Sight on APTA

[treesmith]

Okay. I’ve heard/read/watched videos of several folk who’ve attached some sort of sight to their APTA. Having had an experience or two with actual firearms, my opinion of its accuracy is quite limited. However, I am happy to be proven wrong. To any if you who have experience with a sighted APTA, just how accurate are they? There are so many variables that I’d think true accuracy would be unattainable. In firearms, the accuracy of the powder charge, the weight of the projectile, the rifling of the barrel (absent in the APTA), and the range to target all play into the accuracy of the shot. With the APTA, a 100’ shot will involve twice as much tail weight from the throwline as a 50’ shot would. The absence of rifling will hamper it as well. Still, I’d be more than happy to mount a sight of some sort if it would yield any appreciable improvement.

What’s your opinion?

 

[lxskllr]

Never used a sight, but I think a well adjusted laser could be useful. It's still gonna have an element of 'point and shoot', but with a little more refinement. You know about what to expect with n pounds of pressure, but you need to get it placed. Laser the stem where you can see the dot well, adjust for elevation, then estimate how far to move the apta for horizontal.

 

[treesmith]

A sight seems more predictable to me than a laser. The laser depends on the APTA being held in exactly the same way each time for repeated accuracy. A sight would require this in order for you to be able to look through it.

 

[lxskllr]

Been thinking about it, and I Don't Know™. I'm trying to imagine using a scope, and it seems like it would be inconvenient getting everything oriented with a clear view. Also more prone to getting knocked out of adjustment, and maybe a little too precise for the inherently imprecise task of throwing a lead bag into a tree :shrugs:

I doubt I'll switch from 'point and shoot', but I'd be more inclined to go with a laser than a scope. I could be convinced otherwise.

 

[davidwyby]

 

[treesmith]

I saw a video earlier today of a guy with a reflex sight on his. An actual scope would be cumbersome, IMO. The laser would work, but would leave much to be desired, methinks. It seems to me that many folks struggle with laser sights, based on what I read online. I read of folks with a laser sight on their pistol, and they say they zero it at like five yards, which to me is absolute rubbish. What if you need to engage a target at 25 yards? Your shot will be WAY off. I sight mine at 20-25 yards. That way I'm good anywhere from muzzle to there, and beyond, a little holdover is easy. With the APTA, there is no fixed stock, nor orientation. You're holding a round pipe and trying to hold it the same every time. Plus, a red laser is near worthless in sunny conditions, and a green laser not much better when painted up into a mostly green tree.

 

[davidwyby]

See my pic above…Tall front sight with lines across it for different elevations. Lower rear sight as needed

 

[Dave Shepard]

My opinion? An ATACR 7-35 would be pretty sweet! Totally effing useless, but sweet!

 

[stikine]

I'm wondering how useful any type of sight would be given that the operator has to flick the valve open to fire which would introduce a lot of movement. Dunno, never used one so I may be way off.

 

[lxskllr]

It's a consideration. Like a rifle, you can do it well, or poorly. I make a conscious effort to have a smooth pull, and the valve works easily. Not as good as a trigger, but the target's comparatively bigger to make up for it.

Mike made his apta out of steel pipe. That thing's a tank, but it's really good at dampening unwanted movement.

 

[treesmith]

See my pic above…Tall front sight with lines across it for different elevations. Lower rear sight as needed

I understand sights. I’m wondering how you’d mount such a contraption on the side of an APTA…

 

[flushcut]

J.B. Weld

 

[davidwyby]

I understand sights. I’m wondering how you’d mount such a contraption on the side of an APTA…

Gotta put it on the top for that method.

Hose clamps…?

Solenoid valve for trigger

 

[Kaveman]

An unmagnified optic, like a red dot, or even a shotgun scope would be appropriate. Both use large projected reticles that already measure several MOA, thus creating a "circular area of probability". Mounting a scope rail to the APTA barrel wouldn't be hard, simply lay it out straight and drill and tap, just make sure the screws don't poke into the barrel. You may find that you need to shim the mount around to get the optic in the right neighborhood. A simple spring and catch will get the valve open quickly and consistently.

As far as accuracy from smooth bore, you do realize that modern tanks use smooth bore guns right? Shotguns are smooth bore. Yes, there's more tailweight with 100' than 50', but it will be consistent, and that's the foundation of accuracy. You're throwing a lead bag about 100ft into a tree, it's really not a big ask.

To be fair, if you glued a copper BB to the end of the barrel, and held the thing the same way every time, you'd get more accurate. Like any marksmanship, the cheapest, easiest way to get better, it to do it more. Practice with intent.

 

[stikine]

Mike made his apta out of steel pipe. That thing's a tank, but it's really good at dampening unwanted movement.

What does his look like John? A homemade version is an interesting idea. What is the bore diameter of the apta?

 

[lxskllr]

I have the commercial version. Without having Mike's here I can't give details, but it's generally the same with the addition of a pressure gauge. I don't know what he thinks of the gauge, but I'd omit it. Even when pumping his, I use the gauge on the pump.

When I bought mine, it was significantly cheaper, and with coupons, I saved money over building it myself, cause I'd have had to buy tools for threading pipe and stuff. They're much more expensive now, and building makes more sense.

Here's the specs on my aluminum based apta...

1-7/8"OD
1-5/8"ID
From back of valve flange to butt of flange on the end cap 1'-5"
From valve flange to end bore 2'-1-3/4"
From back of valve flange to CL schrader valve 1-3/4"

Valve


schrader


butt cap


Cap's a little mangled cause that's how I tamp it. Get the weight started, then gently drop it on the ground a few times to set the weight. You can hear when it hits home.

 

[treesmith]

Gotta put it on the top for that method.

Hose clamps…?

Solenoid valve for trigger

I was referring to the awkwardness/frailty of “iron sights”. A reflex sight would be feasible I’d think.

 

[stikine]

So that must be a standard schedule 40 1 1/2" aluminum tubing that is used on the commercial version?

 

[lxskllr]

I'm not qualified to confirm that, but looking at pictures, it looks the same.

 

[stikine]

Now I'm going down a rabbit hole...seems like there's all sorts of homemade versions on the net.

 

[davidwyby]

Maybe I’ll build a c02 powered honker for launching rope 😁

 

[davidwyby]

Bet some silicone spray lube would pick up some velocity.

 

[treesmith]

I’ve heard of some who used little foam discs as “wadding” to help with pressure loss. I’m sure it helps.

 

[lxskllr]

Pat gave me some discs, but I never have them with me. I need to stick some in my throwline bag.