My first springer is on the way. Where do I start? Teach a newb.

[SteveP-52]

The heaviest ones to be honest, aren't a good idea and you can always consider trading them with other members to try pellets that aren't included in the sampler.
Normally, too light a pellet takes less for the spring to push them out of the barrel and can cause the piston to slam against the end of the compression chamber which can damage the spring, piston and compression chamber. The heavier weight pellets do the opposite and put more strain on the spring to push that heavier weight pellet out of the barrel and can cause early spring failure.
At least for mine, the ones that have been shooting the best in it have been in the 13 to 16 grain range although I have some of the 18.13gr JSB's I'd like to try in it when the weather permits and see how well they'll shoot.

[Smaug2]

Back to the original question from the original poster: Did you read the sticky threads at the top of this forum? 

There's good info there.

[PharmD]

Holy cow the shipping on that pellet sampler is steep. $35 plus $16 shipping might kill it for me.

[Smaug2]

Holy cow the shipping on that pellet sampler is steep. $35 plus $16 shipping might kill it for me.

You'll spend a lot more than that buying them in tins of 200-500 instead.

Sometimes, the pellet your gun likes is surprising; something you wouldn't have bought a tin of, just to try. For example, Ted found that a couple of his Benjamins really like the copper plated Crosman pellets. Before hearing that, I thought it was just a marketing gimmick or for folks who are paranoid about lead poisoning. Now, I buy copper plated lead pellets somewhat regularly.

[bReTt]

A lot of good advice here but overwhelming if you are new to it.  Keep everything else in mind but, just get the rifle and shoot it.  Then after you have shot it some, shoot it some more.  Next, I would say, just shoot it again.  Ha ha ha

Really, trigger time is the best thing to do.  If it gets frustrating (and it does at times) just stop and come back at it at another time when you are fresh.  Getting the right pellet will help save yourself some of that frustration so doing that will be a good place to start while just shooting it, to get used to the rifle.

One thing I have noticed while shooting a spring gun is that the POI will be different depending on how you rest the rifle.  If I sight and shoot off of bags, the POI will be off when I shoot it rested say in my hands leaning on a tree branch.  You want to sight and shoot it like you will when going after those doves otherwise you may end up missing or wounding them rather than killing them.  Best thing to do is keep shooting it and know that rifle well.  See a themes here? 😜

Mike may have a good idea of what pellets shoot well in these rifles so I would start with his suggestions and you could also post asking about what pellets others with this rifle are shooting with good results.  You should see a few of the same ones keep popping up and then you can start testing with a few of those in your rifle. 

Scopes....  I am on the cheap side when it comes to scopes but the UTG/Leapers scopes are a lot of bang for the buck and I have not had any issues with the ones that I have owned and shot on my spring guns.  I have also had good success with the CenterPoint 4-12x40 w/adjustable AO from WallyWord for $70.  Others have reported it doing well on their spring guns also.  It is BIG though.  I personally would mount a scope as soon as possible and start shooting with to it get dialed in for those doves.

Main thing again, just shoot it.  Shoot it again. Then shoot it some more.  At some point things just fall into place and then you are one with your gun! 

[TwiceHorn]

On the artillery hold, probably the biggest adjustment, if you're used to center-fire powder burners, is not using a firm planting of the butt in your shoulder and a firm cheek weld.  If you happen to be one of those that death-grips the forearm or pistol grip, you'll have to change that, too.  After you break those habits, if you have them, you'll find that you adjust, and as people have mentioned, find a good compromise between the strict artillery hold and something that's natural.

[PharmD]

Well, my rifle showed up last night. Pretty impressive - ordered with a full tune on Friday and received it on Thursday. Now the waiting game to open up the box until Christmas day. Time to start filling up the bird feeders to get those Eurasian collared doves.

[Doug Wall]

There is one very important thing that may not have been mentioned yet. HANG ONTO THE BARREL (or cocking lever) THE WHOLE TIME THAT YOU ARE COCKING AND LOADING IT! Get used to doing that with any spring gun every time. If that barrel or lever pops loose and slams shut, it can result in crushed fingers, bent barrels, cracked stocks, or other nasty things.

[bReTt]

There is one very important thing that may not have been mentioned yet. HANG ONTO THE BARREL (or cocking lever) THE WHOLE TIME THAT YOU ARE COCKING AND LOADING IT! Get used to doing that with any spring gun every time. If that barrel or lever pops loose and slams shut, it can result in crushed fingers, bent barrels, cracked stocks, or other nasty things.

Very good point!

[jp_over]

Just read through this thread - lots of good advice!