250Z 250z - Working On It!

[CTAirgunner]

This story is a little weird because this wasn't supposed to happen this way. I actually started the day out trying to talk someone, that I just got into the sport, out of getting a 250z and getting a Ghost instead, I failed at that miserably, lol. He already has a BRK Sahara so why go backwards, is what I was thinking. He has been shooting Starlings at 75 -94 yards with FX 18gr pellets and wants to go further with a slug gun so he wanted to set up a Barra like mine. I kept telling him that it wasn't shooting slugs that great, but he knows that I'm very demanding and probably thought that my standards were higher than his, or just flat out unreasonable, and wanted to try it. So I told him, fine, I'll bring it tomorrow and you can shoot it. I figured, that would show him where he should put his attention, on a Ghost.

I had not touched my gun yet, from the previous comments, except for changing the scope to my 16x SWFA. I was planning to crown the barrel this weekend, before todays events happened, and had not shot the new ZAN slugs I just got, 23gr .217 reg 2450psi 925fps.

I was not using a bench for this, I was using my tripod, standing, and there was a good wind that would go down to 5 and up to 15mph the whole time, and it felt damn cold. The temp was actually 50. The target was 75y away with the wind coming from 4 o'clock. I did not expect to do well, would be an understatement, I was kind of planning not to. I would usually have not even attempted to shoot groups in these conditions because it is a waste of ammo. I figured we'd both shoot a few, shrug our shoulders, and say, "yeah, this kind of sucks."

So, the target had fallen over in the wind but the giant stump it was leaning against had some clear barkless parts, so I took a shot at that. I noticed where it was shooting and if I waited for the hum of the wind to be steady it was shooting almost exactly 1 mil left. I said where it was shooting and handed it over figuring he would shotgun a group. Instead, he was like, "this is incredible in this wind." I looked through the scope and I was rather stunned at the group that was appearing. SWFA scopes are so reliable, image quality be damned, they are a fine gunsight. I clicked in the correction this time and shot the most improbable group at 75y that I can ever remember shooting withan airgun. It was 5/8", from a tripod, me standing, and a good wind, I was happy! We went down to look at the group, it looked like 4 but was actually 5 shots, amazing. After setting up the target again we took turns shooting and the gun was shooting like we were benched in no wind at 50y with his BRK.

A couple of things that I took away from this; I am never shooting from a bench again, and slugs are a pain to get working but totally worth it in the end, I should have started with ZAN since I ended up using them in my .25 slug gun too.

I am still going to try the JSB KO 20.83gr slugs though because they have an even better bc and a huge cavity for expansion and Dairyboy has said they are more accurate than anything he has shot. At least now I know that the gun is actually not the problem, I just needed to find the right ammo and settings. A big relief for me. I'm all excited about getting this thing out in no wind at 200y now. I did go out to where I shoot 155y (the wind now at my back) and I hit my hanging target twice in a row so I know my strelok data is right too. My zero distance is 31y, which gives me no hold unders 25y and out, and shoots flat 30-40y. At 200y it should drop 11mil which is still on my reticle if I don't want to click, ...but yeah ...I'm going to click!

It was a good day Barra too. I finally saw .22 slugs shoot well, the tenth try was the charm.

Hey, maybe the rifle was just really making you work for it. Didn't want to give it up on the first date! Wanted it to be more rewarding, and it sounds that it did by happenstance!

Can't wait to hear more !

 

[Pumacarl]

Hey, maybe the rifle was just really making you work for it. Didn't want to give it up on the first date! Wanted it to be more rewarding, and it sounds that it did by happenstance!

Can't wait to hear more !

If it keeps it up, it will have been worth it. I am really (greedily) hoping to have lightning strike twice with the Knock Outs because I want to use JSB lead. I think mixing lead chemistry screws up accuracy. The next thing that I will check is how many rounds it takes to lose accuracy and require cleaning. That is extremely important to nail down right up front. I'm relieved that I won't be bothering with the FX hybrids any more because those are a pain. In my .30 they are worth it, but in this .22 they had shot the best until the ZAN showed up, but now look bad in comparison. I am thinking when this gun is all settled and I have a Dragon's horde of ammo for it, I will try the .30 KO. I haven't read anything on them yet, so I will give that a go.

 

[Danman]

You found slug Zen with Zans lol! As an owner of a .22 Ghost....I would NOT recommend it for slugs Bullpup style rifle, top heavy, complete b!#@h to mount onto a tripod using the factory tiny rails, 100% useless with slugs, slug barrels hard to get and will be $$$$. The ONLY ammo mine can shoot decently is Mrds (even tried the JTS 25gr pellets!)...and you know how consistent those are
I would definitely give the Jsb 25gr KOs a run through your Barra, and the 20gr if you can get em! With your current power level you may still squeeze 900fps out of the 25gr...

