Taipan Veteran Compact Review

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mmahoney

mmahoney

Member
Feb 20, 2017
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Wyoming, United States
 

Below is a brief video introducing my new Taipan Veteran Compact .177 caliber. It is followed by a written summary that will outline the short series of videos I plan on making of the gun now that the weather is limiting the amount of time I can spend outdoors shooting.

Taipan Veteran Compact .177



https://youtu.be/WN8zbwETOZM

https://youtu.be/-IP8goNNUic
Accuracy: Most of my opinions of a rifle start and end with accuracy, which is why I award 10 points to the category in the chart above. After extensive testing the compact has proven to have above average shot range accuracy (out to 50 yards) but average accuracy at greater distances (100 yards).

1573422282_8533571635dc884cae405a6.96363334_Accuracy Criteria.PNG


25m Bench results: The compact averages a 25m benchrest card score in the 230s. This is good enough for the close range pesting I bought the rifle for, but is not the hole-in-hole accuracy of the Veteran Long .22 I had hoped for.

50 yard Bench results: When shooting groups out to 50 yards, the compact can manage sub 1/2" groups but averages 7/8" groups. I didn't buy the gun to shoot at 100 yards and don't have enough data to make a valid conclusion for accuracy at that distance. 50 yard results give the gun an accuracy score of 6.

10m Offhand: Offhand accuracy is very good but also failed to meet my lofty expectations. I was hoping the gun would drastically improve my 10m offhand scores. I'm seeing roughly a 4% increase in my scores shooting the compact (166/200 average) compared to the long (160/200 average). The offhand data is noisy and is a direct reflection of my inconsistent offhand skills.


Possible reasons:

  • The rearward balance of the gun that supposedly makes it easy to shoot offhand causes a tendency for the barrel to flip slightly during shots. Firm pressure forward and down on the gun when shooting from the bench noticeably tightens the groups.
  • I've heard a rumor that the Veteran is now being made with Lothar Walter barrels as opposed to CZ barrels. I don't know for certain, but the decrease in accuracy could be from a lower quality LW barrel.
  • I haven't tried many of the diabolo shaped pellets that tend to be more accurate than wadcutters. I may not have found the gun's preferred pellet yet.

https://youtu.be/lxVHF_6txYM

Takedown Video to Install Huma Regulator

https://youtu.be/R_uf_2frVYs

Trigger: I’m a trigger snob. The Taipan Veterans have the best trigger I’ve ever pulled. I have the compact set at a consistent 2.4 oz. The shooter can set the trigger EXACTLY as desired.

Adjustability: Of all the features a gun can have, being able to easily adjust the velocity has become my most sought after feature. Adjusting the hammer spring is both easy and consistent on the Veteran. This allows quick adjustment when testing different grain pellets or when lowering pellet velocity to prevent pass through.

Unique Features: Like the other Veterans, the Compact has the anti-double loading feature that saves me from shooting two pellets from the barrel at the same time. I’m easily distracted and absent-minded enough that this feature is a safety feature I’ve come to rely on. In addition, the rifle is so efficient that the small cylinder can easily be pumped to 220 BAR and get 100 shots per fill before falling off regulation at 120 BAR.

Reliability: I’ve owned 3 Veterans and have yet to experience a single problem with any of them. The gun is engineered to use very few o-rings which helps keep it leak free. It is put together like a Swiss watch.

Additional thoughts:


  • The length of pull is 1 inch shorter than on the Standard and Long versions. Those versions are 1-2 inches too short in my opinion. A longer linkage would allow the trigger to be moved forward two inches without adding to the overall length of the gun.

  • The Compact version of the Veteran has the best balance of the 3 versions. The center of gravity sits right through the pistol grip even with a forward mounted scope. This allows the gun to sit up on its own without a bipod!

  • The .177 version of the gun is whisper quiet out of the box. No need for additional moderation.
 
