300yd optic

Jump to latest Follow Reply
M

Marcusinfestus

Member
Jun 1, 2024
5
1
Hi!
I'm building up my 1st PCP; an FX Panthera in .25 (600 or 700) with the expectation of doing some long range shooting. I have 2 questions for anyone with long range air rifle experience:

1) What is the max effective range of a .25 air rifle? (How far out can you reasonably expect to maintain minute-of-pigeon accuracy and still have the force to do the job)

2) What magnification would you prefer (a reasonable min/max magnification)

Thanx!
 
I have panthera in 25 caliber. It's has 156cc plenum,heavy hammer,26gram,plus blue tuning spring. It shoots 40 grain slugs at 1000fps at 140 bar on reg,hammer on 3.5 . It's accurate out to 300 yards. At 100 yards it cuts a hole in mild wind condition.5 to 7 mph. Over that groups spread some. I use a element titan scope. Has enough adjustment,and little circles are perfect for placing small game inside. The panthera is powerful. The 49.5 and 60 grain altaros slugs shoot extremely accurate. The nsa 38.5 grain hold up at longer distances real good also. If you have any other questions,I'll try to answer. I'm sure I've fired 10000 rounds true my panthera in the past 6 months. I've tried alot of ammo Tru 4 different liners. Different style liners. The heavy liner will shoot 34 grain fx pellets about as accurate as anything else out to 100 yards,that's where the slugs shine,out past 100.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marcusinfestus and tibor
Upvote 0
I've hit feathered pest at 200 and 250. The slug really drops after 250. If you dial it in,there's no doubt it'll hit them at 300. The 49.5 altaros slug would be you best bet at 950 fps. I've shot them at 974 fps at 100 and they did really well. For longer distances you may need to slow them a little. My gun liked them at 974. Also I've been told the 600mm barrel being more accurate in 25 caliber. I've not tried 700mm as of yet,but my gunsmith has my panthera right now converting it to 30 caliber.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marcusinfestus and tibor
Upvote 0
Oh boy ,the dynamics of expanding gases pushing a projectile down a enclosed cylinder. There is a finite point at which equilibrium is reached as to length of the tube vs friction, gas expansion , weight of projectile , bore diameter, & atmospheric density . At that point things start slowing down due to friction & atmospheric density and lack of further expansion of gases to overcome same. In a .22 rimfire LR cartridge about 19-20 inches ( 482mm - 508mm) of bore is about the best. Longer barrels, in 22lr, are more for iron sight radius than anything else . I have not studied common air expansion in this respect in depth. Although the information is out there.
Moderators/ air strippers- stepping back some 30 years ago in the air gun arena- target units - besides the noise dissipation, their job is to diffuse any remaining push from the column of gases so as to not possibly destabilize the projectile as it released from the confines of the bore. To this end barrels were ported a few inches before the muzzle to bleed off remaining pressure. Devices added to the barrel to accomplish relief after exit were used and did make some improvement ( more for noise in some cases) but the ported barrel system did a better job in this respect. ( also reduced muzzle flip). Just a quick over view.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Hunter25 said:
I have panthera in 25 caliber. It's has 156cc plenum,heavy hammer,26gram,plus blue tuning spring. It shoots 40 grain slugs at 1000fps at 140 bar on reg,hammer on 3.5 . It's accurate out to 300 yards. At 100 yards it cuts a hole in mild wind condition.5 to 7 mph. Over that groups spread some. I use a element titan scope. Has enough adjustment,and little circles are perfect for placing small game inside. The panthera is powerful. The 49.5 and 60 grain altaros slugs shoot extremely accurate. The nsa 38.5 grain hold up at longer distances real good also. If you have any other questions,I'll try to answer. I'm sure I've fired 10000 rounds true my panthera in the past 6 months. I've tried alot of ammo Tru 4 different liners. Different style liners. The heavy liner will shoot 34 grain fx pellets about as accurate as anything else out to 100 yards,that's where the slugs shine,out past 100.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Hunter25 said:
I have panthera in 25 caliber. It's has 156cc plenum,heavy hammer,26gram,plus blue tuning spring. It shoots 40 grain slugs at 1000fps at 140 bar on reg,hammer on 3.5 . It's accurate out to 300 yards. At 100 yards it cuts a hole in mild wind condition.5 to 7 mph. Over that groups spread some. I use a element titan scope. Has enough adjustment,and little circles are perfect for placing small game inside. The panthera is powerful. The 49.5 and 60 grain altaros slugs shoot extremely accurate. The nsa 38.5 grain hold up at longer distances real good also. If you have any other questions,I'll try to answer. I'm sure I've fired 10000 rounds true my panthera in the past 6 months. I've tried alot of ammo Tru 4 different liners. Different style liners. The heavy liner will shoot 34 grain fx pellets about as accurate as anything else out to 100 yards,that's where the slugs shine,out past 100.
Click to expand...
"4 different liners"?! I just got spartan-kicked down the rabbit hole... lol
 
