GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => European/Asian Air Gun Gates => Gamo & Spanish AirGun Gate => Topic started by: Jord99999 on January 11, 2019, 12:11:26 PM
-
I had bought about a gamo shadow whisper (aka silent cat same exact specs). I had tried the gun from about five yards and it was doing about a 2 1/2 inch groups. It was very frustrating. I then did some research and realized how much gunk can be in the barrel. I used some alcohol and cleaned the barrel out with wipes and it WAS dirty. The groupings got MUCH tighter I mean at 5 yards I was getting the same whole every time. At this time I was using daisy pointed precision max pellets for only 1.97 at Walmart. I backed up to around 10 yards and the group went from same hole to a 5 inch group. I was freakin out. I bought EVERY pellet at Walmart and except the Crosman Premier Hp. I tried the piranhas and all the other pellets and the best I could do was around 2 inches. I then bought the CPHP and it turned my groups at ten yards into less than a half inch. I backed out to around 25 yards (probably like 23) but I was able to consistently get a quarter size group and I am wondering if I should be getting better than that. I have heard stories of people getting quarter size groups at 40 and 50 yards, is that even possible? Thank You so Much for your input.
-
Well, I've heard the wailings about accuracy about the Swarm Maxxim, and I've had two of them in .22. What I did first was run JB Bore Cleaning Paste on a brass brush up and down the bore about twenty times before I even shot them. Then I swabbed out the bore with Hoppes #9. Yeah, I've read about all the other cleaning methods, I've no doubt that they work, but Hoppes is made for this task, although intended for powder burners.
Then, I applied Loctite 242 to all fasteners, and check them regularly. The one thing that I can't comment on is your sighting technique. I sold one of my Swarms to a friend and neighbor, and when he shoots, he groups as bad or worse than you describe. Before I sold it to him, I ensured that it was dead accurate, and both of my Swarms have been as accurate at fifteen yards as my TX200 and vintage R1! I have another neighbor that has a .177, and he's pretty accurate with it...
My Swarms are not hold sensitive, but I've also found that on all of my rifles, I place the forearm on a Rock Jr. or a fork mounted on a camera tripod, don't touch the forearm, and support the butt with my offhand, and let the rifle move on it's own when I fire. If you haven't tried that, you might think about it.
If you're a well trained and disciplined marksman, and you have other air rifles that you're stacking pellets with at that same range, I'd say the problem's with the rifle!
-
If you are really new to air guns, I'd say that's not too bad. And it will improve with practice and refined technique. I found that progress can come incrementally--like the day you figure out you need to rest the fore end of the stock on the palm of your hand, not directly on the rest (some guns are that way). I found my Gamo CFX had a preferred rest point close to the trigger when shooting off a rest, but standing with a shooting stick/pole I would hold it closer to the pivot of the cocking arm. The butt is shouldered in either configuration, but sometimes I can put my free hand under the butt at my shoulder. The CFX is an underlever; yours is a break barrel, correct?
Once you get doing a lot of things right, you can repeatably do better than a quarter at 25 yards. I planted five shots inside 3/8" center to center once when sighting in the CFX at 30 yards--then couldn't repeat it to shoot a target sheet. That's part of the hobby.
-
The Gamo silent cat is the only rifle that I own and I just got it about a month ago. It is a break barrel and it is a .177 caliber. I have practiced the artillery hold and that has increased my accuracy the greatest. Is a quarter at 25 yards pretty good or will it get better? I have also found that my gun is very hold sensitive and have tried many different holds and found that resting my palm underneath the gun on a soft rest is the best. I will have to take my gun out to a longer range and see what type of groups I can do. I am only 16 and I am totally looking forward to getting into airguns. They are already too much fun and it is always fun to tinker to see what gets me the best group.
-
OP, your last post connected some dots for me! I believe that your best groupings are yet to come! Make certain that the rifle and scope aren't your problem...the packaged scope on those aren't the best, but they are generally good enough to get you on target... but work on your technique and breathing. If you're shooting your rifle offhand, instead of on a rest, then you're probably shooting that rifle as well as expected at this point in time. You'll get better. But you'll never really explore the capabilities of any rifle until its on a rest, and finding what works best is really what the fun of this hobby is all about!
-
I agree with Yarddog: keep up the work and things will further improve. I remember one time I was watching how I held the rifle with my trigger hand and was surprised at how much even laying my thumb one way or the other could influenced my accuracy (probably because of what it did to the tension in my hand and how I pulled the trigger). Don't let a bad day of shooting steer you wrong--there will be good days and bad days. Shoot and keep some targets to track progress.
