Not really enjoying my new .25 cal. airforce escape ss.....

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"johnp"It's not really the guns fault its mine.
This is my 1st pcp all I've ever shot before this is magnum springers. The only way i can seem to get a good group is if im sitting at a bench, which is pretty inconvenient for hunting.
Any tips?
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If you've only ever shot springers it could be that you are just getting used to the pcp, the lighter trigger pull and the feel of the tank against your face. What happens when you try and shoot handheld. ? Will need a bit more info to help you out buddy.
 
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If the gun groups well when benched, it seems like it should group when shot offhand. It could be the lighter weight of the rifle is making it harder to shoot offhand. The heft of a good springer seems to help me when shooting offhand. Have you tried a bipod or shooting sticks? I like using sticks for most of my longer range shooting in the field.
 
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"johnp"Do you think I'll have better luck if i bought a heavier gun ? Like maybe an airarms 510 of a daystate huntsman?
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The more the merrier I always say. However A heavy gun will make handheld shooting more tough unless you are well built. I tried the condor, cricket, bobcat and Hatsan all of which are excellent bench rest guns. But the light weight of the Vulcan is far more superior. It's a lighter gun which makes handheld shooting a dream. I can take a 3 inch target 5 out of 9 times at 160 yards using the Vulcan handheld. Could never do this handheld with my previous air guns. I prefer them lighter and shorter but that's just me. I suggest you give the condor some more time. It is an accurate gun and will work wonders for you once you get used to it. If not, you could always modify it and convert it to a talon which is shorter and light weight gun. 
 
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I love having a lighter weight rifle when doing a lot walking and stalking when hunting. The thing is I always carry with me my shooting sticks to make accurate shots. My sticks will adjust for sitting and up for standing shots. I always too if possible get my back up against a tree of fence post to make for a steadier and more accurate shot too. Here is a short video of me taking a squirrel at 50 yards using my 15 year old Talon SS in .22 cal. and showing my shooting sticks. I have just got a Wildcat in .25 cal. so critters look out. Bill

 
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The good news is that making a gun heavier is much easier than making it lighter. Just add more weight. I believe that serious target shooters add weights to balance their precision rifles differently for different types of shooting. 

A small metal bar clamp would do the job for very little money if you didn't want to invest in a purpose built product. 

Also, there seems to be more aftermarket stocks available for Airforce and Crossman guns than any other brand. Maybe a different stock would be more to your liking. Try Maddog. They have a bunch of options. 

You could also try a heavier scope. 

You must be the strongest guy on this forum as I've never heard of anyone having issues with their guns being too light for off-hand shooting before. 

What is the actual problem? Is it that you can't hold it steady or that it's just not comfortable for you?
 
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 Heavy is steady, just the way it is.

Ergonomics 1st guess, trigger next? They can suffer from frame flex but if you used to springers you likely holding it loose enough, right?
Other than adding weight the 1 thimng that help scores/groups/harvest was getting a custom stock that fit ( and was balanced for me ) me perfect.
As long as it is a proven shooter - off the bench - it shouldn't be too hard to re-sell if needed. 
And perhaps you would enjoy chasing the cause , AF is a DIY/tinkerers dream rig.

John

 
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"johnp"This is really depressing me!
I just can't seem to get the hang of this gun! I went to the range today and shot about a hundred and fifty pellets through it. Everything shot to the right no matter what I did with the scope.
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What distance were you shooting and how fast and variable was the wind blowing. Have you shot the rifle before where it on target as far as windage. These were my first thoughts. Bill
 
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"johnp"This is really depressing me!
I just can't seem to get the hang of this gun! I went to the range today and shot about a hundred and fifty pellets through it. Everything shot to the right no matter what I did with the scope.
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Try re-mounting the scope including taking it out of the rings. Mount the bottom rings without the scope first and make sure they are positioned straight. 

I had that issue when I tried to move the scope from one gun to another without taking the scope out of the rings. Makes it look like it's shooting left or right no matter how much you adjust the windage. Very annoying problem until you figure it out. I nearly sent the gun back
 
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"Jasonintn"Try different or remounting the scope. Also different types and weights of pellets. Finding the right pellet can make a huge difference. Had a SS condor that shot really good. Just need to figure out what the problem is.
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I'm usually the first in line to criticize AirForce due to them being lazy about making repeaters but one thing they are is accurate. My money is on the scope mounting followed closely by the scope bing broken. 

There is a chance that the barrel is bent to th side but it's the least likely problem. 
 
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Well I would not bet it is the scope. He stated that he is getting good grouping at a bench. Maybe you are pulling or pushing the shot? I have an Escape I use JSB 33.9s PW setting on 8.1 and I am very accurate from bench. Free standing is a little harder but I can still hold her steady enough to kill crows at 40 yards. Maybe your head has to be tilted to much. I had this problem. What I did is move the scope back far enough to get my cheek resting on the back of the bottle between the bottle and the shoulder plate.

Eddie
 
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I have this rifle and it did the same thing for me...I found it too light and hold sensitive shooting off hand. But the culprit was that I was pulling that fat trigger blade to the right when I took a shot resulting in "right group poi." My father had me shoot with just the tip of my finger pad instead wrapping my finger around the trigger blade as I'm prone to do...amazing results! Do Not Get Rid Of That Gun! Put a bipod further toward the muzzle for balance....It definitely helped stablize it for me.
 
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