Hey everyone.I have a 20 year plus old rws 48 in .22 . It still shoots fine last year . But I was thinking of tuning it vs buying a newer Springer or nitro. What kit and mods would you recommend for most power for hunting and has to be accurate of coarse . I hope to get power to match the benjirman xl 1100 .Also what of the skill level to perform a time . I have taken Chinese side levers apart and changed Springer and seal s. But this one really means something to me. So hate to send it off and hesitant to tear into it. So some input on that would be nice too
Looking for most power and accuracy from older RWS48
- Thread starter dahluwalia
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A number of kits out there to choose from, just what kind of power are you expecting? The more power you have there could be a sacrifice in accuracy!! In .22 cal dont expect much more than about 825 fps with mid weight pellet, if you looking for more check out pcp guns. If you have a spring compressor they are not hard to work on, but there is quite a bit of preload so a compressor will be needed.
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Use a kit from Air Rifle Headquarters and a new piston and breech seal and good moly lube. Take your time and make sure the seal isn't too tight, as they usually need to be reduced in size to fit best. Too tight will rob power and efficiency, and also make the gun more temperature sensitive. And also go very light with the "tar" on the spring or don't use it at all. If you think you've used enough, it's probably enough to impact things negatively.
That will be as good as you can do with drop in parts and done correctly it will shoot very well.
I don't care for the Vortek kits because they are harder cocking and higher stressed. They are also built for maximum power which is never the recipe for accuracy in a spring gun.
Personally I think the 48 shoots very well at around 16-17fpe and no more. Which is plenty for hunting and easy accuracy.
I prefer the older 48s myself, I bet yours will be a great shooter with a tune kit.
That will be as good as you can do with drop in parts and done correctly it will shoot very well.
I don't care for the Vortek kits because they are harder cocking and higher stressed. They are also built for maximum power which is never the recipe for accuracy in a spring gun.
Personally I think the 48 shoots very well at around 16-17fpe and no more. Which is plenty for hunting and easy accuracy.
I prefer the older 48s myself, I bet yours will be a great shooter with a tune kit.
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Thumper and I don’t alway agree. I have a 48 of about the same vintage as yours. Installed a new Vortek PG3 steel HO kit and seals. The review can probably be found yet on this forum.
The HO kit spring was trimmed a coil or two if I remember correctly but it shoots extremely accurately and is silky smooth to cock and shoot, producing about 16 fpe.
The HO kit spring was trimmed a coil or two if I remember correctly but it shoots extremely accurately and is silky smooth to cock and shoot, producing about 16 fpe.
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accuracy is all you really need .. my prod pistol shoots high 600's but is the most effective pest gun i have .. that said, my approach would be to tear into it and polish everything and reassemble with the correct lubes .. and as mentioned above pay particular attention to the piston seal .. also maybe lightly conpound the barrel and maybe even spring to have the crown professionally done up .. then see where your at .. yeah, if you can get it sweet smooth and accurate it will be massively better than tryung to add power ... accuracy 'is' power when it comes to an effective airgun ..
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Is your 48 a to1 trigger or one that's newer. I have a 48 that was made in 1987 and has the to1 trigger. I installed a vortec kit about 3 years ago. Because it's a to1 trigger I couldn't use the top hat because it would coil bind before the trigger could latch on to the piston.
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You could have trimmed off two coils to make up for the top hat. Depending on firing behavior and if .22 cal, you might benefit from the added weight of a steel top hat!! In most cases the .22 cal RWS 48/52 did benefit from extra weight of a top hat when I use to tune them.
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