Air Arms Galahad Review/Hunt/Camp
Several weeks ago I got sent the Air Arms Galahad HR in .25 caliber courtesy of Pyramydair for a full field review. This is one model of Air Arms I had not yet reviewed and was excited to put it through some rugged use.
RIFLE STATS
- Precharged pneumatic
- 3,625 psi/250 BAR fill pressure
- Integrated regulator
- Multiple power settings
- Compact ergonomic design
- Ambidextrous, all-weather, black soft-touch stock
- Checkered pistol grip and forearm
- Unique forward motion cocking lever is transferable to either side
- Rubber buttpad adjusts horizontally and vertically
- 2-stage adjustable trigger with safety
- 10-shot repeater
- Picatinny/Weaver scope rail* (no open sights)
- Multi-axis adjustable, rubberized buttpad
- Black soft-touch cheekpiece
- Lothar Walther rifled barrel
- .22 caliber = 32 fpe / .25 caliber = 48 fpe
- 45 shots on high power setting and 100+ on low setting (.22 caliber)
- Integrated level
- Built-in manometer (air pressure gauge)
- Easy to use probe filling
- Weight: with moderator 8.6 lbs, w/out moderator 8.2 lbs
- Length: with moderator 35.5 in, w/out moderator 31.4 in
- Includes: 2, 10-shot magazines (scope not included)
The “HR” in “Galahad-HR” that is marked on these rifles stands for H=High Power, R=Regulated.
For an air rifle that is a beauty to both look at and shoot, choose the Galahad PCP by Air Arms. The Galahad powerplant and magazine system is based on the popular Air Arms S410/S510 models and makes for a powerful rifle that’s full of strength, comfort and shooting accuracy.
Air Arms loaded the Galahad with versatility and user friendly upgrades. With its state-of-the-art regulator, the Galahad offers exceptional shot string consistency in addition to more shots per fill versus a non-regulated PCP airgun. And because every gun offers multiple power settings, you customize the gun to your personal shooting preference based on the target you’re shooting at.
For shooting at longer ranges, the integrated bubble level helps resolve cant issues, resulting in better accuracy.
The unique, forward mounted cocking lever is located at the center of the action, making it easy to cock, and the location is well-balanced to help you stay on target by reducing body movement. With the center of gravity behind the pistol grip, short action remains extremely stable. The cocking lever offers the option of having it on either the right or left-hand side of the action making it fully ambidextrous. And, not only does the forward motion cocking design result in enhanced stealth because you don’t have to pull away from the rifle to cock it, but it also delivers improved shot placement.
Available in .22 or .25 caliber the rifle version of the Galahad feature a compact, ergonomic soft-touch stock with a finely detailed pistol grip and forearm. The all-weather stock is ambidextrous and has a multi-position adjustable buttpad that pivots left or right, and moves up and down.
To increase the length of pull, spacers can be fitted between the pad and stock and there’s even a short rail under the forend to mount accessories.
The Galahad stands out from traditional, bulky bullpups with its attractive curves and lines. This PCP airgun features a two-stage adjustable trigger, built-in pressure gauge, and a soft-touch cheekpiece.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom with Air Arms state-of-the-art engineering and production technology, the new Galahad PCP air rifle is one of the quietest bullpup air rifles available.
(NOTE) The Galahad is a participant in the “Airgun Survival Challege” and is subject to testing under extreme conditions. This testing process has begun and will discover problems found under long term use.
We had several trips planned with this rifle but the bad weather had cancelled two of those trips due to not being able to film. Several weeks later we had a few clear days so headed into the mountains to film this review over two days. Marley and I loaded up the Jeep and headed deep into the mountains to one of our more remote locations. This area offers the perfect place for some target shooting, hunting and camping. I wanted to spend the first part of the morning learning more about the Galahad and to zero my scope and chronograph the rifle.
The Galahad is fairly large for a bullpup and comes in at 8.6 lbs making it a bit heavy side. This rifle has very good balance as most of the weight is towards the back making it handle offhand shots very well. The “soft touch” on the stock is very well done as well as the checkering on the for-end and grip area.
