I am currently takeing orders for QB 78 conversions You can contact me at btrager1978@yahoo.com

Joe Bontrager QB PCP Review October 7 2007 at 11:01 PM     Introduction The QB78 series of airguns is one of the most popular among airgun hobbyists. With the plethora of aftermarket parts and accessories, the 78 and it’s variants enjoy a substantial following in the airgun world. A quick search on the Chinese Airgun forum will reveal post after post of QB7x information. Several folks offer PCP conversions for these guns as well. The most recent to offer these PCP conversions is Joe Bontrager. http://www.bontragerair.citymax.com/> Mr. Bontrager first raised some eyebrows on the American Airgun Hunters forum some time back with a deer taken with a home built big bore airgun. Since he has started making QB conversions, there has been a steady buzz on several of the forums about his work. Often, when one inquires about a PCP conversion, the common response is “Why, when for just a few dollars more, you can get a REAL PCP?” I guess my answer to that is the uniqueness of the QB conversion. They are an oddity and I enjoy the oddities of our hobby. From a functional and financial standpoint, Joe’s QB PCP makes sense. For less than the price of many lower end PCP’s, one can get a Bontrager PCP AND pick up a laminate stock from Richards Micro fit and have a truly unique custom airgun. The lower operating fill pressures of these guns also make it easy for those who must use a hand pump to charge their airgun. I ordered my Bontrager PCP after reading the many posts on the American Airgun Hunters forum about those who had received their guns. After a couple of the typical tire kicking emails, I committed to buying one. The great thing I’ve noticed about working with Joe on these guns is that he is always willing to answer questions in a timely manner. Joe builds each of his guns to the customers’ specifications. I wanted to get a good number of shots at a reasonable velocity in .22. I’ve seen other requests where folks want guns pretty well maxed out or want a very specific range for their shots. Each time, Joe has been up to the task. I had some special requests for my gun as I plan on turning it into a QB Merlyn LE. For those unfamiliar with the model, it’s my own “poor man’s” version of a Daystate Merlyn LE. I had envisioned a polished aluminum trigger and bolt, polished steel air tube, silver mounts, and an aluminum brake, all clothed in a Black Pepper laminate stock from Richards. The custom stock will certainly help groups as I’ve never been a fan of the smallish QB stocks. After explaining to Joe on what I wanted to do, he was off to work on my gun. No more than 2 ½ weeks later, I had a present from the Brown Santa. Initial Observations The package was well packed and arrived in perfect condition. Inside was the QB conversion, and a QB78 manual. I told Joe that if he had a beater stock laying around to go ahead and trade out on mine since that I was going to add custom wood anyway. The first thing I noticed was that the gun seemed a bit heavier than my other QB78’s. Joe uses a 1 inch diameter air tube rather than the stock 7/8 inch tube on his guns to give a bit more shots. He makes his own valve and hammer assemblies so the worry of stock parts not being up to the task of high pressure air is nil. Joe pins his valve in the tube using 4 screws to hold it safely and securely. The bluing of the gun itself was standard QB fare, which is not to say it’s bad at all. My version was the “Gold” or “D” version and the bluing was quite nice, but the parts that Joe had made were machined well and looked great. I added a set of BKL Double Strap mounts in silver and topped it off with a Bushnell Banner 4x12x40 scope. The fill nipple is made by Joe and he puts a nice barrel band at the front much like a Quackenbush Bandit. After a short session charging the gun to 2600PSI, I tested the gun for functionality. To my delight, I found that Joe has a reverse cocking kit in his guns. The pull back to cock the gun required a stiff pull, but was smooth and free of any type of gritty feel to it. The trigger had a good feel to it and broke cleanly. I didn’t find the need for any adjustments to it and have kept it as is so far. Accuracy and Power Joe makes these guns to customers’ specifications, within reason. I’ve seen several shot strings posted and will include some here so that one can get an idea of what to expect. As for mine, I asked for around 800fps in .22 caliber for plenty of shots and Joe delivered. Here is my shot string, along with several others from posts on the forums. .25 Joe B. QB using #3 Buck Shot 887 889 887 899 901 902 902 914 886 890 .25 Joe B QB using 26.4gr Silver Bear 846 846 862 864 878 885 888 888 888 891 883 878 871 856 839 .22 Joe B QB using Gamo hunter .22 15.4 gr. 1042 1067 1079 1074 1077 1076 1075 1078 1079 1077 1070 1064 1061 1067 1059 1056 1048 1042 1032 1025 1012 1000 999 973 956 944 927 908 888 869 .22 Joe B QB Gamo hunter pellets,15.4 gr, (My gun) 796 788 791 788 793 798 814 816 821 830 818 835 840 845 829 834 823 847 847 848 840 854 855 843 843 832 842 828 830 810 805 My gun is very accurate, but dislikes cheaper pellets. After a quick sight in at close range, I shot a couple groups with it. These are my first groups with this gun. Groups shot at 25 yards under windless conditions. The first group was using Crosman Hollow Point pellets. I stopped after 3 shots as it was clear that this gun just didn’t like these pellets. I then tried Beeman FTS pellets and fired off a nice one ragged hole, 5 shot group at 25 yards. JSB Exacts gave the same results. I’ve not tried Kodiaks or others as of yet. Disregard the stray shots at the bottom as they were from another gun sighting in on the target to the right out of the picture. Joe also builds big bores and even an air shotgun with very impressive specs. He’s also been dabbling in Crosman PCP conversions and has some very nice numbers posted on his site for a stock barrel, 14fpe 2240 PCP conversion. Visit his website for more information on the big bores as well as the Crosman conversions. Joe offers friendly service, built to order guns, and fast turn around time. Anyone looking for something unique, be it an inexpensive target gun, purpose built hunter, or all around PCP should give him a look. Those new to PCP’s will find durable and nice looking gun that is easy on the wallet and with performance that rivals many of the so called “real” PCP’s out there.

