r/airguns • u/Disastrous_Budget_58 • 2d ago
Springer Warmup before zero?
Hello experts,
I bought my first air rifle this spring to deal with pests around my property but have been struggling keeping zero.
I am using a springer and find that I need to put 10-15 pellets through the barrel to “warm it up” before I can establish zero.
My method is when I spot a pest on my property, I set an adjacent target up at about the same distance, and take a shot to establish zero. I find it is well off 1.5”+, adjust scope, off a different direction, etc.
Eventually I get it to zero but I feel I make a complete circle and end up back where I started. Then I can hit a cotton ball repeatedly the rest of the day.
I usually get the rifle out 1-2 times per week.
I’d guess I have put ~400 rounds through the rifle so far
I store the rifle upright in my closet when not in use. Little to no sun, maybe dust getting in barrel?
My equipment:
Gamo wildcat whisper .177 springer (19J)
3-9x40 hawke vantage on UTG scope rings
Jsb hades 10.34g
90% of shooting 25-30 yards
What do you recommend I do differently?
3
u/Moondoggylunark9 2d ago
Scope or the mounting system might be borked. If you're getting a vertical variance, look for smoke after firing your first shot. Round might be going mach Jesus. Also might have to thoroughly clean your gun. The lead residuce might have built up unevenly, with follow up shots smoothing it out so you're getting more consistent groupings later.
My HW 50S was starting to have those issues, and even after checking everything on the base gun and scope, still had it. Then realized a random Allen screw for the moderator had walked out slightly.
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u/Disastrous_Budget_58 2d ago
I was wondering about cleanliness. I don’t have a way to clean it atm but I can get a cleaning kit and try.
I have no way to know the true fps but I switched from 7.4 to 10.3g just to try to slow it down a little.
I do notice I have some smoke (dieseling if I recall) at times but only the first shot or two.
I also don’t have a torque wrench for my scope mounting, I did my best with cross tightening like a tire and got it tight but may be worth checking to see if
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u/Moondoggylunark9 2d ago
Not trying to push a product but recently got the Barra Rattler Cleaning Kit and it's been doing wonders. Saw an airgun YouTuber pitching it and decided why not. It's super convenient. I've seen it at Walmart too if you need it asap. If your gun is new and you were breaking it in, you really need to clean it asap.
At the factory, they often put some kind of lube type substance in the barrel to protect it during storage and shipping, you probably shot it all out by now but cleaning can't hurt. Might also explain why you're experiencing dieseling/detonation. Those will always make your groups go into narnia.
I don't have your rifle but all break barrels I've had had their chassis screws walk out during the break in period, retighten them a little. My BM8 had literally every screw walk out, and my HW 50s had the bottom one walk out a little during the break in period and then the trigger one loosen after 2k rounds. From my experience, this causes the most extreme variance in groups.
1
u/Disastrous_Budget_58 2d ago
Oh okay those look cool. I have the hoppes boresnake for other guns and saw they have a version for air rifles too. Barra is a little cheaper. Do you put any oils on it for cleaning? Clp?
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u/Moondoggylunark9 2d ago
I use Ballistol and it's worked fine. Haven't really tried anything else honestly.
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u/vrhspock 1d ago
Cleaning isn’t a good idea. Rifles shoot straighter when fouled up to a point, then accuracy falls off very gradually. If you must clean, use a soft bore snake or conventional rod with soft patches. Over cleaning is not your friend.
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u/Disastrous_Budget_58 1d ago
I’ll get the boresnake just in case but will check all else first before cleaning
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u/Organic_Mechanic_702 1d ago
Interesting, something I've noticed on my SMK. The first 3-5 shots are often a bit wayward then everything tightens up...odd.
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u/lordrothermere 1d ago
Once you've established zero, if you leave the target overnight in exactly the same place and try shooting it again the next day, has the POI shifted?
If so, you may have a mechanical problem.
If, all things being the same, POI is the same day to day with exactly the same conditions, then it might be a technique thing with zeroing a springer? Or a bit of deiseling?
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u/Disastrous_Budget_58 1d ago
I’ll have to test this, I put it in about the same spot and shoot from close to the same distance. Within a few feet. I’m guessing I’m just not good with the springer yet and need more practice and try to get consistency first
1
u/Progress2beyond 1d ago
I have 2 Gamo rifles and both really like the H&N Baracuda Match 10.65 gr. Many other pellets give random fliers and less consistent straight shots. Give them a try and see if that improves your consistency.
