The FX Panthera is a dedicated slug rifle. It’s specifically designed for PRS competition to go toe-to-toe with exotic 22LR powder-burners.
FX says that the Panthera includes significant new technology in an an airgun. First is the Dynamic Block, a new breech block designed from the ground up for performance slug shooting.
The Dynamic Block utilizes a compact one-piece valve. This High-Power / Short-Impulse Valve is extremely efficient while allowing an immense and precise flow of air, explains FX.
The photograph below shows the short-barrelled Panthera 500 (500mm barrel).
This Dynamic Block has a larger breech than previous rifles that allows projectiles up to 13mm in length. It uses the Standard Side-Shot magazine but with a newly designed deeper lid to accommodate longer length slugs. (That’s now called the Standard Plus Side-Shot).
Also innovative is the Dynamic Plenum. This is an over-the-barrel plenum which provides a consistent regulated pressurized plenum around the barrel. The manufacturer says that this adds increased rigidity to the barrel. It also allows multiple plenum lengths to be employed to match the caliber and power of the rifle.
Precise levels of pressure in the Dynamic Plenum are maintained by a single AMP MKII Regulator. Three sizes of plenum will be utilized initially depending on length of barrel and caliber: a Micro Plenum ( for sub-12 Ft/Lb rifles), a Macro Plenum (62cc) and the Magnum XL Plenum (156cc).
Testing has yielded constant 10-shot strings with Standard Deviations in the low 1.0 – 2.0 FPS range and Extreme Spreads as low as 3 – 4 FPS. This ability to precisely control air flow paired with the FX Superior STX barrel using premium slugs will yield competition wins, and not just in airgun competitions, FX tells HAM.
The company also says that many .22LR precision shooters will identify the ability to shoot the same BC slugs and weights they are used to, but with the control and standard deviations delivered by the Panthera.
The FX Panthera stock has been specially designed for competition. It features a 14.75-Inch long Arca rail complete with M-LOK sections. There’s also a barricade block located next to the breech.
It’s possible to achieve an ideal balance point by adding external M-LOK compatible weights or internal FX Barrel Weights that attach under the shroud. The Panthera further fits the shooter using a fully adjustable butt stock. The adjustable cheekpiece is also ambidextrous.
Interestingly, the Panthera’s air source is a 300cc carbon fiber bottle attached in the rear. It’s filled via a rear located “Foster” quick disconnect.
Calibers range from .177 to .30 with claimed muzzle energies of up to 150 Ft/Lbs using the optional Tungsten hammer.
The FX Panthera employs the Quick Tune System (the same as found on the FX Impact M3). Scope mounting is via a 20 MOA Picatinny rail. It comes standard with a zero-angle AR grip, and has an ambidextrous sidelever cocking handle that is reversible to the left side of the rifle.
Dual angled Manometers on the left side of the block show the bottle pressure and the regulated plenum pressure.
The FX Panthera will be offered in three configurations, the Panthera 700, Panthera 600 and Panthera 500 (corresponding to barrel length).
The Panthera 600 and 700 utilize the FX Superior Heavy STX barrel liner as standard as they have been purpose built for slug shooting.
The Panthera 500 uses the standard FX Superior STX barrel liner that shoots both pellets and light weight slugs. The rifle allows for the quick change of barrel liners but changing calibers and different barrel lengths to the Panthera can only be done by an authorized FX dealer.
A range of additional accessories will be offered to further customize the rifle. These include a bag rider, barrel weights, offset M-LOK weights, smaller profile competition Mini-Mag, Picatinny accessory sections, and an optional Tungsten hammer.
Pyramyd Air is currently showing delivery dates around New Year, 2023.
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FX Panthera 700 PCP Air Rifle 0.22
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