HW30s not shooting up to the hype.

[dwm]

Hi All,

It's been too long since I posted here at GTA but I think this is the best forum for my issue. I have a HW30s that doesn't live up to the touted accuracy the gun enjoys. I love shooting it but the accuracy is very inconsistent. The HW30s has a reputation of not being pellet picky, or hold sensitive, but mine is... and it seems to switch favorite pellets? I haven't chronied it for awhile but it was very consistent when tested in the past. H&N Field Trophy 8.64's, just one of the many pellets I have tested in the gun, shot between 591 and 602 fps over a 15 shot string, for a ES of 11, and that ES was common for other pellets. I have tried 3 different scopes on the gun and it currently has a very nice Vortex Diamondback 4-12X40 AO, which is a beautiful scope, and I'm sure the scope isn't the issue. So the issue is, I can get the gun to shoot tight patterns at 60' with a given pellet, but then the groups will open up, or start more open, then get tighter. I've tried just about everything from cleaning, hold, oiled vs non-oiled pellets but I can't find the magic combo. Any thoughts? Just about every review I have ever read about the gun talks about laser accuracy. Not mine, I'm perplexed.

Thanks!

DWM

[Airjason]

Does the groups string up and down? If so, then the barrel is not locking up in the same position on cocking. I had this happening on my HW50S when I mounted a scope on it. It gets worse after changing the breech seal, where the barrel droops down until the seal squishes flat with use. I went back to using the barrel sight. 

[wahoowad]

dwm,

I have a HW30S. Yours should shoot sub 1-inch groups at 20 and 30 yards if you can get your technique right and also assuming your gun doesn't have any issues.

A lot of what you describe sounds like typical springer issues many of us experience. As a first step I would chrony it again since that is a good diagnostic tool.

When things get whacky/inconsistent I typically:

• take off stock, put back on and firmly tighten screws. Yes, they can work loose.
• clean barrel
• check scope screws
• try again

Find a hold that works and stick with it. The tiniest bit of variability in hold will alter your POI. Happens to me all the darn time, forcing me to slow down and go back to the basics of doing the right hold and breathing that works. I don't get consistent groups unless I force myself to use the exact same hold and shoot at the same spot in my breathing.

Good luck!

[dwm]

Airjason & Wahoowad,

I think you both have some good points. Airjason - I have seen straight line up and down variance in poi. I'll have to play with how the barrel is seating after cocking. I like shooting the gun with iron sights but my eyes don't care for them. not worthy getting old:)

Wahoowad - I've done most of what you suggest, but will do it again. Chances are it is the shooter more than the gun:) I mainly shoot a .22 Cricket PCP, which being a PCP, isn't hold sensitive like a springer. I have had some amazingly tight groups with the HW30, just wish they were more consistent.

Thanks for the input guys!

[Petey]

dwm,

I have a HW30S. Yours should shoot sub 1-inch groups at 20 and 30 yards if you can get your technique right and also assuming your gun doesn't have any issues.

A lot of what you describe sounds like typical springer issues many of us experience. As a first step I would chrony it again since that is a good diagnostic tool.

When things get whacky/inconsistent I typically:

• take off stock, put back on and firmly tighten screws. Yes, they can work loose.
• clean barrel
• check scope screws
• try again

Find a hold that works and stick with it. The tiniest bit of variability in hold will alter your POI. Happens to me all the darn time, forcing me to slow down and go back to the basics of doing the right hold and breathing that works. I don't get consistent groups unless I force myself to use the exact same hold and shoot at the same spot in my breathing.

Good luck!

At 20 yards it should be a single Hole all day ---- with the right pellet.

To the OP.....try the jsb 8.44 or JSB Exact 7.87gr...If one of those doesn't do it there's a problem somewhere.
How new is the 30s? Some / most HW's are over lubed....with time that lube will migrate forward of the piston seal and cause all manner of accuracy problems.

