User Panel
Posted: 8/30/2023 1:22:06 PM EDT
New to semi-serious air rifles and recently I got a Gamo Wildcat Whisper 177cal for shooting rats in the back yard and basic plinking.
Thing can really shoot but I have observed that it will shoot 3 - 4 into one hole, then start opening up a little. Don't get me wrong, I am accustomed to this in regular rifles, but is it common in air rifles? |
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You shoot 3-4, it opens up, and then what?
Are you alluding that it needs a break, to cool, before groups settle down? Have you tried cleaning the barrel, after those initial shots, to see if that helps? |
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177 is very subject to slight wind variations. My high end Daystate, a gammo times about 15 in cost will stack 5 or 6 at 40 yards and then even if a puff of wind develops, it goes off by 1/4 -3/8 inch. Wind stops and back to stacking.
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Originally Posted By User55645: You shoot 3-4, it opens up, and then what? Are you alluding that it needs a break, to cool, before groups settle down? Have you tried cleaning the barrel, after those initial shots, to see if that helps? View Quote Its very consistent/repeatable. First 3-4 one jagged hole, then it opens up, sometimes up to half an inch. Set it aside and try again the next day, same effect. Clean bbl and same issue. Shooting in fully fenced in back yard so wind isn't much of an issue. Let alone its August and I wish we had some wind (rain would be nice too). |
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Is your seal getting worn. I had one of the leather seal RWS do that. I can’t remember the name of the shop I sent it to. But I think Pyramid Air replaces them also.
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Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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Originally Posted By mlg123: Its still fairly new, had it less than a month. View Quote Are you shooing good quality pellets? I don’t think this is the issue but extreme difference in pellet weight on .177 can cause some issues. I’m still betting on the seal being the culprit. I would shoot it across a chronograph to see if the velocity is consistent. |
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Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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Originally Posted By sparkyD: Are you shooing good quality pellets? I don’t think this is the issue but extreme difference in pellet weight on .177 can cause some issues. I’m still betting on the seal being the culprit. I would shoot it across a chronograph to see if the velocity is consistent. View Quote SIG Air Match. does the same with Daisey FP and Crossmans |
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Its a break barrel, do I need to work on my open/close technique?
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Originally Posted By mlg123: SIG Air Match. does the same with Daisey FP and Crossmans View Quote My RWS 34 likes the Sig Air Match but it will not shoot any Daisy pellet I have tried. Crossman is hit or miss depending on the batch. Other than velocity seating the pellet can make a difference. Look for lead streaks on the back of the breach. If you are shaving the pellets that can cause flier’s. I would suggest a cheap chronograph and look at your velocity. Sometimes it is a bit of a learning curve to shoot spring powered air rifles consistently. |
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Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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Originally Posted By sparkyD: My RWS 34 likes the Sig Air Match but it will not shoot any Daisy pellet I have tried. Crossman is hit or miss depending on the batch. Other than velocity seating the pellet can make a difference. Look for lead streaks on the back of the breach. If you are shaving the pellets that can cause flier’s. I would suggest a cheap chronograph and look at your velocity. Sometimes it is a bit of a learning curve to shoot spring powered air rifles consistently. View Quote Ok, thanks, I'll stick with it and work on handling technique. |
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Not sure about gas piston guns but spring piston airguns are sensitive to hold and follow thru for consistent accuracy.
They are actually a challenge to fire tiny groups Vs a PCP gun. |
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Originally Posted By JKH62: Not sure about gas piston guns but spring piston airguns are sensitive to hold and follow thru for consistent accuracy. They are actually a challenge to fire tiny groups Vs a PCP gun. View Quote Ok, I think I see where you're going, I hadn't thought about a potentially longer dwell time. Thank you. |
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Originally Posted By mlg123: Ok, I think I see where you're going, I hadn't thought about a potentially longer dwell time. Thank you. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By mlg123: Originally Posted By JKH62: Not sure about gas piston guns but spring piston airguns are sensitive to hold and follow thru for consistent accuracy. They are actually a challenge to fire tiny groups Vs a PCP gun. Ok, I think I see where you're going, I hadn't thought about a potentially longer dwell time. Thank you. And, I'm happy to report that you were right, all shooter error. Bagged it down and slowed down and things tightened right up. Didn't realize just how sensitive an air rifle can be. |
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Spring piston ones can be a challenge to keep tiny groups with because of the oscillation of the spring. Poster above mentioned holding the follow through. They are also a lot of fun when you can't shoot a firearm in town.
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Originally Posted By mlg123: And, I'm happy to report that you were right, all shooter error. Bagged it down and slowed down and things tightened right up. Didn't realize just how sensitive an air rifle can be. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By mlg123: Originally Posted By mlg123: Originally Posted By JKH62: Not sure about gas piston guns but spring piston airguns are sensitive to hold and follow thru for consistent accuracy. They are actually a challenge to fire tiny groups Vs a PCP gun. Ok, I think I see where you're going, I hadn't thought about a potentially longer dwell time. Thank you. And, I'm happy to report that you were right, all shooter error. Bagged it down and slowed down and things tightened right up. Didn't realize just how sensitive an air rifle can be. I’m glad you got it straightened out. Mine led to several more and then to a couple of PCP air rifles. I had some ten inch prairie dog targets laser cut for air rifle play. Now if it would just cool down enough to weld them into swinging targets. |
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Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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