Upvote 0
ChrisT said:
Oh boy ,the dynamics of expanding gases pushing a projectile down a enclosed cylinder. There is a finite point at which equilibrium is reached as to length of the tube vs friction, gas expansion , weight of projectile , bore diameter, & atmospheric density . At that point things start slowing down due to friction & atmospheric density and lack of further expansion of gases to overcome same. In a .22 rimfire LR cartridge about 19-20 inches ( 482mm - 508mm) of bore is about the best. Longer barrels, in 22lr, are more for iron sight radius than anything else . I have not studied common air expansion in this respect in depth. Although the information is out there.
Moderators/ air strippers- stepping back some 30 years ago in the air gun arena- target units - besides the noise dissipation, their job is to diffuse any remaining push from the column of gases so as to not possibly destabilize the projectile as it released from the confines of the bore. To this end barrels were ported a few inches before the muzzle to bleed off remaining pressure. Devices added to the barrel to accomplish relief after exit were used and did make some improvement ( more for noise in some cases) but the ported barrel system did a better job in this respect. ( also reduced muzzle flip). Just a quick over view.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
I don't understand,do you not believe me. I test alot of different stuff for accuracy.heres a picture of some of my tested liners,not all are the same.at that tip,I just shot this ten shot group at 100 yards with a 30 caliber barrel on my 4 day old crown. I've had it four days,came in 22 but I put a 600mm barrel on it today. Shot some 44.8 fx pellets. I'd call this liner a decent one.

20240606_202105.jpg


20240606_201128.jpg
 
Upvote 0
Back to optics, I have couple of high middle class that I can dual purpose between my f-class 308 and my airguns.
Me personally like the x50 power scope variations and never kept any scope long enough that had less then x32 power.
I am not hunting but shooting rings only, with that in mind with a 10-50x60 glass you shall see the hole in the paper at 300 meter distance.
How much $ to spend on a good glass? well... I would say start from a grand and the sky is a limit.
You won't wanna fill a sports car with 87 octane.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marcusinfestus
Upvote 0
Get the 700mm barrel, you will need all the help you can get. A 25Cal in my opinion has a pigeon accuracy max of about 200yds. I can hit a ground squirrel very consistently with my 25Cal Impact at about 160yds max...so far. Shooting targets further is challenging with the low speeds an BC of an air gun. For an optic at those distances I recommend the Arken EP5 or SH4J or a 4-16x SH4 Gen II. Dont expect any air rifle to be sub moa past 100yds. Most people struggle to keep slugs at 2+moa, and at 300yds you will be measuring your group in feet not inches.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marcusinfestus
Upvote 0
Hunter25 said:
I don't understand,do you not believe me. I test alot of different stuff for accuracy.heres a picture of some of my tested liners,not all are the same.at that tip,I just shot this ten shot group at 100 yards with a 30 caliber barrel on my 4 day old crown. I've had it four days,came in 22 but I put a 600mm barrel on it today. Shot some 44.8 fx pellets. I'd call this liner a decent one.

View attachment 470657

View attachment 470658
Click to expand...
Oh, I believe you; I just didn't know I could switch liners around! That adds a whole new dynamic! I imagine you'd wand a slow twist rate for lighter projectiles and a faster twist rate for heavier slugs?
 
Upvote 0
Marcusinfestus said:
Oh, I believe you; I just didn't know I could switch liners around! That adds a whole new dynamic! I imagine you'd wand a slow twist rate for lighter projectiles and a faster twist rate for heavier slugs?
Click to expand...
Correct,the slug liner with 1in16twist is good for 40grain and heavier in 25 caliber,if shooting lighter than 40 grain,use the superior heavy,it has a 1in 18 twist. The slug liners are becoming more rare since the superior heavy was put into production. The panthera is easy to tune,it has a max fps while not needing total spring tension. Once you reach its max fps per bullet type,back off the spring tension till fps drop a few feet. Use you regulator to control the speed you want. Remember,you can turn reg up under pressure,but to decrease you have to drain plenum,which isn't hard. If you purchase a panthera and have any questions there's always Ernest Rowes masterclass vids on utube. There are detailed enough to do about anything you need to do. Ask me,I'll help you if I can. Bye. Oh,liners on fit the length barrel you gun has. For caliber change,you can use you existing barrel,but you'll need to buy tport,mag,and probe,and liner of the caliber your changing into. It's best for not caliber change offten,you can change a liner out in ten minutes and clean it. Liner change for different projectiles.,and to clean. Bye.
 
Upvote 0
bigHUN said:
Back to optics, I have couple of high middle class that I can dual purpose between my f-class 308 and my airguns.
Me personally like the x50 power scope variations and never kept any scope long enough that had less then x32 power.
I am not hunting but shooting rings only, with that in mind with a 10-50x60 glass you shall see the hole in the paper at 300 meter distance.
How much $ to spend on a good glass? well... I would say start from a grand and the sky is a limit.
You won't wanna fill a sports car with 87 octane.....
Click to expand...
I primarily hunt woodchucks using my modified .308 Texan for long distances of 100-200 yards, and for further ranges, I utilize the Athlon Argos BTR Gen 2 8-34x56. The greater the shooting distance, the more crucial the quality of the scope's glass becomes. It's always preferable to purchase a scope that's slightly more advanced than what you need, rather than one that falls short. your so right!!!
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu