177 I'm using with Slugs is Un-choked and it shoots 15G NSA and JSB 16 beasts within 10 fps of each other and both are quite accurate, Tho would say the JSB "Pellet" a tad more so ;)
* 1025 fps with NSA and 1015 fps with the JSB Beasts
 
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ChuckHunter said:
Have any of you guys tried eliminating the choke? Usually only have to shorten the barrel by a half inch or so. I believe Air Force uses Lothar Walther barrels.
Might make all the difference and maybe back the power off some! Slugs are such a rabbit hole when it comes to tuning.
Click to expand...
I did on a .25 barrel years ago and it made no difference.
 
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