Does Anyone use Airguns on this Forum?

[JSH]

I have read on the moisture problems.
Bicycle pump, I would have to wait a day for my heart rate to get back to normal, lol.
I have a couple of used pumps for a decent price but all the accessories are not there. I don’t have hose or fittings for one and the power source for the other is missing a cord.

 

[wildcatter]

I feel bad for the PCP group. All that crap you need. All that gear to lug around. Wildcatter, you got it right.

Well I learned the hard way, I owned a PCP about 15 years ago. Like I said shortest love afair with any gun I ever owned!

In fact your exactly right, this 54 Diana is down right boring! Ive lost about 4fps the last 100 pellets, so I think with consistent Extreme Spreads holdin in the single digits, I think I got it broke in the past 5 days. The sweet thing is I aint had to stop and fill it once, just cock and load, about 500 shots thru it now.

The new Airmax 30 4-16x50 SA FS IR came this morning, and 3 shots and was on target at 25 yards, just right, so shot 4, 5 shot groups, all low 2's. Then with the AA Heavy Field Diablos it took another 3 or 4 shots to get it dead on. This is a great scope, bright and crisp as you can get. @ 25 yards both AA and Heavy Diablo JSB Exacts will group under .2" @ 25 yards. If I shoot 5 of each at the same poa, it gives me a .3" 10 shot group. The AA's are 18.0 grains, the JSB's are 18.1 grain. and 740.0 fps w/ES 9,3 and 738.7 fps w/9.4 respectively. QUITE HAPPY!

Best thing is, as boring as it is to get same hole groups, with 5/4 board full penetration at 25 yards, I'm still showing full on my first tank of air,,,,,,,

 

[brokeasajoke]

I fill mine from a Scott SCBA bottle I fill at the fire department. I've given 16years volunteer fire and volunteer EMS service (and I use volunteer loosely as it actually cost me). As far as that goes, we'd fill one for a small donation so that might be something to look in to.

 

[JSH]

Well I learned the hard way, I owned a PCP about 15 years ago. Like I said shortest love afair with any gun I ever owned!

In fact your exactly right, this 54 Diana is down right boring! Ive lost about 4fps the last 100 pellets, so I think with consistent Extreme Spreads holdin in the single digits, I think I got it broke in the past 5 days. The sweet thing is I aint had to stop and fill it once, just cock and load, about 500 shots thru it now.

The new Airmax 30 4-16x50 SA FS IR came this morning, and 3 shots and was on target at 25 yards, just right, so shot 4, 5 shot groups, all low 2's. Then with the AA Heavy Field Diablos it took another 3 or 4 shots to get it dead on. This is a great scope, bright and crisp as you can get. @ 25 yards both AA and Heavy Diablo JSB Exacts will group under .2" @ 25 yards. If I shoot 5 of each at the same poa, it gives me a .3" 10 shot group. The AA's are 18.0 grains, the JSB's are 18.1 grain. and 740.0 fps w/ES 9,3 and 738.7 fps w/9.4 respectively. QUITE HAPPY!

Best thing is, as boring as it is to get same hole groups, with 5/4 board full penetration at 25 yards, I'm still showing full on my first tank of air,,,,,,,

I have nothing against the springers at all, have had an RWS45 that has killed hundreds if not a few thousand pigeons since the mid 80’s, all iron sighted. I have an IZH 46M that makes a lot of rifle shooters humble.

15 years, that is fine if you think things never changed or problems were never addressed.
I listened to folks tell me since I was a wet behind the ears kid that cast bullets were only good for real soft loads and then only paper. And then, oh the leading is just terrible and is mess to clean, I proved that to all be totally ot the case.
17 caliber center fire cartridges, oh gosh, 10 shots and you have to clean. 110 shots and the barrel is done. Well another tail I believed was true because a lot of people said it was, many like me never had one, yet still were of the opinion it was a problem. I proved that to be a fairy tale as well.

Yet I saw and still see huge amounts of favor of a 17HMR and claims of great feats with it. I dove in head first, I tried two different rifles and a huge amount of ammo, I was disappointed and will leave it at that, leaves more ammo for those that have success with it.

