D 48 Which Vortek Kit

[Smoke Ratchet]

I have a 1991 vintage D48 in .177 cal. which I believe has the TO1 trigger. I am considering installing the Vortek PG-2 12ftlb. or the PG2-K. I am thinking that the PG-2 would be easier and smoother on the gun, and still have enough to take rabbits and other small critters @ 40 yds. or less with pellets in the 7.9 to 10.2 gr. weight. I know that this question has probably been asked a thousand or so times before (I apologize) but any thoughts from experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Smoke Ratchet

[Roadworthy]

You may find the Vortek kit a bit snappy or harsh.  I have found their seals too hard to seal well (my experience).  I far prefer seals from Air Rifle Headquarters and would likely source my kit from there as well.  I believe Connecticut Custom Airguns sells springs, etc. as well.  By the way, the best seal for a Diana is probably the original - again, my experience.

[Smoke Ratchet]

Roadworthy,

Thank you for the reply. I had also looked at ARH's kits, but was not sure if they would work with a TO1 trigger. And, thank you for the "heads up" with your experience with the seals that worked well for you. That is the type of info I am looking for.

Smoke Ratchet

[Artie]

Hector (CCA) was in the process of relocating but I think should have access to springs specifically for the 48/52/54 platform.

[Paul E]

The vortex kit is nice in my 48 with the T06. I have the pg2 full power kit in mine. I agree with the Diana seal being the best. Mine is a .22 and is very accurate both before and after, but the shot cycle is harsh.

[Roadworthy]

I just finished installing the ARH kit into my Diana 34 - T01 trigger.  It fit great, works fine, and is incredibly smooth.

The trigger used should affect neither the spring nor the seal.  In fact it is possible to upgrade a T01 gun to a T06  trigger - just add money.  One must replace the piston as well as the trigger group.

[HectorMedina]

I have a 1991 vintage D48 in .177 cal. which I believe has the TO1 trigger. I am considering installing the Vortek PG-2 12ftlb. or the PG2-K. I am thinking that the PG-2 would be easier and smoother on the gun, and still have enough to take rabbits and other small critters @ 40 yds. or less with pellets in the 7.9 to 10.2 gr. weight. I know that this question has probably been asked a thousand or so times before (I apologize) but any thoughts from experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Smoke Ratchet

Hello SR,

Interesting that you want your 48 at around 12 ft lbs.

T-O1 guns like yours usually perform very nice at HP (16-18 ft lbs in 0.177").

It's all in the rifling that was used way back then.
At 12 ft lbs the best pellets are in the 7.8 - 8.5 region. And any accurate pellet will suffice with a well placed shot on a bunny.

For guns capable of hitting the target with at least 700 fps, some advantages may be gained if pellets like the CrowMagnum or the Predators are accurate at the intended ranges. 12 ft lbs guns can't always do this at 40 yards.

Vortek kits are good, but if you shoot over 50 shots per week, you will find that the springs "tire" at around the 2000 rounds mark.
Maccari kits are less stressed and the single guide creates less friction, so the spring itself needs to start from a lower energy point to achieve the same MV.
They will yield specced energy longer.
My favourite springs nowadays are the Titan XS, which are wound with a considerably larger OD. As big as the internal diameter of the piston will allow.
Some "tuners" have expressed this is a bad idea, but clearly they don't know, or realize, that the stresses in a spring go down with the CUBE of the OD. So, that a 5% increase in OD will reduce the stresses by almost 15.8% and this IS a considerable number when steel endurance is concerned.
Problem with Titan springs is that they do require a custom made guide.

In the case of some of Vortek's PG2 the length of the outside spring guide may vary with the version of the trigger block. If you do decide to go with Vortek, do call and ask.

I can supply you with any of the three options in High Power.

To change a gun to sub 12 ft lbs, I prefer to short stroke it.

But that's a complete makeover.

Hope this helps and let me know if I can be of further assistance.


HM

[Smoke Ratchet]

I have a 1991 vintage D48 in .177 cal. which I believe has the TO1 trigger. I am considering installing the Vortek PG-2 12ftlb. or the PG2-K. I am thinking that the PG-2 would be easier and smoother on the gun, and still have enough to take rabbits and other small critters @ 40 yds. or less with pellets in the 7.9 to 10.2 gr. weight. I know that this question has probably been asked a thousand or so times before (I apologize) but any thoughts from experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Smoke Ratchet

Hello SR,

Interesting that you want your 48 at around 12 ft lbs.

T-O1 guns like yours usually perform very nice at HP (16-18 ft lbs in 0.177").

It's all in the rifling that was used way back then.
At 12 ft lbs the best pellets are in the 7.8 - 8.5 region. And any accurate pellet will suffice with a well placed shot on a bunny.

For guns capable of hitting the target with at least 700 fps, some advantages may be gained if pellets like the CrowMagnum or the Predators are accurate at the intended ranges. 12 ft lbs guns can't always do this at 40 yards.

Vortek kits are good, but if you shoot over 50 shots per week, you will find that the springs "tire" at around the 2000 rounds mark.
Maccari kits are less stressed and the single guide creates less friction, so the spring itself needs to start from a lower energy point to achieve the same MV.
They will yield specced energy longer.
My favourite springs nowadays are the Titan XS, which are wound with a considerably larger OD. As big as the internal diameter of the piston will allow.
Some "tuners" have expressed this is a bad idea, but clearly they don't know, or realize, that the stresses in a spring go down with the CUBE of the OD. So, that a 5% increase in OD will reduce the stresses by almost 15.8% and this IS a considerable number when steel endurance is concerned.
Problem with Titan springs is that they do require a custom made guide.

In the case of some of Vortek's PG2 the length of the outside spring guide may vary with the version of the trigger block. If you do decide to go with Vortek, do call and ask.

I can supply you with any of the three options in High Power.

To change a gun to sub 12 ft lbs, I prefer to short stroke it.

But that's a complete makeover.

Hope this helps and let me know if I can be of further assistance.


HM

Hector,  Thank you, Sir for your reply and information. I apologize for not responding sooner. Unavoidably occupied for a few days. I am going to rethink the project, and look at some other options. I will be perfectly satisfied with a 12fpe gun. As close to original as possible, with perhaps a little smoother shot cycle. Thank you, again!

Smoke Ratchet

[Smoke Ratchet]

I just finished installing the ARH kit into my Diana 34 - T01 trigger.  It fit great, works fine, and is incredibly smooth.

The trigger used should affect neither the spring nor the seal.  In fact it is possible to upgrade a T01 gun to a T06  trigger - just add money.  One must replace the piston as well as the trigger group.

Roadworthy, Thank you for the info. Apologize for not responding sooner, out of order for a few days. I am rethinking my options, and looking at the ARH stuff again. Thank you,again.

Smoke Ratchet

[LAalex]

     I have the full power PG2 kit in mine (.22) and it's a dream to shoot.  At about 750-1000 shots after installing the kit, I lost 20-25 fps.  7000 shots or so later it's still making right around 800-810 with AA 13.4.  I would think with heavy (10-11 gr.) pellets the 48 would be superb.  I want a .177 myself when funds are available.  Let us know what you decide.