Panthera FX Bull barrel for Panthera

[Auto1191]

I’m really confused and my world has been turned upside down. @Cantona256 you're now saying the FX Panthera MKII is a gun that you want.? It’s a powerhouse? What the heck happened to $2500+ airguns being a waste of money? Now you’re considering joining this group of brand loving, overpriced Airgun fanboy club?
Everyone keep your knickers on, I’m just joking with him.

I think and I no @Cantona256 is on track with his wording . The Panthera has the power with right projectile ( ,40 Frag) to dispatch coyote. This is a topic that may get sketchy with others , so be it. It all boils down to shot placement with the right projetile and distance to target. Headshot is without a question in my opinion the best. I actually know of Deer hunters that do headshots & it's a messy situation, but it gets the job done. Some will say .30 and up. Back in the day , all the hunters had 22lr bolt action rifles. No .30 cals .357 or Big Bore air rifles.They had what they had and used it. I not saying to go hunt coyote with a break barrel lol The armadillo that you have on your property is 20 lbs at best if this true how many ft/lbs to you think is required. This might be getting off topic & wrong place to post , if so I apologize to all

 

[Powermonger1]

Don’t get me wrong. You’ll be running the reg at a higher level. Some can go as high as 210 bar and some can go the 225.
You’ll have to install a defection washer in the valve body or be replacing the Orings or valve body all the time. No fun! But the washer has po enter the blowout since then and when installed is angle 45 degrees upwards, benefit. You should get away with the 22 700 for the power increase. There is a guy who made my titanium hammer and extra brass weights in different weights to play with till you get the right weight in. Heavy spring. I did this for the griffins because of the coyotes around here and like the 78-108 grainers. The 135 grainers are noe 308 sized down too 300 also bthp. I get 1 hole groups the size of a dime at 75 yards and I mean really one hole groups little larger than the slug. But the need the speed. I can get up to 1000 with the 78 grainers and think it would have to go to a 34” barrel like the Texan to break the sound barrier with the heaviest. I don’t have my machines anymore but maybe soon I’ll get another lathe.

 

[Powermonger1]

I think and I no @Cantona256 is on track with his wording . The Panthera has the power with right projectile ( ,40 Frag) to dispatch coyote. This is a topic that may get sketchy with others , so be it. It all boils down to shot placement with the right projetile and distance to target. Headshot is without a question in my opinion the best. I actually know of Deer hunters that do headshots & it's a messy situation, but it gets the job done. Some will say .30 and up. Back in the day , all the hunters had 22lr bolt action rifles. No .30 cals .357 or Big Bore air rifles.They had what they had and used it. I not saying to go hunt coyote with a break barrel lol The armadillo that you have on your property is 20 lbs at best if this true how many ft/lbs to you think is required. This might be getting off topic & wrong place to post , if so I apologize to all

I’ve shot a coyote with the Ensign in 22 after I did my regulated bulk fill invention where I increase the power out put by 1/3. Was getting 1200 fps with Kodiak at 3000 psi was the fist regulated airgun. About 25 30 yards away 1983

 

[Auto1191]

Don’t get me wrong. You’ll be running the reg at a higher level. Some can go as high as 210 bar and some can go the 225.
You’ll have to install a defection washer in the valve body or be replacing the Orings or valve body all the time. No fun! But the washer has po enter the blowout since then and when installed is angle 45 degrees upwards, benefit. You should get away with the 22 700 for the power increase. There is a guy who made my titanium hammer and extra brass weights in different weights to play with till you get the right weight in. Heavy spring. I did this for the griffins because of the coyotes around here and like the 78-108 grainers. The 135 grainers are noe 308 sized down too 300 also bthp. I get 1 hole groups the size of a dime at 75 yards and I mean really one hole groups little larger than the slug. But the need the speed. I can get up to 1000 with the 78 grainers and think it would have to go to a 34” barrel like the Texan to break the sound barrier with the heaviest. I don’t have my machines anymore but maybe soon I’ll get another lathe.

