The MicroMeter Tank from AirForce

The MicroMeter valve installed in a standard AirForce tank completely changes the performance of all three AirForce rifles. By restricting the volume of air that’s available for each shot, you get lower velocities that are extremely consistent. To find out how consistent, we tested each gun with the new valve/tank.

Talon SS with MicroMeter tank installed:

Fill pressure 3,000 psi · .22 caliber Crosman Premier pellet

High power

High 564

Low 561

Avg. 563

Power setting 7 (medium)

High 553

Low 546

Avg. 549

Low power

High 547

Low 403

Avg. 506

Talon with MicroMeter tank installed

Fill pressure 3,000 psi · .22 caliber Crosman Premier pellet

High power

High 663

Low 654

Avg. 659

Power setting 7 (medium)

High 659

Low 654

Avg. 656

Low power

High 439

Low 477

Avg. 458

Condor with MicroMeter tank installed

Fill pressure 3,000 psi · .22 caliber Crosman Premier pellet

High power

High 693

Low 684

Avg. 689

Power setting 7 (medium)

High 685

Low 679

Avg. 682

Low power

High 674

Low 655

Avg. 665

What do the numbers mean?

The MicroMeter valve/tank was designed to give the owners of AirForce rifles a lower-powered option with great consistency for the rifle they already own. After testing, it looks like that has been accomplished in all three rifles. There is a performance difference between the rifles that can be chiefly attributed to the different barrel lengths.

Talon SS

The SS, with its short barrel, gets the lowest velocity of all. The power adjustment wheel has very little effect until it is almost at the lowest setting, and then the consistency opens up.

The average velocity of about 560 f.p.s. produces right around 10 foot-pounds in .22 caliber. Expect about 20 percent less energy in .177, which would mean that an 8-grain pellet might travel an average of around 670 f.p.s.

Velocity is very consistent and should remain so for a large number of shots. If you shoot at distances of 25 yards or less, there are well over 100 accurate shots available in the new tank.

Talon

The Talon, with its 18-inch barrel, gets good consistent velocity, plus some low-end adjustability. The test results suggest that the Talon SS, with the optional 24-inch barrel installed, might be the best combination of all for the MicroMeter valve and tank.

The average velocity of about 680 f.p.s. produces right around 14.7 foot-pounds in .22 caliber. Expect about 20 percent less energy in .177, which would be about 11.8 foot-pounds. That’s an 8-grain pellet traveling at about 815 f.p.s.

Velocity is also very consistent for the Talon and should remain so for a large number of shots. If you shoot at distances of 25 yards or less, there are well over 100 accurate shots available in the new tank.

Condor

The Condor gets the most velocity from the MicroMeter valve/tank, but it isn’t coming from the special powerplant. It’s coming from the 24-inch barrel.

The average velocity of about 689 f.p.s. produces just over 15 foot-pounds in .22 caliber. That’s very close to the Talon. Expect about 20 percent less energy in .177, which would be about 12 foot-pounds on the nose. That’s an 8-grain pellet traveling at about 822 f.p.s.

The Condor has very little adjustability because of its extra-powerful powerplant. But the consistency is fine. If you shoot your Condor at distances of 25 yards or less, there are well over 100 accurate shots available in the new valve/tank.

Summary