Do PCP's require a break-in period?

[Keith2324]

I have an electronically regulated pcp I chronied this morning and with JSB 8.4gr pellets I'm getting an extreme spread of 15.8 and with 10.3gr pellets I'm getting 12.0. I don't think it should be that high. Do I need to put at least a tin of pellets through it and see if it "settles in?"

Thanks,

Keith.

 

[AZBOBCAT]

My Bobcat after a tin or 2 feels butter smooth. I know most regulators have to break in or more like settle in. That is my next mod on the Bobcat but I want one similar to a raw with the v fill and gauge. I like to be different. 

 

[travels4fun]

Keith

So you have an new .177 Air Wolf or Mk4 I presume? How many shots did you measure? Did you shoot from max fill both times?

If you ask a vague question, be prepared for vague or incorrect answers. I'll take a stab and answer Yes.


Scott

 

[NeilClague]

As someone who has worked in the automotive industry for many years I would say yes they do, All newly machined parts require time to bed in and polish the surfaces that rub together, you will find over time things will start to feel smoother. Some people go to the trouble of speeding this process up, especially with triggers, by removing them and polishing the contact surfaces. Neil.

 

[Keith2324]

Okaaaay!!!

I have a new Mk4.
I shot a shot chrony string of 10 shots per pellet. 
I did fill and refill to 230 bar for each string.

The only reason I ask this is I didn't have this issue with my Air Wolf .22 running the same amount of shots per string and pellet. Not that this is an issue per se. And I do realize all rifles are different. The pellets are right from the tin and not sorted so that cold give some fluctuating results on the chrony. I also didn't think I would need to go through an entire chrony string of over one hundred shots, but it seems I may have to. But I now plan on getting it sighted in, running through at least a tin of pellets and then re-chrony. I just thought the extreme spread was kind of high. 

 

[Keith2324]

Thanks Neil.

Keith.

 

[TonyT]

I do not believe that the Daystate Airwolf has a regulator. Their electronic system was designed to minimize velocity variation.
I have the Airwolf MCT in 25 and using JSB 25.4 gr it provides ca 70 shots at full power with a 20 fps ES or 50 shots at 860 fps with a 10 fps ES. My smallest 5 shot 100 yd. group has been slightly over an inch. 
At low power ca 715 fps one obtains ca 150 shots with a 10 fps ES.

 

[.Dudda]

Sure they will feel and act smoother after 500-1000 shots or so. At least the barrel need some break in. Did you shot it over the chrono in controlled light? Diffrent lightning can provide diffrent readings. 

 

[Keith2324]

I shot it outside in full sunlight so lighting was not a problem. 

 

[.Dudda]

Full sunlight is not good for chrono testing as long as you dont use som kind of dimmer over the chrono. Its alo hard to get accurate readings during diffrent occations if conditions are not exactly the same. I just want to point it out as an factor to be considerd. 

 

[FearnLoading]

"Keith2324"I have an electronically regulated pcp I chronied this morning and with JSB 8.4gr pellets I'm getting an extreme spread of 15.8 and with 10.3gr pellets I'm getting 12.0. I don't think it should be that high. Do I need to put at least a tin of pellets through it and see if it "settles in?"

Thanks,

Keith.

I think it's not the gun that needs a break in period but rather the shooter getting used during to the gun. I owned a condor before and now I have a Hatsan AT 44 tactical both of which shot like a dream from the time I took them out of the box. Over time my groups got tighter. Recently got the bobcat and this also shoots groups the size of a dime at 50 yards. I therefore believe that once you shoot about 50 pellets through any new pcp airgun and the gun "likes those pellets", it creates a lead covering inside the barrel post which the gun shoots as well as its designed to shoot. It may take some time for us to get used to the gun but beyond that I don't forsee a break in period as such. 

 

[FearnLoading]

That said, if your spread doesn't reduce and if you see the accuracy not improving try some other brand of pellets. I have friends who swear by the H&N barracuda in their bobcat while mine clearly loves the JSB pellets. 

 

[Havoc]

I also have a hatsan at 44 in 22 cal, I would honestly say when first out of the box after reducing the velocity a bit to 900 fps with 16grain JSB pellets...it was very good.
Now with 4 to 5 tins of pellets down the barrel I would rate it as "excellent"...it did improve with some use, it smoothed out in both cocking action and accuracy, it now reliably shoots 1 inch or less at 50 meters for a 25 shot fill.
There are rifles which shoot better, more shots, more accuracy but they all cost significantly more than my hatsan and trying to explain to the wife why I need one is getting difficult....lol.
Anyway, yes, most machinery, including firearms, improve with some break in period.

 

[JohanDK]

"Havoc"I also have a hatsan at 44 in 22 cal, I would honestly say when first out of the box after reducing the velocity a bit to 900 fps with 16grain JSB pellets...it was very good.
Now with 4 to 5 tins of pellets down the barrel I would rate it as "excellent"...it did improve with some use, it smoothed out in both cocking action and accuracy, it now reliably shoots 1 inch or less at 50 meters for a 25 shot fill.
There are rifles which shoot better, more shots, more accuracy but they all cost significantly more than my hatsan and trying to explain to the wife why I need one is getting difficult....lol.
Anyway, yes, most machinery, including firearms, improve with some break in period.

Havoc, how did you turn down the power? I also have an AT-44 in .22 Cal and I am not impressed by the grouping out of the box. I have used different kind of pellets and there is no difference.