700 Pellets fired....Still no zero...

[JackReid 35]

Hello all....

 

Yesterday and today have driven me to the point of insanity.

Drove back to Oxfordshire from Bristol to nail some quarry all weekend; with spring on its way everywheres coming alive again!

 

However I will try diagnose this problem best I can so you all can make your own opinions to where the problem may lie...

 

There is a possibility this has been builing up for awhile as I've had the odd pre or post hutn zero and sometimes thought it was a bit irratic. But mainly yesterday i went out, got to 25 metres in my chosen area. and got shooting. I had a bit of trouble zero'ing my gun but got there (or at least thought I did) eventually. I headed to my pigeon hide and before they all showed up fired a few shots at a not in the tree, with shots landing where they shouldnt be. So thinking that I had made a mistake zero'ing earlier, I headed back to zero again. I spent the next 3 hours firing shots. They were sometimes landing bang on where I wanted them to and I would think ah finally..then take a few more shots to reassure myself then be left half an inch from the bullseye, when I was zeroing it in from the right!!!

So I eventually packed in and thought something like a screw must be loose. So I headed back home got the toolkit out, and decided I would take the scope off competley remount everything and do it nicely then go back next day (today).

 

After re-mounting the scope I checked all the screws on the main body of the gun, and found it... The screw behind the trigger was fairly lose. So thinking it was that I was really up for today getting back on it, as the day before had left me thinking 'Can I even hit the bull at 25metres anymor!!? Gun or me?!'.

 

So went today and had a solid zero in about 15 minutes at 25metres. I then set out again did the same chekcing it on a tree and it was missing. So AGAIN I went back and spent hours on it again.

 

In summary;

 

-Im getting a fairly random spread of about the size of a golf ball

-Sometimes the shot can hit the same place twice in a row so its not extreme random

-It is exagerated massivley when going from 20 metres to 25metre.

- My equipment is listed in my signature.

-No loss of power

 

Anyone know much about scopes finally packing in? Is there something in the scope that can slowly fail to hold its fine zero, meaning that the recoil will throw it out?? Can you over tighten fittings on either the gun or the scope?

Desperate to find out and get this sorted, all help would be awesome.

 

I am aware I need to get another scope o nthere and see if all is ok, if so its the scope, and despite being skint, shooting take priority!!!

 

All the best

Jack

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Hiya Jack.

 

Sounds like your having a bit of a nightmare mate.

 

The obvious one's that come to mind......are the pellet's clipping the moderator?

Try taking it off and gently tapp it on some white paper, see if there is any swarf.

 

Sounds like you have checked the rifle screw's etc.

 

 

Re the Scope, yes you can dammage it if you tighten the mounts too much, you can crush the tube, and damage the reticle.

 

I know some dont like cleaning the barrel, but it may be worth a try, then led it back in, and try again.

 

Could be you mate, poor body position, and head position is favorite for poor grouping, or gripping the rifle too tightly.

 

I would definately try another scope on the Rifle, just to eliminate it, make that the first job I'd say. could your local Rifle shop help with it?

 

Have you tried different pellets, my 98 loves AA Hunters.?

 

Wish you luck mate.

 

 

 

 

ATB.

 

 

 

 

Bill.

[kurtrog70 6]

Hi mate iv had a similer problem on my springer, would be bang on one min then the next shots would go everywhere. but in my case the scope was knackered, the recoil would knock everything back out of place soon as i took a shot.

[JackReid 35]

Ok cheers guys. Keep them coming however.

 

I am certain its not me and must be the equipment, although the problems were so subtle thats why it took me so long to realise something was definatley up.

 

I am thinking its more likely just an unlucky faulty scope rather than the gun...

The pellets I'm using I've used endlessly so shouldnt be them.

Although its a good point as some pellets just totally dont agree with some barrels. Remember using some Power Hunters or something ages ago and they threw tennisball size groupings hah!

 

Anyway keep the advice or similar experience coming, need to come back get this sorted next week..

 

Jack

[salukiwhippet 6]

Moddy problems would be top of my list, take it off and try a few groups.

 

James

[Phantom 631]

Hi Jack (try saying that on an airliner at 30,000 feet and see what happens!)

 

Just looked at the spec's for that model, their site classifies it as a good allrounder although it does not specifically state 'spring gun rated' you can see what my 1st thoughts were cant you?

 

How long have you had the scope? I'm thinking like others and yourself, get another one for testing the accuracy of the gun.

 

My second thought was, is the gun (I know they are quality kit but it does happen) consistent in its power?

