Diana 350 .22 finally broke in

[Ike the GSD]

I have about 800 pellets through my Diana 350 .22 now and I wish I would have saved the targets from when I started shooting it when it was new and show how it/ I have improved. It's dramatic, some of my groups early on looked more like they were fired from a smoothbore with 2" at 23 yards more common than not, now even on a bad day that number has been cut in half with some one hole groups I can cover with a penny. I know much of it is me getting used to a magnum spring piston rifle.  It's a gratifying feeling breaking in a wonderful air rifle and becoming better at the same time as the rifle settles down.  It seems like every shooting session with the 350 gets better and I love it:) I wish I had a gauge to know how much of it is me and how much of it is the rifle breaking in, but in either case I am so glad I bought this rifle, she's heavy and a work out to carry in the woods all day, but big girls need lovin too 😜 The targets in the picture are left to right 5 shots 10 meters H&N 14.66gr FTT 3 shots same pellets at 23 yards (she's definitely getting better;)

 That's all I have,
 

Wes

[Duckfish]

It was my first adult airgun. 

What scope and mount are you using?

[Ike the GSD]

It was my first adult airgun. 

What scope and mount are you using?

I have a 4x32 A/O UTG Leapers with a Leapers scope mount and rings.

[35 shooter]

Nice shooting. The 350’s are definitely accurate.

[WolfyW]

Sweet ! Another great 350. Enjoying mine, too, as my avatar would suggest. Curious what head size of the FTTs  you're using. I initially tried what I had on hand, 5.53mm and 5.54. Ended up with dime size groups at 30 yards  using 16 gr JSB domes, 5.52. May try H&N again some day  in a different head size.

[Blowpipe Sam]

I have heard that the recoil of that gun is considerable.  You are probably wise to go with a 4X scope.  I think that fixed power scopes hold up better on magnum springers.  Glad to hear that the gun has broken in and you are mastering it.  Are you thinking of hunting with it? 

[Deerstalker]

I have about 500/600 pellets through my HW95L and my groups are improving.  This is 25 yards with H&N 14.66 FTTs.

[Yogi]

It was my first adult airgun. 

What scope and mount are you using?

So Ed,

You started with a hard cocking magnum springer?  Jumping in to the deep end?

-Y

[Ike the GSD]

I have heard that the recoil of that gun is considerable.  You are probably wise to go with a 4X scope.  I think that fixed power scopes hold up better on magnum springers.  Glad to hear that the gun has broken in and you are mastering it.  Are you thinking of hunting with it?

I have hunted with it, I haven't bagged anything yet but small game season goes until March so hopefully I'll have a chance to enjoy a squirrel or rabbit or two using her The recoil is definitely stout for an air rifle, but the scope seems to be holding up just fine. I chose a fixed power scope for the reason you suggested, but also I find I leave variable power scopes on one setting all the while anyway and this scope was only $38.99 at Optics Planet 😉

[Ike the GSD]

Sweet ! Another great 350. Enjoying mine, too, as my avatar would suggest. Curious what head size of the FTTs  you're using. I initially tried what I had on hand, 5.53mm and 5.54. Ended up with dime size groups at 30 yards  using 16 gr JSB domes, 5.52. May try H&N again some day  in a different head size.

I'm using the 5.53mm diameter this rifle loves them! So far it's shooting the Barracuda Hunters as well as the FTT's and they are standard diameter 5.50. I'll try to post some targets using those so you can see how close the two pellets group. I've bought three tins of H&N pellets so far, the two mentioned here and the .177 Barracudas and they all shoot well. My German girls have expensive taste LOL

[Ike the GSD]

I have about 500/600 pellets through my HW95L and my groups are improving.  This is 25 yards with H&N 14.66 FTTs.

Good shooting, glad to see your rifle is breaking in as well, I love the H&N 14.66 FTT's by the way!

[Ike the GSD]

I goofed on the targets I posted, the ones in the original post are the Barracuda Hunters the range specs and everything is correct. Here is a target I fired using the H&N FTT's @ 23 yards I can't remember how many shots were in the group, but at least five shots total including the one high center shot...here it is

[Nate the airgunner]

Those 350s are great rifles from what I’ve seen people post on here. I’d love to pick up one of the .22 T06 guns PA has for only 350. One day.....

[WolfyW]

^^^^^

30 yards, 5 shots. Rested on a bag...

[Ike the GSD]

^^^^^

30 yards, 5 shots. Rested on a bag...

That's a nice group, I wish I could get 30 yards here! I shoot in the sitting position no rest other than my elbow and fat belly LOL

[uglymike]

^^^^^

30 yards, 5 shots. Rested on a bag...

that'll work!

[Ike the GSD]

^^^^^

30 yards, 5 shots. Rested on a bag...

I notice your lined paper is tearing out like it does with me, making the pellet holes less distinct. I'm going to try putting a corrugate backer on the lined paper using the kiddie stick glue and see if that helps. I'll post targets for that experiment too if you'd like. I bought a pack of six magic markers of various colors from the dollar store and have used a small carpenter square with holes in the ruler from 1/8-1/2" and just scribbling in the circle. I splurged on a pack of 3/4" stick on circles like people use at garage sales for pricing, you can buy a pack containing over 300 of them for less than $1.50 USD   I'm glad you're enjoying your 350 as much as I 

[WolfyW]

^^^^^

30 yards, 5 shots. Rested on a bag...

I notice your lined paper is tearing out like it does with me, making the pellet holes less distinct. I'm going to try putting a corrugate backer on the lined paper using the kiddie stick glue and see if that helps. I'll post targets for that experiment too if you'd like. I bought a pack of six magic markers of various colors from the dollar store and have used a small carpenter square with holes in the ruler from 1/8-1/2" and just scribbling in the circle. I splurged on a pack of 3/4" stick on circles like people use at garage sales for pricing, you can buy a pack containing over 300 of them for less than $1.50 USD   I'm glad you're enjoying your 350 as much as I 

Sometimes I mount a sheet of paper on a cardboard box, sometimes its paper with or without a backing on the electric box/Duct Seal box. Sometimes I use a paper tacked to a tree stump. Not too fussy, myself. That group was a sight in after the break in. Just needed confirmation that the unit is a bona fide squirrel buster . 
I've got other air rifles, non magnums. And I get it that the 460 is more advanced in springer technology.  But it was time to add a magnum, for fun. And the break barrel kid in me won. The 350 sometimes gets a negative wrap. Its not everyone's cup of tea for various reasons.  But I enjoy seeing posts like yours. They testify to the fact that the 350 is generally an accurate Springer. Jus find their preferred pellet and hold, and enjoy the ride.