 Thanks for a great review Rob.

BONTRAGER MAGNUM HUNTER

 This gun was named by Joe Hoover He also owns the first, Bontrager Magnum hunter sold in .45 cal

The Bontrager magnum Hunter scored on its maiden voyage this morning. November 10 2007 at 3:37 PM		Guthook   (Login Guthook) from IP address 64.136.49.226
I was in my Tree Lounge about 30ft above the cut over on my property this morning at 6:30am waitng for what promised to be a good morning. It was cool, 35` or so and quiet. I didn't have to wait long before I heard a stick pop directly behind me, I eased my head around as far as I could and saw a little 3point buck crossing the creek. He was under my stand in no time, I put the scope on him, centering the reticle between his shoulder blades. I was tempted but decided to let him walk as I prefer to take a small doe over an young buck, besides I told myself it's early. Around 7:30 I saw a nice fat doe meandering through the cut over, she was about 75 yards away, a little to far for a first attempt with the Bontrager Magnum, so I watched her feed on across the cut over out of sight. The next thirty minute were quiet and I began to think maybe I should have taken that 3 pointer. Ten minutes later a nice plump big bodied spike buck came running out of the next bottom over, as soon as he topped the rise he stopped and started picking his way across the cut over, he was acting funny, kept looking back, so even though he gave me a good 35 yard broad side shot I let him go. I had just looked at my watch, it was 8:35am when the doe came running over the same rise the spike buck came from. She also stopped and started to walk picking her way toward me on the same trail the spike had used. About fifty yards below where she came from a decent 8 pt. buck came out following her. He was definitely after the doe, but he was off to the side, always staying about 50 yards away from her. He was very nervous as well. As he moved into range I put the scope on him, perfect broadside shot at 30 yards or so. I kept watching him and the doe, she moved away and the buck sort of semi circled around her, still in range, I was looking at him, 14 inches wide, 6inch tines, maybe 17 or 18 inch main beams, with not a lot of mass. I centered the Bontrager magnum on him but once again something would not let me pull the trigger. That buck was staying away from something and I thought it was a bigger buck. The doe was out of sight and I watched the 8 pt. work his way out of range up the hill still circling wide around the way the doe had gone. Maybe ten minutes passed when the doe came back though again, she was moving kind of fast, I looked behind her and saw what I my brain knew was there all the time. A really nice main frame 8 pointer with a long heavy beams, high tines adn a nice kicker off the front. He was in the cut over about 40 yards out obscured by thick growth, but he had his head up watching the doe. I did not hesitate, the Bontrager magnum was on auto-pilot, trigger was pulled, I cocked the hammer back silently and released the trigger gently. The rifle came to my shoulder in one smooth fluid motion and I centerd the reticle on his fat thick neck about six inches above his shoulder. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM, the rifle performed flawlessly sending a 395 grain hollow base lead bullet into the bucks neck. He dropped on the spot, I quickly reloaded but a follow up shot was not needed. He was down for the count and dead by the time I got down from my stand and walked over to him. I green scored him, at 128.8 inches, a definite trophy. I have already caped him out and have him in the freezer. I took pictures but until,I get to a computer at my wife's business I can't download them. I will have them as soon as possible. Thanks Joe, it did the trick very nicely indeed. Joe Hoover

