Maximus ... How much better with improved trigger?

[moorepower]

I am surprised it does not prefer the 10.3 and heavier pellets. Those light pellets are probably moving around 1000 fps.

[Marc In Iowa]

I am surprised it does not prefer the 10.3 and heavier pellets. Those light pellets are probably moving around 1000 fps.

I was surprised that my 5.56 grain lead-free pellets are only traveling at 930 fps for 10.8 fpe. I thought this rifle would function at a higher fpe level.

Maybe the oomph of my Maximus is part of my accuracy issue?

[Marc In Iowa]

I am surprised it does not prefer the 10.3 and heavier pellets.

Here's today's test at 25 yards. Best group if you discount one flyer is 10.65 gr at .65"; with flyer 1.1" CTC. Next group is the copper plated Baracuda Power 10.65 gr. at .9" CTC. These pellets travel at 848 fps for 16.9 fpe.

Maximus filled to 75%, shoot 10 pellets, refill to 75% for next trial (takes about 22 pumps to refill). So far, I've got about 150 pellets through the rifle.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Posting for future reference.
I have snded / polished the stamped pieces and found a lighter sping for the trigger group. I guess next comes the hammer spring I think... and 2 screw mod.

[toddbrat]

Marc, it is possible you haven't broken in your barrel yet with only 150 shots. I may have missed it, but did you give it a thorough cleaning first? I have a Maximus in .177 and can typically shoot nickel to dime groups at 50 yards, and quarters out to 60 if the weather is perfect. I've found H&N Sniper Mediums, JSB Monsters, and AA Heavies seem to be the most accurate in mine. I don't have a chronograph so I can't tell you what my FPS are with each, however I used Steve from AEAC's review to base my numbers on and using Chairgun for scope clicks they seem to be pretty accurate. I added a Baker trigger and it did help keep the groups tight, but I ran a tin of CPHP's first before I really worried about what it would do.

[Marc In Iowa]

Marc, it is possible you haven't broken in your barrel yet with only 150 shots. I may have missed it, but did you give it a thorough cleaning first?

I haven't cleaned it yet. Next step. I'll clean and keep going before I give up on the rifle.

BTW ... if you have a tablet or smartphone, you can use the app Chrono Connect for your pellet speeds. It gives results very close to a Chrony for about $4. It uses sounds (report, then impact) plus measured distances to calculate pellet speed. I had to fiddle a bit with setup but works well now. Works best outdoors.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Now that I have had time to read the entire thread I will say I am surprised your 177 is not as accurate as my (and others) .22. Should be reversed.
BUT if Crosman only changed the bolt and barrel to make the caliber change I say you need to try heavier pellets... Much heavier.
My .22 shot "fair" with 14g but stepping up to the 16, 18g stuff it really started to shine.
 That said I know it is apples to oranges but from 2000psi fill it is not shooting great groups until about 1700... then it is dead nuts down to 1200psi.
SO I am teathering it to a bottle with a 1600psi Regulator. (Sweet spot)
 Next in accuracy is how you mount the gun... Forget the springer "Artillery Hold".. cinch up on it and hold it like a Powder Burner.
Also I would not have waited until now to clean the barrel. That is one of the FIRST things an airgun should receive.
Check the crown, a light hone with a tapered sanding roll may be needed.
 Now, since you are new and we do not know your history... Are you familiar with the B.R.A.S.S. method of shooting?

BRASS is an acronym taught to shooters to remember how to calm themselves during a shot. B.R.A.S.S. stands for...
Breath
Relax
Aim
Slack (trigger)
Squeeze.

[Marc In Iowa]

Now, since you are new and we do not know your history... Are you familiar with the B.R.A.S.S. method of shooting?

BRASS is an acronym taught to shooters to remember how to calm themselves during a shot. B.R.A.S.S. stands for...
Breath
Relax
Aim
Slack (trigger)
Squeeze.

Learned about that on GTA in the last week or so.

I used to hunt groundhogs in the 70's on the family farm with a scoped 22 Magnum, but not much shooting since 1985 until this year. So ... some previous experience with breathing and trigger control. Probably shot 2000+ rounds in the last 8 months or so from my Hammerli 850. Now working with my HW30S and this Maximus.

