Shooting a Springer...for Dummies

[Nico5999]

Hi Y'all,

Since so many new airgunners are frustrated by the lack of accuracy they get out of their springers, I wrote an article for the American Airgunner blog detailing why the specific hold matters so much when shooting a springer. There's also a pretty stark demonstration of hold sensitivity in there.

Its catered to new shooters, but I wanted to drop it here since AGN has quickly become the go-to knowledge hub.

You can check out the post here:

Shooting a Spring-Piston Air Rifle for Dummies - American Airgunner

Shooting a Spring-Piston Air Rifle for Dummies “You don’t suck, you’re just holding it wrong.” If you feel like you can’t hit the broad-side-of-a-barn with your break-barrel airgun, unfortunately, you’re not alone. Fortunately, you’ve found this blog post. By the end you’ll learn how to get the...

americanairgunner.com

 

[Feinwerk]

Good article. Wish I had read one like this back in the 90s when I bought my 0.20 cal beeman R1. The worse it shot, the more tightly I tried to hold it, with degenerating results.

One small correction about the recoil: the first recoil is rearward as the Piston accelerates forward and then the recoil snaps sharply forward as the piston decelerates rapidly at the end of its stroke.

 

[Nico5999]

Good article. Wish I had read one like this back in the 90s when I bought my 0.20 cal beeman R1. The worse it shot, the more tightly I tried to hold it, with degenerating results.

One small correction about the recoil: the first recoil is rearward as the Piston accelerates forward and then the recoil snaps sharply forward as the piston decelerates rapidly at the end of its stroke.

Thank you for the compliment AND the correction - can't believe I flipped that after all these years of shooting springers... DOH!

 

[AGSniper]

Really wish Springers weren't so good sensitive, I love shooting these guns but having to be so light on it is still a hard habit to break, especially when multipump and PCP guns don't need it either.

 

[Mycapt65]

Good article. Even though it's not the core of the subject, loose stock screws should get a mention as you did the scope problems. No matter how you hold a springer with loose screws it won't group.

Nice job

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Great article. Fabulous rifle. A lefty to boot! Thank you. Well done.

 

[fishing43]

Great write up, thanks for taking your time to help everyone.

 

[1BadDart]

My first air rifle was a Diana 48 in .22, the learning curve was steep. One of the things that I've found that helps from shooting from a front rest is to either use a slick top bag or a used dryer sheet on top of a regular bag.

 

[Septicdeath]

As someone that shoots only spring-piston air rifles I commend you. Very well written article. I already knew this but this should be a great help to anyone that is new to the sport.
Thanks.

 

[GoldenStateAIRGUNer]

Good read ! I will say that just one test per hold may be somewhat inconclusive. Try
doing 3 test groups per hold technique and then compare the averages. Just a thought.

 

[Nico5999]

Great article. Fabulous rifle. A lefty to boot! Thank you. Well done.

It's definitely one of my favorites

My Air Arms Pro Elite is very close behind

 

[Nico5999]

Good read ! I will say that just one test per hold may be somewhat inconclusive. Try
doing 3 test groups per hold technique and then compare the averages. Just a thought.

Yes, of course. I've had that rifle for years and have experimented with the hold quite a bit. I included one group per hold for the sake of brevity.

Thanks for the comment!

 

[Nico5999]

As someone that shoots only spring-piston air rifles I commend you. Very well written article. I already knew this but this should be a great help to anyone that is new to the sport.
Thanks.

Thank you for the very kind words! That was the goal

 

[drpietrzak]

Serious question. I shoot a fair bit of rimfire factory benchrest. There we want consistent recoil as well. Many opt for "free recoil" as an option.

How would you see the difference in free recoil and the artillery hold working here?

 

[drpietrzak]

So I am playing with the 30 yard challenge here. In doing so I dropped a Mueller 40x56mm scope on my TX200 III. I went out to sight it in. At that point I tried the artillery hold used here and my "bench" approach I typically use.

Note I am really green at air rifles. I have 2 months with springers and years in rimfire. After sighting in I shot 2 groups. AA 8.44 gr. 4.51 Diabolo pellets. It likes those out to 50 yards.

This is only 2 groups mind you. However it fits with my .50" to .70" groups at 50 yards and 3" to 5" groups at 100 yards where I usually shoot.

Artillery hold had .64"ctc for 5 with .47" for best 4.

Bench styled free recoil was .41" ctc for 5.

 

[Keene]

What is "bench styled free recoil"?

 

[drpietrzak]

What does it mean to "free recoil" a rifle?

Is that basically putting NO pressure on the rifle other than to keep it on target (no pulling into pocket, no loading bipod)? Would this provide accuracy in some way?

www.snipershide.com

 

[1BadDart]

I must not be holding my mouth right, none of my Winchester 52's, 40XB Remington's, sporter rimfires or springers like free recoil. I think stock design has a lot to do with it.

 

[drpietrzak]

Maybe!

 

[drpietrzak]

Or, you can just get a bag rider or bag support for your stock.