If you have ever shot a Taipan, you already know how high‑quality and accurate this rifle is. However, technology and trends in the world of airguns are moving relentlessly 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 upgraded second generation of the popular PCP rifle with a Roman numeral added to its name. It is a completely new rifle which, although structurally based on 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 therefore easily reload the rifle in biathlon style with a single finger. This successfully eliminates a common drawback that plagues most bullpups, where shooters feel like a Tyrannosaurus rex because of the rear position of the cocking lever. Also worth mentioning is the very smooth operation of the entire mechanism and the option to switch the lever to the other 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 rifle’s own construction. Thanks to this, the barrel will always hold its zero regardless of ambient temperature, mechanical wear of the 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 extended compared to the standard version.
Kevlar cylinder has a capacity of 480cc. The maximum filling pressure is 300 bar. The pressure regulator has also been upgraded to achieve the most optimal performance possible.
The upper Picatinny rail with a 20 MOA incline is perfectly aligned with the barrel, offering unbeatable accuracy. Another mounting rail is located on the underside of the frame, which is an ideal place for attaching a bipod.
The ergonomically shaped pistol grip follows the AR-15 standard and can be replaced, if necessary, with any commercially available grip for this rifle platform. Overall comfort is further enhanced by a rubber buttpad.
The trigger mechanism is probably the only thing that has been retained from the original version. They say you can’t 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 switch 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 under pressure, or the new cocking lever handle.