GTA

Airguns by Make and Model => Diana Airguns => Topic started by: GarthThomas on December 20, 2013, 12:41:53 AM

Title: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on December 20, 2013, 12:41:53 AM
Does anyone have experience with this rifle, they are available in Canada.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on December 20, 2013, 01:14:28 AM
I had tried to search on this forum but for some reason it didn't give results, when I googled I found a post on this forum which answered most questions.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: RedFeather on December 22, 2013, 12:17:03 PM
Supposedly Airguns of Arizona had some.  They are between a 24 and 34 in terms of power.  Search on the latest Diana catalog.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on December 22, 2013, 01:57:31 PM
I was looking to see if there was a vortek kit for them but I imagine one would have to alter a 34s kit to work.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on December 26, 2013, 06:54:02 PM
I'm coming to the wire and may be ordering one of these this weekend, most likely .177. It will be my first German rifle and hopefully it will live up to expectations, one of my big concerns is that it will be so purdy that I won't use it enough. At least I won't feel like a spy anymore when I cruise this part of the forum.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 01, 2014, 03:46:55 PM
It's coming, should be here Jan. 3rd. I will post a pic.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: robert w on January 01, 2014, 04:39:35 PM
just "A" picture? we expect several. we need to view it like its in our hands and we own it too. but im interested to hear all the good scoop on it . id like to shoot it beside my d 24 . be fun n interesting
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: airnutz on January 01, 2014, 04:53:51 PM
I've heard the gun is a real sweety.  Kind of the sleeper category.

Here's some info;

http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/diana_280 (http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/diana_280)
http://www.airguntech.com/?p=214 (http://www.airguntech.com/?p=214)
http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread.php?669086-Diana-Model-280-first-impressions (http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread.php?669086-Diana-Model-280-first-impressions)

In Germany it's not too popular, as we can't tune legally here.  That's where the skunk lies. 

I've read in England, the folks like the gun a lot, it's tunable.  You can get more power out of it with littl effort.  I'd have to do more searching in the English press.