 

[Pumacarl]

You found slug Zen with Zans lol! As an owner of a .22 Ghost....I would NOT recommend it for slugs Bullpup style rifle, top heavy, complete b!#@h to mount onto a tripod using the factory tiny rails, 100% useless with slugs, slug barrels hard to get and will be $$$$. The ONLY ammo mine can shoot decently is Mrds (even tried the JTS 25gr pellets!)...and you know how consistent those are
I would definitely give the Jsb 25gr KOs a run through your Barra, and the 20gr if you can get em! With your current power level you may still squeeze 900fps out of the 25gr...

That's good info, thanks! I will pass on your thoughts on it.

 

[Dogowski]

Thanks! I did some work on my bag rider too. I had to add a piece of angle stock to the front of the clamp to prevent the whole thing from spinning. I"m having problems countersinking the aluminum, and need to borrow a countersink bit from my brother to continue. I am going to put some JB under the arca clamp too, to strengthen it from abuse. There is only one screw holding it down because it was just made to screw down onto a tripod head. I am really liking using JB Steel Stik over traditional JB Weld, as long as I plan the whole thing out ahead of time, it seems to go much better. I know that it is probably only 70% as good as the original, but it's probably going to be just fine for how I treat my stuff.

I'll try the JB Steel Stik on a project next time. Quick drying time and all! Regular JB Weld seems to take longer to set.

 

[Pumacarl]

I ordered a 0dB 110 today from AOA. They are discounting the plain black ones down to $130 which is a good deal, especially compared to my $100 Tantos. Every time I have tried the 110 against a Tanto it has been no contest on my guns. They don't look like they would work at all, let alone better, but they really do. I usually upsize my suppressors, but this time I did not. I was just so impressed by the noise reduction and the zero poi change that I didn't want to risk changing anything from what I used. If it becomes a problem I will just move it to my .177, and get a bigger one.

I also got some of the JSB KO slugs in 20.83gr to try out, from UA, so maybe next weekend I'll be able to let you all know how those compare against the ZAN. Fingers crossed, on those.

 

[Dogowski]

I ordered a 0dB 110 today from AOA. They are discounting the plain black ones down to $130 which is a good deal, especially compared to my $100 Tantos. Every time I have tried the 110 against a Tanto it has been no contest on my guns. They don't look like they would work at all, let alone better, but they really do. I usually upsize my suppressors, but this time I did not. I was just so impressed by the noise reduction and the zero poi change that I didn't want to risk changing anything from what I used. If it becomes a problem I will just move it to my .177, and get a bigger one.

I also got some of the JSB KO slugs in 20.83gr to try out, from UA, so maybe next weekend I'll be able to let you all know how those compare against the ZAN. Fingers crossed, on those.

I got my Odb 110 about a year ago from AOA when they were $110.00. I'm gonna order mine now for the Zelos as im not taking this one off the Brocock ever again!

 

[Pumacarl]

I finally am getting back to this gun. I just today received some JSB KO 20.83gr slugs. They do measure .216 but I think that with the really thin deep skirt the air pressure is making for a seal down the barrel. They are shooting at 980fps out of my gun. I haven't checked accuracy yet but did shoot at distance a little on reaction targets. I tried shooting a stump to check grouping but these slugs don't print nice clear holes like the Zan do. I think these things just really disintergrate the second they hit something. I should be able to figure out, this weekend, if I am going to use these or just stick with the Zan. I was using the 0dB 110 (for .22) that I just got, for the first time too. They do work incredibly well for their size. It doesn't seem to be clipping either but I will be doing groups with and without to make sure. I willl definately get going with this because I have a TalonP coming that I am going to have to figure out too. It's fun to get back into it now that spring decided to make an appearance, but it's been cold this week again. I don't trust any of my numbers or settings when I do them cold, I'm always rushing it then.

 

[CTAirgunner]

I finally am getting back to this gun. I just today received some JSB KO 20.83gr slugs. They do measure .216 but I think that with the really thin deep skirt the air pressure is making for a seal down the barrel. They are shooting at 980fps out of my gun. I haven't checked accuracy yet but did shoot at distance a little on reaction targets. I tried shooting a stump to check grouping but these slugs don't print nice clear holes like the Zan do. I think these things just really disintergrate the second they hit something. I should be able to figure out, this weekend, if I am going to use these or just stick with the Zan. I was using the 0dB 110 (for .22) that I just got, for the first time too. They do work incredibly well for their size. It doesn't seem to be clipping either but I will be doing groups with and without to make sure. I willl definately get going with this because I have a TalonP coming that I am going to have to figure out too. It's fun to get back into it now that spring decided to make an appearance, but it's been cold this week again. I don't trust any of my numbers or settings when I do them cold, I'm always rushing it then.