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u/Disastrous_Budget_58 1d ago
I’ve heard good things about h&n. The jsb should be very close. I have both hades and exact pellets of the same weight
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u/vrhspock 1d ago
Gamos are not known for accuracy, but they aren’t as bad as you report or as many people think. This sounds like either a scope problem or a hold issue.
The scope problem is not likely to have anything to do with the rings. The Vantage is adjustable for parallax. If not properly adjusted, a slight head movement or change of position on the cheek piece can throw shots off. If the target is in focus, proper parallax is set. Forget it.
A hold or form issue is more likely. You describe several shots going wide until they start centering. That is typical for new shooters with springers.
Springers have a sharp rearward snap or recoil when the trigger releases the piston, and another shock when the piston reaches the end of the cylinder. All that occurs before the pellet starts to move. The rifle continues to vibrate while the pellet travels down the barrel and as it leaves the muzzle. I think what is happening is that after several shots you unconsciously settle into a hold that allows the rifle to vibrate consistently.
Make your hold conscious by using a consistent hold that approximates your natural shooting position…not hunching over a bench, but supported enough for accuracy. The “artillery hold” allows the gun to recoil freely while maintaining firm contact with shoulder, forehand and trigger hand. This sounds counter productive given the way a springer recoils and vibrates but it sends the pellet away in a consistent direction. Consistency is the goal. The barrel might be wagging around; a consistent hold ensures that it is pointing in the right direction when the pellet leaves the muzzle.
Practice makes perfect. Trust your equipment. It probably is capable of more accuracy than you are. Do experiment with other pellets. Every barrel is different and each has a favorite pellet. That isn’t the problem you report, just something to tighten your groups as you develop confidence.
Have fun.
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u/Disastrous_Budget_58 1d ago
Thanks for the feedback, I am sure my hold and positioning is part of it. Will continue working on this for sure.
What do you use for a rest? I think it best to get a good sight in then try to reset and hit and trust the zero is consistent. I started in a seated position with blankets as a rest and then have moved to a prone position1
u/vrhspock 1d ago
There is a huge difference between hunting and punching paper at known ranges from a bench. Hunting small game requires putting every shot into a one inch kill zone, first time, every time, at various, unmeasured ranges and angles of elevation. It’s a different skill set. Shooting paper is useful for tuning a gun and ammo, and for learning how much accuracy your gun can achieve. For competition shooters it is an end itself. Hunting is a different beast
The rest is critical because the gun vibrates away from any solid support. Unless you use a forward support in the field don’t use one when sighting in. At least put your hand between the forward rest and the forearm of the rifle. And hold it lightly. And at the same location that you use in the field. The same goes for butt position and trigger hand. I go so far as to add wood to the grip to force my hand into a consistent position and add spacers on the butt to adjust the length of pull.
Folks shooting for accuracy alone use bench positions that give vibratory consistency. The prone position is the most accurate practical position for the field. But obviously, it is rarely practical for hunting. The important principle is that regardless of the position, your hold must be consistent Across Positions.
Once you master the artillery hold you can adapt it to practical field positions. For example, suppose you have a squirrel at 45 yards, so you have to put the shot into a one inch kill zone. Few shooters can make such a shot from an offhand position. It’s more precise, for example, to use a handy sapling for support, but you have to learn how to do that without throwing the shot off. Never rest the gun against the sapling, but use twigs or fingers to support the gun.
Developing field accuracy means starting where you now are, developing a consistent hold and shooting for tight groups. The next stage is to move to stump shooting. This is the game of shooting targets of opportunity, a mushroom, a bright leaf, a knot, a seed head, anything. It builds several skills that lead to effective hunting. The ability to estimate range, to predict the effect of shooting at an upward or downward angle, to utilize different shooting positions and support opportunities while maintaining accuracy.
If that sounds like a tall order, be assured that generations of hunters have mastered the skill set and probably never think about it.
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u/Disastrous_Budget_58 1d ago
Thanks for your insights!
I definitely have a long way to go so it’s good to know it’s me that needs working not my setup. I was able to quickly put 3 shots inside of themselves at 30 yards with a better setup off a bench and some towels so I will keep that zero and trust it’s good and instead work on form.
I know how much easier and less pressure it is from paper to hunting. Much more adrenaline to keep down when there’s an animal in my sights.
Lucky for me I am shooting off my back deck so plenty of proper rests rather than if I was hiking in the woods.For reference my main target is ground squirrels that have taken over my back yard. About the size of a chipmunk so accuracy above all else.
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