While PCP, CO2, and pumpers are pretty easy to shoot compared to some springers, crossing over is no guarantee of improved accuracy. I'll never know if it was me or the R10 (my PCP), but I did nothing to that gun while I was learning it and I know I could shoot better with the CFX when I tried them side by side. With time came the steady, repeatable shooting technique and the corresponding accuracy.
I have yet to try to clean the barrel on the R10, though I've done it some on the CFX--just pulled a piece of cotton through to wipe some of the trash out of it. Can't say as it every changed accuracy. Once my stock screws loosened some and, wow, did that mess things up before I figured it out.
-
Jordan,
I've owned several Gamos in the past, usually .177 and I have had mixed results with them. Generally, they are OK, and they will get better after break in (which can exceed 500 shots). Also as others have mentioned, practicing the artillery hold will certainly improve your groups. I shoot 25 yards and can get dime size groups (after practice!)
Something else to consider, which is quite important, is what pellet YOUR gun likes! The Daisy are probably the WORST pellet out there! Better pellets will work better for you. Sometimes a little heavier pellet will give you even better results. Try some different ones, get H&N, or JSB (or any quality pellet) and watch your groups improve. As long as your gun likes THAT pellet.
Keep shooting, it will get better.
Cheers
-
OP, I had the advantage of being taught how to shoot a long gun by my dad, and there is no substitute for hands on training from an expert...the World Wide Web can only teach you so much. In my case, I took what my dad taught me, added some World Wide Web information specific to air rifles to the mix, and came up with something that works well for me! Yes, there are some differences between powder burners and air guns, but in my opinion, more similarities than not.
I believe in your case, your accuracy is in your own hands. As your technique improves, you'll shrink your groups. That's a never ending quest, even if you manage to make a ten shot group fit into the same hole that's the caliber of your rifle! Because then the quest is...the next time!
-
I find that my gamos like the RWS Basic Match (Green) and the RWS Superdomes. In general they like looser fitting pellets. Most of my shooting is at ten yards and from a rest I can produce a single ragged hole with my whisper if I'm up on my game. Doing that standing is another story. Clean barrel and pellets the gun likes get you to the door, the rest is all your own skill and technique.
Most folks with a new gun will shoot a dozen rounds with each type of pellet and feel out what the gun likes. The tin Crossman pellets are very inconsistent. I actually used them to find what my guns like by sorting them into different sizes. The boxed ones are supposed to be better but I found local places carry RWS and never went farther. I think RWS comes in loose 4.48 and tight 4.52. The Basic are loose and the Hobbies (orange) are tight.
-
I have found that I have had my best luck with the Crosman Premier hollow points. I have shot over 800 rounds and have found all of them to shoot fairly well. The next question I have is that everyone and even I that own a gamo HATE the included scope. Now what scope would you guys recommend that I get. I am on a pretty tight budget so anything under 150 dollars would be nice. I am pretty sure the accuracy thing is just me because, first I am really new to this thing and second I used lock tight on all of the scope mount screws.
-
Airguns are like rimfires in that many are ammo picky. You just have to try different ones until you get the best groups. And keep your stock screws tight as they will loosen and throw accuracy out the window. Walmart fodder is ok for plinking, although a lot of guns do well with Crosman domed in the tin. (Crosman boxed use to be from one die but no longer.) Don't shoot the lite pellets. They are usually inaccurate and are hard on guns causing piston slam. As to small groups at 40 - 50 yards, that's scoped and in the hands of a good shot feeding his gun what it likes. As a general rule, wadcutters are good out to thirty yards, then domed take over due to aerodynamics. Have fun and shoot, shoot, shoot!
-
I have not tried the any of the domed pellets. I would like to try some but my Walmart does not sell of them. (Red feather) Are you talking about the Crosman premier domed lights or the Crosman premier domed heavies.
-
I have found that I have had my best luck with the Crosman Premier hollow points. I have shot over 800 rounds and have found all of them to shoot fairly well. The next question I have is that everyone and even I that own a gamo HATE the included scope. Now what scope would you guys recommend that I get. I am on a pretty tight budget so anything under 150 dollars would be nice. I am pretty sure the accuracy thing is just me because, first I am really new to this thing and second I used lock tight on all of the scope mount screws.