The KO slugs definitely do disintegrate, I had an original Uragan 500mm which btw was amazing with the .30 knockouts, right out the box, factory tune, amazing. Anyways, those things would vaporize no matter what I shot with them lol

As far as 0DB , they do work well for their size, thats what I used on my panthera .22 , and the Talon P !!! 1 of my first airpews, you should have some fun with that, a little loud if you try to crank them out for power though.

 

[Pumacarl]

The KO slugs definitely do disintegrate, I had an original Uragan 500mm which btw was amazing with the .30 knockouts, right out the box, factory tune, amazing. Anyways, those things would vaporize no matter what I shot with them lol

As far as 0DB , they do work well for their size, thats what I used on my panthera .22 , and the Talon P !!! 1 of my first airpews, you should have some fun with that, a little loud if you try to crank them out for power though.

Yes, I know the TalonP will be loud, but it is just going to be a dispatch, better than trying to throw a rock, kind of gun, that will actually stay behind my rear seat, not even in a case. I just want 3-5 good shots, at about 815-830fps with the 34gr JSB. I am curious to see how it handles the heat and if the poi shifts, from its inglorious circumstances.

Did you ever try shooting the Knock Outs in your Paradigm? I have read conflicting reports on the .30 version in different guns. If you had luck with them in your gun, I will definately try them in mine.

 

[CTAirgunner]

Yes, I know the TalonP will be loud, but it is just going to be a dispatch, better than trying to throw a rock, kind of gun, that will actually stay behind my rear seat, not even in a case. I just want 3-5 good shots, at about 815-830fps with the 34gr JSB. I am curious to see how it handles the heat and if the poi shifts, from its inglorious circumstances.

Did you ever try shooting the Knock Outs in your Paradigm? I have read conflicting reports on the .30 version in different guns. If you had luck with them in your gun, I will definately try them in mine.

Never out of my Paradigm, if you ever get your hand on an uragan 1 in 500mm , it will shoot them right at around 870fps for many shots and accurately.

 

[Pumacarl]

Never out of my Paradigm, if you ever get your hand on an uragan 1 in 500mm , it will shoot them right at around 870fps for many shots and accurately.

I almost owned a .22 Uragan. I recommended it to a friend who never was into airguns, but wanted one with a good shot count, that he wouldn't have to touch, just take it out and shoot. I told him if he didn't like it, I would buy it off him full price. I really expected to be buying it from him because newbies usually get overwhelmed and say the hell with it. Years later, and he still loves that thing! Charlie Frear, at the time, was really pushing him to the .30, but he just wanted the .22.

Anyways, back on topic, I read that the .30 KO shot lousy in the EVOL, but it wasn't anybody that I saw posting before so I don't know how much to believe it. Besides, being heresay, I also don't know the details of what power they were running or anything else. I know the KO are impressive though. Just today, I shot my first starling with the 10gr .177 version and they definately expanded. (The 12.5gr NSA were not expanding, but they are super accurate.) I will hold off trying them in my .30 for the moment because I have two other guns to finish setting up first. It looks like I am going to be shooting a lot this year. Probably will be my most shooting year yet, yee-haw!

 

[Cantona256]

I finally am getting back to this gun. I just today received some JSB KO 20.83gr slugs. They do measure .216 but I think that with the really thin deep skirt the air pressure is making for a seal down the barrel. They are shooting at 980fps out of my gun. I haven't checked accuracy yet but did shoot at distance a little on reaction targets. I tried shooting a stump to check grouping but these slugs don't print nice clear holes like the Zan do. I think these things just really disintergrate the second they hit something. I should be able to figure out, this weekend, if I am going to use these or just stick with the Zan. I was using the 0dB 110 (for .22) that I just got, for the first time too. They do work incredibly well for their size. It doesn't seem to be clipping either but I will be doing groups with and without to make sure. I willl definately get going with this because I have a TalonP coming that I am going to have to figure out too. It's fun to get back into it now that spring decided to make an appearance, but it's been cold this week again. I don't trust any of my numbers or settings when I do them cold, I'm always rushing it then.

