couple questions

[jpeaston]

I just bought a Crosman Quest 800, anybody shot one?
Its .22 at 800fps, which was a very apparent winner of the four rifles I was chosing from at the local Sports Authority. My problem is I cannot get it to group with a scope. The scope is not the problem, I think it is the break barrel. At best I get a 3 shot group of 2 inches at 25 yds, what gives. Now that I did a little research I wish I would of got a fixed barrel, my thoughts are that the barrel is not resetting or cocking back into the same place, thus throwing off my shot placement.
I loved my old 5mm Sheridan pneumatic , Im just getting lazy in my old age.
What do you guys think?
jp

[machine]

I can stay inside a dime with my brake barrel!
Check the screws in your stock. Then adjust your trigger.
you shouldn't be having this problem!!!

[EMSFlyer]

jp,

From what you wrote it sounds like you have a new springer. If you haven't shot a tin of pellets through it, then you will get erratic/poor results initially. Once you get beyond the initial "break-in" (100-200 pellets) your group should start to tighten up. I'm relatively new to springers myself, but I did some research before I bought mine so I wasn't too shocked about the poor results. The other JP(Shelton) even suggests to not mount a scope until after the initial break-in, since you won't be able to hit the side of a barn anyway--sighting in would be difficult at best.

I found that my gun didn't start shooting accurately and consistently until after about 400 pellets--and it just keeps getting better the more I shoot it. I've got about 800 shots through it now and get quarter (25cent coin) sized groups up to 40yds. I can get nickel groups at 35yds and dime groups at 25yds.

The other thing to consider is finding the pellet your gun likes to shoot. Thus far, the Crow Magnums are the only pellets my gun can produce repeatable accuracy--with the results above. So do some range testing after the break-in to find the best pellet for your gun and style of shooting. As a matter of fact use the cheap pellets initially, then after 200 or so pellets, mount your scope and start testing pellets that interest you.

Don't forget to clean the barrel. If you haven't cleaned it yet, run a patch through with a household cleaner, like 409 or Simple Green (thanks JPS) and get that preservative out, then make sure you run a couple dry patches to dry the barrel. Then shoot at least 2 felt pellets (dry) after every 50-75 shots, then you're good. Shoot the felt more often if the accuracy starts to dwindle.

What machine suggests is always a good idea with every new gun, and after cleaning, just to make sure the scews remain tight. You can also use blue loctite to keep the screws tight--just make sure you clean the threads of any oil or grease before you apply it.

Let us know how the testing goes. Your gun will get better with use. Oh, just don't directly place your gun on a solid rest--a no-no with springers. Always use your hand as a buffer between your rest and gun.

Good luck!


P.S.: The break-in period will also allow you to get used to the unique recoil of spirngers. Don't shoot it like a pneumatic or CO2, or fight it. I use a medium hold on my rifle and allow it to react how it wants--without being too light or grappling it.

[jpeaston]

i put about a 100 pellets through it yesterday, i havent shot paper since the initial sight in, I'll check it again, i also havent cleaned it.
my brother folded a crow with it on his first shot, after I crippled about 5.
jp

[EMSFlyer]

Yeah, you'll gradually notice your groups getting better and better with use. But definitely clean the barrel--you won't believe the gunk that's in there, the patch will look like you just cleaned a powder burner. You should notice an improvement too.

Anyway, these springers are great guns with ample power for most small game.

BTW, I know its crow season here in CA, but if I remember right, since its considered a migratory (non-game) bird, you can only take them with shotgun, archery equipment, or falconry--same goes for doves and any other (migratory) bird species without a general season. The only exception is if you've got a depredation permit for the crows. Just a heads up for you.

Here's the excerpt from the DFG regs regarding crows:

http://www.fgc.ca.gov/2005/uplandgam...egs05.html#485

[machine]

Great info form EMSFlyer!!!

I use a cleaning kit from Otis just for airguns.
And when I use the felt pellets, I put in 3 at a time to try to avoid the piston slam.

[JPShelton]

JP:

Given the inaccuracy in troubleshooting a rifle that I haven't shot, I think the other posters are right. You've probably got an issue with dieseling -excess lubes getting past the piston seal and into the compression area and igniting. That'll go away after a tin or two. And if you have that, there is a good chance that you have loose screws mating the stock to the action. You very probably also have a dirty bore.

You may also have an issue with scope creep -with the scope moving in the rings or the mounts moving on the dovetails.

And even if you were shooting a brand spankin' new Gamo CFX or RWS 54, you'd probably still have some dieseling issues, and all of that other stuff that sometimes goes along with it. In other words, your accuracy might indeed be underwhelming during the first tin of shooting.

The break-barrel part isn't necessarily a bad thing. All three of my springers are break-barrels and all of them will shoot 1 1/2" five-shot groups at 50 yards. The R-9 is more like 3/4" to 1". I like the break-barrel for rapid reloading when hunting.

My R-9 is the only spring-piston air rifle I've ever owned that shot great right out of the box, but it had the optional "Special Super Tune" that Beeman does, so that might have something to do with it. But way back when, I had a pro-tuned Webley Omega with Venom parts that required some break in before it settled down, too.......

I wouldn't be so quick to discount the scope as a culprit of accuracy woes, either.

Another thing: Of the four air rifles I now own, the R-9 is far and a way the most accurate of the bunch. BUT it shoots really well with only a few of the pellets I've tried -Kodiak, Kodiak Match, Beeman FTS, and Crosman Premirer 7.9 gr. Accuracy with everything else I've tried is pretty ho-hum. Now the el-cheapo Gamo, on the other hand, isn't as accurate as the R-9 is, but it isn't as finicky about diet, either. It shoots okay with about eight different pellets. It could be that your rifle like a particular pellet particularly well, but hates whatever it is you are shooting through it now.

Anyhow, I wouldn't give up on the rifle just yet. I was checking out the .177 version at the local Big 5 store a while back and it seemed to be a decent rifle, at least in terms of fit and finish.

Blessings and Tight Groups,
-JP

[machine]

My Webley shot great right out of the box. But like you said, just with some pellets.
The Crow Magnum's, and the Kodiak's.

You could go for the PCP, and you should get some real nice groups!

[machine]

JPS, and EMSF;

Have you guys looked at the SS site?
I think you guys might like the site!




http://www.straightshooters.com/

[jpeaston]

Thanks guys,

I am going to run some patches and more pellets through it, i was shooting some spent shotguns hulls last night and the accuracy is getting better.
Today I gained access to two dairies to hunt pigeons, cant wait for Saturday morning.
I am also going to order some different pellets.
jp

[jpeaston]

oh, and they were starlings, not crows.
for the record.

[EMSFlyer]

Machine,

Yeah, I've actually ordered some stuff from them before. I do lurk in their chat room every now and then. I agree, great website.

They do have a great selection in guns, specially PCPs--they carry at least two of my top picks: the Logun S-16 and the Thoeben Rapid MFR.

If I can only part with some of my other toys, I'd be getting a PCP soon after. . .anyone want to buy a few motorcycles?


JP,

Glad to hear your're getting better results. It just takes time with these springers. You should have a great time at the dairies. Good shooting to you!

Oh, and there's a big difference between starlings and crows--glad you cleared that up (yeah, that's the ticket).