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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: JimH on February 07, 2011, 09:43:14 PM

Title: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: JimH on February 07, 2011, 09:43:14 PM
My new hiking companion arrived today.  Ran right upstairs to my bathroom sniper's nest and took 4 shots at my 30 yard spinner.  Uh, yeah right.  Forgot I can't even see 30 yards without my scope.  I took a few more shots closer in range but with all the snow I can't tell if I hit anything at all.  Feels real nice with a very light trigger - not much of a first stage at all that I could tell.  Just a smooth pull. 

I found the cocking to be fairly difficult without the included assist handle.  With the handle no problem.  I suppose you could leave the assist handle on while shooting - it fits quite securely and looks like a muzzle brake.  Compared to my Mrod it's loud but not so bad.  About the same as my Gamo Whisper but without as much air release hiss noise.

Mounted up the Hawke Red Dot sight tonight.  I need to head down to the Home Depot and pick up some duct putty so I can make myself a pellet trap.  Then I'll calibrate the Red Dot in my basement range.  Not sure I'm going to like the Red Dot sight - me thinks I need some magnification... maybe a 6x bugbuster scope?

(http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/RDJim/Browning800MAG.jpg)

(http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/RDJim/Browning800MAGclose.jpg)
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: oldpink on February 07, 2011, 09:45:44 PM
Cool pistola.
It's said to be really very good.
Have fun with it.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Onebaddj on February 07, 2011, 10:05:03 PM
Nice looking set up. I like the way the rod dot looks on there and the grip looks like it would fit in a hand perfectly. Cant wait to see the groups you get with it.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: VINNY on February 07, 2011, 10:32:49 PM
Congrats- enjoy!!
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: tkerrigan on February 07, 2011, 11:52:37 PM
I had a red dot on mine and it took about 20 shots to shake the on off selector switch to pieces.  Broke a solder joint.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: darryl on February 08, 2011, 09:35:46 AM
A little duct tape and the cocking assist stays in place with no detriment to shooting. Look forward to your pending report on your new pistol. Enjoy! Oh, I wrapped a bit of foam on my pistol grip so it could fill my hand a bit better ( I used black electrical tape to wrap the foam). It feels great, but I'm such a bad shot it's just made me more comfortable while I miss!! ;D
darryl
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: JimH on February 08, 2011, 10:01:57 PM
OK, today's mission was a stop at  Home Depot to pick up a fuse box and some electricians putty (Duct Seal) to make myself a pellet trap.
$56 later I had a pellet trap so now I can shoot my Mrod inside along with this new toy.
This is my first group before sighting in the Red Dot at about 10 yards.  Considering I have practically zero time with pistols and one of these shots was taken free standing I don't think it looks too bad.  Now on to the adjustments:

(http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/RDJim/Browning800MAG1stgroups.jpg)

Here's my new pellet trap.  16 sticks (1 pound each) of putty - that's two layers deep and the Browning pellets only went in a bit more than the length of the pellet.  Should be fine for the Mrod... I hope.
(http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/RDJim/PelletTrap.jpg)
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: darryl on February 08, 2011, 10:50:23 PM
mighty fine work, Jim! Nice grouping too. ;)
darryl
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: JimH on February 09, 2011, 12:31:12 AM
Maybe my first group was a fluke.  I set up a bench to calibrate the red dot and my groups went to heck.  I brought the pellets on center and up, then when I stand to shoot the shots are 2 inched low but in a dime group.  I noticed that when I move my head around I could make the dot move whilst the gun was very still.  Same problem I used to have before I got an adjustable objective scope.  I thought red dots were impervious to parallax if that's what I'm seeing.  Any tips on using these sights?

I'm also finding (now that I'm really trying to be accurate) that the trigger is not as light as I'd want and the lack of any noticeable first stage doesn't help.  Anyone know of a trigger mod to lighten the trigger?

I'm still enjoying the pistol and having it with me on a hike I'll get more squirrels than not having a gun at all.  ;)
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: darryl on February 09, 2011, 08:23:21 AM
HI JIm,
I have no advice for lightening the trigger pull. Also, I've gone back to shooting with open sights. I'm finding this pistol very hard to master for accuracy. Some pellets spray all over creation; generally the lighter ones. I'm speaking of the .177. I've found that the heavier of my pellets (8.4gr) seem to perform a bit better. But that's the challenge of it; finding the right pellet, then practice, practice! Oh, and more practice!
darryl
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: big a on February 09, 2011, 10:36:03 AM
Hey Jim if the red dot isnt good enough have a look at the BSA EDGE multi power pistol scope.I dont have one yet,but am going to get one for my 1377
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: JimH on February 09, 2011, 11:57:58 AM
Thanks for the tip Big A - When I shopped scopes I couldn't find any inexpensive options for pistols, that's why the bugbusters came to the top of my list.  I'd like to  hear your report when you get yours.