I've received lots of questions about where I bought my .177 compact. I asked every place here in the USA if they had or could order one in and they all said they were having trouble getting the .177. Apparently, Utah Airguns has been trying to get one for the last 4 months. I emailed Airgunheaven.com out of the Netherlands about one and they had one in stock. I probably bought the only one they had, but I'd start my search there. I had a great buying experience similar to buying from Kraleschietsport.
 
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I'm still doing a lot of accuracy testing before I give my final thoughts, but so far the .22 seems more accurate at 25m. I've only tried a handful of different pellets and haven't experimented much with velocity yet. My intention with owning the .177 is as a 10m offhand rifle to shoot indoors over the winter and as a low powered pesting rifle out to 30 yards max. I worry about pass through on the collared doves I shoot and have had trouble getting the .22 cal to shoot at a reasonably flat trajectory without smoking through the birds. I think the .177 is going to fit the bill perfectly in this regard.

If I could have just one I'd have the .22 Long because it better fits the shooting I do most. I shoot paper 99% of the time. The long has a higher shot count and can handle slugs very well. It has no trouble with the occasional pesting I do and is more than adequate shooting offhand. Having owned a compact, standard, and long I'd make my choice as follows.

Mostly shoot paper with occasional pesting? = LONG.
Close to even mix of paper and hunting? = STANDARD. The standard shoots slugs just fine and is a great compromise. 
Mostly carry and pesting? = COMPACT.

I've only ever owned one .25 cal gun and it was too much of an air hog and drilled holes through my rubber mulch targets too fast for my liking. I bet the .25 cal Veterans are great but are overkill for the shooting I do.


 
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After reading your review on airgunheaven.com, I went to their website and found the Taipan compact .177. I ran their entire listing hoping to find a standard or preferably a long but no luck. While looking for those two I also kept my eye out for the long version of the Zrobia Kozak in .177 but again no luck, priced in the $600, a good deal. What’s drawn me to these are I would love to have a .177 slug shooter. Recently a couple of members have had great results with them, one with an Edgun and the other with a Redwolf, that really appeals to me. Like others here I hope one day the dealers here in the States will start carrying all three calibers of the Taipan. A .177 standard or long would go great with my .22 long. I’m looking forward to your videos and content as they’re always excellent.
 
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After reading your review on airgunheaven.com, I went to their website and found the Taipan compact .177. I ran their entire listing hoping to find a standard or preferably a long but no luck. While looking for those two I also kept my eye out for the long version of the Zrobia Kozak in .177 but again no luck, priced in the $600, a good deal. What’s drawn me to these are I would love to have a .177 slug shooter. Recently a couple of members have had great results with them, one with an Edgun and the other with a Redwolf, that really appeals to me. Like others here I hope one day the dealers here in the States will start carrying all three calibers of the Taipan. A .177 standard or long would go great with my .22 long. I’m looking forward to your videos and content as they’re always excellent.
Click to expand...

They have the veterean standard in .177 I just checked...laminate or beach stock as well.
 
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Interesting review. I'm the new owner of a Veteran, standard .22, and my first bullpup. I'm impressed with the overall build quality. It seems almost a paradox, that a rifle of such simple design should have such an excellent trigger. It's tough as a bag of nails, and I expect it will be very durable in the woods.

The initial accuracy is promising, shot count and velocity consistently appear very good. It's a lot of fun, but I must admit, for me, it's more challenging to shoot than my traditional rifles. I currently have a Red Wolf, a RAW, and an FX Royale 400, all .22. I don't think the Veteran accuracy is going to equal the RAW or Red Wolf, but maybe as good as the Royale, and plenty good for my kind of hunting or informal target/plinking activities. If asked why I bought it, I guess I'd have to say, damned if I know. But, these things aren't necessities, and having fun with it is sufficient justification, although I might have a problem with the wife on that one.

But overall, Taipan seems to have done an excellent job on the Veteran. I may never buy another bullpup, but I may never sell this one. Just seems to be one of the things an air gunner should own. 
 
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