Theoben Rapid Forum

Was thinking the other day ........ what's the most used bottle size on rapids - and the reason behind it...... I put a pic on of some bottles I use and thought - why not ask the members too?

So what size bottle do you mainly use - and why??

Each member gets 2 votes in the poll - hopefully we can see what size is the most popular 👍

I voted for 200cc and I have 2 carbine mk1s - I find that the 50mm bottles are versatile and can be used below barrels as well as shrouds.
The 200cc keeps the overall weight low and a spare can be carried in a rucksack - but still gives enough shots for some hunting and plinking 👍

400cc & 500cc on the mk 2
280cc & 380cc (Dr Bobs) on the MFR's

I voted 400cc but like different sizes for different guns.like my go to rapid as the 200cc bottle. very light and plenty of shots for a small rapid
KevG

I've voted 280cc but have 100, 200, 400 and 480 carbon bottles. I have more of the 280cc bottles and been my main go to bottles for the last ten years or so

I've also got some of Bobs 380 bottles. very good they are to
KevG

Are they 50mm kev?

Might have to try and get one if they are mate !

yes same diameter as 280 cc Daz just longer
KevG

Sounds spot on Kev - you happen to know what they weigh with a valve fitted??

never weighed one to be honest. don't think he as any more they were one of to go with the valve threads he had made.
KevG

Ah ok thanks for the info Kev - will keep me eye out for a used one 👍

far as I know they were all mfr type valves
KevG

Gone over  to 280cc on both mine now.
Can use a shrouded barrel and still get good shot count .And aesthetically pleasing ! Lol. Ack at me.. ;D

All of mine, bar one have 480 carbon bottles, the other is a 280.

Andy.

I have three 480cc Inocom bottles, one on my mk2 and two with customised BSA valves for my FAC.
And I have a couple of aluminium 400s that go on my mk1s.

I also have 200, 280 and 500cc bottles in the cupboard but as the 480s weigh pretty much the same as 280s and the 500s are weighty lumps.....they are just spares.

Quote from: Daztilley on January 10, 2022, 03:46:39 PM
Sounds spot on Kev - you happen to know what they weigh with a valve fitted??

628g
but as said he got them in to fit some MFR valves he had made that came with a different thread.

280-380-400-500

So far the 280cc seems to be the most popular and it does give a decent shot count with lighter weight than the larger aluminium bottles

Quote from: Squinty on January 10, 2022, 07:43:25 PM
I have three 480cc Inocom bottles, one on my mk2 and two with customised BSA valves for my FAC.
And I have a couple of aluminium 400s that go on my mk1s.

I also have 200, 280 and 500cc bottles in the cupboard but as the 480s weigh pretty much the same as 280s and the 500s are weighty lumps.....they are just spares.

you want to sell the 200 bottle

Quote from: KevG on January 10, 2022, 03:42:14 PM
I've also got some of Bobs 380 bottles. very good they are to  KevG

Are these still available - nothing on the website?   Yes, i could ask him, but don't want to keep badgering him for every little thing   ;D

So far the 280cc is still the most popular but closely followed by the 400cc 👍

I mostly use 280cc with MFR valves as I find the rapids handle a lot better with them,
however if I'm expecting more shots than normal I'll stick a 400 on, as an aside best fittings do 400cc MFR valves.

Looks like the 400cc has taken the lead ...

anyone seen these? i have been testing one for a few months, non standard thread but it was easy enough to get a couple made

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005082579677.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.62c436dchx0NyT&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.291025.0&scm_id=1007.13339.291025.0&scm-url=1007.13339.291025.0&pvid=51e9a923-21c0-4c63-9598-95df8930ac49&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.291025.0,pvid:51e9a923-21c0-4c63-9598-95df8930ac49,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238109%231935&isseo=y&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000031577256714%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%2142.71%2131.6%21%21%21%21%21%40211b5db216735228660262207ea8f2%2112000031577256714%21rec (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005082579677.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.62c436dchx0NyT&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.291025.0&scm_id=1007.13339.291025.0&scm-url=1007.13339.291025.0&pvid=51e9a923-21c0-4c63-9598-95df8930ac49&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.291025.0,pvid:51e9a923-21c0-4c63-9598-95df8930ac49,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238109%231935&isseo=y&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000031577256714%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%2142.71%2131.6%21%21%21%21%21%40211b5db216735228660262207ea8f2%2112000031577256714%21rec)

Quote from: Daztilley on January 02, 2023, 07:27:44 PM
Looks like the 400cc has taken the lead ...

do you think it might be because the 400cc is alot more accessible? the 280cc seems harder to find

Quote from: Ben Dover on January 12, 2023, 11:38:32 AM
anyone seen these? i have been testing one for a few months, non standard thread but it was easy enough to get a couple made

