Air Arms S510 carbine regulated revisit

[LDP]

So as some of you know I recently acquired a BSA R10 MK2 and gave a comparison between it and my S510 carbine based on my opinion of the two rifles. Those of you who read that thread know I picked the R10 over the S510 carbine as the winner. It is a close race between them and I am sure there are plenty of people who would disagree and like the S510 more but thats how I feel about the two.

 I like the R10 more so my S510 has been sitting in the gun room and hasnt been touched since the shooting session to film the 100 yd accuracy comparison I did in the video. I dont like to have rifles that sit instead of getting used and the fact that the S510 is such a good rifle makes it even worse. So I thought about the situation over the last week and tried to figure out a way to get the S510 shooting again. I contemplated selling it even as good as it is because it deserves to get used. Then I thought of other ways to make it more usable since the R10 has taken over the role of ground squirrel and long range pest removal the S510 once fulfilled.

 I came to the decision to turn the S510 carbine into a lower powered rifle. There are several advantages to doing this and it made sense for my needs. I decided to go for a tune that would put it around 15 - 17 fpe if the regulator and hammer energy could be made compatible with that power setting. That power level would allow me to use the S510 for allot of pest removal I do at my feeders I have on my property and meat hunting grouse, doves and quail. I dont like allot of power or an abundance of power when meat hunting. I only need a laser accurate rifle and enough fpe to humanely kill the target at the ranges I would be hunting. So the S510 tuned to 15 - 17 fpe is more than enough power to get the job done and its proven itself in the accuracy department time and time again. That makes the S510 the perfect candidate for my needs

Heres a quick break down of the settings for the S510 carbine tune I set up when I regulated it:

Reg setting: 137 bar
Hammer weight: 49 grams reduced to 34.54
Hammer spring: original
Fill: 3150 psi

Set up like that with 18 gr. JSB it was shooting 28 fpe and getting 34 shots but I used 30 to make it an easy even mag number. The reg was giving an ES of 17 fps but that was only one or two shots with the rest having 14 fps and less for an ES. If you watch my videos you already know how accurate it shot

 
 The numbers for the new tune:

Reg setting: approximately 68 - 70 bar. The scale that is on the huma reg doesnt show below 80 bar so its a guess but based on the fill gauge its right there.
Hammer weight: 34.54 reduced to 32.6 grams
Hammer spring: after market that was lighter than OEM and was cut approx 2 - 2 1/2 coils. Sry I dont have the spring rate but I will see if I have the packaging it came in and I will update if I find the info.
Fill: 200 bar
 
This setup gives 17.3 fpe with 18 gr. JSB which equates to 657 fps avg. I didnt run a full string due to time but I filled it to 100 bar and got 40 shots before it fell off the reg Those 40 shots had an ES of 10 fps with all but three falling into an ES of 4 fps. So this tune should give me over 70 shots and maybe as much as 80 - 90. The side lever is so easy and smooth it doesnt feel like its even linked up and working. The AA rifles have great side levers to begin with but using the lighter spring made it ridiculously easy and smooth. I didnt think the S510 could get more accurate but I am going to say I believe it is after setting it up with this tune. I am very pleased with how it turned out and the S510 should see action again

Heres a couple pics of the hammer after milling it to cut the weight a couple more grams



If this doesnt get me shooting the S510 nothing will and I hate to say it but I will sell it if I dont use it. I am excited about this setup tho and I think its gonna get some good use once again.

[Tweeter]

Excellent result I'd say, especially with the amount of air you have to work with in a carbine sized cylinder!

[Jking]

Sounds interesting Leland and I agree with Tweeter about the lack of air to work with. Nice job there. I know how hard it is to stay interested in what used to be a favorite gun when a new one shows up. Since I regulated my S510 I've acquired the Vulcan Tactic and the FX 500 Royale and I still have my Regal XL so most of the time the S510 gets overlooked when I have time to shoot. I think that's a lot of the determining factor (time to shoot) so you want to play with the new toys. Now with your review of the R10 and the new FX Streamliner coming out I've been considering selling my S510 as much as I enjoy shooting it. Don't know why I'd need another one, there's only so many hours in a day, can't shoot what I have now to the extent that I'd like to. 
JK

[LDP]

Thanks guys.

Jimmy thats the problem I always want to try something new but then I have to find a way to keep it or one of my other rifles in use.

[MonsterMaxx]

Well, paid and waited for my huma regulator, it was sent signature required which means over an hour of farting around getting to the postoffice on the meager hours it's open.

What do I get?  A padded pack w/ a damaged regulator!  A big dent right at the o-ring.  I simply cannot believe that Huma would send such a precise item in a padded pack.

Guess I have to go thru it all again. 

[Precision Hunter]

Well, paid and waited for my huma regulator, it was sent signature required which means over an hour of farting around getting to the postoffice on the meager hours it's open.

What do I get?  A padded pack w/ a damaged regulator!  A big dent right at the o-ring.  I simply cannot believe that Huma would send such a precise item in a padded pack.

Guess I have to go thru it all again. 

I was a little surprised with Huma's packaging but, mine arrived without damage. 

Precision Hunter

[Motorhead]

Personally would think a HIGHER reg pressure would help efficiency a bunch !
That weight of hammer at such a low set pressure is likely still over dwelling valve ?
Would think a set pressure closer to 90-100 bar will get a more snappy valve opening of lower dwell.


JMO .... nuttin more

[LDP]

Scott I agree that a slightly higher set point would be even better. I just hate pulling it apart again lol. I will set it slightly higher sometime this next summer. The reg did seem to be on the lower end of the best window based on hammer energy. I do think the reg is more likely 70 - 80 bar and based on sub 12 setups 90 - 100 bar is used frequently. So I want to try for 90 - 100 and see what happens. Right now it just stacks pellets on top of pellets at 25 yds. Its extremely accurate