Springer's warming up, literally

[1BadDart]

A few months ago I asked the question, Do springer's need to warm up? Well my RWS 34 does actually warm up while shooting. A couple weeks ago I ran about 300 pellets through it in one session and noticed that the spring chamber got warm. Also the more I shot it the higher it shot. I didn't think much about it being a new rifle with only 50 or so shots through it. Plus I had lubed it up as it was as dry as a bone from the factory.

Today after sighting in my deer rifle I decided to shoot my air rifles since my target frame was still set up at 25 yards. I shot the 34 first, it was shooting about 3" low so I started making adjustments and shot some decent groups for an older guy with open sights. After about 60 or so rounds I noticed the hits were getting higher and the air chamber was warming up. I shot about 100 rounds and it was shooting about 3" high when I finished. The air chamber was pretty warm when I quit, not hot but warm.

The oils I used were synthetic, two drops in the chamber and six drops of spring oil, three on each side. I'm willing to bet if I shoot it tomorrow it'll be low elevation wise when I start.

Anyone else ever notice this? Do I need to make my shooting sessions shorter? BTW my 48 has never done this.

 

[Treavis2077]

I always have to run 8 or 10 rounds through mine before it shoots to zero. I just figured it was the barrel warming up myself. The first 3 or so are always way way off! Mine dont rise like yours are. Are you checking to make sure your scope is not coming loose? I check mine around every 30 shots or so.

 

[T3PRanch]

Anytime a gas is compressed the temperature of the gas rises. Repeated compression cycles soak the metal of your springer with heat. 

Thurmond

 

[Windmill01]

Justin,

I had a gas ram airrifle that did the same thing. In winter if I had a session with it and put it away the next day it would shoot low. Rezeroing it and further shooting it was spot on, next day out of the safe it would shoot high. If I rezeroed it again the next day it would shoot low. Very frustrating, I had to find neutral ground on the scope and shoot it knowing it would be slightly low in the morning and if I had to use it in the afternoon remember that it would be slightly high. In summer it would work ok. If I left it in the sun for a while the the groups would climb.

I tested the ram and it was ok but I replaced it, problem fixed, now shoots the same in winter or summer. I can't explain it as the ram wasn't loosing pressure. I don't have any of these issues with any of my other springers. I don't know if this phenomena would also apply to a spring, but you never know.

Good luck,

Gary

 

[1BadDart]

I'm going to shoot it more to verify that it indeed is starting low and rising as it gets warm. This rifle has open sights and the detents are positive so I don't think the rear sight is moving and I always check the action screws to make sure they stay tight. As mentioned above my 48 has never shown any poi issues after a few shots.
I really like this rifle, it's light and handles well, but it also makes me appreciate how smooth the shot cycle is on my 48. If nothing else this will be an excuse to change the spring in the 34 and hopefully take some of the vibration out.

Thanks guys, Justin 

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

Yes they can require warm up.
I had an original gamo 1000 ( purchased well used) that needed 30+ warm up shots to settle down, naturally it needed a rebuild but did work if you accepted it as is.

Dump the oil and chamber lube!
Spring oil, NO.
Chamber lube, no that was way back when with leather piston seals.

If lubed correctly ( will need to be disassembled and it's fun doing so) with say JM's lube's it should'nt need a drop of anything for many thousand shots and should not need any warm up.

I have used a good number of different variations of the 34 , shouldn't need warm up and nevr a "drop" of anything.

John

 

[jimbo1947]

If it's cold outside it helps my springers group better to shoot four or five shots .

 

[EMrider]

I often chrony my springers at different temps and there is a material difference. 

Cold guns shoot faster and FPS/FPE declines as the gun warms up. Makes perfect sense as materials expand as temps increase. 

I always put 5-7 shots through my springers before zeroing or hunting.

R

 

[RTR]

 I've found.My 2 gas - piston 22 pellet rifles both need at least a couple shots to warm up.

 

[Mauipilikia]

Same here with my benji trail np2.
I keep some junk big box ammo in with my g.t.o. ammo so I can "burn a few rounds" before I shoot .

 

[Bstalder85]

Yea, if you are putting oil in the chamber, you are probably dieseling, did anybody else catch that?

 

[outdoorman]

Don't have that issue with my Diana 34. Might be a dieseling problem. I've never used chamber oil. Just moly on the side of the piston seal, piston and spring.

 

[1BadDart]

I used two tiny drops synthetic oil and there was no smoke. After taking it apart to install the vortek kit I think friction was causing the heat. It doesn't get warm to the touch at all now, nor does it start off shooting low with the POI steadily rising as the shooting session goes on. IMO the Vortek kit was money well spent, thinking about buying my 48 one for Christmas. lol