Author Topic: Transformation of a TX200 (Read 8934 times))

Nitrocrushr · « **on:** August 03, 2015, 08:38:19 PM »

In mid June we set up Stihlpro's brand new Walnut TX200 .177. Out of the box this TX was very inconsistent on all but a couple types of pellets, and even on them it would not group consistently. When I say inconsistent I should write it in all CAPS cause it was bad. Even after initial break-in and a good barrel clean, it would not hold a single hole at 13 yards on the indoor range, which is a minimum expectation for me if the rifle will stand a chance outdoors at distance. Thinking it needed a good long break-in, Stihlpro put over 1000 painstaking shots down the pipe, experimenting with group testing on numerous pellets, but results continued to be inconsistent both on paper and through the chronograph. The decision was made to send this rifle off to Motorhead for a tip to tail tune

In addition to the tune, a slight bulge was discovered in one of the washers/O-rings in the end of the barrel shroud. This bulge was on the bottom of the furthest washer down in the shroud. This was making it nearly impossible to hold a consistent group at any distance.

With the bulge fixed and a full Motorhead tune, this rifle has REALLY come to life

Chronograph testing is now exceptional on all pellets tested so far, and it is now shooting multiple shot groups into the exact same .177 hole on my 13-yard indoor range....what a difference!!! Between the consistency, accuracy and smoothness, it's hard to believe it is the same rifle

And the trigger wrk that motorhead did....WOW, so crisp!!!!

In addition to the tune, we installed a Rowan adjustable butt plate, and made a new cocking arm stopper out of O-rings (the original button popped off in less than a tin of pellets)

Oh yeah, we also refinished the stock with Maccari's Royal London Oil.......had to do something with that stock while the action was at the Motorhead residence

The stock is now as smooth as an iPhone screen

No more whisker grabbing on the shot.

Here are some pictures showing the progress with this rifle;

Prior to tuning it was very inconsistent through the chronograph and would not hold a group. Here are chronograph results and a 13-yard group BEFORE tuning;

Top hole was my aiming point. You can see the large ragged group below it. This was only 10 or so shots at 13-yards, each hitting a slightly different spot. Pre-tune, and before the bulge was repaired.

And the pre-tune chronograph results. This was actually one of the better ones, most were worse than this;

And here are the final results on the same exact pellet AFTER the bulge was repaired and rifle Motorhead tuned;

5-6 shot group through the EXACT same .177 hole at 13-yards

Take a look at these chronograph results now

And the new rubber cocking handle stop. I slid the Rowan cocking handle back enough to expose both grooves. I put Danco #9 O-rings into each groove, but they were too small. So I then put a Danco #31 O-ring in between them, worked perfectly

And some pictures of the completed rifle, she's a beauty. Can't wait for Stihlpro to try it out now

Well Stihlpro, there she is!! I have put over 300 shots through it since putting it all back together and there is no doubt in my mind.....this is one smooth, consistent, fine shooting rifle now

Ready for you to go for a 200/200 on the 30 yard bench rest match

Motorhead - Thank you for yet another AWESOME tune!!!!!!

And Stihlpro, I have one question..................Want to sell it

Nitro

Motorhead · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2015, 09:04:37 PM »

Lol .... Great work Steve !!
Stock looks awesome and sure Stihlpro will think so too.

Bummer on the baffle issue

.... do all the tricks ya know to make a good shooter and some REALLY odd issue rears its ugly head

Sure glad you found out what was causing those random fliers

So back at you ... Thank You !

Scott

Sfttailrdr46 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2015, 09:19:06 PM »

Steve did you have to remove the shroud to find the problem and if so where did you find the culprit a picture would help as I may be experiencing the same issue

robertr · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2015, 09:23:02 PM »

Beautiful rifle Nitrocrushr, nice job on the tuning too Motorhead.

Nitrocrushr · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2015, 09:28:21 PM »

Quote from: sfttailrdr46 on August 03, 2015, 09:19:06 PM

Steve did you have to remove the shroud to find the problem and if so where did you find the culprit a picture would help as I may be experiencing the same issue

Hi Don,

I did not remove the shroud. I used a good flashlight and reading glasses while rotating the muzzle around at all angles. This is such an easy thing to miss, and very hard to see. There are several o-ring/washers in that shroud. The one furthest in had a bulge probably not even 1/4 the size of a pencil eraser. Staring directly inline with the rifling I could see it was clipping the edge if the pellets at 6:00.

Steve

Sfttailrdr46 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2015, 09:29:56 PM »

Thanks Steve

Nitrocrushr · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2015, 10:01:35 PM »

Quote from: sfttailrdr46 on August 03, 2015, 09:29:56 PM

Thanks Steve

No problem Don. To keep the light from reflecting off the muzzle face, I actually cut out a cardboard disc to fit over the flashlight lens, then made a little hole in the middle of it so I could get s smaller, more concentrated beam without it reflecting back off the muzzle.