I think the Panthera is tapped for all the power , with reg at 150. Could I get more out of it probably. Another thought is to get a custom valve made for it !!! FX will soon enough come out with another reiteration of the Mk2 Panthera. The all New Panthera Mk3 LOL. . Just enough for us to go ooh wow I have to get this. No matter how they slice it, it still an Fx that does the same as before. Just a few upgrades. I still own & have my .357 AAA Slayer. A True compact power house. I have to ask is it really worth going through all this trouble to make something work . . All FX rifles in their own respectful caliber do the same amount of FT/lbs of energy as their predacessor MK 1 MK2 MK3 MK4, do you get what I am saying. These rifles have to be heavily modified to put out more. Forget about the acessories they try to sell (marketing) . Out of the box they are not heavy hitters. you have to do this & that, & hope it doesn't brake or leak. Their is alot of truth from what you said. I have nothing to loose but try anyway. What you have has to be a powerhouse. 78 gr @ 1000 fps is nothing to turn your nose up to. If you know of a way to extract more power out of the Panthera 700 .22. Please comment. We all would like to know! If it comes down to it, I will use my Slayer in .357. I posted here before about anchoring a coyote & 68 yards with the Slayer , as old as it is , It's what I call a performer. Nothing wrong with the OLD STUFF , it does the same job & does it well. I was thinking about a HP .22 for coyote, & I don"t know if the Panthera is up to the task, we shall find out.

 

[Auto1191]

I’ve shot a coyote with the Ensign in 22 after I did my regulated bulk fill invention where I increase the power out put by 1/3. Was getting 1200 fps with Kodiak at 3000 psi was the fist regulated airgun. About 25 30 yards away 1983

This is what I am talking about it can be done. This is what people had back in the day & they used what they had, before all this new stuff came . Good to hear.

 

[Auto1191]

What I originally wanted was the .22 Panthera 700 with Bull Barrel to be a long range coyote rifle with High Power. 5 minutes from my house I have open fields , with cranberry bogs. On my 4 wheeler & go. This is why I chose the Dnt Thermnite 635r & my Sightron 5x40x56. To be able to get out their, in the tree line. They are active Day & night . Some fields open up to 300 yards plus, I know I could'nt shoot that far with an air rifle LOL. . But 75 yards & under I would. This is why I need speed or high fps junky that I am with accuracy. or like Powemonger1 says hole in hole. Airguns have their limits. , Espeacially small bore.

 

[Powermonger1]

I think the Panthera is tapped for all the power , with reg at 150. Could I get more out of it probably. Another thought is to get a custom valve made for it !!! FX will soon enough come out with another reiteration of the Mk2 Panthera. The all New Panthera Mk3 LOL. . Just enough for us to go ooh wow I have to get this. No matter how they slice it, it still an Fx that does the same as before. Just a few upgrades. I still own & have my .357 AAA Slayer. A True compact power house. I have to ask is it really worth going through all this trouble to make something work . . All FX rifles in their own respectful caliber do the same amount of FT/lbs of energy as their predacessor MK 1 MK2 MK3 MK4, do you get what I am saying. These rifles have to be heavily modified to put out more. Forget about the acessories they try to sell (marketing) . Out of the box they are not heavy hitters. you have to do this & that, & hope it doesn't brake or leak. Their is alot of truth from what you said. I have nothing to loose but try anyway. What you have has to be a powerhouse. 78 gr @ 1000 fps is nothing to turn your nose up to. If you know of a way to extract more power out of the Panthera 700 .22. Please comment. We all would like to know! If it comes down to it, I will use my Slayer in .357. I posted here before about anchoring a coyote & 68 yards with the Slayer , as old as it is , It's what I call a performer. Nothing wrong with the OLD STUFF , it does the same job & does it well. I was thinking about a HP .22 for coyote, & I don"t know if the Panthera is up to the task, we shall find out.

I find that the smaller the caliber the more the barrel restricts the air flow too. Been working on my 25 Dynamic and the 68 grainers don’t give me what I want and that’s why I’m waiting on the 800mm solid barrel in 25 to see if the length is what is holding it back. I should be pushing at 1000 fps but I’m not. I can’t download videos here or I would do the videos over again

 

[Auto1191]

I find that the smaller the caliber the more the barrel restricts the air flow too. Been working on my 25 Dynamic and the 68 grainers don’t give me what I want and that’s why I’m waiting on the 800mm solid barrel in 25 to see if the length is what is holding it back. I should be pushing at 1000 fps but I’m not. I can’t download videos here or I would do the videos over again

That is true . Even with the reg on my .30 King had a reg psi of 113 to launch the 50 grain & 935 to 950 fps

 

[Cantona256]

Awesome. If FX would enlarge the valve body by 1/2 at least. It would be easier to achieve the results. When I was doing the power mods on the Sam Yang and the career 25cal to 410 shotgun back in the late 90s i was milling slots done the side of the valve body and a 3/8inch hole drill through at the face giving a increase of about 25-30 percent. I would take an HR topper 410 barrel and turn it to fit the 201. Boring out the shot cups to hold the .410 wads shooting a 5/8 oz load at 900 fps with the mod. At 3000 psi

As a machinist this is the type of stuff that gets me hyped haha

 

[Cantona256]

I find that the smaller the caliber the more the barrel restricts the air flow too. Been working on my 25 Dynamic and the 68 grainers don’t give me what I want and that’s why I’m waiting on the 800mm solid barrel in 25 to see if the length is what is holding it back. I should be pushing at 1000 fps but I’m not. I can’t download videos here or I would do the videos over again

Yes you are 100% correct on this finding and the math absolutely supports it.