I do like the way it looks.  Not a big gun, but has good power.  It's heritage is renowned.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 02, 2014, 09:31:47 PM
 :'(Just got off tracking, it won't arrive till the 7th :'(
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: cvasquez on January 04, 2014, 04:07:49 PM
Garth where did you order the 280 from ? I might be interested in the 22cal version. How much was it ?
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 04, 2014, 09:18:58 PM
In Canada there are two places to order these rifles but one comes only in.177 with the T05 trigger and its the full power model, the other has both calibers and the T06 trigger but it only comes in the non PAL version under 500fps.
http://www.airgunforum.ca/store/product_info.php?products_id=134&osCsid=76130ec5f51bcc06d4ba530cc32c3f82 (http://www.airgunforum.ca/store/product_info.php?products_id=134&osCsid=76130ec5f51bcc06d4ba530cc32c3f82)
https://www.airgunsource.com/store/index.php?product=216-8026&c=53 (https://www.airgunsource.com/store/index.php?product=216-8026&c=53)
I'm not sure if they ship to the U.S.
P.S. I guess Airgun Source won't ship out of Canada, If you wanted the Canadian powered rifle I'm pretty sure the Airgunforum store does, then if you wanted to increase to full power you would need to find a piston and spring which at this time is hard to do.
T.W. Chambers may be getting some. Must be for T06 trigger.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: cvasquez on January 05, 2014, 03:01:33 PM
I see. Ok, thanks Garth especially for that insight!! I knew I shouldn have sold my Winchester 427 !!
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 08, 2014, 01:55:44 AM
Well it came, I wish I had more experience with other rifles but I only own a couple QB57s and an XSB50 so I have little to compare this Diana 280 to ;) Lets say the metal finish is better than the 57s but a little shy of the B50, the stock on the 280 is better than both the others. My chrony is out of order for a few weeks so all I can say is it feels very solid when shooting, no extra noises pretty well a solid thunk. If it wasn't so darned cold I would do some shooting out side but I had to settle for 10yds in the garage and with a 4x Beeman $25.00 special to look through I would have to say its as accurate as my XSB50 which is an easy one holer at that distance. The scope was so blurry I couldn't tell how I was shooting until I walked right up to the target but I was very happy with the result.
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/Diana2801018_zps23003c53.jpg)
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/eb9bd8e0-5bb5-4666-b21a-d4d3939c2b6b_zpscf08da59.jpg)
The lone hole on the right is a misfire, I'm still getting used to the T06 trigger which I haven't tried to adjust yet, it feels pretty good as is, the little squares are 1/4" and there are 6 pellets in the big hole.
The stippling is easy to hang on to and it balances easily
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/Diana2801003_zpsec5a485f.jpg)
I've already taken it apart and cleaned out the grease etc, it was clean as far as metal debris, there was a little excess grease on the piston but is been replaced with Krytox 205, very little to deburr, and the seal was in good shape I polished the spring ends and I'm gathering dimensions to order a PG2 kit as required by Tom at Vortek. Its all very exciting and I can hardly wait to try longer distances.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: AB173 on January 08, 2014, 05:42:53 AM
It certainly is a good looking rifle.I bet it's fun to shoot too.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: robert w on January 08, 2014, 07:28:26 AM
ahhhhh my keyboard is wt with drool niccceee . now I have a sharp addiction pain as I solomly swore no more guns for a while opps wife made me say that
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: palonej on January 08, 2014, 10:12:37 AM
What a pretty lady Garth!! Enjoy!
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: cvasquez on January 10, 2014, 04:29:46 PM
Dont forget to give us a Chrony report too !!
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 13, 2014, 10:56:21 PM
oops
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 13, 2014, 10:59:45 PM
I dug out what .177 pellets I had and set up in the basement at 12yds, these are ten shot groups. I think this rifle likes German pellets, maybe I will pick up some super domes this weekend.
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/Diana280pellettest003_zpse2222e86.jpg)
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 16, 2014, 11:53:10 PM
I have decided that the JSB Exacts are the best pellet so far, even though my latest target doesn't  look like it, I was still warming up.
For some reason I get the best velocity with that pellet as well and compared to the RWS a lot better in fact I get a terrible spring vibration with the Super Points and the Daisys but the Crosmans and the JSBs both give a satisfying thunk I think I'll try Cphps and Crosman domes next.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: Motorhead on January 17, 2014, 02:07:37 AM
Great looking and shooting rifle ... dang !!!
Views like a keeper in all respects  ;)
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 17, 2014, 11:15:36 PM
 I had it outside last weekend it was quite gusty and my groups were non existent so I wrote it off to .177s  poor performance in the wind. I put it away for a few days and I was feeling a little disenchanted with it, when I took it out again the next time I noticed one of the scope rings was almost off the rail, duh!. I took my 4x32 A/O Barska off another rifle, optically centered it and put it on a Tufforce one piece mount then screwed the set screw into one hole of the scope rail, it shouldn't slide now. Once I got it re-sighted its been very good and the more I practice the better it gets for me. I adjusted the T06 trigger a bit but there is not much adjustment left from the factory, I got it a little lighter and I am getting used to it now so not so many misfires, latest 10@12yds.
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/Diana280withbarska006_zps4e0ef5e2.jpg)
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/Diana280withbarska002_zpsd4c630b9.jpg)
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/Diana280box011_zpsb3ab65cf.jpg)
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/Diana280withbarska009_zps5a7365b5.jpg)
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: chuckinohio on January 18, 2014, 06:25:35 AM
  Watch the video contained in this post, and you may pick up a few tips or tricks on tuning your TO6 trigger to your liking-

  http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread.php?691205-Little-how-to-video-how-I-adjust-the-Diana-T06-trigger (http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread.php?691205-Little-how-to-video-how-I-adjust-the-Diana-T06-trigger)
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: robert w on January 18, 2014, 09:06:38 PM
what she weigh? I like mid sized guns more and more. got a d54 and its a bench only gun. im too old to lug it round just to plink. I love my new d-24 for that reason light n accurate ,so far not pellet picky either
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 18, 2014, 10:35:25 PM
I have seen that video on trigger adjusting but for now mine is fine, I was a little concerned about bending parts to make one of the adjustments especially if the metal is some kind of white metal.
The factory says it weighs 6.6lbs. my tape measure say its a hair under 43" tip to tip. The LOP is a hair under 14"
P.S. I picked up some Stoeger X feilds 8.64gr today and they are trying to unseat the JSBs as top dog, too close to tell so thats a good thing.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: chuckinohio on January 19, 2014, 05:30:51 AM
  I didn't use that videos guidelines either, I just keep it marked as reference.
I used the standard 'rear screw all the way out, front screw all the way in, and adjust from there' to get a good release.