The one thing I noticed that immediately stood out was the large gap between the air-tube and the shroud, this looks somewhat awkward. With this much of a gap I believe it’s important to make sure that the barrel band is secured well or the added leverage may create poi changes.
The overall quality and finish of all the components was very good upon my detailed inspection. Many of the features of the Galahad are a direct rollover from the S510 Air Arms models. This rifle can be filled to 250 bar or just over 3600 psi, pretty high fill that should yield over 30 “regulated” shots in .25 caliber.
At the front of the 249cc air-tube is the pressure gauge that is covered with a well machined cap that can be pulled forward to reveal the fill port.
Air Arms has thankfully incorporated a picatinny top rail that from my experience is the most secure way of mounting a scope.
Just behind the rail they have added a small bubble level that helps with those longer range shots to eliminate cant errors.
I mounted a 2.5-15×50 Hawke Frontier scope to the Galahad that is Hawke’s premier model scope. The glass and overall performance is a big step above the Sidewinder models that are most popular.
To mount the scope I used high UTG 30mm quick detach scope rings for mounting to the picatinny rail. As usual I had the Tactacam 5.0 with FTS mount to capture the action of our hunting on this trip. This combination of scope and camera should produce excellent picture quality and matched the rifle very well. I wanted to zero the scope and do some practice with the Galahad so I set a target out to 75 yards.
Using the chronograph I found it produced 32 shots on the regulator at just over 48 fpe on average. This was much higher than I had anticipated using the 25.39 gr JSB’s. I sent 10 shots downrange at 75 yards and was able to produce exceptional groupings on a very consistent level. Part of the accuracy I think is attributed to the two stage trigger set to just under 1lb, very smooth and predictable.
Obviously Air Arms has produced a great combination of barrel, regulator and overall “system” to make the Galahad perform exceptionally well. I was excited to get the rifle into the field for two days of vigorous hunting, it looked to be a winner in the accuracy department.
After some filming Marley and I headed over to set up camp where we would be spending the next two days. This is the second time I had camped in this location and really like it as it’s close to good hunting grounds and offers beautiful views of the nearby mountain ranges.
I set up my bushcraft style tent the Backwoods Bungalow 2.0 made by OneTigris. This tent has been in use over several of our trips and has worked well under a variety of conditions. After setting up camp, digging a fire-pit and having lunch the plan was to head away and do some hunting.
This area is stunning in the Spring months, everything is green and the flowers are blooming. Most of this area is flat and has waist high sagebrush, thick in some areas. This combination of terrain and plant life is the perfect habitat for the Blacktail Jackrabbits.
As Marley and I slowly made our way through the big field I soon spotted several Jackrabbits off in the distance. The key is to work slow and stop frequently to glass the areas for the “Amber Ears”.
These “Amber Ears” stand out very distinctly through even the thickest sagebrush. After spotting several we got into stalking mode where Marley stays close to my side ready to spring into action. I ended up spooking one of them at over 85 yards sending it into a sprint where I took a close shot just landing low.
The Jackrabbit moved for cover where I soon spotted another just behind a large fallen tree. The shot was at 60 yards and left very little room for error to make a headshot.
I made a clear shot that sent out a loud distinctive THWAAACK where Marley sprung into action to recover.
Marley was so happy to have gotten to put in some work, she trains hard for these hunts and is a well deserved partner to these adventures. This was a good sized one that went down hard thanks to the Galahad’s accuracy and the fact it balances so well offhand.
After filming a few clips for the enclosed video Marley and I took a short break before making our way back towards the camp.
Our hike took us on a 3.2 mile loop through this very scenic hunting area, the sunset was spectacular.
After resting for a few minutes back at camp I cleaned the Jackrabbit to be able to cook later that evening on the camp-fire. Last time we camped here we ran out of wood early in the night so this time I had planned to collect plenty of it to stay warm.
Thankfully near camp we had plenty of available wood to collect, was nice to not have to travel far away from camp. Back at camp I prepared some wood chips and kindling for the fire.
A week before this trip I received a nice fire kit from Justin over at Fiber Light that included some products to use in the field.
