[quote="fantumfan2003"]Need to do better.
Any tips, help most welcome and needed
Hi there M,
> Having seen the 'groupings' you have managed - here are a few tips that could perhaps help you in getting tighter groups in the future. these suggestins are not numerically sequential, but all the same worth taking note of....
* SIGHTS
Ensure that the alignment of your gun's sights (front & rear) are in line - a simple test is to tie a thread on to the front sight (post / leaf) and pull it upto the notch 'V' or 'U' of the rear sight. This should be in a straight line - any deviation even 1/2mm to 1mm will alter the flight of the pellet & cause deviation. The screws for windage & elevation have to be adjusted to get the right alignment.
* PELLET
All air rifles even if they are made by the same company & belonging to the same batch, perform differently - this an inexplicable idiocyncracy - agreed upon by the high priests of air rifling across the world. Also different pellets such as Round Heads, Pointed, Wadcutters & Hollows perform differently when fired from the same gun. So choose the one that gives consistant groups and settle for it. Also Indian made pellets have bad configuration - the size & contour ratio between the top of the diablo & the bottom flare resulting in deviation in the pellets flight path. The top of the pellet often does not sit perfectly to take advantage of the rifling of the barrel - causing the pellet to 'hop' within the barrel before it exits.
* HOLD
It is important to ensure a proper hold of the air rifle so that its weight is evenly distributed between its resting points - pistol grip & fore-end grip while shooting. The 'Artillery Hold' is often the best - see videos on youtube that demonstarates this.
* LENGTH of PULL
This also affects the trigger release to a certain extent - that's why match rifles are provided with adjustable LOPs at the guns' butt end. If the LOP in your gun is a shade long, then cutting the butt end by a centimetre or two may help - if its short then adding an extra pad to suit one's need would help.
* CHEEK REST
Always rest your cheek on the butt to give a vertical downward (gentle)pressure - meaning rest gently - more often than not we tend to exert a lateral pressure depending on one is right handed or left. This results in slanting of the barrel & moving it away from the bulls eye of the target.
* BREATHING
Breath control is vital - take a deep breath while aiming - release half of it to allow the body muscles to settle & relax a bit & help concentration / focus on the target - it also helps to steady the barrel & gently "SQUEEZE" the trigger - "DO NOT PULL" the trigger - it gives a jerk - bad for the aim.
* DELAY HOLD AFTER SHOOTING
Surprisingly it works, because if you lift the barrel / gun after shooting immediately the flight path of the pellet gets altered - pellets travel on a higher trajectory - the reverse happens if you lower the barrel immediately after shooting. Hence hold the weapon on target for a fraction of a second - this is peculiar to AIR GUNS / RIFLES only. This is due to the lower velocity of the pellet (mainly subsonic)as compared to powder fired cartridges whose velocity is above that of sound.
* BODY FITNESS
Keep your shoulder / arms & hip muscles strong by light exercises - push-ups / stretching / pull-ups etc will help. Gives you the strength to maintain a proper & steady hold while aiming.
* OTHERS
1. Excess vibration due to mis-matched seal / spring / rear guide / top hat & piston dia
2. Too much lubricant in the power plant / barrel cause dieseling
3. Wrong bedding alignment between receiver & comb (stock)
4. Loose screws that hold the receiver to the gun stock cause vibration (check tightness after 50 to 100 shots)
> Well I do hope these steps help in bettering your grouping - Good Luck.
Cheers
Brihacharan