Finally got the chrony out today...

[daved]

As some may know, I recently traded my last PCP, a Talon SS, for a Diana 54.  Part of the deal included dialing in one of the barrels for the new owner before sending it off, and that means you HAVE to fire up the chronograph :-).  Got the Talon shooting nice, and decided it was about time to see what some of my other rifles are doing.

I haven't chronied my .177 Diana 34 since shortly after installing a Vortek kit in it.  At that time, it was doing about 13.8 fpe with CPL's, which has to qualify as pretty good in anyone's book.  I've since switched this rifle to tin pellets, I'm using the Dynamic Sn-1 pellet at 7.95 gr., or about the same as CPL's.  They're very accurate in this rifle, and make a wicked SMACK! when they hit a starling.  Now I know why it's so wicked.  They chronied at just under 911 fps average, that's 14.65 fpe.  SD is 4.18.  Not bad for a 13 fpe rifle.

Next up was my Beeman R9 GF .177.  I've had this gun for awhile now, and I ran it over the chrony after tuning with a JM tune kit, but never saved the results.  All I can say is it was doing around 15 fpe, but I don't remember for sure what pellet I was using to test it, or if it was a little over or under 15 fpe.  Well, it's shown a marked preference for H&N FTT's, very accurate and consistent.  Turns out they pack a serious punch, too, average velocity is just under 914 fps for 16+ fpe!  SD is 5.93.  Straight Shooters lists the R9 as a 12-14 fpe rifle, and they have a nasty reputation for being hold sensitive.  In fact, I passed on buying a new R9 in favor of a used HW 77 a few years back just because of that reputation.  Bad move, if this one is any indication.  Plenty of snap, obviously, and not the least bit hold sensitive.  I can shoot leaning against a tree trunk, across the hood of my truck, or off my Caldwell Rock BR bench rest.  I can even shoot it off hand, and I not so good shooting off hand :-).  This is the one that I'd keep if I could only keep one.

Last but not least, my new to me .22 Diana 54.  They call this beast the Air King, and I'd have to say it's well named.  This thing has never been tuned, and according to the previous owner, it's never even been opened up and lubed.  And it shows in the chrony results.  Beeman FTS's only averaged 784 fps, AA Heavies (same as JSB Heavies) did 694 fps.  That's only 20 fpe, plus/minus, in a rifle that should be at least a couple or three fpe higher.  FTS's are very accurate in this rifle, 3/8" 5 shot groups at 25 yards is very doable, and I expect that will improve once I get the trigger dialed in to suit me.  The AA Heavies are VERY consistent, SD of only 2.03, although they don't seem quite as accurate as the FTS's.  That may change once I get around to tuning it.

All in all, I'm really pleased with these numbers, especially since I tuned the 34 and the R9 myself.  I'm looking forward to getting into the 54, if I can get results comparable to the other two, I'll have a very sweet shooting mid 20's fpe rifle, maybe even a touch better.  Not that I'm tuning for power, but if I get it in addition to creating a sweet shooting rifle, I'm sure not going to complain :-).  I gotta say, I sure picked the right time to come back to springers.  JM has been around forever, and provides great products.  And now, with the addition of Vortek to the tuning scene, it's a can't lose scenario.  And I think I've run on long enough, later.

Dave

[uncle paulie]

Daved.. thanks for the reports, being a one gunner(for the time being) its good to know what is going on with the rest of the AG world and especially over time. I think a lot of guys tune their guns and after a little while forget to do follow-ups in order to see how the gun is performing after 500 or 1000 rounds, when things really start to settle down.  

pv

[tjk]

Super new Daved!! It's always rewarding to tune your own rifles and enjoy the end results. You will really like the 54 after a tune and a few hundred rounds through it! tjk

[only1harry]

Very nice Dave!  It certainly looks like your "new" 54 is a winner as far as accuracy and consistency (maybe not power too much), and the rest of your guns are performing great as well through the Chrony. 

The 54 is not really a 350, but it should be a ~21fpe gun, 22 max (in stock form) from what I 've been reading in the Dianawerk forum for 3+yrs.  So 20fpe is only slightly less than stock.  I am sure once you are done with it, you will see better #'s, but it may also need a new spring.. (or put the Vortek kit in it).

[Nathan]

What's the altitude where you live @ Dave? I am at 4700 FASL. The last time I checked my M54 it was averaging 804 w/ FTS. Mine has been tuned and has a JM Monolith spring. So your is not doing too bad for stock.

Nathan

[daved]

I'm only around 1800', Nathan, and you're at least the 3rd person that's told me mine's doing pretty good, especially for a stock rifle :-).  Nonetheless, it's in pieces on my work bench, waiting for me to decide what to do next.  I think I'll just lube it and put it back together for now, everything looks pretty good.  At some point in the not too distant future, I'll probably order a Vortek kit and some seals, mostly just because that's what I do with springers :-).

I appreciate the interest and comments, guys, that's what this forum is all about.  Hopefully, I'll post an update after the weekend.  Later.

Dave