springers - is it just me? or is this about normal

[poomwah]

I tried a springer last fall.  I can't remember which model, but I think it was a crosman, grey synthetic stock, built in muzzle weight.  Anyway, it had a really great feel.  When I was lucky enough to hit something, it hit hard, and could reach pretty far out.  I could not, however, get the scope sighted in to save me a##.  I tried the artillery grip, I tried holding it as loosely as possible.  It just wasn't happening.
  I like the concept of a springer.  powerful, inexspensive to shoot, not effected as much by temperature.  but if they are that hard to shoot well, its obviously not for me.
    Does it sound like I was doing something wrong?  should I try again? should I try different types of springers? or should I get a springer and use it with open sights? (which would kind of defeat the purpose for me, since I would want a "high powered" springer to be my "distance" gun.

[wilded]

Sounds like the scope was moving in the rings or mount. Or the recoil had messed up the scope insides. JMHO

[poomwah]

I had thought of that, I marked the scope with masking tape against the rings to check for movement. none, it had a recoil pin to keep the rear scope ring from moving, and the scope was meant for a springer.  I havent had any problems with the scope on other guns, I'm still using it to this day on my pump.  I know a pump doesnt have the recoil, but I figure if the recoil of the springer messed up the scopes internals, then the scope would probably be shot altogether from that point no matter what it goes on

[wilded]

That leaves you or the rifle.

[Brooks P]

There is a learning curve involved – Springer’s function a bit differently than any other type of gun due to the recoil taking place before the pellet leaves the gun. But my first question to you is how many pellets did you shoot before you tried to sight-in the scope? Most Springer’s don’t perform all that well straight out of the box – there is a break-in period. This break-in can be speeded up some with a tune-up or even a lube-tune; otherwise you might be looking at firing 400-500 pellets through the gun before the parts begin to wear-in.

If you want to try again, I’d suggest you start with something like a RWS 34, or even a Weihrauch HW30, not real high-power rifles. These guns are likely to have a bit better quality to them and having a bit less power are easier to learn how to shoot; my RWS 34 was shooting reasonable groups right out of the box, and the group tightened up some after I did a lube-tune. The gun is easier and smoother cocking now and the twang is gone when I shoot. The RWS 350 Magnum is reported to be a real beast and not an easy rifle to tame even for people who have shot Springer’s for years.

One problem with some of the magnums is that it is possible to fire a pellet at a speed that exceeds the speed of sound (1129 fps at 70-degrees at sea level) and that plays havoc with the flight of pellets – they become very erratic. A tuned RWS 350 Magnum may hit speeds of 1250 fps, as will some of the other high power (magnums) from other manufacturers.

This is a good time to follow the old adage, learn how to walk before you try to run.

[poomwah]

That leaves you or the rifle.

I totally agree... and I don't think it was the rifle, LOL

[JonnyReb]

  Springers just have more variables involved than any other kind of gun i can think off. They only like certain pellets, temperature makes them hit a diffferent poi, hold style is more critical as is trigger pull and repetition. Add to this the unique recoil that destroys scopes and makes them and mounts move and loosens screws everywhere on the gun... They are tough to master.  Everything everyone said above was dead on in my opinion plus i'll add that you need a proven scope and mount, even if it runs you another $50-100.00 it's worth it for the piece of mind a good solid scope brings.  EVERY cheap scope i ever had with the exception of leapers just didn't hold up to recoil from a springer.

  Just make sure you start out with a quality gun as Brooks said and you won;t have to do so much tweaking when it comes to making it shoot straight, on the other hand, all the tweaking is what makes you into a proficient airgunner.   J

[Rico14]

Definitely try again. You've gotten good advice from the guys here. Everyone who has shot a springer has felt the same frustrations you have. Practice, practice, practice. The more you shoot, the more familiar you'll be with your AG. I wouldn't be too concerned about getting the most powerful AG. Magnum springers can be tough to shoot. Shot placement is more important than power. A pellet traveling 1000 fps does you no good, if it doesn't hit your target. As was mentioned, when you get a new AG, put one or two tins of pellets thru it to break it in, then find the pellet it likes. A home tune will do a lot, but if you want the best results, send it to someone for a complete tune. A professionally tuned AG is a joy to shoot

[GatorGunner]

You would be amazed at how inaccurate the wrong pellet can be in an airgun.   I always am blown away at how some pellets produce flyers in very good quality airguns.  I keep a pretty expansive assortment of pellets on hand when I'm shooting a new airgun.   I wish all my guns loved the cheap Crosman tins at Wal-mart, but alas, they seem to always work best with the expensive JSB's  .

You really have three basic areas to concentrate on:  your hold, the scope, and the right pellet.  There are other variables as well, but these primary ones should be addressed first.

[a1Bogey]

Is it you or the AG?   Difficult to say.  Too many variables.   It took me months to get to the point where I felt that I could hit a quarter at 15yads on almost every shot.  At first I blamed the AG.  Then I blamed myself.  Then I realised it was both.   And finding the correct pellet is important.
It all improved with practise, practise and more practise.

Bogey

[poomwah]

wow guys, I had no idea HOW MANY variables there were and how many things I was doing wrong.
 I had totally blamed myself .  So now I'm only PARTIALLY blaming myself, LOL.
Things I KNOW I was doing wrong.....cheap walmart crosman pellets, no break in (I didn't even go through a tin of pellets before I returned the rifle) and I KNOW I'm wobbly.
 oh yeah, I remembered what rifle it was... It was a crosman G1