Hatsan Edge vortex .22 accuracy issues

[MGSS]

Hi everyone! I just got into the airgun hobby, picked up my very first rifle about a month ago, and have been hooked on plinking since. I have been following the forum for a while for all things air rifle related, particularly scopes and sighting in air rifles. It's a pleasure to join, and thank you for your welcome and advice.

6 weeks ago, I purchased Hatsan Edge Vortex .22 from Airgundepot.com. Initially, I was very impressed by its quality and fire power. I am a new airgunner, but last year I purchased Ruger Blackhawk elite .177, and after 2 weeks of fiddling, I got tired of its inaccurary and promptly returned to Walmart. Having only as the Ruger as a reference point, I was impressed with the feel and quality of Hatsan. Prior to purchase, I also have done brief research and I got the impression that within $100 budget, it blows the Ruger, Benjamin, Gamo, and Crosman out of the water in similar price range.

I used crosman premiere hollow point to sight the gun in. But I've had some issues with the scope. I would use 20 yards to sight in, using a stationary platform, pillow, and artillery hold. But after a few days and few more shots, it would shoot all over the place. It would get a nice 1/2 inch grouping, but after 20 shots, it would lose its zero.

I took off the scope and have been shooting using open sights, and have been happy with it for a while. I zeroed the open sights at about 10 yards, not an impressive range mind you. But now after 750 shots, I noticed I kept losing zero with the open sight as well.
When I calibrated the rear sight turret for elevation, the POI are relatively where they should be. However horizontally they are way off. The POI is now 3-4 inches to right of target, I get a nice 1/2 to 1/4 inch groupings there, just not on the target. Regardless of how many times I sight in 10 yards, after 10-12 shots, the pellets is  misdirected 3-4 inches to the right, although vertically, they are within calibration. Currently the rear sight has been adjusted almost all the way to left to compensate.

So instead now, I've changed my approach to shooting, I intentionally 2 inches to the left of the target, and it does seem to get a nice grouping close to middle of the target. It's strange that open sights are off or the barrel has tendency to shoot 2-4 inches to the right of target.

I also noticed that the effort required to cock the rifle is 60% from when it was new, and I feel like something is rubbing inside the compression chamber, it's not as smooth and slick as before. Although cocking effort is easier, I feel there is more frictional resistance on the inside, if that makes sense.

I cleaned the barrel with bore snake (no metal brush) and cleaning patches. I have not sprayed any oil/lube inside the the chamber yet, because I read it on this forum how that could diesel and harm the rifle.

I tried adjusting the trigger, but it refused to unscrew, so I didn't force it. I tightened all other screws to tighten the stock to the action.
I would appreciate your helpful advice and tips. I am not comfortable enough to tear down the rifle and start replacing parts, I read it requires spring compressor for that kind of work.

I was happy with the rifle, but also feeling  a little let down after reading so many good reviews about Hatsan, I didn't expect to have any major issues after 700-800 shots or 5-6 weeks of ownership. If it didn't keep shooting to the right, I'd have been happy about the purchase.

[SteveP-52]

First, the Optima scopes that come with the Hatsan rifles are well known to not be so good and most owners either order something better when they order the rifle or they do not long after. Hammers makes a nice 3-9x40 AO scope with included one piece mount you can pick up off Amazon for about $60 delivered. I have one and they're pretty good scopes:


Second, not all guns stay liking the same pellet so it never hurts to test a few. Cheapest way without buying a dozen different tins is the sampler pack from Straight Shooters. 25 of each of 18 different brands and types of pellets is $35:
http://www.straightshooters.com/straight-shooters-full-pellet-sampler-.22.html

The open sights I don't have an honest answer for, all my guns are scoped, but they can get loose and there have been a few posts about it. I never use them on any of mine so not sure if any of them are actually off or not.

You might check the barrel pivot bolt, it just requires taking the action out of the stock which is just taking out the 3 screws you tightened. If the barrel has side to side play, it might explain your shots going right. You might also shine a light down the moderator and see if there's anything inside it that your pellets might be clipping.

As far as adjusting the trigger, unscrewing that screw won't help. It needs to be screwed in farther and the factory screw isn't quite long enough and needs to be a hair longer to get a lighter trigger pull. The one in it is an M3 x5 and you need either an M3 x 8  or an M3 x 10. Your local hardware store should have them and I got allen head screws for mine as it's easier to slide an allen wrench in there with the stock on to adjust it than trying to get a phillips head screw driver in there. I'd also recommend getting some 5mm flat washers to put between the star washers and the stock on those front stock screws as over time, they'll chew up the stock. This thread may help some with the trigger part:
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=102268.msg962086#msg962086

You can also fill that stock to get rid of the echo and vibration when you shoot. There's any number of ways from plumbers putty, to ziploc bags filled with rice to how I did mine if you happen to have the pellet foam Pyramyd Air or Air Gun Depot use to ship pellets in. You can see that here:
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=103077.0

Hopefully the above helps a little and don't hesitate to post if you have more questions.

[REACTOR - NIN]

Hey Axel, Welcome to the GTA. ! !
You are not the only one that have these problems. 
I had exactly the same situation with my H95qe. similar to yours. Check your rear sight for side play. If there is, dismantle it, use white tape ( for pvc pipe tread use) to go round the screw on the stock. The hole beneath the rear sight have a little spring, make sure it align with the hole. From my observations,  that hole is too big for the screw on the block.  And then, check the rear sight unit too, if it still wobble side way a little,  you can use the white tape ( or scotch tape)to fill the gag. Fix the rear sight back and check again. Be patience,  you may not succeed on the first attempt. Try again until you feel with your finger that it doesn't wobble anymore. And about the issue that you need to adjust the windage to the left to zero your rifle, I have the same problem too (see the photo attached ). I leave it as it is because the front sight is unadjustable. LOL ! I guess we had the same dude that assembled our rifle on the same boat!! 
 Like Steve mentioned , check the barrel rifling for any abnormality. Hatsan rifles prefer the heavier pellets, IMO.  The rubbing sound or ^honking^ from the cylinder tube which I think is the biggest problem. I suspect your vortex ram is starting to leak. And it effect accuracy too. The cost of gas ram replacement is $50+ .You can convert her to coil spring too if you want. I converted mine to coil spring and I am very happy that I did. I love the way she shoot now and no regret about the purchase. I give all credits to Jeff aka privateer, the hatsan's whisperer, who professionally advice me with the conversion. Thanks Jeff!
 Axel, If your rifle is still under warranty, I suggest you sent her back.
And don't give up on Hatsan, they are accurate and powerful if you are lucky to get one.

[kerplunk]

Send it to Hatsan to be repaired. They don't seem to QC rifles coming out of the factory but they do QC the ones they repair before sending them back. My .25 Edge had all kinds of problems when I got it, but when I (finally) got it back from Hatsan it shot well and I swear they had even done the trigger "trick" on it for me. You can also send the scope back with it and the will upgrade you to an AO version for $20.

You may also still be able to return it to AGD, and you would almost certainly have another rifle faster that way, but no guarantee that rifle would be any better.