I have a out of the box Diana 48 in .22, it seems like it takes several shots for it to settle in when I start shooting it.
Do springers need to "warm"up?
- Thread starter 1BadDart
- Start date
If it is brand new then it will take several hundred shots before it becomes consistent. Some might say even more. I usually shoot my least favorite pellets i wouldn't normally use to break it in. I don't want to waste good expensive pellets. But my rws 34 in 22 is at least 10 years old and has tons of pellets thru it and still shoots better after a few shots. I think it has something to do with the compression chamber warming up. But Im sure there are springer pro's who will have a better explanation. By the way, thats a nice powerful springer. What pellets are you shooting? I always wanted one.
Upvote 0
So far it shoots H&N Field Target Trophy with 5.53 heads best, it also shoots JSB 15.89 and 18.13 gr pellets pretty good. I've tried a bunch of different pellets so far, some are okay and others pretty sad. The rifle probably has close to 2500 pellets through it now.
Upvote 0
Is it possible it is just you that takes a few shots to get your form, hold and trigger pull just right? There are quite a few aspects to taking a good, consistent shot and seems reasonable to think the human body and mind need a few practice shots to pull it all back together.
Upvote 0
My 48 seemed to do the same thing as yours for a while but settled in and just shoot good from beginning to end. Did take a little while thou.
Upvote 0
G'day,
I've thought about this issue - after all a springer is a mechanical device - but concluded that the first 10 - 20 'loose' shots are entirely attributable to my own 'rusty' joints and my brain [mostly] needing to become truly focused on the task at hand, not the other daily issues that impinge on my mind over a day. It was the same when I was shooting a compound bow, possibly more so, as the bow was set at 80 pounds and my body really did need to warm up to draw that weight, let alone shoot accurately.
Jim
Via Ballarat
Australia
I've thought about this issue - after all a springer is a mechanical device - but concluded that the first 10 - 20 'loose' shots are entirely attributable to my own 'rusty' joints and my brain [mostly] needing to become truly focused on the task at hand, not the other daily issues that impinge on my mind over a day. It was the same when I was shooting a compound bow, possibly more so, as the bow was set at 80 pounds and my body really did need to warm up to draw that weight, let alone shoot accurately.
Jim
Via Ballarat
Australia
Upvote 0
Absolutely it could be the operator, there are times my concentration goes off to do other things and leaves me alone to deal with this contrary rifle.
Upvote 0
Yes I thank that warming it up can help before I go hunting I always shoot 5-10 times to warm it up I suggest using cheap hevey pellets wen I warm up the gun and then shoot jsb kings
Upvote 0
The target below and another like it are the reason I asked. The targets were shot at the end of the shooting session off bags, no artillery hold, just the fore end on the front bag and my off hand squeezing the rear bag. Just like I do my powder burners. One thing I can guarantee is that this rifle will not shoot like this cold, first shots from the bench off bags, I've tried.
I'm not implying that these are great groups, but for this rifle off bags they are very good. The only thing I've done to the rifle is to install a small piece of 1/8" neoprene bedding where each action screw is.
I'm not implying that these are great groups, but for this rifle off bags they are very good. The only thing I've done to the rifle is to install a small piece of 1/8" neoprene bedding where each action screw is.
Upvote 0
G'day All,
With regard to the reasonable notion that a spring rifle needs to 'warm up' I have wondered if the lubricants used in rifles do loosen up/warm up as they are fired simply from the effects of friction. I am neither a chemist or an engineer so have no idea of what happens as the spring systems are cycled multiple times starting from cold and inert. Even if there is a 'warm-up' factor in the rifle itself, I am still certain that my own performance is the main variable I must control.
Jim.
With regard to the reasonable notion that a spring rifle needs to 'warm up' I have wondered if the lubricants used in rifles do loosen up/warm up as they are fired simply from the effects of friction. I am neither a chemist or an engineer so have no idea of what happens as the spring systems are cycled multiple times starting from cold and inert. Even if there is a 'warm-up' factor in the rifle itself, I am still certain that my own performance is the main variable I must control.
Jim.
Upvote 0
G'day 1badDart,
I must agree with Shawn: if I began a shooting session with those groups I would be delighted. Possibly some of the groups could be tighter, but what impresses me is that they are pretty consistent overall. I can guarantee that my warm-up shots will include loose shots up to an inch or more off any developing group at 24 yards simply because it takes me about 20 shots or more to start to relax and let the rifle do its job. At my present [relatively inexperienced] level of shooting if I ended up with those groups I would be very happy, depending on the scoped rifle used.
Jim.
I must agree with Shawn: if I began a shooting session with those groups I would be delighted. Possibly some of the groups could be tighter, but what impresses me is that they are pretty consistent overall. I can guarantee that my warm-up shots will include loose shots up to an inch or more off any developing group at 24 yards simply because it takes me about 20 shots or more to start to relax and let the rifle do its job. At my present [relatively inexperienced] level of shooting if I ended up with those groups I would be very happy, depending on the scoped rifle used.
Jim.
Upvote 0
I too am not very experienced with air rifles, hence the question. This rifle will shoot better using the artillery hold, I was surprised that it shot the groups from bags. From what I've read these rifles are known to be unhappy when shot of bags.
Upvote 0
To tell if it is your gun, chrono your shots. If anything, put a chrono directly on whatever it is you shoot from. That way, youve always got fps, and a true picture.
if you consistently see a rise in fps every time you shoot, its your gun. Most likely your spring being colder, and as such, stiffer, and less likely to transmit energy.
If no such trend exists, its you. Shooting is meditation - your breathing and heart rate slows. breathing harder in the beginning can affect your accuracy, but as you get into your reps, your body starts to behave.
if you consistently see a rise in fps every time you shoot, its your gun. Most likely your spring being colder, and as such, stiffer, and less likely to transmit energy.
If no such trend exists, its you. Shooting is meditation - your breathing and heart rate slows. breathing harder in the beginning can affect your accuracy, but as you get into your reps, your body starts to behave.
Upvote 0
jonny75904 wrote: "Shooting is meditation – your breathing and heart rate slows. breathing harder in the beginning can affect your accuracy, but as you get into your reps, your body starts to behave."
I think I am beginning to understand this: the less I try to shoot and just let the process happen, the better I shoot. The more I try, the tighter I become and the sequence of [subtle] actions breaks down and I become inconsistent. Relaxation is an art I have never found easy.
I will try the test you suggest with my chronograph once we see some sun, it being Winter where I am and there has been little sun for months.
Jim
I think I am beginning to understand this: the less I try to shoot and just let the process happen, the better I shoot. The more I try, the tighter I become and the sequence of [subtle] actions breaks down and I become inconsistent. Relaxation is an art I have never found easy.
I will try the test you suggest with my chronograph once we see some sun, it being Winter where I am and there has been little sun for months.
Jim
Upvote 0
I've noticed the same thing, but I'm in Arizona coming from an air conditioned 78° to 100°+ heat outdoors.
Upvote 0
The same thing used to do my Terrus, but after the mainspring broke and I replaced it with a vortek, now its dead on all the time. No warm up anymore, first shoot hits the intended target.
Upvote 0