Hatsan Hercules: A Complete Review

Introduction

The Hatsan Hercules is yet another great PCP air rifle from the Hatsan Arms Company. You may want to check out the full reviews of the Hatsan Galatian and Hatsan BT65 for more insights.

For stealth, power, and pent-up PCP kinetic energy, the Hatsan Hercules packages an integrated moderator with a shrouded barrel. Only by catching a long day of target practice or taking this air rifle for a hunt will you realize the offered high shot count.

A great day of shooting is advanced by the ergonomic and tactically designed Hatsan Hercules PCP. Noise levels are cut down to 32% with this light, compact air gun that features two 500 cc cylinders.

Taking a Closer Look at the Hatsan Hercules Air Rifle

Hatsan is a Turkish PCP brand that speaks innovative designs and low-down prices. The Hatsan Hercules is a side lever action, multi-shot air rifle that carries double air tubes.

An integrated Quiet Energy sound moderator works alongside the Hercules shrouded barrel to give the rifle exceptional stealth. This pre-charged pneumatic air gun is a manual loader with a choked barrel for precision and a two-stage trigger.  

You can adjust the PCPs trigger in preparedness for trigger load or trigger travel.

One of the strong points that I found with this rifle is a double pellet prevention system. This is designed to ensure that only one pellet is chambered into the barrel. 

The Hatsan Hercules features a pistol grip integrated into its tactical stock made from a composite polymer. A Picatinny rail is included beneath the PCPs forearm, milled to receive 22mm and 11 mm scope mounts. 

You can attach a sling for lightweight carriage during a hunt using the swivels provided with this air rifle.

Stand-Out Features of the Hatsan Hercules PCP

I am an avid PCP enthusiast, and I wasn’t disappointed by the fantastic features on the Hatsan Hercules air gun.

Hercules Air Supply 

There are two air cylinders on the Hatsan Hercules. One is situated on the forearm while the other rests within the buttstock.
This is not a PCP for the faint-hearted, as it’s bulky and weighs 13 pounds.

However, the Hatsan Hercules offers air gunners a full-featured package that’s raring to go. Large-capacity air reservoirs have been married with high load magazines, to benefit large-bore light air rifle enthusiasts.

With 1000cc of onboard air, I keep shooting out 9-shot magazines for my .35 caliber Hercules. I definitely don’t have to keep stopping to refill with this gun; instead, I spend more time pulling the smooth trigger.

The Hercules is designed around its dual tank configuration. One 500 cc tank is molded into the fore-end of stock, while the other forms the stock part of the butt.

A balanced weapon has resulted from this tank combination, as the rifle’s furniture is created around the two tanks. To minimize bulkiness, the Hercules fore-end and buttstock both hold the air cylinders tightly. 

I don’t recommend using a hand pump to refill the Hercules 1000cc tanks. Use a high-pressure tank coupled to the PCPs quick-fill nozzle instead.

Stock, Barrel, Grip and Action Housing 

Even with the rear tank forming the buttstocks structure, it still has an adjustable pad for a length of pull. An added cheek riser gives you a comfortable mold for augmented support to any size of shooter. 

For my .35 Hercules with QE, a side lever charging handle works smoothly for the big bore PCP. The air gun has an auto safety which resets after every shot, characteristic of most PCPs from Europe. 

This rugged rifle has a metallic barrel shroud, action, trigger, and trigger guard. A weaver or dovetail mount rail combo is another Hatsan signature, located on top of the action.

Any scope, optic or sight that uses rings or mounts can be mounted on the Hercules. This field-ready performer is solidly built, giving you rugged overall hunting benefits.

Trigger 

Hatsan has a Quattro trigger system on their PCPs except for the Hercules. Instead, this air gun comes with a 2-stage adjustable trigger that’s light on the first but heavy on the second level. 

Out of the box, the second stage trigger break tested 7.4 pounds on the Lyman pull gauge. I found this useful when hunting to avoid accidental discharges, but it’s a tad heavy for target practice. 

Shot per Fill

With 1000ccs onboard air availability, the Hercules is capable of over 45 shots of pellets before refilling. I shot five magazines of 9 JSB 81.2 grain shot pellets before my air tanks were dry. 

If I were hunting with the Hercules, this would translate to a whole day in the blind. I would still have enough air to do some target practice when I got home from the field.

The Hatsan Hercules has an awe-inspiring shot per fill, miles away from her nearest PSP competitors.

Power and Velocity

I was interested in the consistency of the Hercules power accords, a 20 shot string. There was nothing to prevent this air gun from delivering 164 feet per pound with my JSB pellets.

My Hatsan proved to be consistent without any power drop, and I calculated an average of 923.2 fps for the 81.2-grain pellets. The highest power shots delivered 955 fps with an energy of 153.3 feet per pound.

Comparing the shot capacity and this powerful performance, I can confidently say that the Hercules is the ultimate survival hunter. The Hatsan PCP packs enough punch and has the consistency of a debt collector.

Accuracy 

Using my JSB 81.2 pellets, I took my .35 caliber, Hatsan Hercules, to a 50-yard indoor range. I had high expectations for this air gun’s accuracy and the stringing of its shot groups.

