Tuning New guy with an Impact M3 and questions

[dapackers]

I discovered PCP air rifles on YouTube and the AGN community really got me hooked and wanting one. I ordered a Maverick .25 sniper in early January and was told a few weeks ago that the wait for the sniper would be many more months. Just so happened they had an Impact M3 .25 sniper instead that they could send right out. It's more than I wanted or needed, but at least now I have an awesome air rifle!

I have a couple questions though - I've search here and Google and haven't found what I'm looking for.

I'm assuming my M3 came with the 580cc 300 Bar tank (tank says max fill 310 bar). But the tank pressure gauge only goes to 250 bar and is laser engraved right above it 250 bar maximum. But the owner's manual says max overall pressure in the system 300 bar. Is it alright to fill the tank to 300 bar? Am I risking damage to the 250 bar Wika pressure gauge, regulator, or gun?

The only reasonably priced pellets I could find were the H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme .25cal 28.24 grain. I have many tins of these and am wondering what is a good muzzle velocity to start out at for tuning the M3 for these pellets?

With the factory settings the pellets are shooting at 866 fps right now. I'm assuming this is a good starting point for tuning? I saw for diabolo pellets 840-940 is normally where their sweet spot falls?

The factory settings for my M3 .25 700 are Reg 1 150, Reg 2 90, Front valve 4+ (about 4.5), Macro adjuster 16, Micro adjuster 2.5

Why would I want the front valve and macro adjuster maxed out? Would it be better to raise the second reg pressure and lower the macro and front valve settings to achieve the wanted muzzle velocity? I very well could be wrong in thinking this but if they are in the mid range of adjustment it would give me more room to adjust for trying different pellets or slugs down the road?

If I should bump up the second reg what pressure is recommended? What have others found is a good MV for these 28.24 gr pellets?

Thank you so much for any information you can share!

 

[triggertreat]

I would contact FX customer support on this type of question regarding HPA and filling instead of making any sort of assumptions. I personally never have liked gauges that max out at the max fill ranges. I believe gauges read best at mid-readings, or are most accurate in their readings at mid-scale. Though their indexed points can become clustered with too many indexed points and be harder to read. I would stick with a 250 bar max fill until you receive clarification directly from FX.

I believe also that these particular guns are factory set for maximum shot counts, seeing only a 90 bar reg setting on the plenum side (reg 2). I would certainly increase the reg 2 set point to say at least 125 bar. You'll actually get a quieter shot report when tuned correctly. This is because the valve will be closing quicker with more pressure being applied before the pellet exits the barrel.

The H&N pellets are known to be made with more antimony which makes them harder than say the softer lead FX, AA or JSB pellets. If they work for you, there is no issues. I personally would tune them for best accuracy and balance to power to what you are wanting to do with them. If shooting just paper I would do a tune leaning towards more shot count. If for hunting purposes, higher power. I would limit velocities to below say 950 FPS, going lower for fine tuning for accuracy and use.

FWIW: My statements are my views based on much experience tuning many times my guns, including an MKII.

 

[B]

May I ask you why did you choose such of complicated gun as your first?

Maverick and Impact are always in the last place when I recommend gun to new shooter. 

B

 

[FX-USA]

Hi Dapackers, 

Congratulations on your new PCP air rifle! We understand that you have many questions and we wanted you to know we have technicians and customer support that would be happy to answer any and all your questions. 

Regards ,

FX Airguns USA

Our email is [email protected] or you can call in (866) 639-0772 between 9 am – 4pm EST Monday - Thursday / Friday 9 am - 3pm EST.

 

[dapackers]

Thanks for the quick response and great information!

I called the place I bought the M3 from and they said even though the owners manual says max 300 bar the gun was only designed for 250 bar and "they" recommend I don't exceed that?!?!?!?!?!? So I called FX and they said the initial M3s don't have the 300 bar gauges on them but they are expecting them hopefully in a month and they'll send me the 300 bar gauge at no charge. FX customer service said even though the gun is laser engraved max 250 bar it was built for 300 bar. With just the 250 bar gauge they do not recommend exceeding that pressure until I receive the new gauge.

I plan on switching to JSB down the road, it's just H&N was my only choice for now. They actually have been shooting pretty decent so far on the factory tune. After shooting a couple tins I'll up the second reg and see just how good I can get them to shoot.

I'm actually shocked at how quiet the gun is now! And when it's tuned properly it will be quieter...... can't wait to be even more impressed! 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, it's greatly appreciated

 

[dapackers]

B

I hear where you are coming from saying the Maverick & Impact aren't beginner guns.

Was probably last November when I discovered the PCP world. I've watched a ton of video and have read just as much. I like to tinker, love accessories, will eventually get different calibers for different shooting, and I have 300 yards where I can spend time perfecting my long shot. Yes I paid a lot for what I have and have a lot of learning to do in front of me, but I went all out knowing for almost certain I'll still be happy with the FX Impact several years down the road. I can't imagine that I'll be unhappy with it and want to sell it and get a cheaper gun.

I definitely considered guns that were more than half the price but I know I'd be looking to trade up pretty quick. When I learned that switching calibers on the M3 is less than half the cost of doing it on the Maverick it made the upgrade an easy choice. In the long run I'll save money over buying some cheaper guns and eventually upgrading to an FX anyway.

After saying that I can still agree with you though, for some people it would be crazy to go all out right away - but I feel the Impact gives me all the options I'm looking for unlike the cheaper guns I looked at.

 

[Glem.Chally]

You'll be happy I'm sure, I didn't do the baby steps to a gun I really wanted either and glad I went that route. Pistols however dont be scared to try the Artemis PP700 or 750, amazing bang for buck. Skip the PP800 it's a dud IMO.

