Accuracy tips?

[HW-1]

Hi I wanted to know if there's any tips/tricks to improve accuracy?

I am using the artillery hold (sorry if I misspelled it) but that's pretty much  it.

I practice everyday but that might change due to school.

[454 Big Block Chevy]

well, for starters we need some more information!

what rifle are you using
what pellets are you using?
what scope are you using
and what distance?

i'm assuming this is a totally stock quest your speaking of? 

[ezman604]

Have you done a very good initial cleaning of the bore with Goo-Gone? All nuts, bolts and screws tight? Especially the breech pivot bolt?
I would recommend Crosman Premiere Hollow Points or others depending on caliber. Artillery hold works for most but you may have to experiment with that too. Basically, if everything it tight, it just takes different pellets and trigger time to get in sync with the gun.
Hang in there and you'll get it.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[Jonesin]

Blue loctite for screws, check scope mounts, check pellet/bore fit, INSPECT pellets for any odd shapes/imperfections, etc. How far are you shooting? What size target are you shooting at? What type of gun/trigger (as mentioned above)? Shooting offhand or using a rest/pillow? Drinking 15 cups of coffee before shooting? Practice, practice, practice...and when you're done practice some more!! :-)

[cfxlongshot]

It is almost a Zen like experience when I shoot. After about 10 shots I start to tune out the world and settle into the seat and start doing what I call "feeling the shots".  Once I get to this point I know  instantly if I missed by the feel of the trigger pull.  I try to eliminate everything from my schedule so there is nothing on my mind but shooting.  Once you get to this point the gun will tell you how to shoot it.  You will notice it will shoot differently depending on the hold.  I try to shoot the way I will if I am hunting so I usually stand with my feet about shoulder width apart perpendicular to the target. I place my left elbow on my waist and try to relax as much as possible.  I let the gun go where it wants to then I shuffle my feet one way or the other until the gun is pointed as close to the target as possible.  I breathe a couple breaths then I let the last out all the way and draw up the first stage of the trigger.  I make final adjustments to the sight picture then I squeeze slowly until the trigger breaks and suprises me.  Always remember "Aim Small miss small" an example would be don't just aim at a coke can aim at a letter on the can and you will always hit the can.

[HW-1]

I'm standing up at 10 yards and shooting beeman coated hollowpoints

[Perry]

A better trigger always helps with accuracy if yours is stock ;-)

[RedFeather]

Let's not revisit the trigger at this time, please.     Artillery hold is good.  Might try some different hand placements on the forend to find the "sweet spot".  And you needn't strangle the pistol grip.  Don't hold the gun too long.  Even Paul Bunyan's arms tire, especially as heavy as most springers are.  Do get yourself a couple different tins of pellets to see which your gun prefers.  Many guns have been sold as poor shooters that couldn't hit a barn, only to have the previous owner shown one-hole groups from the same piece, due solely to the new guy finding out which ammo works the best.  Air guns are notoriously ammo fussy.  What shoots in Bob's R9 might stink up the range in Bill's.  Wadcutters are right for ten yard work.  Get out beyond twenty and you will likely need domed pellets.  Have gun.  Keep shooting.  Study hard.  And did I say have fun?  Glad to see you still hanging around the GTA, as well.

[uncle paulie]

Glad to see you back on your feet!  All the above info is great and will get you back on the road.

pv

[Jman]

Pull the trigger with the tip of your finger, not the center, the center will jerk you off. I started using the tip of my finger about a month ago instead of the center, and my accuracy has improved greatly over longer distances.

[crazyhorse1]

Regardless of rifle/trigger used,often overlooked is how one contacts trigger with finger...you should use the very end of your finger tip...(just look at your trigger finger and move it as if you were 'pulling' a trigger..notice your finger tip will move in an arc)..not straight back...so to minimize this 'lateral' movement of finger/trigger (which can move muzle end of rifle slightly), just use the very tip of your finger on the trigger..also grip butt very lightly..

[timegoat]

I'm standing up at 10 yards and shooting beeman coated hollowpoints

Those Beeman Coated HPs might be the problem. They shoot terribly in my Diana 34 Compact. Do you have any other pellets to compare them with?

p.s. (added in edit): I've been testing a lot of pellets and did a 10m standing run recently. The photo below was shot with: H&N Crow Magnum, Crosman Premier Hollow Points, Beeman Coated Hollow Points, Beeman Coated Wadcutter, and H&N Copper Plated 8.80gr pellets. The difference is pretty clear.

[HW-1]

Hm... maybe I should get a tin of rws pellets?

[RedFeather]

Get as good a variety as you can.  Someone used to sell a pellet sampler but I can't recall who it was.  The thing is, springers are pretty ammo sensitive.  What shoots great in one gun may not be worth a darn in another gun just like it.  Differences in the bores, breech, etc.  Sometimes you can find from others a good couple of brands/types to start with that have proven reliable in your particular model gun.  But the key is to try more than one or two brands.  And, again, wadcutters for short range and domed for longer.

[timegoat]

I got my pellet sampler from Straight Shooters. A very nice selection, and perhaps one of the best shooting investments I've made yet. I thought my accuracy was terrible before I tried out many different pellets, but now I know I'm as good a shot as I always thought I was.