AGT Vulcan 2

Airgun Technology (AGT) hails from the Czech Republic and has built a reputation for high-quality PCPs over the last decade or so. I’ve been aware of the brand in the background for a while now, but surprisingly, this is my first outing with one.

On test here is the AGT Vulcan 2. It shows a bullpup configuration, a conventional air cylinder, and a walnut thumbhole stock. There is a Vulcan 3 in the line-up, but this isn’t just an upgrade, as it features a large buddy bottle, scaled-down cylinder, and cut-down stock.

Flowing lines

Personal taste will dictate choice I’m sure, and I’m drawn to the more flowing lines of the Vulcan 2 on show here. This model isn’t cheap, with an RRP pushing £1700, so let’s see what we get for that not-inconsiderable sum.

Well, firstly, this model comes supplied in its own padded zip-up carry case, and whilst this is a worthy inclusion, it is slightly irritating that the width is just that bit too small. I fitted an admittedly sizeable MTC Mamba scope for the test, and with this in place, I could just about do the case up again. A manual is included alongside the gun, plus a box of accessories, and inside there are two rotary-style magazines, spare seals, and a filling adaptor assembly.

Fit and finish

Everything looks well made, and all the metalwork gets a highly practical, matte-black finish. A full-length barrel shroud is incorporated, and this ends with a knurled cap that protects the threaded barrel, which in the case of the Vulcan 2, happens to be made by CZ, conveniently also based in the Czech Republic. Quality tubes for sure, with an enviable reputation where it matters. Be aware the barrel shows a 14mm thread, and not the more common 1/2” UNF spec.

Underneath, there’s an oversized cylinder, and with a 290cc capacity, the residual air supply is plentiful. Up front, there’s a manometer to keep a check on pressure, and just behind that, there’s a super-smooth, twistable valve cover.

Instructions?

A quick look through the manual and it soon becomes clear that amazingly, there is no mention of the charging procedure, or filling the magazines! Anyhow, on a more positive note, the charging adaptor assembly supplied is excellent. It includes an adaptor, cable, and bleed valve. Also, it’s designed to screw straight into the side of a divers bottle. Just unscrew the bottle’s large side cable connection and then thread in the AGT assembly. On test, this nipped up securely by hand, for a perfect air seal. No spanners are required. Thereafter, the probe inserts into the gun’s inlet valve at the front of the cylinder, and the bleed valve is kept tight. AGT specifies the maximum fill pressure as 250 bar, which is quite high, and if this was my gun, I would charge to 200 bar, just to place all the components under less stress. For the test, I filled the gun to 250 bar.

Magazine procedure

Two magazines are included, and these were 15-shot in .177 (on test) and 12-shot and 10-shot in .22 and .25 respectively. The mags have an aluminium casing and again, feel well-machined. However, the design does effectively put spring pressure onto each pellet as it is chambered, and pellets can more easily fall out before the mag is in position. Filling requires no pre-tension. Instead, while holding the mag with the open aperture at the top, move the internal drum fractionally anti-clockwise against spring pressure until the first aperture appears. Next, drop a pellet in head-first whilst blocking the hole from the back, so the pellet can’t fall right through. Keep moving the drum slightly clockwise hole-by-hole and drop a pellet into each chamber as it appears in the same manner, until full. Now we are ready to rumble.

High-rise

Bullpups, by their very nature, necessitate the scope to be mounted over and above the action, and the bridge-style intermount system incorporated by AGT is particularly robust, offering that chunky, reach-forward Picatinny-style rail. Everything feels precise, boldly configured, and beautifully finished.

Handling & ergonomics

Pulling back the neat biathlon-style side-lever takes very little effort, and is a fairly smooth operation. With the lever fully withdrawn and the action cocked, the full magazine can be inserted into the left side of the receiver. There’s a satisfying click as the mag locks into place, and the lever can be closed, chambering the first shot. There are better magazine systems out there, and on test, I did find the initial closing of the lever occasionally sticky with certain pellets, but once in place, subsequent cycling is super-smooth.

The bullpup configuration means the weight is concentrated in the hands and to the rear. The skeleton walnut stock on the Vulcan 2 is a great piece of design work, and whilst it is ambidextrous, the thinned-down contoured grip, palm shelf, and extended forend, all combine well. The concave rubber pad at the rear is adjustable at the tweak of the Allen bolt, which is a great aid to alignment, and the use of synthetic material for the cheek mounting surface along the top of the rear section of the receiver is inspired, since it means that the face isn’t in contact with icy cold metal.

Lever transfer

Yes, we still have our face near the breech, which isn’t ideal, but it’s par for the course on this style of rifle, and it’s all quite comfortable in the aim. As for the side-lever being mounted on the left, this is no problem, since AGT has designed the lever to be easily transferable to either side. Look closely, and the side plate has four small screws. Remove these, follow the guide in the manual (yes, this is covered!) and the process is fairly simple. Ergonomics to suit in other words.

The attractive woodwork works well, and with the neat panels of laser-cut chequering up front, handling gets the thumbs up. The 2-stage trigger feels good in use, and I like the well-shaped, broad-surfaced blade. Bear in mind that the bullpup configuration necessitates the use of a remote trigger to get the necessary connections, and this is a reasonably light and responsive unit. The downside is that adjustment to the mechanism has to be made once the stock has been removed, which is always a little frustrating.

Field report

And so to the Vulcan 2’s shot cycle, which is very pleasant as it happens, with that light trigger and a pretty quiet muzzle report, courtesy of the sizeable barrel shroud. The shroud incorporates a silencer over the last five or so inches, so all harsh notes are subsequently dissipated, but with the external 14mm thread as mentioned, an appropriate secondary silencer can still be fitted if deemed necessary. You will, of course, undermine the incredible compactness that comes from the bullpup arrangement, but that’s the beauty of a silencer, as it can be quickly removed.

OK, time for some statistics. Over the chronograph, and from the specified 250bar fill, my .177 test rifle recorded 240 shots, all within 28fps. Maybe not incredible figures, but competent given I was using pellets straight from the tin. Proof in any case over that number of shots, that the regulator is ticking over nicely.

Accuracy-wise, I achieved genuine clover leaf groups over 30 yards while using Weihrauch F&T special pellets, and these groups were rather easy to come by. Moving back to a more challenging 40 yards, the groups could be easily covered with a 5p piece. OK, I won’t deny that once we bear in mind the cost of the Vulcan 2, we can reasonably demand such performance, but all I can say is - it shot well on test!

Verdict

I’ve enjoyed my time with this slickly-presented airgun, and AGT seems to have generated a loyal fan base. £1700 is, however, serious money, so for a start, I would expect comprehensive instructions. Yes, I know there’s more info on the company’s website, but when high-pressure air is involved, proper guidance should be spoon-fed and forthcoming.

That and a few other shortcomings aside, the AGT Vulcan 2 has plenty of appeal and classy performance, so my advice is to get down to your local dealer for a hands-on experience, to gauge whether it’s worth the outlay.

Thanks to Range & Country Shooting Supplies in Sleaford, Lincs., for the kind loan of this rifle.