I used the mini ferro rod and finely ground waxed wood fiber to start the fire that we would be using to cook the Jackrabbit and stay warm through the long night.
After getting the fire started it would take some time to get a nice bed of coals for cooking, I was dying for some coffee so hooked up the percolator pot. It was such a beautiful evening and one of the best views I had ever encountered from a camping spot!
After having my much needed cup of coffee it was time to start cooking the Jackrabbit. I have cooked these many different ways and had decided to take some bacon and wrap one of the large hind legs. I used some D’Lynn’s BBQ sauce to paste over the bacon that would add to the flavor of this caveman style meal.
While we waited for our dinner to cook I was reminiscing of what a nice day we had being out in the field. We are obviously under dark times throughout the world and being out in such a peaceful place was just what I needed. For me it’s not just about the hunting or the review, it’s about the entire experience. It doesn’t get much better than getting to spend the day shooting, hunting and camping with a fresh kill on the fire. Our dinner was ready and what a feast it was, so good with the bacon-mmmmmm!!
After dinner Marley went to bed while I stayed up for about an hour enjoying the amazing view of the stars, what a great evening it was. Thankfully it wasn’t to cold and the fire was just enough to keep us comfortable through the whole night.
The following morning we woke up around 8:00am where I fixed up some coffee to enjoy before heading out for our hunt.
It was starting to warm up quickly as the sun made it’s way over the mountain top, just enough to want to take off my jacket. As I prepared my hunting pack I decided to bring along my 100ci Air Venturi buddy bottle. This is a great little bottle that I have had for about a year now, very useful for those longer hunts. It’s lightweight and carries enough air to keep me in the field for the majority of the day depending on how much action I encounter.
Marley and I headed just South of camp to a large field that had some debris piles with a good amount of Ground Squirrel activity. These Squirrels cause a ton of damage and have burrows throughout this entire area.
Usually when the sun is out the squirrels become fairly active, frequently coming out of the holes to sun themselves on rocks and branches.
This area is stunningly beautiful in the Spring months with all the green grass and lawn of yellow flowers. As Marley and I set up 55 yards away we spooked several of the Ground Squirrels back down into the holes. Usually it takes about 20 minutes for them to make way back out again.
We took down eight of these Ground Squirrels over the course of an hour, fairly slow compared to some other areas. This area has been battered by a very heavy winter, this was the first few days of clear weather in months. I suspect with a few more warm days this area will be extremely active. After spending some time here we moved to a higher location that gave a good view of the field below us. The Galahad was performing wonderfully and was a pleasure to shoot offhand.
This spot had some large adult Ground Squirrels from 60 yards all the way out to 100+ yards. Thankfully we only had a light breeze and the temperature was in the high 70’s. Most of these squirrels were for some reason much more skittish as I would imagine they may have many more predators that hunt here.
I was able to make a perfect headshot on this one at 60 yards, the Galahad is a pure tack driver with the 25.39gr JSB’s. Marley and I spent about an hour here before heading back to camp to start closing down and packing up to head home.
This area was a pleasure to roam and hunt on, can’t wait to return at a later date to explore it some more.
My time with the Galahad was well spent and can honestly say it’s one of the most ergonomically friendly bullpups available. I was happy to get out and learn more about this rifle under heavy field conditions and get to learn it’s positives and negatives. I really want to thank Pyramydair for sponsoring us to get out and be able to bring this adventure to you. Marley and I love what we do and couldn’t do it without all the wonderful support we have received, we appreciate you all who have subscribed. Enclosed are my final thoughts of the Air Arms Galahad along with this review in video form. Hope everyone stays healthy and safe!!
PROS
- Accurate
- Good Trigger
- Ergonomic Style
- Picatinny Rail
- Good Power
- Quiet
- Paddle Style Cocking (Very Quick)
- Short and maneuverable in brush
- Adjustable Power
- Regulated
- Good Shot Count
CONS
- Gap between Air-Tube and Shroud ( Barrel band has to be tight)
- Heavy ( single point sling would help carry)
- This gun rust with the slightest dampness
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