If you look up how to calculate the max Fpe of an Airgun (theoretically) the actual volume of the barrel absolute matters. For example the .30 cal 700mm has 31(ish)cc of volume and upgrading to the 800mm takes it up to 36(ish)cc or so.

For example I have an 80cc plenum in the works for my DRS. A straight swap will only yield about a 4% increase in power over the 63cc plenum so only about 4-7fpe more at the same settings.

Likewise dropping a 800mm barrel without increasing the plenum only yields like 5% more power due to the volume of the plenum not being big enough to prevent too much pressure drop.

The math says that by swapping both at the same time I should yield 149-150fpe with the same settings. That’s an 18% gain.

I love when the real world and the theoretical world match up as cleanly as this because my experience with my other gun projects tells me these numbers are pretty spot on. If anything, they might be slightly conservative since my karma barrel swap slightly over performed the math.

 

[Cantona256]

I’m really confused and my world has been turned upside down. @Cantona256 you're now saying the FX Panthera MKII is a gun that you want.? It’s a powerhouse? What the heck happened to $2500+ airguns being a waste of money? Now you’re considering joining this group of brand loving, overpriced Airgun fanboy club?
Everyone keep your knickers on, I’m just joking with him.

I’m a man of very strong opinions as you already know but I’m not obstinate and I can admit when my opinions are wrong. I really just bought the DRS because I was bored, the .30 cal was new and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I figured I’d play with it for a couple months, talk some $hit and then sell it…. lol boy was I wrong.

1) I still think $2500 is crazy for what’s being offered. Even my DRS as much as I love it, is overpriced at the $1400 I paid for it after taxes. Obviously value is relative but there are a few things that FX could do very easily to justify the price more…. For example: ship it with more than one mag, a gauge on the plenum and if someone orders the “Sniper” version of anything ship it with more than one hammer spring weight!!!

2) The Impact in particular is a gun I really don’t like. I know there are a lot of M3 shooters who swear by it and I believe them. However I’m pretty sure my “style” is too grimy for a gun like that. My DRS spends about 6 days a week riding in the backseat of my car. Lots of temperature swings, lots of bumps, sand, mud you know all the dirtbag stuff.

If I could go a week without seeing a “FX Impact POI issues” post on the forums I would probably have a more open mind towards it.

3) For a high volume shooter like me the lower fill pressures are actually an advantage. I can basically shoot all week long off my 4.5L tank. That’s huge for me because I do a lot of camping and coyote calling way out in the middle of nowhere.

4) The dynamic block. I really like how FX has kind moved toward a modular style of building these guns. Having played with my DRS I find the gun design to be very simple. Compared to stripping down the Karma the DRS is simple. But compared to resealing a friend’s Aircuda max the DRS is child’s play…. I really hate the Aircuda now .

5) I’m not a trigger snob but OMG I love my DRS trigger. It’s exquisite and it’s the only gun I’ve ever owned that I haven’t adjusted the trigger.


6) The Panthera is interesting to me because it’s the same dynamic block but the prospect of dual air tanks is very interesting to me. Plus you can hot swap them which is rad. I’ve seen a lot of interesting builds on the Panthera platform and not a lot of POI issues.

So yeah idk if I would buy one brand new but I would seriously consider buying one of the classifieds… FOR SCIENCE!

Ultimately this sport/hobby is about having fun and that’s how I judge a gun. So far the DRS MK2 is in the top spot. Beating out the Barra 250z only because I like the DRS trigger better and the power level of the .30 cal is more useful for me.


*I forgot to mention FX rifling.. for slug shooters I think that their style of rifling is ideal. Why? I believe that traditional groove rifling, developed for jacketed bullets, is too destructive for the soft lead slugs I prefer. Maybe it works better with harder lead slugs like griffin, but I don’t like their performance on target.