You tried any apolos in it yet? I’m not sure about the .22 but so far my 250z loves the 33gr and 40gr apolos. Probably the 33’s slightly better but I haven’t sat and tuned the hammer spring for accuracy on the 40s yet…. I’m actually gonna give pellets one one try with some H&N 28.24’s… I can get the heavy slugs moving fast but tbh I just shoot too much for that. I’m going I can get the pellets to do around 870-890fps with the reg at or below 2500psi… I’m gonna fully open up the block eventually but I’m not gonna chase big power until I do that and a bigger plenum option is available… figure with the pellet tune it won’t be hard to dial in some 28-30gr slugs too.

 

[CTAirgunner]

I almost owned a .22 Uragan. I recommended it to a friend who never was into airguns, but wanted one with a good shot count, that he wouldn't have to touch, just take it out and shoot. I told him if he didn't like it, I would buy it off him full price. I really expected to be buying it from him because newbies usually get overwhelmed and say the hell with it. Years later, and he still loves that thing! Charlie Frear, at the time, was really pushing him to the .30, but he just wanted the .22.

Anyways, back on topic, I read that the .30 KO shot lousy in the EVOL, but it wasn't anybody that I saw posting before so I don't know how much to believe it. Besides, being heresay, I also don't know the details of what power they were running or anything else. I know the KO are impressive though. Just today, I shot my first starling with the 10gr .177 version and they definately expanded. (The 12.5gr NSA were not expanding, but they are super accurate.) I will hold off trying them in my .30 for the moment because I have two other guns to finish setting up first. It looks like I am going to be shooting a lot this year. Probably will be my most shooting year yet, yee-haw!

I do know the KOs are very different in the sense they like just slightly higher than their pellet counterparts, most of them mimic pellet weight, and I have noticed that people shooting the .22 or larger KOs have always had good luck 10-20 fps faster than the pellets of the same or very similar weight.

 

[Pumacarl]

I do know the KOs are very different in the sense they like just slightly higher than their pellet counterparts, most of them mimic pellet weight, and I have noticed that people shooting the .22 or larger KOs have always had good luck 10-20 fps faster than the pellets of the same or very similar weight.

Yeah, the 21.9gr AEA pellet is a grain heavier and still manages to shoot just slower than the 20.83gr KO slug. I'm sure that's because of the smaller diameter, which only works because of deep and thin the base is. I am surprised that more of the bases are not damaged actually. They certainly did things different with this product line.

 

[Pumacarl]

You tried any apolos in it yet? I’m not sure about the .22 but so far my 250z loves the 33gr and 40gr apolos. Probably the 33’s slightly better but I haven’t sat and tuned the hammer spring for accuracy on the 40s yet…. I’m actually gonna give pellets one one try with some H&N 28.24’s… I can get the heavy slugs moving fast but tbh I just shoot too much for that. I’m going I can get the pellets to do around 870-890fps with the reg at or below 2500psi… I’m gonna fully open up the block eventually but I’m not gonna chase big power until I do that and a bigger plenum option is available… figure with the pellet tune it won’t be hard to dial in some 28-30gr slugs too.

No, I am not going for power with this gun. It's just for safer Plinking duties at distance. I won't shoot anything over 25gr in it. Good job, on your part, getting power like that out of it!

 

[CTAirgunner]

Yeah, the 21.9gr AEA pellet is a grain heavier and still manages to shoot just slower than the 20.83gr KO slug. I'm sure that's because of the smaller diameter, which only works because of deep and thin the base is. I am surprised that more of the bases are not damaged actually. They certainly did things different with this product line.

I just got in 4 tins of the JTS 22.07 and I am super impressed with the look of them, eyeballing them, look far better than a fresh tin of JSB as far as damage , conformity, etc....

 

[Billm]

I just got in 4 tins of the JTS 22.07 and I am super impressed with the look of them, eyeballing them, look far better than a fresh tin of JSB as far as damage , conformity, etc....

I’ve liked every JTS pellet that I have tried so far.

 

[Pumacarl]

I have yet to try any, but I will try 18s by the end of summer. I just read that the lead is different between the AEA and the JTS, with the JTS being a slightly purer mix. Even though they tend to be softer, I like pure lead better, I think it cleans easier and you don't have to clean it as much. All to say, I have not been that impressed by any of the AEA pellets that I have bought yet, which everybody else raves on for some reason, so I am going to start trying JTS.

 

[Pumacarl]

On a side note, I just traded some pellets for a 12x SWFA. The 16x SWFA will be coming off of the 250z. The view through the 16x is just way to tight, it is really annoying to use. Although it is precise enough, it does work well, it kills the fun, and makes you work too much for what the 10x version gives you easily. I am hoping that the 12x will be 'just right.'