Panthera 22/600 Altaros slug 1st impression

weevil

Member
Dec 19, 2022
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Utah
Just recd my ATP smooth CNC slugs from STO (3 days transit). These are the 5.52mm 32.3grain with claimed BC of 0.18. To be clear, I have no specific intent for these - I’m just a tinkerer.

My Panthera 22/600 is dialed in for Javelin 26g at 980fps (55fpe) and is very accurate. I’ve got no reason to go beyond 120y on a practical level and favor accuracy and a calm shot cycle over big power.

I didn’t alter the tune for the ATP slugs because I read that they do well at lower speed and that suits me just fine, as you’ll see later. Chronied the first five at 885fps, which some (inc. Altaros) say is the sweet spot. These slugs have a subtle boat tail and another user suggested a pin probe. I have the pellet probe as standard and changing looks to be a big hassle with the Panthera, so I left that alone. I did inspect the ability of the pellet probe to contact the subtle boat tail and it seems fine (because it’s so subtle the probe just catches the base). Given that I’m getting 56fpe from the ATP slugs (relative to 55 from the Javelins), I don’t seem to be suffering regarding power, and there were no issues chambering and shooting, nor with accuracy, as you’ll see…. Further, no lubing or cleaning and leading in - just went straight from Javelins (~400 since initial cleaning) to the ATPs…

After measuring speed, I dialed in for POI at 40y and it was a shift of exactly 1 moa left and down (in terms of impact point). The slugs were hitting each other at that range.

I then took it out to 110y, which is my max opportunity right now (in my yard), with my typical circular block of duct seal pinned to a tree. Winds of 10-12 but consistent in direction. Enough that I wouldn’t normally test but figured that if the BC claim is good, it shouldn’t matter! On that note, I should say that I didn’t do anything to check that BC, although multiple people have suggested it checks out very closely. Finally, I should mention that I’m at 5k feet elevation, which further enhances BC and mandates less twist for stabilization.

Attached is a pic of the 8 shot group with gun on bags. Literally the first 8 shots out of the barrel following the chrony and sighting. No cherry picking, 2 cups of Joe and a fairly casual approach! It’s 0.85” and so, comfortably sub MOA. I might get that with the Javelins on the very best day and perhaps this is the best day I’ll ever get with the ATPs. So at this point, I’ll just say that I am very impressed and will be getting a lot more of these. In part because the gun was even more settled and quieter, which again is very important to me. I don’t like airguns that end up like PBs…

Finally, I removed one slug from the duct seal that was well separated and found (1) that it expanded very well (these are not hollow points), and (2) it was a remarkably concentric expansion with the front side looking like a ball bearing (see poorish quality cellphone pics). This suggest to me that they are well stabilized in flight and I that would be comfortable using them for hunting, given the expansion.
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No connection to Altaros or anyone else (just an average Joe) but kudos to them for a great product IMHO. No qualms about the cost given the performance!
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Wait, there’s more! As soon as I finished posting, an unlucky volunteer was trying to exit my yard hauling half of a $12 block of bird food. I can’t afford to let that go and be able to buy these slugs!

Maybe they’re not so great for small game. See the hunting forum for the outcome. Not sure if it’s OK to post the link…

I guess I can at least add that it was the most longitudinal pass through possible. I didn’t find the slug following exit.
 
@weevil where are you guys purchasing these slugs? I am setup right now for 33 gr zan .218 and seeing your results with a tune for a lighter projectile than mine getting great results with these makes me want to try these out! I just went to order some but I could not figure out where to add to the cart lmao maybe im challenged today?
 
I'm extremely impressed with the Altaros smooth slugs, their BC and terminal energy. They fly incredibly true (as witnessed by those pictures of their expansion). Now, if I only had $ for a Panthera & 5 years worth of those slugs :p
For me, the Panthera is like a Ted Bier brain chip upgrade, thankfully without the chattiness (no offense, Ted). That’s worth the $2k to me and I get an extra gun to use as a bonus.

I’m very happy that I got the 600 and not the full broomstick though. I don’t need to be shooting 200y plus with my astigmatism. I can’t deal with a scope beyond 18x.
 
Thank you very much
You could try the 40grain with that tune, although I think the boat tail is more aggressive and may not mesh well with the stock probe. I just shot another group at 0.6”, so I’m pretty comfortable in stating that they’re at least 50% better than my Zans and Javelins. Plus, they have the BC of a 40grain Zan or Jav! I’ll take that cake and eat it, thanks!
 
