RWS 48 - Purchased as Remanufactured - Having a Hard time Getting Tight Groups

[Ilex Opaca]

I'm hoping an RWS 48/52 veteran might have some insight/advice: I'm new to air rifles, purchased a remanufactured RWS 48 .177 with a 3x 32mm RWS scope, I'm into it, love the rifle, and regularly try to improve my skills at 20 yards but I cannot shoot a tight group consistently.

I've put about 1500 pellets through it, recently cleaned the bore, and I check the stock screws and scope/ring mounts regularly. I can hit ping pong balls (standing with a light hold) more than 2/3 of the time. But, when I bench rest at paper targets the best I've been able to achieve is nickel sized groups. More often than not I end up with 2" groups – some dead-on, some way off. I use quality pellets – right now I'm working with Miesterkulgens.

This might be a case of "you get what you pay for," or my shooting skills might not be good enough for me to evaluate the rifle. I wonder if the rifle has an inherent flaw that lead it to being remanufactured yet persists? Should I continue to try and self evaluate or send it out for a tune? What is the typical total cost with shipping of the work/repair? Any thoughts?

Thank you for your time and consideration!

[s10gto]

Thats a very powerful rifle for mid weight pellets. I get the same results with my 52 .177 ( same gun different stock) with those pellets. Try using heavy pellets 10+ grain. I can do dime size groups with JSB heavys 10.3 grain.

Dustin

[thekid]

Miesterkulgens are for ten meter target practice and work best out of lower powered airguns.
Might want to try switching to a heavier round nosed pellet ( domed). like JSB 10.3 grain or crosman ultra mag heavies 10.5 or the barracuda from H&N/Beeman 10.6.
You will find they are more stable then the flat nose and carry more energy to target.

Also you may need some work on the inside like a new seal, but definitely change pellets. I have the rws 34 .22+ .177 along with the RWS 350 .177, I only use heavies in the 350.
Rob

[redone1992]

It may be that you haven't found the proper hold to get the best groups.
I had the same thing with my gamo when i found the right hold my groups
came in.
Springers are hold sensitive!  

[bart the fart]

all good points....try the rws ultra mags weighing in at 10.2gr. my 52(same gun) likes those and the 8.3 JSB's. the mister's might be a bit too light. and down the road when the scope breaks(and it will) remember to get a quality springer scope...mine wears a 3-12x44 UTG swat scope...keep at it, my 52 shoots bench GREAT at long ranges...cheers Bart

[Gary]

I shoot 10.5 gr. Crosman domes in mine and have to say that is the best pellet I have found for my gun. It will do nickle sized groups at 35 yards if I do my part. It is a hard rifle to learn. The hold must be the same for every shot. Good luck with your gun.
Gary

[Nathan]

Since you seem to do ok when shooting standing (2/3 hiiting ping pong balls) I think it's a hold or pellet issue, not the gun. When you bench rest, how are you holding the gun? Are you using a lighter "artillery" hold, a firmer grip or resting directly on the "bags or rests"? If you're using a light hold try firmer or vice versa. Which ever hold you try, don't rest the rifle directly on the "bags". As other said, try a more mid or heavy dome pellet. Your M48 could be over powering the Meister wadcutters. If all else fails, try shooting with the iron sights, to see if the scope is suspect.

Nathan

[Mark 611]

Ilex all good advice here and if you keep on having accuracy issues you might want to check into another scope these guns can destroy one real quick!

[Ilex Opaca]

Thanks for the solid advice!!

I will try the heavier pellets. I believe I have developed a good hold but perhaps I need to work on consistency of the hold. Standing, for me, a very light hold works best - in fact I basically suspend the rifle with the butt barely (if at all) touching my body. At bench rest I do rest the forefront of the rifle on a bag - so I use one hand. I'll work on a better bench hold. Yes, I'm saving for a better scope/mounting system. Thanks again!

Oh, and I just did a penetration test at 20 yards and learned that 22mill steel will stop a pellet. Something tells me it would make it through at closer range.

[amb5500c]

There are dozens of different brands, weights, sizes and shapes of pellets. You need to test your gun with as many as you can in order to determine which configuration your particular gun barrel will shoot the best.
Richard

[Jay]

Yes try different pellet's, an when benching use your hand between the bag an gun, guess you could say use the same hold on the rest as you are off-hand, the bag just being used to take/make a more steady shot.

[Kailua]

I am a beginner also in shooting springers.  I am giving my input because the groups I have now are pretty consistent all because of the old timers advice on shooting techniques.  I have a semi soft bag with a towel so the rifle won't jump on recoil.  Gripping, placement of finger on trigger, the way you squeeze the trigger affects the shot.  Like one of the old timers mentioned very light on the shoulder.  Different pellets have better groups also.  To me the bottom line is the rifle has to shift straight back on recoil it does take time for the pellet to leave the barrel.  I know the old timers can be better help in shooting techniques.  And there is some help on Youtube.

[hzyl0402]

I use JSB heavy 10.2g on my 48, shooting around 900fps. When shooting mag springer you need to use loose hold on your hand, do any change will make a POI change. You can check a topic "the thing I found in the range today with my 48", I shot my gun with and without glove, POI went up to bull's eye.
I just tuned my gun with JM's VRT kit, it reduced the firing circle, and made a more solid sound, a little quieter than original. You may want to upgrade your scope, 3x scope is hard to get a good group, remember to get a high quality one, my 48 ate 2 of my scopes. NcStar last 200 round, and Leapers last about 1500 round. Hope this will help.

Liang

[Ilex Opaca]

Thanks Again all. I am relieved that the consensus among everyone is that it's me... and not the rifle! I had a few RWS mag pellets around which are heavier but flat nosed, and some JSB Exacts which are rounded, lighter, (but a bit heavier than the Meisters). With a little more focus on my hold I'm getting better results, and best with the JSB Exacts. I'm still not getting dime size groups but I'm putting two pellets through the same hole here and there, and sometimes twice in the same 5 shot group. In my view this confirms that it's my hold - so I'll work on it! Oh, and I'll order some JSB Heavies!

As per everyone's scope comments... I would like to get a trustworthy scope and not have to go through the expense of trial and error. Bart recommended the 3-12x44 UTG swat scope. Any other suggestions?

I love this friggen rifle!

[hzyl0402]

My 3-12x44 UTG swat scope just dead after 1500 round, pick a better one! The POI now is shifting here and there, cannot zero at all.
Anyone know beefy but priced right one, please also let me know!


Liang

[JimL911]

Take a look at Hawke scopes.
http://www.hawkeoptics.com/

[thekid]

leapers are great scopes for the money spent.
It does not matter what scope you buy, if you do not use a pellet heavy enough to cushion the impact of the piston...every scope no matter how good will DIE.
Rob

[Kailua]

I have a Hawke Air Max it had a rattle when shaking it.  Kept the box shipped it back and got a new one under warranty no problem.  Mean while got a Leapers 4x12 AO so far so good.  So with a lifetime warranty on a scope its good to have a back up.

[Ilex Opaca]

Gothya, heavy pellets. Thanks!!

In the meantime, thanks everyone for eliminating within me doubt about the rifle. Now that I know it's all me... it's been helpful... consistency of hold. I switched to JSB Exacts that I had around and below are the early results. Might not be impressive to you veterans.. but encouraging:

[longislandhunter]

That's some mighty fine shooting.  Glad to see you've got it ironed out  

I have a 48 in .20 cal that I bought a couple of years ago and mine likes the heavier pellets as well, specifically JSB domes and Kodiaks.

Jeff