Diana Springer Shooting Technique

[OldVet]

As I now have a Diana 350 magnum that for now is my favorite air rifle I need help with the Springer Shooting Technique that you use , or have mastered.
If your shooting off a rest do you hold the rifle tight to your shoulder. I'm afraid if you don't it will kick you. Do you use the Artillery hold. I looked this up , and didn't quite get it explained where I understand it. Hold it loose ok well how ? Any others thoughts , or practices , and Ideas. I'm shooting the H&N Field Target Trophy 8.4g at 15 yards ar 888 fps , and quite a few were close to where I was shooting , but could not seem to hit where I was aiming for exactly. I'm new to springers , and had the Hatsan Air Tac shooting dime size groups , but this one needs more of a technical hold. I have a cheap Birchwood Casey Fox Trot rest but the 350 fits great the scope is a Westlake 6 x 24 x 60 it's a nice scope. Just need help to lean the right way to shoot this.
Maybe pellet suggestions , or is speed to fast , and I need heavy ones to slow it down. OldVet.

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

Do not hold tight just hold it the same every time.
Do not rest the rifle on a hard surface.
The surface of your hand is perfect.

 

[Jay308]

You’ll need to put something soft on that front rest. The best is to hold the forearm and rest the back of your hand on a front bag.

 

[Struckat]

You have to try different holds and let the gun tell you what she wants.

 

[r1lover]

A lot of answers will steer you in the same direction, but you gotta arrive at the recipe that works best for you. Identify and focus on the points that have the greatest influence on accuracy; fore end hand positions, firmness of fore end grip, cheek position, cheek contact pressure (lots, little, none), firmness of butt against shoulder, etc., then experiment. Absolutely resting the fore end on a firm surface will kill accuracy just as an inconsistent hold and a lot of "twang" (spring vibration) will. It's generally accepted that a firm grip is a no-no with a spring gun but I had a Beeman Kodiak .25 that had to be held very firmly to get good groups. A good starting point for anyone with a "magnum" spring gun is an aftermarket spring/guide/seal kit that fit together properly to minimize twang. Did you buy your gun new? The 350 is a powerful gun I believe should shoot 8.4's faster than 888 fps. Have you checked a string to see if the MV is consistent and there isn't something else going on? Maybe some other owners can chime in. Also try shooting heavier pellets like JSB 10.34's to see how they group. Good luck.

 

[JDR]

My RWS 350 likes the JSB Exact 10.34 gr.

 

[OldVet]

This 350 magnum is dated
04-06 so it's from April 2006 which means next year in April 20 years old. I got it from pawn shop . Posted pic's with my son's phone in what springer did you shoot today my phone goes to drive , and it's driving me crazy. It was very dirty. I removed the stock cleaned everything oiled the blueing , and lube the spring then used my weed eater line to clean the pasty stuff out of barrel. It shoots great I just suck , but will learn from this post then after I do I will post some target pics.