Dont be too worried about the difference between 250 and 300 bar fills, these guns are very efficient.

 

[triggertreat]

Yes, congrats on the new M3! I think you got really lucky with the swap to an M3. This is because the M3 has an external valve dwell adjustment ( the primary reason I wanted an Impact). I also believe the M3 is a much easier gun to tune than many others available because of this feature plus many other features. You don't have to take the M3 apart to access the tuning features, and there are reference points on an M3 that you can use. Not only that but many with the same gun, once they get rolling, will be able to share their tunes you can actually use, or at least come real close to given an understanding that no two guns are alike. There is still the learning curve regarding hammers, valves, pressure and regulating, etc., but the Impact makes leaning these things so much easier. I had to learn on a Marauder where many adjustments had to be accessed by degassing the gun and taking it apart over and over if regulated. You took the easy route getting an M3 and the support for it should have you near pro level in a very short time frame.

 

[Bigragu]

As far as the H&N barracuda hunter extremes go, you’re talking my favorite pellet. Not used on my Impact MK2 as I save that for the JSB 34 MK2 heavys, but on my 25 cal FX wildcat MK2 that only uses those BHE’s, those are going at 995 to 1007 FPS and will get 3/8” groups out to 40 yards. At 55 yards it’ll pop a 5/8” round paintball every time if I do my part.

I could tighten up the groups more, I know, by dropping the velocities, but I don’t want to. I save the tight, benchrest type of groupings for the impact. The wildcat is my go to for the vermin control I occasionally must do on my property.

so, unsure of what your needs are, wether benchrest accuracy or hunting accuracy. If it’s the latter, then rest assured, the H&N BHE’s are great at those high speeds.

 

[harrymoreland]

" I'm assuming may gun came with a 580cc300bar tank", so Is it confirmed the M3 is now shipping with the 300bar bottles?, this is the first I have seen this.



ps Enjoy

 

[dapackers]

Bigragu,

Thanks for the insight on the hunter extremes. I've just gone through 1 tin so far and at an 80 yard target I'm impressed with the pellets and the gun so far. I'm not planning to enter any competitions, mainly pest control out to 50 yards and LONG range target for fun. Will eventually get a smaller caliber barrel for pesting in the barn, love the fact it will be easy to change calibers and retune. Some day the pellets and slugs I have on order might actually ship to me and I'll have something to compare the hunter extremes to.

 

[B]

B

I hear where you are coming from saying the Maverick & Impact aren't beginner guns.

Was probably last November when I discovered the PCP world. I've watched a ton of video and have read just as much. I like to tinker, love accessories, will eventually get different calibers for different shooting, and I have 300 yards where I can spend time perfecting my long shot. Yes I paid a lot for what I have and have a lot of learning to do in front of me, but I went all out knowing for almost certain I'll still be happy with the FX Impact several years down the road. I can't imagine that I'll be unhappy with it and want to sell it and get a cheaper gun.

I definitely considered guns that were more than half the price but I know I'd be looking to trade up pretty quick. When I learned that switching calibers on the M3 is less than half the cost of doing it on the Maverick it made the upgrade an easy choice. In the long run I'll save money over buying some cheaper guns and eventually upgrading to an FX anyway.

After saying that I can still agree with you though, for some people it would be crazy to go all out right away - but I feel the Impact gives me all the options I'm looking for unlike the cheaper guns I looked at.

Just trying to save people from being disappointed, Impact and Maverick are complicated guns, and 90% of the new PCP guys got no clue how to tune them, that's why we got so many posts about broken or leaking FX guns. Good luck with your journey you are on the right path.

B

 

[triggertreat]

B

I hear where you are coming from saying the Maverick & Impact aren't beginner guns.

Was probably last November when I discovered the PCP world. I've watched a ton of video and have read just as much. I like to tinker, love accessories, will eventually get different calibers for different shooting, and I have 300 yards where I can spend time perfecting my long shot. Yes I paid a lot for what I have and have a lot of learning to do in front of me, but I went all out knowing for almost certain I'll still be happy with the FX Impact several years down the road. I can't imagine that I'll be unhappy with it and want to sell it and get a cheaper gun.

I definitely considered guns that were more than half the price but I know I'd be looking to trade up pretty quick. When I learned that switching calibers on the M3 is less than half the cost of doing it on the Maverick it made the upgrade an easy choice. In the long run I'll save money over buying some cheaper guns and eventually upgrading to an FX anyway.

After saying that I can still agree with you though, for some people it would be crazy to go all out right away - but I feel the Impact gives me all the options I'm looking for unlike the cheaper guns I looked at.

Just trying to save people from being disappointed, Impact and Maverick are complicated guns, and 90% of the new PCP guys got no clue how to tune them, that's why we got so many posts about broken or leaking FX guns. Good luck with your journey you are on the right path.

B

You make a good point, B about repairs, which are sure to come sooner or later. But, I suppose that would be the case with most air rifles if one is not at least a little mechanically inclined. At least the FX has a lot of how-to videos and support, which certainly helps compared to some other airguns one could have chosen. I actually find my MKII a bit easier to degas, take apart and work on than I do my Marauders though the Marauders are of a simpler design.

 

[california.airgun]

@dapackers i got my m3 alittle over a month now. 


should i be requesting a 300 bar gauge also?



Heres my tune just in case you need a reference 

 

[dapackers]

california.airgun,

Not sure if they'll send a 300 bar gauge for all M3's as they are designed to handle that pressure, or just if the M3 came with the 300 bar tank? FX is expecting the gauges to arrive "the beginning of summer". It's definitely worth a call to FX though.