New Air Gun, Need Help and Tips

[Patriot_1776]

I finally got another air gun, the RWS 350 .177 cal.  My questions are:
1.  What would be the best pellets for this powerful rifle, for hunting and frequent target practice?
2.  What is the optimum distance, and the maximum distance for squirrel hunting? (I like head shots whenever possible)
3.  What sort of maintenance is required?
4.  Heard alot from Lawdog on watching the weight of pellets used; has to do with the compression chamber, how does that work?
5.  Is there anything to the nature of rifle "life," meaning is there any period in which the spring piston has to be replaced?
  If there are any other areas in which I have not covered, please post them here, I would appreciate it.   Patriot

[Dand]

get a pellet sampler from Straight Shooters - find them with Google.  In .177 the sampler is something like  25 pellets each of 20+ types (Brands and designs) and weights of pellets to compare accuracy and performance.

I believe you'd want to break in your rifle first.  Since the 350 is pretty powerful you should probably use a middle weight pellet. Maybe the better informed and more experienced air gunners will chime in with more complete info.  

PS What did your dealer recommend?

[Patriot_1776]

get a pellet sampler from Straight Shooters - find them with Google. In .177 the sampler is something like 25 pellets each of 20+ types (Brands and designs) and weights of pellets to compare accuracy and performance.

That is really cool! :grin:   I never heard of such an offer before and that is a really great accessories shop too.  Just got through doing a quick review of the website, and added it to my favorites.  Thanks for the suggestion, Dand.

I believe you'd want to break in your rifle first.

Would that info come with the manual for the air gun, or is there any method developed by some of you experts out there proven to be a better measure for accuracy?  Thanks for the info, and keep it coming on this issue!   Patriot

[Dand]

but there might be some break in info with your manuals.  Or for sure check out some of the info on Straight Shooters and their suggestions for use of their sampler. My limited understanding is that the lube and spring and piston need to get worked together.  Some guns come with too much lube in the compression chamber and diesel for a while.  Also, the barrel bore may need cleaning out of preservative.  And the trigger may work in a bit.  I'm trying to remember but I think some experts suggest running about 500 pellets through a gun to let things settle down.

An expert everybody seems to respect is Russ Best - he's an air gun smith who fixes and tunes air rifles.   I think you can locate him with this address:   http://www.airgunshow.net/Bestunes.htm.

He'd probably have a suggestion on break-in.

[Lawdog]

Patriot_1776,

Congratulations on your RWS 350.  The velocity rating, 1250 fps., was accomplished using very light weight pellets but even the technicians at RWS will tell you to use the heavier weight pellets or damage to the compression chamber(seals, spring, etc.) could and most likely will develop.  Your best accuracy won’t come until about 500 or so pellets have been shot thru the rifle.  Just a quirt with springers.  Replacement of the compression spring shouldn’t be done until accuracy and power drop way off.  I know of a couple of springer rifles that have well over 5,000 pellets through them and no loss in power or accuracy yet.  Don’t worry about your spring for a few years.  The distance of your 350 will depend on you.  How much practice at different ranges you do will aid you in knowing your rifles and it’s capabilities.  Your experience with shooting a springer rifle will come into play.  Shooting a springer is different than shooting a rimfire or centerfire rifle.  Keep us informed on your progress with your new 350.  Lawdog
 

[Dand]

Patriot - one other thing - though you may know already -
don't leave a springer air gun cocked for long periods of time.

You could probably be ok leaving it cocked while hunting for an hour or 2 but don't leave cocked  for a long or your spring could take a set and be damaged.  

Of course safety concerns also argue against leaving it cocked too.