I believe we have all went down forks in the road that soured us at some point.

 

[wildcatter]

I have nothing against the springers at all, have had an RWS45 that has killed hundreds if not a few thousand pigeons since the mid 80’s, all iron sighted. I have an IZH 46M that makes a lot of rifle shooters humble.

15 years, that is fine if you think things never changed or problems were never addressed.
I listened to folks tell me since I was a wet behind the ears kid that cast bullets were only good for real soft loads and then only paper. And then, oh the leading is just terrible and is mess to clean, I proved that to all be totally ot the case.
17 caliber center fire cartridges, oh gosh, 10 shots and you have to clean. 110 shots and the barrel is done. Well another tail I believed was true because a lot of people said it was, many like me never had one, yet still were of the opinion it was a problem. I proved that to be a fairy tale as well.

Yet I saw and still see huge amounts of favor of a 17HMR and claims of great feats with it. I dove in head first, I tried two different rifles and a huge amount of ammo, I was disappointed and will leave it at that, leaves more ammo for those that have success with it.

I believe we have all went down forks in the road that soured us at some point.

been there done that to,,
cast bullets are all i shoot in any of my revolvers, mainly because i want the most performance possible! I agree, more speed, better accuracy, and less pressure than Jackets. But the best part is I hate to clean my barrels, with jackets I have to, with Cast, I never do! 1000's of rounds and accuracy holds Trump over any jacketed loads, from over 1250 fps with 340 grain WFN's in mt 45 Colt Bisley, to over 1400 fps with my 174 grn WFHP in my 357 Bisley Blackhawk.

You nailed it with the 17's as well, my Mach IV runs a lot flatter over 4000 fps out to 250 yards than any other rifle I have owned, and I don't see any reason to clean it any more than any other varmint rifle I own. In fact it don't get cleaned near as often as my Bench guns do in order to do the job they are intended for.

But one thing those guns have in common are they are all old school and are more dependable than anything new, with less maintenance, and give just as good a results, in most cases better! but like you, when it comes to a 17 rimfire in any flavor, or air rifle for that matter, i just can't give up the overall performance of those old 22's, in my life, old school wins hands down and checks more boxes than anything new, usually with less trouble and maintenance as well!

We have definitely rambled in some of the same dirt traveling down these roads,,,, the one thing I have changed in my desire for air guns is, and just makes sense, mine will all be fixed barrels from here on out! i've been there done that with the centerfires, rifle and pistol, Contenders and Encores, going with any fixed barrel option has always improved performance, and yes, less maintenance. Same with air guns.

 

[JEFFPPC]

2nd on only fixed barrels.

 

[glide]

Well I learned the hard way, I owned a PCP about 15 years ago. Like I said shortest love afair with any gun I ever owned!

In fact your exactly right, this 54 Diana is down right boring! Ive lost about 4fps the last 100 pellets, so I think with consistent Extreme Spreads holdin in the single digits, I think I got it broke in the past 5 days. The sweet thing is I aint had to stop and fill it once, just cock and load, about 500 shots thru it now.

The new Airmax 30 4-16x50 SA FS IR came this morning, and 3 shots and was on target at 25 yards, just right, so shot 4, 5 shot groups, all low 2's. Then with the AA Heavy Field Diablos it took another 3 or 4 shots to get it dead on. This is a great scope, bright and crisp as you can get. @ 25 yards both AA and Heavy Diablo JSB Exacts will group under .2" @ 25 yards. If I shoot 5 of each at the same poa, it gives me a .3" 10 shot group. The AA's are 18.0 grains, the JSB's are 18.1 grain. and 740.0 fps w/ES 9,3 and 738.7 fps w/9.4 respectively. QUITE HAPPY!

Best thing is, as boring as it is to get same hole groups, with 5/4 board full penetration at 25 yards, I'm still showing full on my first tank of air,,,,,,,

Where did you purchase the new scope?

 

[wildcatter]

On ebay, a shop in Texas. 3 days but shipped with tracking the morning after I bought it. New sealed in the plastic box wrapper.

I just wish it was moa instead of mil, but with this reticle for hunting I won't be dialing anyways.

