I got my 34 back from John in PA today. He did a full tune and installed a Vortec kit in it. I thought it was a great gun before; now all I can say is WOW !!!
She sure is sweet. Cocking is much easier and whisper-quiet. Shot cycle is ultra-smooth and quieter. Trigger is fantastic. Breaks at 20 ounces. I don't feel any first stage at all & that's OK. Just take up a little slack, squeeze gently, and "THUNK".
Accuracy has improved also. At 20 yards it puts 5 CPs in a group measuring a little under 3/8" C to C. That's about as good as I can do with my PCP Discovery. 3 other pellets it did not like before are giving 5 shot groups under 1/2". Also, she does not seem to be the least bit hold sensitive.
The numbers are looking pretty good too. Ten shots over the chrony gave a low of 730 fps and a high of 735 fps with 14.3 gr. Premiers. That's 5 fps in ten shots and she's not broke in yet.
I am very happy with this 34 and Johns tune. John in PA, "You da Man" !!!

A sincere question though...

How could you now get better accuracy from pellets that this rifle "did not like" before?

I was under the impression that pellet preference has to with the barrel's characteristics (like breach diameter, rifling's consistency/depth/diameter, chock - if any). I suppose those don't change after a tuning, right?

Dimitris

D:

"How could you now get better accuracy from pellets that this rifle "did not like" before?

I was under the impression that pellet preference has to with the barrel's characteristics (like breach diameter, rifling's consistency/depth/diameter, chock - if any). I suppose those don't change after a tuning, right?"

BUT!!!

John will check the breech port and LAP polish it if needed and the varience is in the PELLET not the rifle barrel


EX:

Crosman CP Die 7 with an early date compared to a later date!!

Die 7 was superior just because the MASTER die #7 was done to a better milling standard for the first 1,000,0000 pellets then the die degraded nwith wear and tear of the mass production

OR:

the breech port was not done right after 1,000 of then where produced, the tolerances are lost in between #1 to 1,000

take barrel #1 and compare to barrel #1,000 and they are not the same when MASS produced

machines mass produce in a line assembly most of everything

ADD to this equation what MYSTERY work John does and you get a different air rifle

at the end why?? does a tune air rifle PERFORM different??? from a OEM one

and why?? does an OEM air rifle is different after 1,000 pellets have been shot

warren


and remember "it's 30% the gun and 70% the shooter"

My 34 with Vortek kit doesn't seem to be so pellet sensitive either.

Still likes some better than others. tough.

Not as hold sensitive, either.

Just seems to be a more forgiving rifle. Groupings are easier to keep smaller, but it ain't no 54.

That being said, I'm currently looking for a 1/2" at 40 yards.

Appel

... - assuming that I am doing it right...

And then clean thoroughly my barrel's rifling and shoot a few hundred of carefully cleaned and Pledge lubricated pellet - chances are that my rifle is going to start liking more different ones?

How do we lap a breach anyway?
I have lapped engine valve seats in the past with lapping paste and manual rotation with suction cup. Can I use the same stuff on a felt and a Dremel tool?

Dimitris

We're talking a Vortek kit and a hellofatune.

Vortek kit alone destroys the equation. Encapsulated spring. Less side to side action, more push straight ahead.

Not to belittle your talents, sir. The lapping and the lands have gotten the treatment before in a lot of guns with less effectiveness.

For some reason the Vortek kit has this magic power. At least in the 34.

Or were you making the joke?

Appel

Warren suggested that the rifle tolerates more pellets now , after John at PA lapped the breach during his tuning.

Dimitris

that an untuned air rifle does not like a brand of pellets??

and then tuned it is FANTASTIC!!!!

what happened

warren does not say anything, your air rifle speaks VOLUMES when TUNED

listen to your air rifle and forget about what Warren say's

XXXXXX

PS I use the Gamo hunter pellets

and remember "it's 30% the gun and 70% the shooter"

I belive you may have miconstrued Warren's intent, but I will let Warren defend himself.

Back to the Vortek kit, though, it must take the lion's share of the credit for pellet sensitivity.

As for hold sensitivity I agree with Gary. I will state, however, that the POI will still change dramatically depending on where you rest the forearm, though the grouping remains fairly constant.

For instance, if I hold on the balance point I can group very much on the bull but if I hold on the extreme front end, which I like to do, the groups stay about the same, but POI is high and left by approximately 3/4" to 1". So there is still sensitivity in regards to hold.

And I repeat, it still likes some pellets better than others but is more forgiving in it's diet. It will NOT treat them All the same. Do not be fooled. The Crow Magnum at 40 yards is still a fruitlesss endeavor.

Hope this helps.

Appel