Steve

marty2 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2015, 10:36:25 PM »

+1 on thanks for the info Steve. I haven't been able to put a pellet through the same hole at 17 yards in a while. Have checked the screws ,cleaned the barrel ,etc. I'll have to check it out. I've been getting really frustrated with the TXs inconsistency lately. It's probably me though

Springrrrr · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2015, 09:59:13 AM »

How did you get in there to fix the bulge? Details please.

Thanks

Nitrocrushr · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2015, 06:05:22 PM »

Quote from: Springrrrr on August 04, 2015, 09:59:13 AM

How did you get in there to fix the bulge? Details please.

Thanks

I'll get you some pictures and details tonight Don

Steve

Nitrocrushr · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2015, 08:21:04 PM »

Motorhead suggested a round file a good bit larger than the bore so if you accidently went in too far, it would only be able to touch the outer face of the barrel, rather than down into the crown/rifling area.

I took a round crosscut file (maybe 6-7mm diameter?) Much larger than the .177 bore, but small enough to fit inside the outer washer/O-rings. I cut the end of the file off, and polished and beveled the end.

I used a tiny metal probe hook to reach in and gage the depth that I would need to go in to get at the obstruction.

I then taped off the teeth on the file in all areas but the end where I would be filing away at the bulge. The tape protected the other washer/O-rings from the file teeth. On the tape, I marked a line for the depth of the problematic washer/O-ring. There isn't room to work, and you need to make sure you are working in the right spot. After you get the file in the shroud you are operating blindly and by feel...and using the mark on the tape as your guide.

Working the file by spinning back and forth, and pulling back and forth a tiny bit over the bulged area you file away at the obstruction, checking frequently with a flashlight to monitor progress and taking care to stay away from the barrel, and also taking care not to damage the other O-rings.

It took me a while but I eventually got the bulge 100%, and the bore is now completely unobstructed.

Here are the tools;

Polished and bevelled end;

Probe depth to the bulged O-ring. These are other O-rings I taped together just as an example of something similar to what you are working on/around inside that shroud. In my case, I was working on the lower portion of the innermost O-ring;

Mark depth on the tape you wrapped around file, and insert to proper depth, working only in the area of the obstruction;

End result is a 100% clear and unobstructed path for pellet travel

After I was done I used Q-tips soaked in alcohol to swab out around and in between all of the O-rings within that shroud, followed by a barrel cleaning with my Crown Saver

Hope this helps!!!

Steve

Motorhead · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2015, 08:29:59 PM »

Good job Steve ... Dang AA quality control or lack of

Nitrocrushr · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2015, 08:52:54 PM »

Quote from: Motorhead on August 04, 2015, 08:29:59 PM

Good job Steve ... Dang AA quality control or lack of

Thanks Scott

I agree, something like this should be caught before leaving the factory...

SpiralGroove · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2015, 09:03:04 PM »

Hey Nitrochrushr,
Oh my God, a Motorhead tuned TX that Looks simply Amazing!!
Now that is a gun I want ...... All the bling you'll ever need

Kirk

TheBman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2015, 09:10:52 PM »

Wow! Super nice job by both you and Motorhead.

Sfttailrdr46 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2015, 09:30:31 PM »

Thanks Steve

Springrrrr · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2015, 09:47:03 PM »

Thank you for taking the time and effort to show us all what we were wondering as to how it was done. Well, at least me anyhoooo

I got a plastic bore cleaner caught in the muzzle of my TX at the Kentucky fun shoot. It wasn't coming out by any standard method and I couldn't find a rod, nor did I want to take the gun apart to get a straight shot at the barrel even if I did.

I did the dirty. Cocked it and shot it out without a pellet. It seemed to be in snug enough, along with the cleaning patches, to provide enough back pressure as not to mess up anything inside.

I am not sure if the rings are metal or a plastic compound

??

All along I was concerned with the rings, but they didn't get disturbed ----------- thankfully.

marty2 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2015, 09:48:15 PM »

Very detailed instuctons for the fix. Thanks Steve

Brazos · « **Reply #18 on:** August 05, 2015, 12:25:24 AM »

Thanks for the explaination with pictures. I am going to check mine out. I wished the barrel had an end cap so you could take the baffles out easily. It would also be nice when cleaning the barrel.

Since the o-ring was bulging do you think it possible to push the oring back into position? Could this be the result of cleaning the barrel. Maybe whatever was pushed down the tube to clean the barrel pulled the oring out some?

grauhanen · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2015, 08:28:45 AM »

An excellent explanation and a good lesson in troubleshooting.

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Transformation of a TX200

Author Topic: Transformation of a TX200 (Read 8934 times))