That Hammerli is so easy and simple to shoot accurately, it's like a little "plinker's luxury vacation" every time I pick it up. I'm doing the Maximus to get a little more power for some FT experimenting.

[Marc In Iowa]

Additional testing today.

I decided to pump up both the Discovery 22 and the Maximus 177.

40 yards, medium wind, 75% fill

1.26" CTC, Discovery .22 CPHP 14.3 gr.
0.90" CTC, Maximus .177, JSB 10.3 gr.

25 yards, medium wind, 75% fill

0.75" CTC, Discovery .22 CPHP 14.3 gr.
0.90" CTC, Maximus .177, JSB 10.3 gr.

The Discovery group grew 68% larger out to 40 yards, whereas the Maximus group stayed exactly the same; 25 or 40 yards.

[Tater]

Good tests Marc.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Looks like the Maxi held it's own pretty well.
Nice job Marc.

[moorepower]

So have you cleaned the barrel yet? Did you clean it when you got it? In a mph wind, I sure don't think that is too bad at 40yds.

[Marc In Iowa]

So have you cleaned the barrel yet? Did you clean it when you got it? In a mph wind, I sure don't think that is too bad at 40yds.

Not yet. I ordered a "patchworm" cleaning kit.

I think .9" at 40 yards is not too bad as well. Although, I see folks reporting better accuracy from their Maximus rifles (especially at 25 yards). I'm hopeful that a good cleaning and more break in will tighten this even more. I've ordered a tin of H&N Sniper mediums too.  These shot well in an AEAC Maximus review I watched.

I'd like to shoot lead-free if I can. I've ordered some Predator GTO .22 pellets to test in my Discovery. We'll see where this goes. I'm sure a trigger upgrade will be happening too. I do like how the Maximus holds and handles, other than the short, stiff bolt for cocking. Mine is better after some break in.

[Marc In Iowa]

Marc, ... did you give it a thorough cleaning first?

I cleaned it today; accuracy a little disappointing.

The JSB 10.3 grain pellets that gave me a .9" CTC group the other day today gave me, after cleaning, a 1.6" group; both at 40 yards.

On the other hand, as a plinker, this Maximus is about as good as my Hammerli 850 but with a little more useful power so I can reset my Remington Field Target Crow at 25 yards which the Hammerli was not able to do.

I think the next step is to get the H&N Sniper Mediums and put some more pellets thru the rifle.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Do you have any kind of Moderator, LDC, whatever on the end of the barrel?
 My patterns were widening with the TKO so I removed it and patterns went back to great.
 Then I put on a cosmetic one from Alchemy just for eye candy, patterns went bad again.
 Now shooting it naked again and back to good groups.

Just curious.

[Marc In Iowa]

Do you have any kind of Moderator, LDC ... ?

Nope. I put one on my Hammerli 850 and it had no effect on accuracy. One way or another I will be keeping a Maximus. When I do, I will likely put on a TKO. I certainly hope I can get one set up without messing up my accuracy.

[KnifeMaker]

TKO didn't bother my groups at all. Still 1/4"at 30 yards. I did destroy the internals in a TKO by accidentally double loading several times.

Its' so easy to double load sometimes. LOL!!! 

If there is an accuracy issue, simply open it up slightly. Next size numbered drill bit usually does the trick. I do like to follow with a wooden dowel, split on the end to hold a strip of 320-400 sand paper. (Wet/Dry) to rid any possible swarf from the drill bit. 

Knife

[Tater]

TKO didn't bother my groups at all. Still 1/4"at 30 yards. I did destroy the internals in a TKO by accidentally double loading several times.

Its' so easy to double load sometimes. LOL!!! 

How could you tell the insides of the TKO were messed up? We've had a couple of double loads here.

[Marc In Iowa]

... my groups ... Still 1/4"at 30 yards.

22 or 177? Pellet?

I'm not getting anything like this accuracy but I'd sure like to.

[KnifeMaker]

.22 18.1 JSB.  this gun loves e'm!
Crosman domes shoot anywhere from 1/2 to 3/4" at the same distance, but with flyers. GRRRRR!!!

Knife