Diana 56TH (Hunter Target) - Initial impressions and performance

[Sky]

Fwiw I've found Park Tools torque wrenches are handy and accurate. My tw-1 is 0-60 inch pounds across a 2 inch indicator each way scale. Bike tools ftw.

[wahoowad]

While pulling patches through my 56TH barrel (mine is .22) I could feel tightness at the first couple inches of the breech and then again right at the end of the barrel. I decided to push some pellets and see how they did. I used a length of stiff string trimmer cord since I had to bend it a bit to get started in the breech.

JSB 15.8 and 18.1 grain pellets required moderate pressure the first 3 inches from the breech, then no pressure at all until they hit the choke at the end.

Both H&N Sniper Medium 18gr. and H&N FTT 14.6 grain (5.53 headsize) required moderate pressure the first 3 inches from the breech, then I couldn't go further with the pressure I could apply with the string trimmer cord. So no idea if they were any better through the loose stretch.

This is the loosest I've ever noticed on any of my better airgun barrels. It seems to prefer the JSB although gun is still breaking in so haven't put much faith in groups. Regardless, can't get a specific headsize in JSB anymore so can't look for one that is bigger.

I'm currently shooting the JSB 15.8gr. at 760fps and wondering if the H&N FTT at 14.6 is too light for this magnum springer?

Curious if this is normal for a Diana barrel as this is my first.

[Yogi]

Clean the barrel!
When I got my 340 N-Tec I could barely load a pellet the breech leeds was so tight.  I use Jb Non-Embedding Bore Paste and a brass brush to open it up.
You may want to do the same.

Just my $0.02

-Yogi

[wahoowad]

I have cleaned the barrel. The tightness I reported is what I consider normal - the barrel is allowing the rifling to imprint on the pellet. It is the looseness that concerns me where the pellet is possibly not contacting the rifling through 70% of the length of the barrel.

[HectorMedina]

While pulling patches through my 56TH barrel (mine is .22) I could feel tightness at the first couple inches of the breech and then again right at the end of the barrel. I decided to push some pellets and see how they did. I used a length of stiff string trimmer cord since I had to bend it a bit to get started in the breech.

JSB 15.8 and 18.1 grain pellets required moderate pressure the first 3 inches from the breech, then no pressure at all until they hit the choke at the end.

Both H&N Sniper Medium 18gr. and H&N FTT 14.6 grain (5.53 headsize) required moderate pressure the first 3 inches from the breech, then I couldn't go further with the pressure I could apply with the string trimmer cord. So no idea if they were any better through the loose stretch.

This is the loosest I've ever noticed on any of my better airgun barrels. It seems to prefer the JSB although gun is still breaking in so haven't put much faith in groups. Regardless, can't get a specific headsize in JSB anymore so can't look for one that is bigger.

I'm currently shooting the JSB 15.8gr. at 760fps and wondering if the H&N FTT at 14.6 is too light for this magnum springer?

Curious if this is normal for a Diana barrel as this is my first.

Wad,

Remember this:

"6.-The rivets are rivets, they hold the block where the barrel was inserted. Up until before the T/H line, all actions had one rivet. From the T/H line onwards and now they are manufacturing at ENSE, all actions have double rivets."



Take apart your gun and measure where the pellets become loose and you will see that its location is pretty much where the barrel was inserted into the block and then this was riveted to the mechanisms tube.

These "tight" spots is one of the things that need to be gotten rid of for maximum accuracy and precision, for average hunting and plinking purposes the choke will be enough to "rectify" the pellet further and ensure normal accuracy.

And, sorry to say so, but your best bet in the long run is to have this done by a Pro.

I will be mailing later today a gun that was prepared as a "National Park Hunter", meaning that it has been tuned to hunt with Non-Lead pellets. This is a picture of the target of the Barrel Harmonics tune process:



These are 5 shot groups at 35 yards and the black bullseyes measure a tad under ½".

Keep well and HTH!