You could try the 40grain with that tune, although I think the boat tail is more aggressive and may not mesh well with the stock probe. I just shot another group at 0.6”, so I’m pretty comfortable in stating that they’re at least 50% better than my Zans and Javelins. Plus, they have the BC of a 40grain Zan or Jav! I’ll take that cake and eat it, thanks!
Great post and testing. I shot the .25 version (49.5 grain) this past weekend in competition with great results. My BC works out to G1 0.21 or G7 0.111. You say they have the BC of a 40 grain ZAN or Javelin, but in fact the 32.3 grain .22 caliber are MUCH better than the 40 grain offerings from ZAN, Javelin, or H&N. You can buy direct from Altaros, and if you buy more than 5 the cost per pack isn't that bad. Or STO, and I also think Airgun Oregon is starting to carry them.
 
Great post and testing. I shot the .25 version (49.5 grain) this past weekend in competition with great results. My BC works out to G1 0.21 or G7 0.111. You say they have the BC of a 40 grain ZAN or Javelin, but in fact the 32.3 grain .22 caliber are MUCH better than the 40 grain offerings from ZAN, Javelin, or H&N. You can buy direct from Altaros, and if you buy more than 5 the cost per pack isn't that bad. Or STO, and I also think Airgun Oregon is starting to carry them.
Centercut - congrats on your win! Thanks for providing the correction. I guess I’m trying to convey a bigger point that when the Panthera came out there was much fussing over the fact that it couldn’t quite get ballistics and shot count that matched rimfire. But as you point out, this can now be achieved using a very sedate tune. And I can get 30+ shots from the stock setup (guesstimating a bit there). Granted, the energy is less but for accuracy it’s there. Are you shooting at a relative slow speed too? Obviously, we need to see more people test but this is really a game changing performance. I’m now at group #5 with same results and bad eyes.
 
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Great post and testing. I shot the .25 version (49.5 grain) this past weekend in competition with great results. My BC works out to G1 0.21 or G7 0.111. You say they have the BC of a 40 grain ZAN or Javelin, but in fact the 32.3 grain .22 caliber are MUCH better than the 40 grain offerings from ZAN, Javelin, or H&N. You can buy direct from Altaros, and if you buy more than 5 the cost per pack isn't that bad. Or STO, and I also think Airgun Oregon is starting to carry them.
And what’s your probe config, if you don’t mind divulging?
 
And what’s your probe config, if you don’t mind divulging?
Stock probe.Stock hammer spring. Stock hammer weight. Reg at 135-ish. 49.5 grain Altaros at 885 fps or 86 FPE. I get 20 to 22 shots per 250 bar fill. Gun is not straining at all and feels smooth and controlled.
 
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Thanks. A stock gun with pussy cat tune and a perfect score! Notwithstanding your talents of course!
Looking at the chambering without mag, it appears for my 22 that the boat tail just keys into the probe very slightly which is genius if intended. May ensure that the slugs load in very straight and consistently- perhaps better than a pin.
I guess I have an obsolete M3. At least, I won’t be futzing with the latest barrel tuner or tensioner every couple weeks.
 
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Thanks. A stock gun with pussy cat tune and a perfect score! Notwithstanding your talents of course!
Looking at the chambering without mag, it appears for my 22 that the boat tail just keys into the probe very slightly which is genius if intended. May ensure that the slugs load in very straight and consistently- perhaps better than a pin.
I guess I have an obsolete M3. At least, I won’t be futzing with the latest barrel tuner or tensioner every couple weeks.
You are correct. A 💯 % stock gun. And you also noticed that the stock pellet probe is perfect for the Altaros ATP Smooth slugs. It just guides the slug perfectly straight into the breech.
Look at all the Sponsored by ZAN, Patriot and H&N that have to shoot their brand and can’t take advantage of these slugs. 😞. Anyone that has to buy their own slugs would be kinda foolish to shoot anything else. 🤪
 
"I guess I can at least add that it was the most longitudinal pass through possible" Oh, a "Texas heart shot" 🤪 :ROFLMAO:
Lol - just to set the record straight, it was in the eye and out the ass, so an Aussie Texas heart shot? It was pulling the seed block backwards at the time. I’m in the world capital of MLM and the pests take after the humans. Hopefully that’s not lost on y’all.
 
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