New AEA 30 cal. Bullpup problems

[Woodduck24]

Howdy All ... I'm an olldtimer but new to pcp air. Just started using the AEA Challenger Bulllpup in 30 cal. The cocking lever is a real bear to use. 

Anyone have a work around or a way to adjust the pull. That puppy has to be 60 pounds or worse. I'm using a loop of strap but there must be a better way.

Any help will be apppreciated!

 

[Healthservices]

Wow, sorry to hear you are having issues with the AEA 30 cal. I don't know much about them. But i just saw a review and it is so funny as well as sad. The reviewer actually says the bolt action is hard to pull back but at the same time does not show how hard it is to do so. Every single short fired I saw nothing of him actually cocking the action back. I would suggest lowering the power on the power wheel and only cranking it up when you are up to it. 

Welcome to the forum. Hope there is a answer to lighting that action. 



Allen

 

[AirNGasman]

Woody, you couldn't have bought a harder to cock airgun if you'd been trying to do so. I'm a pretty strong guy, and had to really, REALLY WANT IT to get my .30 AEA Challenger bullpup cocked before I started customizing it. Lowering the power on the power wheel will not reduce the cocking effort, because that only restricts air passage through the port.

The only way to reduce the cocking effort enough to make any difference is to install a weaker hammer spring, whereupon the cocking effort will reduce by roughly as much as the replacement spring is weaker than the stock spring. Moly lubing the hammer, hammer-spring, and bolt will reduce cocking effort a little, but will be more noticeable with a lighter HS.

I've done such de-tuning to other (Korean) maxi-blaster airguns to great effect, and saw a 30" barreled .30 Challenger as the perfect candidate. IT IS, in every way I'd hoped.

So I bought my 32" barreled .30 Challenger specifically to de-tune to more sane power levels and find a bell-curve power-band; rather than shooting over 1200 FPS in stock form, and each shot being lower velocity than the previous (that drives me nuts).

My Challenger now shoots with any airgun at any price. Here are the details-

View attachment AEA excerpt pdf.1629844246.pdf

Having found the bell-curve power-band at my desired power level came at only 120 BAR fill pressure, and the factory recommended charge pressure for the gun being 250-300 BAR, once my Huma regulator arrives (next week) I expect to get at least 25-30 regulated-consistency shots from a 250-300 BAR fill.

You bought an airgunsmith's dream air rifle Woody, but it sounds like you might not be an airgunsmith. Hate to say it, but notwithstanding the modifications I've described, you're not going to enjoy shooting that rifle very much (because you won't be able to cock it more than a few times in a row). 

 

[Marco25]

Look at this video. It doesn’t look to hard to cock

https://youtu.be/a4n15FpxES0

 

[Healthservices]

Look at this video. It doesn’t look to hard to cock



https://youtu.be/a4n15FpxES0

Well Rick says it is pretty stiff.

https://www.google.com/search?q=AEA+30+cal.+Bullpup&oq=aea&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j69i60l2j69i61.1599j0j7&client=ms-android-att-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#

 

[Guest]

The one Challenger .30 I was sent for a review actually is very mild to cock.

 

[AirNGasman]

6600, your's must have had an accessory weaker hammer spring installed, because they're a bear to cock.

 

[FelixS]

There is either a spring that needs to be replaced or an adjustment that needs to be made. I had an HPSS .30 that was brutal to cock, unlike my .22 that is tough, but not brutal. I actually had to return it and it was replaced with a new one. Now, the new one cocks just like the .22 -not brutally hard to cock, just tough. Apparently, it's a "thing".

 

[Bobbylee]

They look like nice rifles from afar, good luck with it!

 

[Fatmike]

The cocking effort is high but once you find your technique itll be way easier. I really like my 30 bullpup. I just need to tune it down to a reasonable level. It shoots sonic now and creates a to loud for me situation. 

 

[Roachcreek]

On the bolt action models, try bracing your thumb at the end of the receiver while pulling back on the bolt with your fingers, I saw a video with Bin demonstrating that technique. Trouble is, if you have lived a life of hard work and are long in the tooth, your thumbs hurt like hell to start with so good luck.


Regards,

Roachcreek

 

[jland48]

They have been pushing those online and being the shopper I am I have watched every review I can find. Mr. Hollowpoint doesn't seem to have much trouble cocking them, but some of the reviewers have stated how hard they are. The seem to be nicely made and the price is right. They also seem to be accurate. I am tempted to try one.

 

[SladeSteele]

I have the .25 caliber and cocking it is brutal! I actually converted a compound bow trigger strap (put a short rope loop) and use that to pull back the bolt when changing mags. That way, I am not killing my fingers but rather using my wrist and arm to do the work.

 

[heavy-impact]

All the challengers should have a lever like the .45, .50 and .72

 

[SladeSteele]

Agreed

 

[cosmic]

Someone made a sling type thing like a archer.. two loops, one around your wrist and one around the cocking handle.. That way you can use your whole arm to cock...

 

[SladeSteele]

I did that exact same thing. Here is a picture of what it looks like:

 

[Roachcreek]

Interesting that some reviewers are very honest about that hard cocking, while others are……perhaps less than truthful.

Maybe we should take note of that. Either they have very strong hands or very weak veracity. 

Regards,

Roachcreek

 

[SladeSteele]

I started using the bow trigger strap with a rope loop on it because my fingers just couldn't take it.

 

[250Tango]

I have several AEA Air rifles,

the hpss .22 is the hardest to cock, then the .30 cal Challenger 32” I found it to be a beast to pull back as like all my AEA bolt guns. I am going to extend the bolt 1/2 inch for better grip with 2 fingers and always pull back with my thumb resting on back of housing. I wish AEA would do as they have done with their magnum style big bores and add the leaver, it is safer and locks after cock! The .30 has a tendency to not lock down as easy all the way and can cause blow back in your face! So double detail to lock down position is critical so I think additional length to bolt handle would help with feel of bolt position as well.