Wildcat Compact Low FPS

[kn1ght0wl78]

Howzit GTA!?

I’ve been reading through several threads here as well as lurking other forums, searching YouTube, google, as well as called UA for a bit of insight.  I’m either not finding the answer I’m looking for or I’m not truly satisfied with the response I’ve gotten.  I’m asking the seasoned air gunners for help.  My FX WC compact is averaging 775 FPS shooting the JSB Heavies.  I’ve seen YouTube reviews where they state they’re getting around 850ish with the same gun, same pellet.  I fiddled a bit with the HS and the 775 is the best average I could get.  When first measured out the box I got the same reading.  So I tried to get more speed but the FPS would drop whether I tried to add tension or decrease it.  I’m assuming the HS is in the sweet spot.  I haven’t touched the regulator yet and I’m assuming that needs to be my next move.  It is supposedly an external screw that I have located on the air tube.  However after watching “MasterClass” on YouTube he warns of overdoing the FX adjustment because there isn’t much room to play with.  That was also for a different FX PCP but I assume the warning applies for mine as well.  My first question is, doesn’t 775 FPS seem somewhat low even for the shorter barrel of the compact?  UA told me that seems about right because it’s a heavier grain pellet.  But when I see video reviews of guys shooting the same exact pellet with the same gun and reaching 850ish, I get a little jealous  .  And my second question, what would be the step by step procedure to reach that mark?  I will be shooting the heavies as well as the JSB hades which are about 10 grain lighter.  But I favor the Heavies and hope to get those about that 850 range.  Thank you for taking your time to read this gentlemen.  Be safe and stay healthy.  Aloha.

[cootertwo]

Patience, patience, there are many adjustments that may be out of order. I suggest doing some more reading and watching "how to" videos. Every once in awhile, the probe adjustment can be off a tiny bit, causing mis-alignment of the port, and a loss of power. Before you start tweaking your rifle, you need to understand how every part works with the other, etc. There are measurements for the probe listed on this site, and others. I'm too lazy to post a link now, but you'll find them. After all, most of us now have the time..... OK, OK, here ya go..... copied from another post:

From some of the replies above I see that some of you are missing one of the most important parts of the instructions contained in the PDF…

Allow me to draw your attention to what I consider the most important part of working on your Wildcat. For proper function it is absolutely critical that you set the depth of the feeding pin correctly. (also known as the pellet probe) I will explain this in simplistic terms that even a beginner may understand…

The air from the air tube passes into the breech block, and when a shot is fired the valve pin opens and lets a measured amount of air pass up through a hole in the breech block. That air rises up through the breech block, and then passes through the transfer port hole in the brass barrel inlet, and then passes up through the transfer port hole in the tip of the pellet probe, and then of course on out of the barrel. If that hole in the tip of the pellet probe is not centered almost perfectly over the hole in the brass barrel inlet, we say that the probe is misaligned…which robs you of velocity. The correct setting for the depth of the probe is between 28.55mm and 28.8mm…not a lot of room for error there.

This misalignment causes a dramatic drop in velocity that will drive people crazy trying to figure out the reason why, and will be attributed to many erroneous causes. When for instance a person just loosens the four screws of the front and back barrel supports, it is quite easy to grab the scope rail and the barrel and push and pull the gun assembly to and fro. You can look at the trigger's movement as you do this and see what I mean…you can also look at the pellet probe and see what is happening to it. So that in the simple process of taking the gun apart to change an o-ring or install a new regulator, the movements involved will almost certainly misalign the pellet probe.

The proper way to align the probe is described at the end of the PDF as quoted here: "Check that the measurement from the side of the breech block to the end part of the feeding pin is between 28.5-28.8 – if its incorrect release the 2 stop screws at the reload sliding bracket, then push the feeding pin in to the correct length and then tighten the screws while holding the feeding pin in the correct position."

Besides loosening the two grub screws of the "reload sliding bracket" it is possible to adjust the probe's depth by simply holding the scope rail with your left hand, while gently pushing or pulling on the barrel then checking the depth with the calipers…and repeating this process over and over until you have the depth set correctly, at which point you would tighten the four screws of the front and rear barrel supports located near the trigger guard. You may also set the probe's depth by making a depth gauge out of an old door hinge pin, that has been cut off and sanded down to the correct length of say 28.6mm…instead of using calipers.

You will not find this information or these instructions in any of the "Wildcat Disassembly/Reassembly" videos, or in any of the videos purporting to show you how to "Install a Huma Regulator", or in the ones showing you how to "Change Wildcat Regulator O-rings", etc. I strongly suggest that you download this PDF and print it out for future reference if you own a Wildcat…and I also suggest downloading the Wildcat Parts Diagrams for reference. Someday you may be glad you did!

[kn1ght0wl78]

Thank you very much for that.  Definitely a lot of information there.  I’m going to go look for my calipers right now and check on that.  Thanks again for your time.