 

[JSH]

been there done that to,,
cast bullets are all i shoot in any of my revolvers, mainly because i want the most performance possible! I agree, more speed, better accuracy, and less pressure than Jackets. But the best part is I hate to clean my barrels, with jackets I have to, with Cast, I never do! 1000's of rounds and accuracy holds Trump over any jacketed loads, from over 1250 fps with 340 grain WFN's in mt 45 Colt Bisley, to over 1400 fps with my 174 grn WFHP in my 357 Bisley Blackhawk.

You nailed it with the 17's as well, my Mach IV runs a lot flatter over 4000 fps out to 250 yards than any other rifle I have owned, and I don't see any reason to clean it any more than any other varmint rifle I own. In fact it don't get cleaned near as often as my Bench guns do in order to do the job they are intended for.

But one thing those guns have in common are they are all old school and are more dependable than anything new, with less maintenance, and give just as good a results, in most cases better! but like you, when it comes to a 17 rimfire in any flavor, or air rifle for that matter, i just can't give up the overall performance of those old 22's, in my life, old school wins hands down and checks more boxes than anything new, usually with less trouble and maintenance as well!

We have definitely rambled in some of the same dirt traveling down these roads,,,, the one thing I have changed in my desire for air guns is, and just makes sense, mine will all be fixed barrels from here on out! i've been there done that with the centerfires, rifle and pistol, Contenders and Encores, going with any fixed barrel option has always improved performance, and yes, less maintenance. Same with air guns.

The good Lord puts many of us far apart for a reason. We would probably get in trouble if we were neighbors and no adult supervision lol.
Always good to have a discussion to look long and close at all angles of topics.
I should not even be fooling with air gun anything, plenty of SR4759, Unique and lead.

I have the hankering for a 40-50 caliber air rig that will shoot a home cast bullet.

 

[wildcatter]

Time to humble this new Springer, headed to the range, 50 yards today, and we will see, maybe 100. But have some new loads to test for the 222 Remington with the new Krieger and my own 222 rem. Saum chamber. Gonna try N130 with my private stash of 47 grain Match bullets. But this will let me know how happy I am with this springer, real world always make a differance!

 

[wildcatter]

Well humble it does, not as pretty at 50 yards, as it is as 20 and 25. But at 6 power out to 65 yards shooting a tennis ball gets boring! For a springer at 21.8 fpe, I'll take it. The 54 has a home!


I did find at 35 yards if I shot off the bags, then shot it holding it, my poi changed. So I sighted in at 25 yards holding the forarm and resting my hand on the bag on 6x. Holding it and 16 or 12 power didn't work as well for me.

Those targets were shot holding with the back of my hand on the bag. But I ain't shooting paper, so I found what I wanted, at 40 yards level the crosshair on top a tennis ball after zeroing at 25 yards and never moss it

At 50 yards use the first hash mark, dead on. Then at 60 yards, use the first dot down on the 4-16x50 Airhawk set at 6x. Didn't take any measurements, but have my reticle figured out as far out as 65 yards at that 6x mark.

I will say a guy came with a 25/06 and was shooting at 200 yards, I could see his bullet holes with the Airhawk set on 16x. Bright and clear, with the laminated reticle, perfect for a hunting springer!


After all this real world work, I will have to move the scope forward about 1" and rezero it. It works good down on the bag but for off hand and using objects like posts or trees for a rest, and aiming up in trees its to close to my eyes for comfort.

But that's no big deal next time I take the 222 bench gun to finish dialing in this new load with 47 grain Match bullets and 22.8 grains of N130! Pretty happy with both guns today!



I think it's the red that makes me like em so well,,,,

 

[JEFFPPC]

Well, that cleaning rod sticking through the .222 should be a partial reminder of why you enjoy your 54 so much.

 

[balloonpilot9513]

wildcatter​

Thanks for all of the information.
Unfortunately, NJ does consider an air rifle a firearm so it has to have a barrel of at least 16" and suppressors of which compensators are included are not legal in here.

