Switching Pellets

[Rick H.]

I'm trying to find what pellet works best in my RWS 34.  Is there a transition period when switching pellets like there is for .22 rimfire ammo, or can I switch and start shooting for groups fight away?

[Have]

First, if your rifle is new, it will require at least 500 shots before it gets to point when it will begin to shoot in a "groove." Some rifles take 1000 shots. Good groups will come in time as the gun works in and you learn to shoot a springer.

Nevertheless, I would begin to try different brands, beginning with one you might prefer to shoot and come back to as a base measure, say, Crosman Copper Heads. As the shape and weight of the pellet changes, the impact point will vary accordingly, as with any projectile.

Incidentally, be sure not to leave the spring cocked for any length of time, as it will gradually diminish in strength.

You can then try the heavier Beemans and whatever, keeping general records of how they shoot.

Each rifle varies, so you  will have to experiment.

[jeager106]

I have an RWS 54 and Gamo Shadow  both in .177 and RWS 48 in .22.
All prefer heavier pellets.
The Crossman heavies in both calibers work very well for me.
Some pellets are just plain junk.
The Crossman Premier Heavies will average 0.5" at 25 yards with the two RWS rifles.
The GAMO is pertty much junk due to its aweful "you can't do anything about it" trigger. It's a tin can plinker.
The other two will take small game easily.
The 54 is completely recoiless.

[Lawdog]

Rick H.,

To save you some money try a pellet sampler.  Go to Straight Shooters at http://www.straightshooters.com/common/sspelsmp.html to see the different ones they have available(and the article they have there is interesting also).  Saves time and money.  Lawdog
 

[Rick H.]

Thanks guys.  I have been shooting Crosman Copperhead pellets and also some RWS Meisterkugeln pellets.  Both are wadcutter style pellets.  I also bought a package of four styles of Gamo pellets, the pointed, the round nose, the target wadcutter styles, along with a tin of round balls.  (forgot the names as I'm at work and don't have those pellets here right now) None of these seem to be grouping less than 2 inches at about 20 yards, so I'm not very happy.  I'm thinking that I need to learn to shoot a springer right now.  What the heck could I be doing that is that wrong?

A buddy told me that the Gamo pellets aren't very good, but the package lists specs for these pellets shot from a Gamo 440 rifle with all grouping under 3mm at 10 meters.  I'm nowhere close to that.  He suggested that I use the RWS pellets and maybe swap out the scope for another to see if that makes any difference.

It's frustrating!

[Lawdog]

Rick H.,

What the heck could I be doing that is that wrong?

You could very easily be holding your rifle too tight.  The best way to shoot a springer is to hold it like it was made of fine glass.  Off the bench make sure that under the foregrip the pad isn't to hard.  In fact rest the rifle on the back of your hand.

He suggested that I use the RWS pellets and maybe swap out the scope for another to see if that makes any difference.

This brings up a question.  What type and kind of scope do you have on your RWS 34?  This could also be part of the problem.  Also I use a slightly different target than most which helps me get the best groups I can.  If you would like one of these targets PM me and I'll get one to you.  Lawdog
 

[Rick H.]

Lawdog, I think that the scope is a big part of the problem, but not the only part.  I can't seem to get the target image and the reticle both focused at the same time.  Even with that, I can still see a pretty well defined blur of orange when I use those 1¼ inch stickers, and I should be able to keep them touching that sticker at 25 yards.  I believe that the scope is an inexpensive hunting rifle scope, and since it does not have an adjustable objective, is probably not the best for my application.  It's a Tasco Pronghorn 3-9, and it was on the rifle when I bought it (used rifle).  I've got a drawer with a few other inexpensive scopes in it, so maybe I'll try changing out the scope for another and see if that helps me get a better target picture.  

My buddy gave me two zip-loc bags with Premier pellets in them last night to try.  One is 7.9 grains and the other is over 10 (forget the exact weight), both are round nose style.  He said that these are known good pellets in most .177 rifles.  I'll have to try them too.

[Have]

One of the problems could be that the scope has had its reticules jarred out of whack by the spring action.

Many scopes will not handle a spring back-and-forth recoil, and that may be case with the Pronghorn. I would suggest hitting some sites, like Airguns of Arizona, Straightshooters, Cobraair, Compasseco and Airgun Express and others to see what scopes they are selling, then compare to yours.

Most high end scopes will take the shock, and most shockproof scopes will take it also, but not all. If you have glass that is the same model as being sold by airgun outlet, it should be okay to shoot with it.