Small bore airguns have changed a lot in the last few years. The .25 and .30 rifles many of us shoot today are running slugs at power levels that used to belong to big bores, and that extra power comes out of the muzzle as noise. If you thought the Sumo was quiet, the Shogun was designed to take things a step further, and the new Shogun +P was built specifically for the high power, slug focused rifles that are pushing moderators harder than ever. In this Field Notes post I want to explain what makes both of them work and how to decide which one belongs on your rifle.
The DonnyFL Shogun, 1.6 x 8 inches, with an extra 1 inch chamber over the Sumo.
Quick Summary
- Shogun: DonnyFL Shogun, 1.6 x 8 inches, 1.5 inches longer than the Sumo, with an extra 1 inch chamber and expanded first and exit chambers.
- Calibers: .22/.25 and .25/.30, mono-core, pre-wrapped in felt, interchangeable endcaps.
- Shogun +P: the Shogun +P .25/.30 adds an extra layer of metal mesh secured with stainless steel straps for high power, slug focused PCPs.
- Inspection: on the +P, regularly pull the mono-core to inspect the strapping, mesh and felt.
- Endcaps: Sumo/Tatsu/Shogun Endcaps fit models with grooves in the front cap.
How the Shogun Is Built
The Shogun shares the Sumo's 1.6 inch diameter but is 1.5 inches longer, at 8 inches overall, and that extra length goes to work inside. It adds an additional 1 inch chamber and expands the first and exit chambers, which is a very effective layout for reducing noise, because the first chamber takes the initial blast and the exit chamber gives the air one more place to slow down before it leaves.
It comes in .22/.25 and .25/.30, and like the rest of the line it uses a mono-core, which increases precision and limits the chance of clipping. There are no moving parts and no epoxy that can loosen after thousands of rounds, it is precision CNC machined, sandblasted and anodized, and it comes apart in less than 10 seconds by unscrewing the rear end cap and pushing back the mono-core.
The Shogun is 1.5 inches longer than the Sumo, with an extra chamber and expanded first and exit chambers.
What the +P Adds
The Shogun +P takes the Shogun design and strengthens it for today's high power, slug focused PCPs. It adds an additional layer of metal mesh, secured with stainless steel straps, which gives the internal structure greater durability and a longer service life under heavy use on small bore rifles. It keeps the same longer body and expanded chambers, so you get the Shogun's noise reduction with tougher internals built for harder hitting platforms, including rifles like the new AirForce Condor slug barrel rifles.
The Shogun +P adds reinforced metal mesh with stainless steel strapping for slug rifles.
Inspection matters
With the +P, regular removal of the mono-core from the shell to inspect the strapping, mesh and felt is necessary for safety. It only takes a few seconds, and making it part of your routine cleaning means you will catch wear long before it becomes a problem.
Shogun, Shogun +P or Sumo
- Sumo: 1.6 x 6.25 inches, the all round choice for most .22 and .25 rifles at moderate power.
- Shogun: 1.6 x 8 inches, more suppression for high power .25 and .30 pellet and slug rifles.
- Shogun +P: the Shogun with reinforced internals for high pressure, slug focused small bores that see heavy use.
A good rule is that the more power you are pushing and the more you shoot, the more sense the Shogun and then the +P make. If you are running a moderate power .22 in the yard, the Sumo will be lighter and plenty quiet, and we covered it in our Sumo and FX Impact M4 Field Notes.
Endcaps, Adapters and Sizing
The Shogun uses interchangeable threaded endcaps, and the Sumo/Tatsu/Shogun Endcaps fit the latest models with grooves in the front cap. Most rifles reach the Shogun through a DonnyFL adapter that finishes in 1/2 x 20, which you can find in our adapters collection. On a shroud or adapter, go one size up, which on a .25 slug rifle means the .25/.30.
Keep the felt fresh as well. The Replacement Felt and O-rings for the Sumo, Ronin and Shogun are an inexpensive way to restore performance after a long season, and you can re-wrap the interior tube with different sound absorbing materials if you like to experiment.
Shogun Setup Checklist
Choose the .25/.30 for a .25 on a shroud or adapter.
Pick the +P for high power, slug focused rifles that see heavy use.
Inspect the +P strapping, mesh and felt regularly.
Replace felt and O-rings when performance drops off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the DonnyFL Shogun?
The Shogun is 1.6 inches in diameter and 8 inches long, 1.5 inches longer than the Sumo. It weighs about 7.2 oz.
What calibers does the Shogun come in?
The Shogun is available in .22/.25 and .25/.30. The Shogun +P is offered in .25/.30 with a 1/2 x 20 endcap.
What is the difference between the Shogun and the Shogun +P?
The Shogun +P adds an additional layer of metal mesh secured with stainless steel straps, giving the internals greater durability and longer service life on high power, slug focused small bore PCPs.
Is the Shogun quieter than the Sumo?
Yes, the Shogun adds an extra 1 inch chamber and expanded first and exit chambers, providing additional noise reduction over the Sumo.
How often should I inspect the Shogun +P?
Regularly. Removing the mono-core from the shell to inspect the strapping, mesh and felt is necessary for safety.
Can I replace the felt in the Shogun?
Yes, Replacement felt and O-rings for the Sumo, Ronin and Shogun are available from DonnyFL.
Final Thoughts
High power small bores deserve a moderator designed for what they actually do, and the Shogun and Shogun +P were built for exactly that. Pick the version that matches your rifle and how hard you use it, keep up with inspection, and you will have one of the quietest small bore setups we make.
