Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Air Guns Decent big bore PCP?

I took a chance on a used Hatsan Pile Driver in .50 caliber. Previous owner had buggered it up, of course I wasn't told of this, just found out it wasn't operating when I got it home. Not the smartest buy I've ever made. but it seems to have worked out. Contacted Hatsan Service and sent it in - no warranty, of course - they repaired it for a very reasonable fee, gave me lots of good advice. It fills to 300 BAR, or 4500 PSI, I got an Air Venturi Ro Vair compressor - which I bought new, but also had a learning curve to follow with it. Found out the hard way that you are NOT supposed to shoot it until it is empty of air. I did, and it was a journey getting it refilled. Hatsan suggests doing the "first" fill from a tank, but the little compressor FINALLY got the job done!

I have "pellets" weighing 210 gr from 2 makers, also some at 420gr from Air Venturi (Seneca), and also some 520 gr HP's.

This is a SERIOUS rifle!

Although a single shot (bolt action) the tank holds enough air for 4-5 shots. The Pile Driver has an elevated scope rail, and I'm using a Burris Eliminator 3x9 scope on a UTG mount which is doing a good job so far.

For the last several years, my go-to gun for feral hogs has been a Contender .44 mag, shooting 330 gr flat nosed hard cast lead bullets at around 1000 F. This load does a good job at close ranges - nothing over 75 yards so far - and I would expect the 50 air rifle shooting 420 gr at 1000 PFS to do as well - or better!

My current "Big Game" hunting is on my smallish private property, and I expect the Pile Driver to be a very useful tool to use in this situation.

Mike Holmes

One update to my big bore Hatsan saga. The gun is what I would call VERY loud - for an air rifle. I got a "suppressor" from Donny FL for it - also an extension to the suppressor. These gadgets reduce the sound quite a bit, although I think it is still stretching it a bit to describe it as "backyard friendly".

Good news is, suppressors for air rifles are not regulated by the Feds, so no permit and associated BS is required.

Oh, and I covered the all black rifle and suppressor with stick-on camo from Gun Skins that I think improves the appearance greatly.

Mike Holmes

Sounds pretty cool.

/Users/mikeholmes/Pictures/Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/derivatives/A/AFF81FA9-F27E-449C-B859-A79C86831ADE_1_105_c.jpeg

Here it is..

Mike

Yeah I love my big bore in 50 caliber that I made. It'll launch 325 grain copper jacketed bullets at 1587 fps. Something that nobody else is accomplishing at the moment.

It sounds like quite a rifle and lots of fun. Have you tried round balls in it?

I've shot 135 grain round balls in sabots and got a little over 2000fps. Not very accurate though. The barrel doesn't like sabots. They smear in the bore.