Darryl, I thought about just going the open site route - at least there's no doubt where to put your eye.  And with no magnification on the red dot sights, the jury is still out on just what the advantage of the red dot is.  not to mention I've already forgot to turn the bloody thing off once so far... and without a battery, you're no longer self sufficient.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Bullit on February 09, 2011, 12:05:48 PM
Jim,
If you have your Red Dot set where you want it, it'll still hit, even though your head is moving. The dot will appear to move, but you don't worry about that....just put the dot on the target.  It'll hit the mark.
It is a little weird tho, isn't it.
The battery should last a year, but I'd buy a new one because the supplied one isn't always the best one.  They're commonly the C2032 that is very common for scopes.
If you're not gonna use it for a while, put a heavy paper spacer in the battery compartment, to prevent parasitic losses to the battery.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Bruiser7000 on February 09, 2011, 12:17:47 PM
Very good Jim
Nice to see others getting this pistol.
Great job on the pellet trap too
Looks like you were getting nice groups with it
I got my 800MAg in .22cal for doing PFT comps

I have found that the H&N Hollow Points & Falcon Accuracy Plus both in 5.52 head size works best in mine
I am like you & could not get on with a red dot but then again in PFT everyone seems to be using 12X scope from a seated position as that is the max the rules will allow for scopes. Unfortunately being this pistol is a BBl cocker it is tough to find a 12X scope that will fit with out it interfering with the cocking of the barrel but! I found the solution

If you use BKL offset mounts you can mount the 3-12 Leapers compact scope on it. The pistol is grip sensitive so it is imperative you learn to hold it the same way every shot which could be a reason why you  are seeing some of the group shift while using the red dot but I am sure you are getting parallax issues with it too as I did with mine. Unless you go to a holographic dot that will continue to be an issue I am affraid
Do keep us posted on how you make out with it
Cheers
  (http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p144/Bruiser7000/FT/B800Magw_12XSW.jpg)
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Bruiser7000 on February 09, 2011, 12:23:31 PM
Oh Btw
The cocking will smoothen up & get easier after a few tins
I can cock mine just fine without the aid but I am a kinda stout fella  lol
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: darryl on February 09, 2011, 12:43:11 PM
I KNEW I should have gotten the .22! ;D But I did find that wrapping the grips helped me hold the pistol better. One more thing I found out was that I can get tighter grips by using my middle finger as a trigger finger. It worked with my 800, so I tried it on my Cometa Indian. It works there too! :D Tighter groups because I'm not pulling my shots as with my shorter "trigger" finger. Anyway, I'm closer to taming the big Mag pistol
Bruiser, I had the Leapers Offset mount on my pistol, but I was using an NcStar rifle/pistol scope. I found that scope not to work for me. Your Leapers looks interesting. What is the parallax setting on it? Suitable for 10 meters? What ranges do you shoot in PFT?
thanks,
darryl
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Bruiser7000 on February 09, 2011, 01:03:46 PM
Hi Darryl
First glad to hear you are getting along with your 800Mag
Only difference in the caliber is you will get a bit more ft/lbs energy out of the .22cal which is needed shooting the far targets in PFT.
As far as my scope it is the 30mm tube 3-12x compact with IR
It is a side wheel adjustable parallax scope it focuses down to 9-10 yards & is really the perfect scope for pistol field target comps.
As far as 10 meter shooting it would be fine being that you can turn the power down & it will adjust parallax down no problem but you will have to use the taco hold as they do in silhouette as it is a rifle scope with short eye relief
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: darryl on February 09, 2011, 03:11:12 PM
Thanks Bruiser,
Good stuff to know. I think I'll sit tight for a while and become a menace with open sights.

Jim, how ya coming with that red dot?
darryl
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: lillysdad621 on February 09, 2011, 05:32:44 PM
Thank you for asking the red dot about red dot technique... i thought to use it on the prod, but again, i get the same problem. if i move my head, the dot is not centered... i'll try to shoot by changing my head position and thenreadjusting to bring the dot on target to see if it works... does anyone know the technique to use red dots??? i think that they work on close combat weapons because they are easy to quickly bring to a target (generally human sized) and shooting quickly... is there a way to use it for accurate shooting. Sometimes i place the target right above the dot, sometimes place the dot over the target (most times the dot will cover the target entirely... how accurate can that be???)... if anyone can shed some light on red dot shooting i am all ears... ehm... eyes...lol
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: JimH on February 09, 2011, 07:15:24 PM
My goal now is to get the red dot sight adjusted as best I can for a camping trip this weekend.
What I've been trying to do is secure the pistol firmly on a rest and center the dot in the tube and on the target.
Even being as careful as I can I'm getting too much float on my groups.