  Those Stoeger pellets are rebranded H&N pellets, that's why they seem to shoot so good. My TX200 loves the Stoeger Xfields!!
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: cvasquez on January 22, 2014, 04:27:43 PM
Garth, do you have a chrony? Id love to hear how its performing power wise.I never doubted how accurate it would be- ;)
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: uglymike on January 23, 2014, 07:01:08 AM
Garth, in my humble opinion.......you need to spend some $$ on a GOOD scope for that 280. You'll never know what that 280 is capable of until you do. Kinda like putting a potato sack dress on a beauty queen!
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 23, 2014, 10:44:06 AM
Chrony will be up and running this weekend, I am saving my pennies for a new scope and I am looking at a Bushnell Legend 5-15 x 40 AO/ Mil Dot. for 180 bucks, do you think it will stand up.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: stevemag on January 23, 2014, 01:50:25 PM
AOA has 4 in stock, i didnt ask the price as they are in .177 and i want a .22
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on January 25, 2014, 10:41:13 AM
Well my results with the chrony were a bit under what I was expecting, the best I could get was 720fps with Stoeger 8.64gr ftt which equals about 9.9fpe. When I had it apart I did notice a snug fit sliding the piston back in so it may just be a matter of break in to get hopefully closer to 12 fpe. I tried other pellets and all were lighter with no higher velocity so what that means I don't know, until I can get outside for some comfortable shooting at range I am pretty happy with how its doing for now.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: Hullslap on February 04, 2014, 04:05:17 PM
Any more insights into the gun?  How loud is it and how much twang is there associated with firing the gun.  I.E. do you think it would work as an indoor gun?
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on February 04, 2014, 07:54:29 PM
I can hear spring vibration but not a lot, it depends on which pellets I'm using. I have had the best results with Stoeger X-field 8.64grn (H&N ftt) or JSB exacts 8.4grn. these pellets get the best velocity and the smoothest shot cycle. This is designed as a 12fpe gun and right now mine is a little more sub than I like but I've mostly been using it at 12yds indoors, it's not too loud as far as I can tell. I saw on a post somewhere a review with a decible meter the comparison of several quality springers and the D34 was the quietest so since the power plant in a 280 is a de-stroked 34 it should be more on the quiet side yet. I am saving for a Vortek kit but it could take a while. This rifle was originally a sub 500fps Canadian version and at that time shot the exacts at 580-590fps and the Stoeger fts at 560-570fps, RWS super points were 460+ and Daisy hollow points were 480ish. I had purchased a 12lb spring and piston to get the latest results.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: Hullslap on February 07, 2014, 07:43:31 PM
Thanks for your response, I just pulled the trigger on one this afternoon so it should get here late next week.  Seems like a pretty nice rifle for the money.  Its probably a little hotter rifle than I was looking for but I wanted something kind of nice too. 
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on February 08, 2014, 01:53:32 AM
I think you will like it, I like mine. These are nice handling guns and mine is quite accurate, the trigger works well. I have been going back and forth with my B50 and I thought it had a good trigger but after shooting the TO6 I think I may have to do some work on the Bam.
Congrats and enjoy.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: GarthThomas on February 09, 2014, 02:06:52 AM
I found another good pellet today and I won't have any trouble finding more when I run out.
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s483/Garth58/february_zps75e33e72.jpg)
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: Hullslap on February 13, 2014, 08:16:12 PM
The gun arrived today from AoA and was double boxed, upon opening I saw an inspection report on the rifle (blueing, stock condition, sights, test firing, etc.) as well as a chrony string that showed about 800 fps with Hobby pellets.  The rifle is very nice, its not heavy but 'dense' for its size as the stock is much smaller than my other air rifles.  I dont know if that is the wood used or the metal work.  There is very little twang and the shot cycle is pretty smooth and not real loud but its still a bit hot for a pure indoor shooter.  One thing I have noticed is that the cocking motion is pretty stiff, it was real stiff at first but after about 100 pellets its slowly getting better.  This is alot nicer than what I have been shooting up until now.  Nice to know about the Crossman Premiers as that is pretty much all I have on hand.
Title: Re: Diana 280
Post by: makinchips on February 18, 2014, 07:02:05 PM
now Im looking at one......................... :P