 

[wildcatter]

wildcatter​

Thanks for all of the information.
Unfortunately, NJ does consider an air rifle a firearm so it has to have a barrel of at least 16" and suppressors of which compensators are included are not legal in here.

That's probably why the Diana 54 has an OVER 17" barrel. The barrel wieght sets 1/2" out farther than the end of the barrel as I have it adjusted now!

That is an absolute BREACH END OF BARREL - TO THE MUZZEL OF THE BARREL, NOT ONCLUDING THE BARREL WIEGHT! So my factory 54 IS LEAGAL as a GREAT small varmint and small GAME hunting option EVERYWHERE. Hope the information helps!

The tape measure is hooked on the end of the barrel which protrudes back inside the opening of the bear trap. Well over 1" past any leagal rifle length in any state.

 

[wildcatter]

Thought I'd add to this thread after over 1000 pellets thru my 54. Once the new Hawke Scope got here i had so many retightening sessions on the rear sight and barrel wieght.

I took all the screws out of all the scope mounting accessories and every screw on the gun.Cleaned with alcohol and reinstalled after a drop of Blue Locktite. I have not had a single screw lossen in the last over 500 shots.

This has been standard with every Springer I've owned. Even Strut powered, but the spring rifles all vibrate. Still happy I don't need to pump anytime to shoot! Cock and insert pellet, and with a 54,,,, SMILE!

Anyone new to springers, do yourself a favor and do this before you get serious with your new gun. It makes your shooting experiance much better.

 

[Rickhem]

wildcatter​

Thanks for all of the information.
Unfortunately, NJ does consider an air rifle a firearm so it has to have a barrel of at least 16" and suppressors of which compensators are included are not legal in here.

I grew up in NJ, and worked for a few years at a specialty outdoors store in northern NJ that also sold firearms. Got the pink card there so I could work in the gun department too. People would not believe you couldn't buy a Red Ryder, but you could get an airsoft rifle or pistol that looked and felt every bit as real as the original it was designed to imitate. For people looking to get a BB or pellet rifle, we'd send them up over the border into NY for what they wanted. That is just the tip of the iceberg for NJ laws not making sense.

And as an aside, did you know that on the higher level competition air rifles, the rifled portion of the barrel is usually less than 10", sometimes a lot less. The barrel is longer, but it longer for the sight radius, and most of it is just a larger tube. Since they shoot at about 550-650 fps, the pellet spends more time in the barrel than powder burners, and the faster it is through the rifling, the less any little movement will alter the path to where it was sighted when the pellet was fired.

 

[JSH]

Well after a good bit of pondering tank or compressor I ordered a compressor. Cost was about 1 k of primers and 8 lb of powder.
I ended up with aGX CS4. It will handle filling a scuba or scba tank. Time will tell if I made a bad move playing with the PCP guns.

 

[Thauglor]

This has been standard with every Springer I've owned. Even Strut powered, but the spring rifles all vibrate. Still happy I don't need to pump anytime to shoot! Cock and insert pellet, and with a 54,,,, SMILE!

Your still pumping no matter what you call it

 

[JEFFPPC]

Thought I'd add to this thread after over 1000 pellets thru my 54. Once the new Hawke Scope got here i had so many retightening sessions on the rear sight and barrel wieght.

I took all the screws out of all the scope mounting accessories and every screw on the gun.Cleaned with alcohol and reinstalled after a drop of Blue Locktite. I have not had a single screw lossen in the last over 500 shots.

This has been standard with every Springer I've owned. Even Strut powered, but the spring rifles all vibrate. Still happy I don't need to pump anytime to shoot! Cock and insert pellet, and with a 54,,,, SMILE!

Anyone new to springers, do yourself a favor and do this before you get serious with your new gun. It makes your shooting experiance much better.

I ended all my scope issues installing it in Burris rings with the inserts. Seems the inserts negate the vibration from the big spring. We just had another loooong time bench shooter buy a 97. He is amazed and hooked.

 

[wildcatter]

Your still pumping no matter what you call it

One and done! No hoses, couplers, filters, compressors, and cleaning nightmares!

Cock and shoot, he'll I gotta do that with my Blackhawks! ONE, AND DONE,,,,