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 airguns are moving forward relentlessly, 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 is based on the design of its predecessor, but takes almost all of its aspects to a whole different level.
Probably the most striking new feature is the completely redesigned loading mechanism, which is now located directly above the trigger. You can therefore easily cycle the rifle biathlon‑style with just one finger. This has eliminated a common issue that plagues most bullpups, where shooters feel like a Tyrannosaurus rex because of the rear position of the charging handle. Also worth mentioning is the very smooth operation of the whole mechanism and the option to swap the handle 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 very construction of the rifle itself. This ensures the barrel will always hold zero regardless of ambient temperature, 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 lengthened compared to the standard version.
Kevlar cylinder has a capacity of 480cc and is complemented by a 75cc Power Plenum. Maximum fill pressure is 300 bar. The pressure regulator has also been revised to achieve the most optimal performance possible.
The top Picatinny rail with a 20 MOA incline is perfectly aligned with the barrel, providing 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 be replaced, if needed, with any commercially available grip for this rifle platform. Overall comfort is further enhanced by a height‑adjustable rubber buttpad.
The trigger mechanism is probably the only thing that has remained 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 move the charging handle from the right to the left side of the air rifle.
The 2024 version does not include the ADF system (Anti‑Double Feed), the option to remove the cylinder under pressure, or the new charging handle.