This PCP held its own, shooting pretty much an equal group across a five-shot string. The only variance was a vertical outlying that opened my group to 1.5 inches.

I shot the absolute light out of targets at 25 and 50 yards, barely hedging from stacking pellets one on another. The two-stage trigger helped, though a lighter second level would have made accuracy testing more enjoyable.

Noise

It’s common knowledge that big bore PCPs will bark.  A variety of sound suppression systems can eliminate noise as possible. 

For the Hatsan Hercules, it’s Quiet Energy sound suppressor is integrated with a traditional muffle design. This PCP features a cotton sound abatement material as a report reduction innovation. 

The Hercules maximizes its QE system to become not only sound-safe but also backyard friendly. I tested 72 DB on the Hercules’ sound meter, though the quieter snap was higher pitched than its stealthiest competitor.

The traditional muffle inclusion in the Hercules’ QE system makes these air guns the best sound moderated at that caliber. 

A Field Test with the Air Gun;

Getting My Hatsan Hercules Geared for the Hunt

Before I head out into the field, it’s essential to practice real-world positions with whatever weapon I am taking out with me. Recently I took out the Hatsan Hercules to hunt pigs after my experience at the range. 

After zeroing the Hercules at 20 yards, I was happy with the way it handled my .35 caliber JSB pellets. Later I took the PCP for some field shooting exercises and flashed its power profiles at different yardages. 

I put a tin of pellets through the air gun, shooting off sticks and offhand. Shifting between kneeling, standing, and sitting positions, I felt confident I wouldn’t see many prone shots.

My expectations required me to adjust my zero to 50 yards, and I set out for a watering hole. When I arrived, I checked the zero and selected some natural set of brush as my hide point. 

There were plenty of hoof tracks on the banks of this watering hole, and I knew the hogs would be appearing. I sat with my Hercules and set my scope.

It wasn’t long before a decent sized pig appeared, head down, and headed for the water. I dropped him with a headshot, the first.

The Hatsan Hercules reacted just as I had expected, and the trigger pull was worth the prize.

What I Liked About the Hatsan Hercules PCP

• Together with the integrated sound moderator, the Hercules’ becomes more than 50% quieter. Its loudness is at four medium-high, meaning that the Hercules is backyard friendly. 

• Its barrel is rifled for increased accuracy, and a quick fill nozzle eliminates time spent pumping air. 
• The Hatsan Hercules uses a rotary magazine that’s detachable and accommodates rounds according to the caliber. This magazine capacity consists of;

• 17 for .177 caliber pellets
• 14 for .22 caliber pellets
• 13 for .25 caliber pellets
• 10 for .30 caliber pellets
• 9 for .35 caliber pellets
• 7 for .45 caliber pellets

• The Hatsan Hercules’ stock is tactical and made out of advanced polymer material. A fire mode repeater, its housing integrated the pistol grip that includes the action, atop which is a Picatinny rail. 
• The rear cylinder tube of the Hercules is mounted within the stock. I can adjust fit angle and elevation with the butt pad and the length of pull.
• This same elastic material provides me with a cheek mold for added support. A built-in gauge monitors pressure from the cylinders. 
• The Hercules has a manual safety, and its innovative anti-double pellet feed reduces jamming or misfires. This air gun weighs 13 pounds and has an overall length of 48.4 inches.

What I Wish the Manufacturer Could Change on the Hatsan Hercules

• I am positive that the Hercules weighty package improves its accuracy and recoil absorption. However, a less heavy weapon would be more suited to the long trekking distances typical with upland hunting.
• If you are in a blind, the Hercules 13 pounds is a never mind, since you can have it supported on bags or bi-pods. This PCPs Quiet Energy shrouded barrel is a tad too long, at 23 inches, although it also improves accuracy and silence.
• The noise, too, can be a bit quarrelsome for some hunt scenarios. Hatsan Hercules holds zero better than any high caliber PCP I’ve shot, a smart piece of hunting artillery.
• Nearly hole-on-hole accuracy, coupled with almost immeasurable shots per fill, endears me to the Hercules for hunting.
• I found out that with my .35 caliber slugs as limited as they are, I couldn’t fit Polymag or Venturi pellets into the magazine. This means I can only use JSB or Hatsan pellets. With the Hercules, refills can only be done using large pressure tanks or carbon fiber compressors. Hand pumps and scuba tanks will not do for its massive 1000cc capacity. 
• I would also like some changes to the mag access areas on the Hercules, making them more accommodating to single shot capabilities. The changeable cheek rest doesn’t have a lock mechanism and can dislodge during the excitement of hunting. 
• For some shooters, the Hatsan Hercules can be uncomfortable to shoulder shoot, due to its weight and length. The action lever is also not as smooth as I would have preferred, but that’s just me. 

Most Popular Air Gun Accessories for Your Hatsan Hercules Air Rifle

The Hatsan Hercules, despite the many downsides, is still a good PCP air rifle. You can check out more examples of them here on the Buyer’s Guide to PCP Air Rifles.