[dwm]

Petey,

I'm a fairly experienced springer shooter and have gotten some really great groups out of the rifle, then it goes to poop. This gun has around 1500-2500 pellets through it, so I know it is broken in. I've shot a bunch of good pellets through the gun, including both you suggested. At one time it really liked jsb 8.44, but now doesn't. Currently it is shooting Meisterkugelin 8.2 wadcutters the best.

Your over lube theory is interesting. The gun has dieseled in the past so maybe there is too much lube. I've toyed with getting one of the piston kits for the gun and dumping the spring, but I don't know if it is worth it.

Thanks again all!

[Mark 611]

I have a question have you opened the gun up and looked inside?

[Booger]

To the OP. I bought an RWS-34 .22 and I did pay for the 10 for 10. I should have returned it right after I got it. Later I bought a D-34 .177 and she is amazing. The tuner who tuned my .22 would only replace the spring because it shot so well.

If you read through the post it gives in detail what my tuner did. It now shoots good, but in hindsight I got a lemon and that can happen with any gun. I have learned my lesson. Here is the thread if you wish to read through it.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=42151.0

[dwm]

Mark 611- I've worked on my PCP's but never on a springer. Guess I've been envisioning taking apart an old watch, as soon as you take the back off springs go everywhere:) Might have to try it though.

Philidor - I might go the tuning route. I just don't want to give up on this gun for some reason.

[Mark 611]

IMO I think if your having issues its time to open it up and clean it out, HW tends to over lube their rifles which causes them to be inconsistent at times, the only way to correct this is to properly re lube and do the minor polishing or tuning that needs to done JMO

[LAalex]

dwm,

I have a HW30S. Yours should shoot sub 1-inch groups at 20 and 30 yards if you can get your technique right and also assuming your gun doesn't have any issues.

A lot of what you describe sounds like typical springer issues many of us experience. As a first step I would chrony it again since that is a good diagnostic tool.

When things get whacky/inconsistent I typically:

• take off stock, put back on and firmly tighten screws. Yes, they can work loose.
• clean barrel
• check scope screws
• try again

Find a hold that works and stick with it. The tiniest bit of variability in hold will alter your POI. Happens to me all the darn time, forcing me to slow down and go back to the basics of doing the right hold and breathing that works. I don't get consistent groups unless I force myself to use the exact same hold and shoot at the same spot in my breathing.

Good luck!

IMO I think if your having issues its time to open it up and clean it out, HW tends to over lube their rifles which causes them to be inconsistent at times, the only way to correct this is to properly re lube and do the minor polishing or tuning that needs to done JMO

I agree with the above quoted.  Time to open her up and tune.  BTW, good to have you back Mark.

Scotty

[LAalex]

OOPS!  Didn't see the date until after I posted.  Well, hope to have you back soon Mark.  We miss you here.

Scotty

[Brazos]

By chance is the any wind when you are shooting.  Since you say your shots are stringing at times it sounds like a tail wind or head wind problem.  It doesn't take much wind at all.  Also try some JSB RS 7.33 grain pellets.  My HW30S and a lot of other like those pellets.

[EMrider]

Every time accuracy has faltered with one of my R7s, it has been either inconsistency in how I am holding/resting the rifle or barrel lockup.  Barrel lockup was the more challenging fix. It required a new breech seal and a relatively gentle touch when closing the barrel after cocking. No slamming it shut.

Good luck

R

[Doctorsolo]

My HW30 is capable of great accuracy but it is hold sensitive.

All springers are hold sensitive. That's why I'm starting to move away from using them for practical stuff.

[BmaS]

I used to think that mine was the least hold-sensitive of all my springers.  I don't know whether I'm just not used to shooting it, or whether some of the others are actually less sensitive to hold, but lately I have not been able to shoot it as accurately as I could before.
When I do my part, my HW30s is as accurate as any of my springers.  When I do my part...

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

I am fortunate, my HW30 is not especially hold sensitive.