Jordan, I found a site that advertised the 'Best Five Airgun Scopes for 2018', and there are several of them. The one that kept coming up...whether or not others may agree with this...was the Hammers 3-9X32 AO scope, and they are a bit under $60 on Amazon. I've bought about four of them now, and I'm VERY satisfied with them! For my TX200, I bought the 40 mm objective version of that scope for ten bucks more, and I didn't like it as well, and replaced it with a UTG compact SWAT scope, that I AM happy with. To me, the Hammers is an excellent bang for the buck...it has made the 2019 list two, and came in #1 on at least one of those sites...
-
Yard
Jordan, I found a site that advertised the 'Best Five Airgun Scopes for 2018', and there are several of them. The one that kept coming up...whether or not others may agree with this...was the Hammers 3-9X32 AO scope, and they are a bit under $60 on Amazon. I've bought about four of them now, and I'm VERY satisfied with them! For my TX200, I bought the 40 mm objective version of that scope for ten bucks more, and I didn't like it as well, and replaced it with a UTG compact SWAT scope, that I AM happy with. To me, the Hammers is an excellent bang for the buck...it has made the 2019 list two, and came in #1 on at least one of those sites...
Do you think the hammers 3-9 scope or the UTG 3-9x40 scope is better? The reviews on the hammers scope just scares me a little bit.
-
My silent cat was great out to about 20 yards or so after that it opened up big time. The daisy pellets are garbage passed about 10 yards also.
-
You have to be careful with scopes on break barrels! Due to the recoil (two way) they have a tendency to die quickly! Make sure the scope you look at is airgun rated.
Hammers seems to be a good scope, as are UTGs, Hawke, etc. Buying a "quality" name brand scope for an airgun is not always the best way to go about it.
Look up Cyclops Video on uTube (Joe Rhea), he does a LOT of reviews on scopes, and can provide some pretty good information generally. If you can handle his sense of humor!Cheers
-
I did not realize that the UTG scope only came with weaver mounts. I fired away on the hammers scope and it will arrive on Wednesday. I will keep posting on my accuracy and tell you guys how I like my new scope.
-
Jordan, which one is better is your call. I actually have both, but my opinion is still pending on the UTG. You mentioned a limited budget. Which was why I suggested the Hammers. It will be better than the OE scope.
-
Yard dog, you are totally correct that I am on a budget. I am looking forward to trying out the new scope and seeing if it really does improve my accuracy. Thank you again everyone who has made suggestions.
-
Presently my GAMO aint accurate worth diddle squat! When new it was OK, nothing special. Less than a year the spring broke and I mailed it off to Shadow for repair. It shot very well when it came back and I was a happy man. Two years latter that spring broke. Shadow was not tuning at the time because of health issues so another tuner on this forum repaired it. It hasnt shot worth a &^^& since then. Cant explain what was different but I hardly shoot it anymore. I took it to the show in Hickory to sale and no one was interested. Took it to a local pawn shop and they almost laughed at me. Guess I am stuck with it unless Shadow goes back to working on Gamos
-
Yard dog, you are totally correct that I am on a budget. I am looking forward to trying out the new scope and seeing if it really does improve my accuracy. Thank you again everyone who has made suggestions.
It may or may not increase your accuracy...but it for certain will benefit your sight picture, and your experience! Sometimes...not always...that means better accuracy...
-
I was able to get my hammers scope on Wednesday and I got it sighted in on Thursday. Sorry for the late post but I have been caught up in school exams. I sighted it in for 20 yards and to my surprise my groups shrank even more. I would like to share a few pictures, but I am not sure how? And yes I am very happy with the scope. Very well built and hopefully it lasts
-
Well, sir, now you know what I know! I really like these scopes!
-
Here is a picture of my gun and a group I shot at 30 yards earlier today.
-
and my gun
-
Well now...not too shabby!
-
I had bought about a gamo shadow whisper (aka silent cat same exact specs). I had tried the gun from about five yards and it was doing about a 2 1/2 inch groups. It was very frustrating. I then did some research and realized how much gunk can be in the barrel. I used some alcohol and cleaned the barrel out with wipes and it WAS dirty. The groupings got MUCH tighter I mean at 5 yards I was getting the same whole every time. At this time I was using daisy pointed precision max pellets for only 1.97 at Walmart. I backed up to around 10 yards and the group went from same hole to a 5 inch group. I was freakin out. I bought EVERY pellet at Walmart and except the Crosman Premier Hp. I tried the piranhas and all the other pellets and the best I could do was around 2 inches. I then bought the CPHP and it turned my groups at ten yards into less than a half inch. I backed out to around 25 yards (probably like 23) but I was able to consistently get a quarter size group and I am wondering if I should be getting better than that. I have heard stories of people getting quarter size groups at 40 and 50 yards, is that even possible? Thank You so Much for your input.