Polygonal being less “aggressive” does better and FX being a modified poly style rifling is even better. I strongly believe that’s why the super lightweight Hex slugs shoot so well out to 200y with my gun.

 

[Cantona256]

When you yourself speak, you DEFFINATELY hold the room . I can't thank you enough. I can't wait to get this rig to see what it all about. Don't forget I had a King in .30 cal already. I was looking for an all out .22, & I just may have it

Yeah I remember you mentioning the King and I meant to ask you about it. I know nothing about the gun. I know traditionally it’s FX’s Power platform but beyond that I don’t know much.

Do you like it? What are you shooting out of it? How easy is it to tune?

 

[Billm]

I’m a man of very strong opinions as you already know but I’m not obstinate and I can admit when my opinions are wrong. I really just bought the DRS because I was bored, the .30 cal was new and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I figured I’d play with it for a couple months, talk some $hit and then sell it…. lol boy was I wrong.

1) I still think $2500 is crazy for what’s being offered. Even my DRS as much as I love it, is overpriced at the $1400 I paid for it after taxes. Obviously value is relative but there are a few things that FX could do very easily to justify the price more…. For example: ship it with more than one mag, a gauge on the plenum and if someone orders the “Sniper” version of anything ship it with more than one hammer spring weight!!!

2) The Impact in particular is a gun I really don’t like. I know there are a lot of M3 shooters who swear by it and I believe them. However I’m pretty sure my “style” is too grimy for a gun like that. My DRS spends about 6 days a week riding in the backseat of my car. Lots of temperature swings, lots of bumps, sand, mud you know all the dirtbag stuff.

If I could go a week without seeing a “FX Impact POI issues” post on the forums I would probably have a more open mind towards it.

3) For a high volume shooter like me the lower fill pressures are actually an advantage. I can basically shoot all week long off my 4.5L tank. That’s huge for me because I do a lot of camping and coyote calling way out in the middle of nowhere.

4) The dynamic block. I really like how FX has kind moved toward a modular style of building these guns. Having played with my DRS I find the gun design to be very simple. Compared to stripping down the Karma the DRS is simple. But compared to resealing a friend’s Aircuda max the DRS is child’s play…. I really hate the Aircuda now .

5) I’m not a trigger snob but OMG I love my DRS trigger. It’s exquisite and it’s the only gun I’ve ever owned that I haven’t adjusted the trigger.


6) The Panthera is interesting to me because it’s the same dynamic block but the prospect of dual air tanks is very interesting to me. Plus you can hot swap them which is rad. I’ve seen a lot of interesting builds on the Panthera platform and not a lot of POI issues.

So yeah idk if I would buy one brand new but I would seriously consider buying one of the classifieds… FOR SCIENCE!

Ultimately this sport/hobby is about having fun and that’s how I judge a gun. So far the DRS MK2 is in the top spot. Beating out the Barra 250z only because I like the DRS trigger better and the power level of the .30 cal is more useful for me.


*I forgot to mention FX rifling.. for slug shooters I think that their style of rifling is ideal. Why? I believe that traditional groove rifling, developed for jacketed bullets, is too destructive for the soft lead slugs I prefer. Maybe it works better with harder lead slugs like griffin, but I don’t like their performance on target.

Polygonal being less “aggressive” does better and FX being a modified poly style rifling is even better. I strongly believe that’s why the super lightweight Hex slugs shoot so well out to 200y with my gun.

I agree a 100% with everything that you stated. Airguns are way over priced for how much they cost, especially considering that they are machined in multi-axis machine centers and can be milled in quantity once they’re dialed in. But, then when you consider the market size and what pricing is required to make a business thrive, it all makes sense. To a certain extent anyway. I’ve def thought about adding a small bottle on the front. All the bad things that I read about flimsy FX barrel straws haven’t panned out for me. I think it’s a great system. At least in conjunction with the Dynamic and DRS series.

 

[Cantona256]

I agree a 100% with everything that you stated. Airguns are way over priced for how much they cost, especially considering that they are machined in multi-axis machine centers and can be milled in quantity once they’re dialed in. But, then when you consider the market size and what pricing is required to make a business thrive, it all makes sense. To a certain extent anyway. I’ve def thought about adding a small bottle on the front. All the bad things that I read about flimsy FX barrel straws haven’t panned out for me. I think it’s a great system. At least in conjunction with the Dynamic and DRS series.

I’m glad you agree because your posts on buy a Panthera made me go back and look into the gun more deeply

I value your opinion so when I saw that you had bought one I was like “that’s interesting” and thus had to dig a little deeper.