Diana 34 Accuracy Issue

[Sky]

So I'm loosing my mind I think. I have two D34s, and liking them I got a full tuned Xisico xs25 to join them.

I was wanting to compare the tuned clone in 22 to the stock and self tuned D34s both in 177.

So here's the rub. I can get any of them to shoot better than several inches at 15 yds. Like no grouping whatsoever.

I broke out my 97ks, r7, d350 and a Chinese Beeman...so I didn't forget how to shoot.

I'm doing something wrong with all three d34 and I'm not sure what it is. I remember the real Diana shooting good previously. I checked all the basics, screws are tight, scope not run out, different scopes...

Anything specific to the 34 I'm totally missing?

[Blacktalon6]

Are the springs in good shape.

[Bryan Heimann]

Check your screws?

[Roadworthy]

Most people worry about the forearm screws.  My Diana 34s will get loose front screws in the trigger guard.  This will result in pretty wide variations in elevation.  Consider Vibra Tite VC-3.  Of course scope screws could be an issue.  I hold all my 34s the same.  I'll put my thumb on one forearm screw and my middle finger on the other.  My index finger kind of lays in the cocking slot.  I'll allow the gun to slide front to back but it's not allowed to torque to the side.  From the bench you should be able to get half inch center to center five shot groups with a bit of a refresher.  I can't believe you've got three bad scopes AND three bad guns.  If in doubt clean the barrels and put a few pellets down them to season them.  Perhaps spiders nested in the barrels over the winter.

[Bryan Heimann]

All I know is I lost count how many shots I put inside less than a quarter with mine last time I went home.  I hit the exact same spot enough to poke a hole in my steel burn barrel with the supermag wadcutters from 20 yards, just laying the gun on my cat's play tower for a rest.  And no weird stuff going on with my hold either.  Just laid it on the cat's deal, support the butt with my off hand... and just held soft thats it.

[superchikn]

I have a 34P in 177 self tuned with an ARH kit (not the reduced power one).  I had not shot it in several weeks.  Today, at 30 yds first five shots or so got got me a half inch.  As I started settling in she was printing a few quarter inch groups.  And then not so much.

It was gusty out ... but it was me getting cocky or distracted or lazy with my hold.
I lay my hand flat palm up at the front of the texture on the fore grip.  With my right hand I hold the stock firmly, thumb parallel to the stock and push my shoulder into the butt, but not enough to need me to counteract with my off hand.
I shoot Crosman heavy domes out of the box. 

When I don't get the hold right 1/2"-3/4" groups.  When I do get it right it just blows me away.

[RBQChicken]

Another thought: When I find myself shooting a formerly accurate gun poorly, I find that I have forgotten about "follow through".

[Sky]

Just a reminder that this is 2 d34 and a clone. I mentioned that I checked screws.

So three of the same rifle I'm dealing with and shooting poorly with.

[Bryan Heimann]

Do you have a solid rest to support your off hand?

With all three, only thing I can think of is to "bench" them on bags and try it that way.

If your accuracy is better "benched" directly on bags than it is on your hands (even with the hands rested) then it is most definitely you and not the gun!

[mpbby]

I would..

- use trustable brands pellets;
- pass the 3 rifles through the chrony;
- test the scopes; https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?board=184.0
- try to find other trustable shooter with springers.

[fwbsport]

The only air rifle I have owned that had a tight chamber is the one FWB I have.
This rifle tells me which pellets are loose and which are tight over all better than any other rifle; as the "feel" of the push required to flush the skirt below the breech face is easily estimated.  The FWB barrel is over all a "tighter" bore I think and even if it wasn't it's choked at the muzzle.  I take the FWB chamber to be more "right on" than the chambers of any other air rifle.  I guess it should be that way with the cost.

However, to imagine a barrel that is bored out of diameter to the caliber to the point of hard pellet insertion is something I've never heard of before.

[Sky]

Okay I think I have this figured out. It was a lack of attention on my part.

Here's the issue: I had eye surgery a couple weeks ago, and have been using reading glasses. When I pulled the 34s out to test I just adjusted the scope diopter and got them in focus. When I got frustrated I grabbed other rifles and had my glasses on.

So something about the objective adjustment and lack of glasses and AO I think messed up parallax.

I tried again today with the lens diopter screwed back in and with glasses and they are shooting much better. Not perfect but acceptable. I'll get a final prescription later this week so I'll wait till then to really test the theory

[Roadworthy]

Thanks for the update.  I'm glad things appear to be working out.

[RedFeather]

Cataract surgery? I had mine done for distance and there went my iron sights, most of which I prefer to shoot. I've used 1.5 readers but WalMart just got in 1.0's, so I bought a pair. Haven't shot with them yet but I can see the sights and target much better now. Next up will be .75's. Oh, the Joy's of growing old!

[Sky]

Cataract surgery? I had mine done for distance and there went my iron sights, most of which I prefer to shoot. I've used 1.5 readers but WalMart just got in 1.0's, so I bought a pair. Haven't shot with them yet but I can see the sights and target much better now. Next up will be .75's. Oh, the Joy's of growing old!

Exactly. Mine for distance as well. Getting prescription lenses later this week, so I'm just going to wait till then. I spend 8+ hours a day on a computer, and the readers are killing me. But hey, at least I can see:)

[RBQChicken]

Cataract surgery? I had mine done for distance and there went my iron sights, most of which I prefer to shoot. I've used 1.5 readers but WalMart just got in 1.0's, so I bought a pair. Haven't shot with them yet but I can see the sights and target much better now. Next up will be .75's. Oh, the Joy's of growing old!

I've found the 1.0 readers work well for me with peep sights. Sharpens up the front sight without affecting the target.