Years ago I bought a Gamo440 and after some home tuning the BEST accuracy I got was a "can rolling" 1" ctc at 30 yards with the most accurate pellet. I was very disappointed by the tooth rattling shot cycle, poor trigger and mediocre accuracy, even after installing a trigger insert that made the trigger usable.
Anywhoo....I didn't own that Gamo very long before I literally "land filled" the gun. LOL....in contrast I was able to shoot these groups with a Cummins Truckload Sale where I bought two Chinese B3s for $19.95 each and cobbled together one pretty good shooter.........
Iron sighted at 25 yards............
(https://i.imgur.com/5DINChKl.jpg)
Scoped group at 25 yards...........
(https://i.imgur.com/PEzo26cl.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/4HBPzQkl.jpg)
Anywhoo....that cheap Chinese under lever was twice as accurate as the Gamo440!
-
Well now...not too shabby!
I agree 100%. If That group was at 20 yards with Walmart pellets you are above average for a Noob!
Keep up the good work.
-
I think Shadow is back in business. But that's a lot to be sinking into a Gamo unless it is very special to you.
-
Mr007s. Gamo rifles are not the best that can be had but they are not too bad and can be made very good but it takes some time and effort. None of it is particularly hard for an amateur airgun mechanic. You do need some tools and the confidence to start. Springs do break but your experience seems unusual.
You do not mention which model Gamo you have and some models are worse than others. If it is an underlever then they can be made to shoot very well. If it is a reasonable level break barrel then there is no practical reason why it should not shoot just as well provided the mechanics of the rifle are sound.
There is a wealth of information on this forum about how to go about making improvements but maybe not all in one place.
A sticky, the beginners guide to improving your airgun would help. It could set out the steps to take.
There's a thought, maybe next rainy week.
-
You do not mention which model Gamo you have and some models are worse than others.
I posted the specific model in the first passage. I have shadow whisper that I had purchased from Walmart and it is the first ever airgun that I have owned and I am really trying to make it as accurate as possible. Its a synthetic stock and I was contemplating putting sand in the stock to reduce some of the "buzz" from the spring. Do you guys have any experience with filling in synthetic stocks and if so what did you use? I am on 16 years old, but have taken many things apart and have already done the same to my silent cat. I a just wondering what is there to do to modify the gun that I can do at home. Thank you in advance.
-
I have done this with synthetic stocks, but not ona Gamo. Buy a container of Plumber's putty & put some of it in a freezer bag. Cram it into the stock crevices. You can remove or add some as you try it. The bag makes it stay moist & it is easy to remove if it doesn't work out.
-
Gamo Magnum IGT .22 as purchased, no modifications done. Hawke scope mounted.
JSB 18.13 gr at long range
JSB 15.9 gr at short range
1/2" group at 30 yards. 5" inch group at 160 yards.
I found that quite accurate for a springer.
-
I went out shooting today and was able to achieve consistent sub quarter inch 5 shot groups at 30 yards with crosman premier hollow points. I had ordered some rws superdome pellets and they arrived today. I shot 20 pellets through the barrel and then shot multiple groups. Here is just one of the many under a dime 5 shot groups that I achieved. I also did fill the stock with sand. I filled the holes with black silicone so the internals will not see the sand. I then packed the stock with sand and it has helped greatly reduce the recoil and I have noticed more consistent groups. I will continue to shoot the rws pellets to see if I can get even better groups.
-
Excellent group for a springer at that distance.
There is nothing wrong with Gamo accuracy. Find a correct pellet and learn to shoot it.
Correct quality pellet is very important part of accuracy, just as barrel, trigger pull and stock ergonomy.
Scope is not just a visual experience. I found a big difference between Gamo and Hawke scopes.
Hawke I zeroed once, and do not touch anymore. Gamo scope I would re-zero every 100-200 pellets.
Number of flyers significantly decreased with Hawke. Obviously quality of scope springs differs.
BTW Gamo scope performed quite well, but the groups are tighter with Hawke with less flyers.
At long range, Gamo scopes are missing parallax adjustement. Miss can be several inches only on parallax.
All scopes have to be near the optical zero to give their best result at long term.
-
Still tweaking the Gamo's when requested and a good tune can pull a diamond out of the rough. Ed