Cocked spring?

[markavlo]

I'm new to this. If you walk around hunting for a couple of hours with the spring cocked in a break barrel air rifle, will eventually the spring lose strength? Otherwise, how is it done?

[longislandhunter]

First let me welcome you the GTA, it's very nice to have you with us

As for your question, the answer is yes. Leaving a springer cocked for to long, over time will indeed reduce the power of the spring.  You mentioned a couple of hours and that time period is indeed to long to leave it cocked.  I usually load and cock my springers when I enter the woods and start hunting but if, after about an hour I haven't found any game to shoot at I'll just take a practice shot at something thus relieving the strain on the spring.  I've been doing this for several years now, since I got into air rifle hunting and I my chronograph testing hasn't showed any significant loss of power in my rifles.  Another option is to crack the barrel just enough to load a pellet then close the barrel again.  When you do see a game animal you already have a pellet in the barrel so all you have to do it cock it and fire.  I use this procedure also at times, but for the most part I load and cock and hunt and like I said, after about an hour I'll take a practice shot. 

I'll be looking forward to your future hunting posts and again Welcome 

JEff

[keith2324]

C/P this from another source. Good info though.

Keith.


V0     prior to test
V1
   gun left cocked for 1 week  (168 hrs)
V2
   gun left cocked for 2 weeks (336 hrs)
V4
   gun left cocked for 4 weeks (672 hrs)
V12
   gun left cocked for 12 weeks (2,016 hrs)
V24
   gun left cocked for 24 weeks (4,032 hrs)




Rifle.
   V0
   V1
   V2
   V4
   V12
   V24
   Final %
FPS loss.
HW30
   655
   648
   630
   592
   521
   481
   26.6
HW50
   705
   682
   678
   640
   565
   513
   27.2
HW35
   715
   698
   689
   652
   576
   533
   25.5
R1/HW80
   975
   965
   944
   891
   789
   739
   24.2
Webley  Vulcan Mk3
   818
   808
   785
   739
   640
   599
   26.8
Webley  Hawk
   655
   638
   630
   589
   519
   476
   27.3
BSA Mercury
   695
   679
   668
   630
   552
   511
   26.5
FWB124
   794
   774
   770
   728
   645
   596
   25.5

There were 2 spring failures (breakage) suffered by the Webley Hawk on weeks 4 and 12. None other suffered the same fate. I attribute spring failure to the absence of a spring guide in this make and model.

While the percentage reduction in m. velocities varied, reduction was generally around 25% of original m. velocity taken prior to commencement of test.

It should be noted that these percentage decreases are theoretically optimistic as the air gunner would more likely experience reductions in velocity greater than the statistics shown here. Dieseling, weight & size (diameter.) of pellets used, improper lubrication, temperature, conditions of usage etc. can all have an adverse impact on the life and power of a mainspring.

This test does show that leaving a spring airgun cocked, no matter for how long, will adversely affect the life and power of any mainspring.

Custom springs will be more resistant to decrease in power but the process will still occur over a longer period of time. I do not suggest that you change the ways you hunt but I point out, as Tom Gaylord has done very well, that be prepared to pay the price of higher maintenance.

Comment From R Best.
While one hour doesn't seem too horrible, the figures from 2 hours on are disturbing. It also agrees with an experience I had with a C-1 (Webley Vulcan). The gun had been left cocked---on a gunrack in someones pickup truck-- for two weeks. When I tested it afterwards, it was down more than 150 fps with Premiers. perturbed me off ! I wound up buying a new spring from Beeman because of this. RB

This is why don't keep mine cocked for more than 1/2 hour at a time. (Rus is one of the US's leading airgunsmiths).

I regard Ken's effort as quite remarkable and very valuble as it shows BY TESTING what effect leaving a springer cocked has on the rifles FPS and I would rather it wasn't lost in the depths of a forum.


http://www.ora8i.rivington-riflemen.org/cocked-springer.html

[markavlo]

Thanks a million.

[oldpink]

longislandhunter's advice about loading before cocking is something I do myself, and it's a good technique when your shots may take quite some time to present themselves, as it was with me, waiting a couple of hours for the starlings to show up in my back yard.

Another option to completely bypass the problem would be to either convert your springer to gas ram, or buy a gun with a gas ram already installed.
A cheap option that seems well liked is the Titan GP, available at Wal-Mart for about $150.
A really nice one is the Remington NPSS, but be prepared to bring $300 (at PyramydAir, but shipping will be free).
However, the Remington comes with an excellent Centerpoint 3-9x40AO scope with mount, which saves you about $80-$90.
The Remington looks very appealing, too.

[only1harry]

Welcome to the GTA and the hunting gate!

You got some great advice.  2-3hrs cocked will not harm the spring.  You 'd have to leave it cocked a lot longer than that, but leaving it cocked 2-3hrs consistently (hundreds of times) may have an adverse effect over a long period of time, but by that time you may have taken thousands of shots, and it might be time to replace the spring anyway.  I usually do not let more than 2hrs pass before taking a shot, and I too prefer returning the spring to its original shape after 1hr. 
I will admit, there have been a couple of times where I forgot and left a couple of them cocked for 4hrs.  I put them through the Chronograph and there was absolutely no difference in velocity.  I put all my guns through the Chrony every month.  It helps me identify any issues, and gives me a very good idea of the state of health of the gun(s).

Since you are new to Springers, it is very IMPORTANT that you do not "dry fire" the gun.  This means do not ever shoot it without a pellet in the breach.  It would cause more damage and misalign parts. Symptoms may not be identified or reveal themselves right away.. especially when you are new to the gun and don't know how it is supposed to behave.  If you have cocked it without a pellet in it, just break the barrel open again and load a pellet, then shoot.   

[Mebits]

good stuff, guys.

I note that twice now, I've left my gun cocked overnight by accident. I'd be really honked off if it was a really expensive gun, or if I actually WANTED all that power (the BC is overpowered for my little back yard). It's easy to do if you are loaded and ready but see "company" in the neighboring yard. If you get a distraction, it's easy to forget.

One thing I am doing now is that if I put a cocked gun down, I put a large rubber band over the trigger guard. That way I can see if I have a loaded gun.

[The Knot]

I don't doubt what any one say but i leave my springers cocked hours at a time back to back and never notice any diffrence game always gose down if i do my part . 5 years running on one spring good call on the dry fire harry important advice  .