If you have ever shot a Taipan, you already know what a high‑quality and accurate rifle it is. However, technology and trends in the world of air rifles are relentlessly moving forward, and despite the overwhelming wave of positive feedback, the manufacturer did not want to rest on its laurels. This brings us to the brand‑new model Taipan Veteran II.
This is not just a slightly improved second generation of the popular PCP air rifle with a Roman numeral added. It is a completely new rifle which, although based on the construction of its predecessor, takes almost all of its aspects to a completely different level.
Probably the most striking new feature is the completely redesigned cocking mechanism, which is now located directly above the trigger. You can easily cycle the rifle biathlon‑style with just one finger. This has eliminated a common drawback affecting most bullpups, where shooters feel like a Tyrannosaurus rex due to the charging handle being positioned at the rear. Also worth mentioning is the very smooth operation of the whole mechanism and the option to swap the lever to the opposite side.
Another major improvement is the free‑floating barrel. Unlike the original Veteran, the barrel is no longer held in place by any barrel bands, but by the actual construction of the entire rifle. Thanks to this, the barrel will always hold zero regardless of ambient temperature, mechanical wear of barrel bands, or expansion of the air cylinder.
The barrel is also fully shrouded and its rifling has been specially designed for use with slugs. At the muzzle you will find an external sound moderator, which has been significantly lengthened compared to the standard version.
Kevlar cylinder has a capacity of 480cc. The maximum fill pressure is 300 bar. The pressure regulator has also been modified to achieve the most optimal performance possible.
The top Picatinny rail with a 20 MOA incline is perfectly aligned with the barrel, offering unrivalled accuracy. Another mounting rail is located on the underside of the frame, which is the ideal place to attach a bipod.
The ergonomically shaped pistol grip follows the AR-15 standard and can, if needed, be replaced with any commercially available grip for this rifle platform. Overall comfort is further enhanced by the rubber buttpad.
The trigger mechanism is probably the only thing that has remained unchanged from the original version. They say you cannot improve perfection, and after trying the trigger pull we can only agree. The manual safety is still located inside the trigger guard, just in front of the trigger.
On request we can swap the cocking lever from the right to the left side of the air rifle.
The 2024 version does not include the ADF (Anti-Double Feed) system, the option to remove the cylinder while pressurised, or the new charging handle.