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Walther Talon Magnum Field Test
First "True" 1000+ fps Spring-Piston Rifle?
by: Randall Mitchell
There is some debate on the forums and in the industry as to whether or not there is a viable, true 1000 fps spring-piston rifle in .22 caliber. In .177, 1000+ fps is quite achievable, but there are some ….um….robust discussions about the .22 caliber and whether or not it reaches such velocities. Well, I’ve found a 1000+ fps springer, and the nice thing is it also qualifies as an economical choice for the average shooter who wants a truly powerful .22 caliber spring-piston rifle.
Since hunting season is just around the corner, I thought I would start testing some of the new guns that I've received in the last month or two to evaluate their suitability for one of my favorite pastimes....squirrel hunting!
Squirrels are tough…..much tougher to my way of thinking than the cottontail rabbit. I’ve joked with fellow hunters that a cottontail will roll over and die if you look hard at him, while a squirrel can soak up some impressive loads of lead for such a small critter and still make it to the knothole. So for squirrel hunting, I like air guns that deliver a good smack on target. Notice that statement has two qualifications to it: “good smack” and “on target.” All the power in the world won’t suffice if it doesn’t arrive on target.
Umarex USA offers a Turkish-made rifle called the Walther Talon Magnum. And the “magnum” designation is well-deserved as this hefty rifle pushes RWS 11.9 grain .22 caliber Hobby pellets over the 1000+ fps limit. And happily, the 14.5 grain RWS Superdome pellets hover in the mid-to-upper 900 fps range. Here are some 5-shot strings measured over a chronograph using the above mentioned pellets:
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RWS Superdome Pellets
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Test 1
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958 fps
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Test 2
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954 fps
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Test 3
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957 fps
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Test 4
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948 fps
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Test 5
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958 fps
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Average
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955 fps |
Avg. foot pounds of energy (FPE): 29.37
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RWS Hobby Pellets
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Test 1
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1033 fps
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Test 2
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1040 fps
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Test 3
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1037 fps
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Test 4
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1032 fps
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Test 5
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1030 fps
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Average
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1034.4 fps |
Avg. foot pounds of energy (FPE): 28.28
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Now as I mentioned earlier, power is only desirable if you can couple it with accuracy. I was able to manage 1/4” -1/2” groups at 15 yards in my testing session using the 3-9x32 scope included with the Walther Talon Magnum rifle. This is squirrel-killing accuracy that should work quite well on the next bushytail I sight in on once opening day arrives.
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The scope and rail topping the Talon Magnum
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The Talon Magnum is a beefy gun, but not as heavy as might be expected since it uses a synthetic stock that is lighter than wood. The fiber optic open sights work quite well and are easily used by most shooters. Mount the scope included or one of your own, and you can tighten up the shot groups even more with the accompanying closer view of your target.
The cocking lever is a thick, strong piece of steel that helps the shooter push back that piston against the heavy spring during the cocking procedure. Be sure to hold on tight, cause if this one gets away from you, it will leave a mark! The length of the barrel will give you some help as it adds leverage to the cocking motion.
If you desire a slightly different length of pull, you can add or subtract spacers from the buttpad of the rifle. The Talon Magnum is a large gun, 49” long and made for an adult, but within that classification there is a wide range of arm lengths, and this feature aids in fine-tuning your air rifle for your likes and needs.
The scope rail will accommodate both Weaver-style and 11mm scope mounts, which should please the majority of shooters. A scope stop is included at the rear of the rail, and with such a powerful rifle, that is a good thing to have. On these higher-power springers I like 1-piece mounts for their longer gripping surfaces, and RWS carries some mounts that you can order to complement your scope choice for this air gun.
The safety of the Talon Magnum is located in the same place as the RWS 350 article that I wrote earlier in the year. However, they work opposite of each other. On the 350, you push in to ready the action to fire, while on the Talon Magnum, you pull out. It isn’t a problem by any means, but if you’ve been shooting some of the RWS rifles for awhile, you’ll notice the difference right away as you get ready to shoot.
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The trigger of the Talon Magnum.
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Now a word to the new shooter. Powerful spring-piston air rifles take some getting used to. Pay attention here or you’ll be frustrated with what you think is an inaccurate gun. You need to shoot consistently with a spring-piston rifle, and how you hold the rifle makes a lot of difference in its performance. Watch how you hold the rifle during the initial “shooting in” of the gun, where you run about 500 rounds through it to help distribute the lubricant in the moving parts and clear out some of the preservative from the barrel if you haven’t already swabbed it clean. Don’t even try for accuracy until you’ve got a full tin of pellets through it. The parts of the gun need to mesh, you need to get used to the trigger, and the entire setup, including you, need to get “seasoned” as to the behavior this gun presents during the firing motion.
If you’ll take my advice and be patient, you will be able to deliver some serious power on target, with repeatability, once you’ve found the correct hold and eye-position for this gun. Take your time and enjoy the working-in process. It’s fun to figure out the different quirks of a new gun, and it’s even more fun watching your friends miss targets that you can hit because “I know how to shoot a gun” devotees who haven’t ever shot this powerful springer will think you’ve got a lemon……until you send that squirrel tumbling out of the tree deader than last year with a single shot!
Items mentioned in this article:
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