Yes, at the range I'm shooting the dot covers the entire four dark square "bullseye" as shown in my previous post.
With practice can I catch my dinner?  Maybe.  Would a scope be easier?   Mmmm, could be.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Bruiser7000 on February 10, 2011, 11:42:01 AM
What I have done before with my red dots is I locate as close to possible the very center of the lens as possible & have taken my dremel with a very small engraver bit (ball mill) type & etched the lens a small dot again as close as possible to the center. Then when I go to shoot I just move my head so that the red dot lines up with the etched spot & sight it in making sure I line the two spots together every time, sorta super imposing the two spots on top of each other. This will help with the parralax issues you are finding.
You are correct in that the red dot size is so large especially on the lower end units that it does cover up a lot of area even at close range & off course gets worse the farther the target is
Hope this little trick helps you out on your weekend jont  ;)
Happy Safe Shooting
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Bruiser7000 on February 10, 2011, 11:49:40 AM
btw
It really does not matter if you do not get the etched spot in perfect center
What matters is you sight it in always lining up the the two spots & continue lining them up after you sight it in when you go to shoot
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: wildman510 on March 09, 2011, 08:48:23 PM
There is a hidden adjustment screw for the trigger pull its behind the pistol grip push the action back and youll see an allen head appear screw it in to lighten be carefull if you go to far the gun wont cock. I have no idea why its not mentioned in the owners manual but is listed in the parts list on the umarex site.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Bruiser7000 on March 09, 2011, 10:29:28 PM
Josh
You better be very careful with that adjustment.
That is the sear engagement screw. If you have that mal-adjusted
you could very well end up with a broken hand at the very least.
If not adjusted right, you can cock the pistol & it can engage
but can suddenly let loose & slap the barrel up
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: bart the fart on March 09, 2011, 10:52:04 PM
Josh
You better be very careful with that adjustment.
That is the sear engagement screw. If you have that mal-adjusted
you could very well end up with a broken hand at the very least.
If not adjusted right, you can cock the pistol & it can engage
but can suddenly let loose & slap the barrel up


I'm gonna second the {{{{{{{{CAUTION WARNING}}}}}}}}} on this. I had the same gun and the trigger was fine. You could adjust it i guess ,just be VERY CAREFUL! i never needed to to this.....BTW i wish i still had it :'(  ...be careful...bart
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Korak-again on March 10, 2011, 07:07:47 AM
 When looking for a red dot, look for the dot size before buying. Millet has a three mil dot available, I have one on my B26-2 and it works well. I regularly hit a three i nch spinner offhand with it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=459296 (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=459296)

This sight will be my next one if I decide I want something more precise than my Millet.  I have no experience with Barska brand so I don't know about it's dependability.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=873368 (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=873368)

  I'm a big fan of red dots and have them on three guns.  I have had good results with BSA, Millet, Tasco and Bushnell dotters. So far they have stood up to the recoil. most reddots were designed for use on autoloading pistols. The recoil movement of the slide is similar to springers.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: MountainMan126 on March 10, 2011, 08:22:01 AM
I have looked at these pistols more than once , haven't bought one though. Nice job building the pellet trap, I am curious why build one if they are available commercially produced for the same money ? Here is a link to the one I have , yours is definitely going to be quieter with the putty is the main advantage I can see.
Ethan
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Do-All-Bullet-Box/707976.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dbullet%2Bbox%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=bullet+box&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Do-All-Bullet-Box/707976.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dbullet%2Bbox%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=bullet+box&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products)
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: Paper Tiger on November 21, 2012, 07:10:11 PM
I have a Browning 800 Express .177 cal and I was wondering if anyone has every added a wire stock or a foldable stock to it and turn it into a carbine.  I'm thinking it would add accuracy to my shooting. Also wondering if anyone has added a muzzle brake.  I addedTKO to my 1322 carbine and it made it super nice and quiet to shoot.  One other thought, can one add the Hatsan 25 trigger to the Browing 800 express or get a better trigger for the Browning.  Mine has really long pull.
Title: Re: New Browning 800 MAG .22
Post by: ean on November 21, 2012, 07:56:11 PM
Just to chime in on the red dot/parallax issue.  The physics work out to no reflecting type scope being truly parallax free.  The concave reflecting surface *inside* the lens can't be combined with the refraction of the rear portion of the lens for multi ranged parallax free precision shooting.  The more expensive ones get close..as in a couple of inches at 12 - 15 yards.

The true holo sights come closer, but are still not completely parallax free. 

If you want to test it, insert a laser boresighter, aim it at a grid.  Ten to 15 yards is plenty of range.  With the gun in a rest, move your head and watch the sight's dot move around the laser dot.

Perhaps the ad copy guys got a little liberal with their words??  :)

The better mfgs usually state something like, parallax free beyond 30 or 50 yards.  So much for most airgunners in practical use.  :)