HM

[gilberca]

On my .22 RWS54, I've found that my most accurate pellet to date is the JSB 18.1 gr.  I've tried HN FTT 14.66 in 5.53 and 5.54 mm and found that for my gun, they were not as consistent as the JSB 18.1.
The JSBs do fit in the breech looser than the HNs.   
BTW: I've tried HN FTT 14.66, RWS Superdomes and JSB 14.35 

[wahoowad]

I tempted fate today and shot a few groups in some breezy cold weather with my various springers. I shot in between breezes by keeping one eye on my wind flag. This was the only group I tried with the 56TH and figured I'd stop right there 

I shoot groups at 35 yards at a steel plate with 1/4" holes drilled in it as aiming points. Most of that group is just paint splattering away so feeling pretty good about the rifle's capability!

[wahoowad]

...and to further tempt fate...I've shot just over 500 rounds and my cheaper Leapers 3-9x40 is still hanging tough in it's 1-piece mount. No slippage either - I have marks around the rings. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Smaug2]

I'm currently shooting the JSB 15.8gr. at 760fps and wondering if the H&N FTT at 14.6 is too light for this magnum springer?

Keeping in mind that my .177 shot best with 10.2 to 10.5 gr. pellets, I don't think 14.6 is too light. It may not shoot the most accurately or carry the most downrange energy, but it's certainly not too light.

[HectorMedina]

I tempted fate today and shot a few groups in some breezy cold weather with my various springers. I shot in between breezes by keeping one eye on my wind flag. This was the only group I tried with the 56TH and figured I'd stop right there 

I shoot groups at 35 yards at a steel plate with 1/4" holes drilled in it as aiming points. Most of that group is just paint splattering away so feeling pretty good about the rifle's capability!

Pretty good Wad!

HM

[wahoowad]

Continuing to shoot and enjoy this gun, but starting to get more aware of a noise. It is a heavy buzzy twang that will make everybody think of spring twang when they read that, but it sounds like is is coming more from the action and/or other moving parts. The big hollow section of the stock seems to help accentuate the noise. I'm sure a spring tune will help a lot but would love to identify and eliminate any other sources. Any ideas on this model?

Not sure if related but I've also noticed a little movement in the sled action. With the gun horizontal I can lift/lower the cocking handle a tiny bit and hear/feel a little movement. I'm pretty sure this is movement allowed by the guides, and might be the spring loaded bearings moving with the spring? The sled itself feels properly adjusted so this might be movement that can't be eliminated due to the springs naturally needing to move?

[straightshooter]

I have not shot mine yet and have no idea what the noise may be? Not sure either on the movement, other than the normal sled movement while cocking?

Maybe this video may help?

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=123537.0

[chuckinohio]

  A tiny bit of side to side, or lateral rocking, is normal for the 54. Both of mine do it, and the general consensus from those who know much more than me, is that it is a non issue. Rocking along the long axis of the rifle isn't something that I've ever seen.
 

[wahoowad]

It isn't side to side, it is up/down. Kinda like what you would expect if the stock bolts weren't threaded in all the way (although they are)

[wahoowad]

Hadn't shot the 56TH in a couple weeks, distracted by a new PCP I picked up. Anyway decided to put a few shots downrange on my 49 yard range. Feeling pretty good with this and wish I could do more longer range shooting. My 49 yards range has limitations so can't do a lot of it. Gun has great potential!

[straightshooter]

Very impressive, how does the accuracy compare to the HW110?

[wahoowad]

Very impressive, how does the accuracy compare to the HW110?

At 35 yards the HW110 is generally tighter.

At 49 yards I think the wind was helping open up my HW110 groups as it is 177, so the 56TH was doing better (today).

[wahoowad]

Must be my lucky day (well, it is...it's my birthday  )



It's been a hard day on the ol' 49 yard golfball...

[jusanothajoe]

Great Shootin !! Happy Birthday

[straightshooter]

PCP Accuracy!
Happy Birthday!

Enjoy!