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Big Bore for Big Boar! November 24 2007 at 4:15 PM		Matt Napper   (Login shiloh1957) from IP address 69.128.51.149
It was one of those nasty, cold, and miserable days for me, but not for wild boar. I decided to go out on the ranch and sit in one of the many draws off the main creek that runs through our ranch. The acorns have all but fallen from the oaks and the hogs was scrounging through the fallen leaves looking for some of the last remaining morsels. My plan was simple; wait until the hogs worked their way down the dry creek bed looking for food and then ambush them. The rain was turning into sleet and I didn't have much more patience left in me. "Five more minutes." I told myself. I've often called it quits while hunting only to stand up and spook an incoming deer or predator I was calling. I adopted this "5 minute rule" and many times it has paid big dividends. Today was one of those times! Here they come...Several of them in fact. I focused on the lead boar at approx 35 yards and placed the x hairs right above his elbow. I was hunting with my newly acquired .45 cal big bore airgun. My gun was a product of Joe Bontrager. I recently heard of Joe on our first annual airgun hunt here at Shiloh Ranch in Oklahoma. I'm relatively new to airguns, and in fact, Dec of 2006 was my introduction to these wonderful marvels. I've hunted all my life with firearms and archery equipment, but airguns!?! Wow, this was just simply fascinating to this 50 year old who thought I had done it all. In one short year I have bought several PCP's and Springers. I love them all, but the big bore airgun had it's own special allure to it. I told Joe I wanted something in the 325-350 f.p.e range. Joe mailed my .45 cal Bontrager Magnum about 3 weeks ago. I placed a Hawke 4x12 scope on it and begin to test it with several air pressures and projectiles. The 255 gr DSL from Mark Whyte was the ticket. They spit out the muzzle at 785 fps filled with 3100 psi. That's 350 fpe...Joe hit the nail on the head with this beauty! I sighted it in at 45 yards and it grouped very nicely indeed. [IMG][/IMG] I was amazed at the effectiveness of the big bore airgun at our airgun hunt in Oct. Several nice hogs were taken on that hunt. Chris Butcher even took a nice trophy Corsican ram with his Sam Yang 909. The ram was taken humanely and the slug passed completely thru the rams heart and out the other side. I was very impressed to say the least. The airgun hunt was such a success that two more separate groups have now booked dates for next spring! The inquiries for additional hunt dates have been overwhelming and we are in the process of hosting a 3rd airgun hunt. I think this is simply wonderful for our sport! Many States have not adopted air guns as viable weapons for big game. Since wild boar and exotics are not governed by Oklahoma State reg's because they are considered non-indigenous animals, hogs and exotics are perfect for airgun hunters to pursue! These animals in most cases are VERY challenging as well. That's very important in my book. [IMG][/IMG] Sniper99 with his boar taken at Shiloh Ranch My Bontrager Magnum barked out it's report and off staggered the boar. He went about 50 yards and piled up in the dry creek bed. [IMG][/IMG] My boar went only 50 yards and piled up in this creek bed. I was very impressed with the performance of the .45 cal. The 255 gr slug entered just above the elbow and blew out the same place on the opposite side. A complete pass thru on a 140 pound boar! He had some fairly good cutters on him as well. It was cold and miserable, but the warmth of success was very nice at this moment. [IMG][/IMG] My smile says it all! My next quest is for a fallow deer doe. These are very good eating and it will definitely be a challenge for this airgun convert. Stayed tuned for more!

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