Today we’re taking a first look at the KalibrGun Snipe 2 PCP air rifle. HAM readers first saw this model in our report from the 2024 IWA OutdoorClassics show in Germany.
Now a sample gun has arrived at the HAM offices from the manufacturer in the Czech Republic and we can start to see what it offers.
In fact, the Snipe is available in a multitude of different versions. The gun we have here is a Snipe 2 (rendered as the Roman II on the gun) in .22 caliber.
This differs from the original Snipe in a number of respects. One is the provision of a sidelever action. This is instead of the “slide lever” action fitted to the first model.
Other changes include a Picatinny scope mounting rail with 20 MOA droop for long range shooting. At the muzzle end, the new carbon fiber-shrouded barrel is threaded 1/2-Inch UNF. It is also supplied with KalibrGun’s own “airgun only” silencer, for use where legal.
Our gun is fitted with the longest (70 cm) barrel. That makes it a Snipe 70 model. There’s also Snipe 45 and Snipe 60 models with shorter barrels and correspondingly-smaller HPA bottles than the monster 700 cc unit that’s fitted to this gun.
Snipes are available in all the expected calibers from .177 up to .30 caliber. Creditably, the manufacturer is very precise about the barrel specifications for their products.
So we learn that our 700 mm (27.6 Inch) long standard profile barrel has no choke. Manufactured by the leading Czech arms manufacturer CZ, it has 12 grooves with a 450 mm (17.7 Inch) twist. The lack of a choke promises good results for slugs…
Another change from the original model is that the Snipe 2 is fitted with a sophisticated, folding AR-type stock. This skeleton stock is manufactured from Aluminum and includes adjustment for length of pull. There’s also a height-adjustable cheekpiece. Plus a built-in monopod for benchrest shooting.
Now the Snipe 2 has a pistol grip manufactured from laminated wood. This material is also used for the cheekpiece and – rather surprisingly – the buttplate.
Up-front, the HPA bottle of the review gun is protected by a substantial Aluminum forend that’s mounted on the receiver’s Arca rail. This includes a Picatinny rail on the underside, ideal for attaching an accessory bipod such as the Leapers TBNR model we fitted.
Regular sale models in the USA will not have this forend as standard, we believe.
Given the length – 46-Inches including silencer – of the KalibrGun Snipe 2 PCP air rifle and the tactical appearance, we went ‘whole hog” with the scope!
So there’s our favorite Sightron S3 10-50 x 60 scope atop the Snipe 2. It’s attached with Leapers UTG Pro rings.
That huge 700 cc HPA bottle fills to a maximum of 300 Bar (4,350 PSI). Fill pressure is indicated on the outer of two pressure gauges fitted to the Snipe. The inner gauge indicates the regulator pressure on the finely-graduated gauge face plate. As received, it reads 150 Bar (2,175 PSI).
One other unusual feature of the KalibrGun Snipe 2 PCP air rifle is not immediately obvious. But it is very significant, we believe…
On the right side of the gun we see what is obviously an adjusting mechanism between the pressure gauges. Yes that adjuster allows the owner to change the regulator set pressure externally.
The reg pressure of the Snipe 2 is set to 150 Bar at the factory – as we see on our test gun. However it can be adjusted to as high as 200 Bar (2,900 PSI) and as low as 20 Bar (290 PSI.
But what’s really surprising is this. The Snipe is the first regulated PCP air rifle we have seen where the regulator pressure can be adjusted both up and DOWN without the need to de-gass the gun.
All other PCPs the HAM Team can think of require the gun to be de-gassed when reducing the regulator set pressure. That’s a pretty big advantage for the Snipe!
Another surprise is that adjusting the regulator pressure is the only way to change the Snipe’s power output. In most other regulated PCPs, regulator adjustments need to be made in conjunction with hammer spring tension and/or transfer port size changes for best efficiency.
However the Snipe has an unique valve design that does not require any other changes in set-up when changing the power level.
I’d like to thank Richard Janoušek, the owner and COO of KalibrGun for his help in preparing this post. The photo below shows Richard demonstrating the Snipe 2 to me in Germany earlier this year.
The KalibrGun Snipe 2 PCP air rifle will be available in the USA from Airguns of Arizona and through Precision Airgun Distribution dealers.
HAM is planning to bring you a full review soon. Stay tuned…
The post First Look At The KalibrGun Snipe 2 PCP Air Rifle appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.
