FX Panthera 500 in cal. 177 - can I tune to sub12?

[merpo]

If I get the Panthera in .177 which isn't sub12 by default but rather full FAC version, can it be tuned down to sub 12 fpe?
The idea is of using it for HFT (with the limit of 12fpe) and if desired go full power for long range shooting.
Thanks

 

[JaceSpace1369]

If I get the Panthera in .177 which isn't sub12 by default but rather full FAC version, can it be tuned down to sub 12 fpe?
The idea is of using it for HFT (with the limit of 12fpe) and if desired go full power for long range shooting.
Thanks

RackNLoad has a review on a sub12 .177 fx panthera so I would assume it is possible to do it yourself.

 

[merpo]

RackNLoad has a review on a sub12 .177 fx panthera so I would assume it is possible to do it yourself.

yeah, I believe though that what he got there is the sub12 version so he shouldn't be able to tune it any higher than 12 fpe. I'm able to do the tuning with my Crown mk2 quite well however it's a different beast.

 

[weevil]

Huma has a low pressure reg for the Panthera that will go down to 60bar.

 

[qball]

You might have to take out and weight your hammer to see which hammer you have. Might need to call FX to order the 7 gram hammer to get you down to 12fpe. With the 7 gram hammer you should be able to get done below 12 FPE if you just crank up the reg to 140-150 bars.

 

[merpo]

thanks guys, appreciate all your help!

 

[Lewis]

Absolutely. There are several ways to get there.
Regulator
Hammer tension
Hammer weight
Transfer port

The transfer port has a few advantages. Mostly that higher regs with smaller TX ports often lead to faster lock times, complete expansion of pellet skirts and less disturbed air behind the pellet if you can close the valve fast enough.

It shouldn't be too difficult with hand tools to make a transfer port directly across from the factory one by drilling out and testing a smaller port similar to the dual Pellet/Slug style on the Impact.

 

[weevil]

You might have to take out and weight your hammer to see which hammer you have. Might need to call FX to order the 7 gram hammer to get you down to 12fpe. With the 7 gram hammer you should be able to get done below 12 FPE if you just crank up the reg to 140-150 bars.

While I do this myself and use the power wheel to switch from 60fpe slugs to 24fpe Hades for plinking, it does incur the cost of a larger ES due to the variation in hammer strikes. For competition, I would do as the Brits and tune on the knee of a low reg pressure, where the gentler slope gives less variation in fps. However, if you want the flexibility with projectiles then qball’s method may be best! Like many things in life, there’s always a trade off!

Regarding the TP option, note that any surgery on the Panthera that requires removal of the barrel has to deal with the pressurized shroud/plenum. FX advertises this as dealer-only, so could deny warranty if it goes wrong. The reg change is a 10 minute job…

 

[qball]

While I do this myself and use the power wheel to switch from 60fpe slugs to 24fpe Hades for plinking, it does incur the cost of a larger ES due to the variation in hammer strikes. For competition, I would do as the Brits and tune on the knee of a low reg pressure, where the gentler slope gives less variation in fps. However, if you want the flexibility with projectiles then qball’s method may be best! Like many things in life, there’s always a trade off!

Regarding the TP option, note that any surgery on the Panthera that requires removal of the barrel has to deal with the pressurized shroud/plenum. FX advertises this as dealer-only, so could deny warranty if it goes wrong. The reg change is a 10 minute job…

It is more sensitive to reg creep and hammer strike, but personally I get well under 20FPS ES which is more than good enough for most people as it will not increase vertical spread till far far down range. For competition then I do agree that fine tuning at the knee of the power curve is ideal but Pathera isn't a competition sub12 gun, I'm assuming OP is looking to shoot sub12 for fun and safety.

 

[weevil]

It is more sensitive to reg creep and hammer strike, but personally I get well under 20FPS ES which is more than good enough for most people as it will not increase vertical spread till far far down range. For competition then I do agree that fine tuning at the knee of the power curve is ideal but Pathera isn't a competition sub12 gun, I'm assuming OP is looking to shoot sub12 for fun and safety.

OP mentioned that sub12 was for HFT

 

[Lewis]

Great points by both qball and weevil. Clearly there are multiple ways to achieve what you desire, and each has it's own advantages and challenges.

 

[qball]

OP mentioned that sub12 was for HFT

Good point but given the gun choice not sure he is THAT serious about it but I could be wrong. I play WFTF and honestly the bigger differentiators are skills, ergonomics and scopes, all these guns are more than accurate enough unless you are trying to win national and world FT matches. I'm actually toying with the idea of using my second hand S200 for the next local match as supposed to my normal FT gun.


BUT yes, IDEALLY a sub12 version would be better.

 

[weevil]

Perhaps I’ll try some Panthera biathlon next year.

 

[Keith Rush]

I don‘t need another FT gun, but the Panthera Hunter version in .177 set up to look like the 500 with the bottle in the back and the rail up front would probably make a great Hunter class gun.

Keith

 

[HogKiller]

RackNLoad has a review on a sub12 .177 fx panthera so I would assume it is possible to do it yourse

Huma has a low pressure reg for the Panthera that will go down to 60bar.

Want to go lower, just use lighter Bellevilles and/or fewer of them. McMaster-Carr sells then in bags of 10, you'll need 50 to get enough light ones, if you want to go the other way you'll need about 100 to 150, the average of the bag is about .44mm. A stack (11) average of .38mm has a maximum pressure of 90 bar, a stack of .53mm has a MINIMUM of 117bar. If you have your stacks ready, you can swap them out in a few minutes and be off and running.

 

[stretch56]

You might have to take out and weight your hammer to see which hammer you have. Might need to call FX to order the 7 gram hammer to get you down to 12fpe. With the 7 gram hammer you should be able to get done below 12 FPE if you just crank up the reg to 140-150 bars.

Take this advice.....I did ....Q-Ball & weevil gave me the same ........My .177 wildcat M3 TUBE not BT...will shoot BELOW 600fps(on PW #0 & 1 & up to 1030fps on #7....(& I chickened out @ 123bar)..averaging 6mags.... ...This gives you a HUGE range to tune from.....pick a pellet weight and tweak it for accuracy when need arises.........This type of tune put 8.4 - 10.3 -13.4 right up to & over the sweet spot of every weight. .My application anyway..... (I like it....I LIKE IT ALOT ).....lol

 

[Barzor]

Sorry for reply to old thread. But Sub 12 is very doable. As I have a panther hunter compact in 22. Not only can it shoot hybrids and heavy pellets accurately long range. Mind you its loud. I wanted to be able to shoot in 10m basement safely and quietly. I was able to get the reg down to (I think its 40 the needle is 2 lines below 50) and its shooting h&n barracuda match 21gr at 508 fps at 12.1 fpe. Quiet as a fart. No creep. I just turned the reg (I still watch vid as I forget counter or clockwise) only a quarter turn then take few shots (dry fire) then the needle goes down. Then as long as I have enough air in the tank turn the other way quarter turn again take shots and Im back to long range. So happy I can tune without having to open anything up also it so easy to see where you are on the reg with gauge. Fyi I believe 40 is the lowest when I tried to go lower the plenum emptied.