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005082579677.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.62c436dchx0NyT&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.291025.0&scm_id=1007.13339.291025.0&scm-url=1007.13339.291025.0&pvid=51e9a923-21c0-4c63-9598-95df8930ac49&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.291025.0,pvid:51e9a923-21c0-4c63-9598-95df8930ac49,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238109%231935&isseo=y&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000031577256714%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%2142.71%2131.6%21%21%21%21%21%40211b5db216735228660262207ea8f2%2112000031577256714%21rec (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005082579677.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.62c436dchx0NyT&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.291025.0&scm_id=1007.13339.291025.0&scm-url=1007.13339.291025.0&pvid=51e9a923-21c0-4c63-9598-95df8930ac49&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.291025.0,pvid:51e9a923-21c0-4c63-9598-95df8930ac49,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238109%231935&isseo=y&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000031577256714%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%2142.71%2131.6%21%21%21%21%21%40211b5db216735228660262207ea8f2%2112000031577256714%21rec)

Err M18 x 1.5 is the same as a 400cc rapid bottle  ;)

 Always preferred the 280 but seem to favour the 400 these days

That's one of the biggest links I've ever seen posted on a forum angrybear lmao.

Hay, I only quoted it from post #22  8)

700cc carbon on the fac, 280 and 360 on othersD1A5216B-3BB2-467A-ACF8-C7EB7505267F.jpeg

Nice, very very nice m8

400cc still in the lead - interesting to see the sizes that everyone uses

Have updated the poll to include 700cc carbon and now everyone gets 3 votes 👍

280 bottles on both of mine.

Quote from: Daztilley on October 18, 2023, 07:58:57 AMHave updated the poll to include 700cc carbon and now everyone gets 3 votes 👍

But still not listed Dr Bob's 380cc  :-\

Fitted to rifles 2x Bob's 380cc, 1x 280cc, 1x 400cc

I will update it 👌

Meant as a joke, but there are a few of us using them  :)

I have a 280cc and a 400cc bottle, but prefer the 280cc.

I have several Ally and Best fittings carbon bottles, but the Best fittings Carbon, nice as they are, are very heavy, anyone use any of the lighter ones?

Quote from: Hardrar on January 23, 2024, 08:56:31 PMI have several Ally and Best fittings carbon bottles, but the Best fittings Carbon, nice as they are, are very heavy, anyone use any of the lighter ones?

I use the Inocom 480cc bottles as fitted to RAW/FX/Daystate, they weigh 420g v 560g...about the same as a 280cc alloy.
The BF bottles are heavier as they are 300bar rated, unnecessary for Rapids.
their 500cc is significantly lighter than the 500cc alloy but as you know still heavier than a 232/250bar 400cc.
There is a perception of feeling lighter because the aluminium bottles have thicker bases and balance improves
220? 300cc versions have no weight advantage- just fill pressure.

There are lighter 300bar-250cc 50mm o/d carbon bottles, weighing in at 250g  they're relatively expensive c£200 and have different threads to Theoben valves.

I've a few different bottles and while the best fittings Carbon bottles are great, they vary a lot in weight. They quote the 300 at 530g same as the 280 Aluminium, mine weight 620/625
I have a 220 carbon, they quote 500 and it weighs 440g

If I remember correctly BF originally quoted several weights for carbon and alloy.
Compared to the alloy bottles I have 200/280/400/500- some quotes were bare and others must have included the valve.

their weights and my alloys & Inocom, think the 500 was 750g bare.

Weight:
220cc – 355g
300cc – 440g
500cc – 560g
580cc – 510g
700cc – 650g

I voted for 220 cc carbon fibre which I have connected to a Rapid fill on my fac non regulated 0.22" mk 1 rapid.
This fits in perfectly with the rapid fill below the silencer I have and has enough capacity to do more that 40
shots at good accuracy falling from 25 ft lb to about 20 ft lb.   
 

280cc just in the lead over the 400cc - interesting to see that carbon fibre bottles are widely used too 👍

Ive just bought a 300bar carbon fibre 450cc 39cm long and 48.5mm wide thread m18x1.5 for my Mk2 should be here within 2 weeks I'll post pics when it arrives , main reason is to have larger shroud fitted

Quote from: Pattie on January 31, 2026, 11:07:02 PMIve just bought a 300bar carbon fibre 450cc 39cm long and 48.5mm wide thread m18x1.5 for my Mk2 should be here within 2 weeks I'll post pics when it arrives , main reason is to have larger shroud fitted

Added some photos of the above sized carbon bottle !! It has original vortex mod on which is 32mm in diameter and I think a 34/35 mm shroud would fit with maybe 0.5 mm/1.00mm gap! Is that acceptable? Bare in mind the bottle as above is 48.5mm in diameter

What diameter custom shrouds do any of you have with a 50mm bottle?

In theory a 30mm should fit but they can just rub.

A smaller bottle is something I have been considering for some time. Having a 500cc and never shooting to empty, I thought a reduction of forward weight with a smaller bottle would be an advantage. Especially having a regulator fitted would ensure consistent shots.