Air rifle sighting

[Oldbaldy]

I have purchased a pellet rifle to dispatch pesky squirrels but cannot get the scope zeroed. I have hunted for years and sighted in a variety of rifles and scopes. I have tried several different scopes with the same results. This rifle will group 3 shots in a 2 inch circle but then it will put the 4th shot 6 inches high and the fifth shot 6 inches left. Basically it is all over the place. My question is, are all pellet guns this inconsistent?

 

[ronn47]

Is this a scope rated for Air Rifles?

Air Rifles will tear apart a regular rifle scope, even high dollar ones.

 

[Oldbaldy]

The scopes I used were just some .22 scopes I had. Was T aware that air rifles were tough on scopes

 

[Amanda4461]

Use Irons. Peep rear is more than good enough.
Unless the pellet gun runs off compressed air, the piston flying to and fro shocks the scope internals.

 

[rdinatal]

If it's a spring rifle the hold is different from powder.

 

[Oldbaldy]

Thanks for the tip. I’ll give it a go.

 

[ronn47]

The scopes I used were just some .22 scopes I had. Was T aware that air rifles were tough on scopes

Sorry, but those scopes are probably toast.

Look at the scopes listed here:

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[9outof10mms]

As @rdinatal said, it’s a different hold for a springer. It’s called the “artillery hold” and you essentially lay the rifle in your grip. Don’t hold it tight or snug. I should be able to walk up and lift it out of your hold with no resistance.

The reason is a springer will recoil twice. First in the forward direction, then rearward. Holding it tight essentially re-aims the rifle after the first recoil and makes you hold it nice and tight for the misaligned sighting.

I too learned this the ego-shattering hard way. Thought I knew my gun stuff.

 

[MacEntyre]

Also you must replace the seals on every air gun. They are shipped heavily oiled to prevent rust, but the oil burns under the pressure of firing compressed air, and ruins the seals. You need a spring compressor to replace seals and clean it all up. After you do this, the rifle will be accurate.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

Also you must replace the seals on every air gun. They are shipped heavily oiled to prevent rust, but the oil burns under the pressure of firing compressed air, and ruins the seals. You need a spring compressor to replace seals and clean it all up. After you do this, the rifle will be accurate.

This is new to me. I’ve an RWS Diana 48, it came with non-dieseling oil and a warning to only use that oil or the gun could be damaged.
I once erroneously used CLP. It sounded like gunpowder & hit very high, upon trying the next shot it had no resistance. The spring was broken.

 

[MacEntyre]

This is new to me. I’ve an RWS Diana 48, it came with non-dieseling oil ...

Now you know why it came with non-dieseling oil!

I once erroneously used CLP. It sounded like gunpowder & hit very high, upon trying the next shot it had no resistance. The spring was broken.

Are you sure the spring was broken? It sounds like the seals were broken, so no compression.

 

[Frack N Cylons]

I put some RWS branded oil into my Diana 34 as directed and now she goes supersonic every few shots. That doesn’t work well in my suburban backyard.

I think I’m going to build a spring compressor so I can take it down and give it a good cleaning.

 

[rdinatal]

I put some RWS branded oil into my Diana 34 as directed and now she goes supersonic every few shots. That doesn’t work well in my suburban backyard.

Have you checked the speed? The weight pellet you're using might be very near the sonic barrier. Have you tried a heavier pellet?

I can't use anything lighter than 22gr.

 

[Ferrisfan]

I have nothing useful to add, but y'all have fulfilled my "learn something new everyday" requirement!

 

[Frack N Cylons]

Have you checked the speed? The weight pellet you're using might be very near the sonic barrier. Have you tried a heavier pellet?

I can't use anything lighter than 22gr.

I did, that gun’s favorite pellet does right at 900fps or so.

 

[NCLivingBrit]

The scopes I used were just some .22 scopes I had. Was T aware that air rifles were tough on scopes

The recoil impulse is different and essentially backwards to a firearm, tends to wreck scopes not designed for it.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

Now you know why it came with non-dieseling oil!


Are you sure the spring was broken? It sounds like the seals were broken, so no compression.

In three pieces. RWS repaired and shipped it back to me, no charge. UPS then broke the stock in two, refused to cover their damage.
RWS sent me a new stock, no charge.

 

[JoeR]

It can also be crummy pellets. Some manufacturers don't have a consistent pellet weight, and that makes a big difference in an air gun.
Joe

 

[nbkky71]

I found this idea on an airgun forum and it helped with bench accuracy on springer airguns. No plans for this, but it’s pretty simple to figure out & build.

It uses a small paint roller with an axle, on a simple support. You rest the springer on the roller and lightly hold the rifle butt in the shoulder.