 

Any rattling or odd sound when the piston goes? I'm thinking perhaps a cracked or maybe broken spring or washer/tophat etc ?

 

Hope your sorted very soon Jack

 

Phantom

[andyfr1968 772]

Hi, Jack.

 

Sounds like you and the other lads have covered most things, screws, mod, duff scope etc. but one thing that makes me think is you say you can get a zero on your range then when you get to your hide, it's changed....

 

If you're holding your HW in a different position i.e. say you zero prone then shoot sitting in the hide, that may well move the P.O.I. Fussy buggers, springers. You need a very consistant hold shot to shot.

 

Cheers.

[brett,mills 0]

Hi Jack

Im with phantom on this

Ive had probs like this in the past on my springers one had a broken spring that had coiled on itself so i couldnt hear any rattling and the second was a big break in the spring which did have rattling after being shot.

The scope you have is springer rated but could you try a mates to see if it improves any.

Might be worth getting someone to chrono it for you just to check the consistancy

And lastly have you checked the breech screws as these come loose over time so the barrel may not be seating correctly every time.

Hope you sort it

Brett

[Phantom 631]

And lastly have you checked the breech screws as these come loose over time so the barrel may not be seating correctly every time.

Hope you sort it

Brett

 

Good thinking there young Jedi

 

Thinking back to last year, young Aaron had a similar problem with accuracy after becomming a very proficiant young marksman, all of a sudden his grouping went to hell for a while, turns out the screws that secure the front of the action had failed.

 

Phantom

[masmiffy 82]

Get rid mate and get a PCP and a new scope!

Springers are old hat!

Some love em some hate em, me? im impartial

[brett,mills 0]

Just another thought

If you canter the rifle slightly this can have an effect on poi as well

also i notice if i zero my scope on a flat terrain and then go to the range which has an upward and to the right incline it effects my poi so i have to rezero slightly.

This is one of the joys of shooting a springer.

once you have taken the action out of the stock and checked the breech screws( i think there is 1 on each side) could you not zero your scope from your hide.

this site is pretty good for explaining canter of rifle against poi and other things too.

air rifle demos

Edited March 7, 2010 by brett,mills

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Hi Jack.

 

 

Sometimes overlooked with springers, are you loading the pellet into the breach gently and carfully, so it sit's properly?

If it sits in there on the pizz, it will give erractic shooting too.

Just a thought mate, another one to explore.

 

 

 

 

ATB.

 

 

Bill.

[JackReid 35]

Cheers for feedback guys. As for power and consistency its chorno'd very consistent at literally 12ftlb... the average JUST fell below this which is lucky. I know your thinking maybe too much power but I dont think so.

 

Also I doubt it is any of the guns internals, its firing beautifully smooth as usual and a guy who really knows his tuff at the gun shop listening to it while we chrono'd said it sounded spot on.

 

After a think I recon that the first problem was a loose screw under the trigger, the first reason ofr large groupings...

 

Then...I have taken all the scope off etc re fitted and like someone said (before noticing the loose screw), I have put something a bit out, for instance I think that the front mount is too close to the front optic, as I wanted it a bit further forward. However the chances of two problems occuring bck to back with very similar consequences is a bit unlikley but still possible.

 

It isnt that I can get a totally solid zero in practice and in my hide have been noticing it out. A few times it seemed that way but its not down to shooting style of been shooting well with it for years.

 

And to the recommendation to throw away and gte a pcp I dont think so hehe! Love th springers, like you said different people like different things. Precharged just doesnt feel right to me, although one day I'm sure I'll get one.

 

Got to go back to university today then next week will come back, re fit the scope make sure everything is fine if its not that, will try my mates scope. If the scope is broken then oh well I will get another. Only had it a year and a half thought, never had a drop on it, fired alot of rounds though...

 

Jack

Jack

Edited March 8, 2010 by JackReid

[Edgar 1]

Sounds like a broken mainspring, this can happen and plays havoc with accuracy and power. Check the spring.

[jackinbox99 41]

Whats the weather conditions like when your out in the field? If its slightly windy it could affect the pellets path.

 

Outside of that, id certainly try a different scope on the gun if you can. Also, make sure the gun is steady each time you shoot. I find laying prone is best for me or on a bipod, to keep it rock solid. My gun is zero`d in my back yard at 35yards and yet when i go out in the field, very often i aim at a target and the pellet goes somewhere else, so i think maybe ive knocked the scope in the car. I get home, check again and im perfectly zero`d.