I recently got back into shooting, only now because I live in a suburban area I'm trying air-rifles instead of center-fire rifles. I bought a model 48 and got a BSA scope for it (I wasn't impressed with the light chinese-made one that came with it). My question is a matter of accuracy at about 50 yards. The rifle is a .22cal, so I know I'll get some drop (and yes, I already compensated for barrel drop with the scope mount)but I'm getting what I consider to be a fairly inconsitent pattern (tennis ball sized). I could do the same distance with a .22 centrefire rifle and keep them in a nickel.
BUT my question is: Do you think I should have bought a .177? Are the .22 pellets (Ive been trying a lot of styles) just too squirrely because of their weight?
Second question: Diana came highly recommended to me by some friends. I was going to buy an Anschutz (I have a couple rimfire .22s from them)or a Feinwerkbau, but they told me they weren't worth the money compared to the Diana. ($1300+ versus $500-600 for Diana).
What about a muzzle stabilizer? I looked them up and a half pound of weight seems like a lot for an air rifle (although I know they recoil pretty bad).
Anybody tried one?
Of course, my wife says I'm full of crap and I'm getting older and shake too much...
Thanks,
J
22 cal is a good choice. You might want to try a lighter hold on your 48. It also takes few hundred shots to get them broken in. once it settles down you should be pleased with it.
you might try shooting it with the stock sights for awhile if it keeps being inconstent. They are hard on some scopes/mounts and if you get it dialed in on iron sights then you will know were you stand with your scope
Tell us what kind of pellets and their weights you have used so far. I have a D52 (same gun) but in .177. I have found that the Crosman Premiers Heavy to work well in mine. They also have .22 caliber pellets as well. I know that on .177 if the patterns are wild, you need to go to a heavier pellet. Maybe the same is true for the .22s. More experienced Pelletier‘s will certainly chime in very soon.
What scope mount did you end up with on yours? I have a Barska 4x12 AO scope ready to put on mine, once I get the mount.
do best with JSB Exacts. The .177's weigh 8.44gr, and the .22's weigh 15.9gr. Both have hooded front sights and Beeman appertures, and they're very accurate with the JSB's. HTH,
The airgun may have a pellet preference. Most of my airguns like Beeman FTS's, JSB Exacts, or Crosman Premiers. Lately I've had a lot of luck with the Beeman FTS's. Spring guns, especially powerful ones like yours, don't like to be restricted during firing. A loose hold that allows the gun to move as it wants is generally best. Also, try and hold the gun exactly the same every time. Recoil makes the gun go thru some complex motions so it's important to keep support points and pressure as near the same as you can. Springers also don't typically like to be shot from a solid rest. Last thing is I don't know how long that BSA scope is going to last on a high-recoil gun. Spring guns recoil in both the forward and backward direction and the recoil is also a much more solid "jolt" than for a firearm so you need a good springer-rated scope that's rated for high recoil.
EXACT's - I got a 48 in .177 .
Had to change my scope though, and went to a Theoben 'dampamount' ( s )?
.The 48 recoils like a bugger..make sure your scope mounts are not "creeping".
Also, if you grip the forestock with any hand pressure at all - the shots will start going all over the place.
- just let it 'float' in your hands/.
The Diana 48 is my most accurate rifle - just 'stacks' the pellets @ 15 yards. - give it the nod over my HW77 - although it's a questionable decision.