RWS 350 Magnum Cleaning Question

[erpiii]

Hello

I just bought a RWS 350 Magnum (.17) and I noticed that the cleaning pellets, I used to clean it for the first time, went in the breech nice and easy and then down the barrel just until the fluting starts for the front sight.  It then starts to get tighter before the exit.  I have many other air guns and this is the first one I have had that does this. All the others just run out the end with the same amount of pressure the whole barrel length.  I also have cartridge rifles that exhibit the same pressure all the way down/out when I clean them, including a 17 HMR. After I had the 350 barrel finally cleaned, I stuck a pellet in the breech and then ran it down with the cleaning rod and there is definitely a slight constriction the last inch or so.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal for an RWS air gun?  I have inspected the crown and I can find nothing out of the ordinary; or that looks different.  I measured the distance by pulling out the rod and checking the length against the outside of the barrel to tell exactly where the constriction starts and it's about 35mm from the end of the rifle. It's not stopping the pellet from exiting the rifle (which I have test fired) , but I haven't run it through a crony yet to see what the speed is.  I plan to sight it in from about 30 feet tomorrow, just using the current sights on the rifle, to see if it will hold a pattern.

Anyone have a RWS 350 Magnum that could tell me if this is normal? 

Thanks,

erpiii 

   

[Mark 611]

not to worry! its normal when they crimp the barrel for the sight grooves it tightens the bore a little and some call it a choke so it good!

[erpiii]

Mark 611,

Thanks for the info!  I've looked up "barrel choke" and I can see the how and why of it now.  It's Interesting that in all the guns I've owned/cleaned, this is the first time I've come across this condition.

Thanks again!

erpiii

[Bandit_46]

Hey,I hope you like the 350.I have one in .22 cal with the 8 groove barrel and she's a Honey! I didn't care for it as much with the OEM spring,but I bought the Vortek kit and she's as smooth as glass and the Beast everyone talks about is tamed with the Kit.

Mine shoots H&N FTT's @ 872 fps and CPHP's @ 886 and she's as Accurate as my 34P or the HW 85 Luxus I had and sold ever was. The 350's a sweet shooter whether you use the Macarri Kit,or the Vortek kit.
If mine stays like this I'll be Happy,,but if the power drops with this Kit,I'll be going back to the Macarri kit,(But so far so Good)!

Hope you Enjoy the 350!

Thanks

Oh and btw,,if you have a choke on that one,then most likely you have the 8 groove barrel,as my buddies has no choke and his is the 12 groove.

[SAADE]

Choke (done right) is a good thing, no worries. Big time bench rest .22 LR guys pay tons o' money for choked barrels.

[SAADE]

PS, hope youre just pushing those cleaning pellets thru the bore, right? If you want to shoot e'm thru, put a dab of oil on it followed by a pellet and shoot it. Doesn't do a lot of cleaning at high speed but can be good for removing mositure from the bore etc.

[Bandit_46]

Choke (done right) is a good thing, no worries. Big time bench rest .22 LR guys pay tons o' money for choked barrels.

SAADE's right on the money! Ya gotta Love a Good choke for Accuracy.

Thanks

[erpiii]

Thanks again for all the info!

I ended up sighting it in today but still haven't checked the speed yet.  I found the sights to be really close at about 33ft.  I only had to shoot 5 groups of 5 shots to get it sighted in where I wanted it.  I did this in 30 degree weather sitting in a lawn chair with the sun at my back.  I used one knee up and rested the stock in my open hand (with mitten) palm up on my knee.  It was tough to see well because of the sun glare on the target.  On the first shot I was a little too loose with the butt in my shoulder... but I learned quickly after that.  I was actually quite surprised at the kick, given that I shoot a belted magnum. I held it a bit tighter after that. I adjusted the rear sight after each group and ended with the group in the center. I can't wait to get a 16 or 24 power scope mounted. This looks to be a fine shooter.  I do have a bit of spring ratchet that I can hear and feel.  Maybe I should put some heavy tar on the spring or maybe even get a tune kit for it!

BTW, should I be looking at a UTG droop mount for this gun... or just a regular 4 bolt single with a pin stop?  I might want to put a 50 scope on it... the UTG with low rings should give me enough barrel clearance, but not too much, right?

erpiii

[Onebaddj]

Glad the new shooter is working out. The utg mount is what i recommend. Go with the droop mount and if you dont need it then trade it for one with mo droop.  Odds are you will need the droop comp mount. I use the med rings on both of mine. Works great and give a little more room. Try running some jsb 10.2 gr pellets through that sucker mine loves those. 35 yd 1/2 in groups and just under 18 fpe at the muzzle and around 13 at 28 yds. That 350 can be a very accurate powerhouse. Like shooting a howitzer at point targets. Lol good luck with it.

[tjk]

Congrats on the 350. .177 caliber huh?!?! Musta wanted a real lead slinger. Well ya got one. My advice, don't waste time and money shooting anything under 8.8 crowmag pellets. Stick with the JSB heavies, Kodiaks, or my fab, the 11.5 silver arrows. Any of these will lay a real hurting on whatever you aim them at. You got a man springer, use man pellets Good luck and have fun!!!!

[Escondido1]

Congrats....great shooting...great barrel!!

Make sure to try the Kodiak Match.....

Den

[only1harry]

BKL 260-D7 (w/6 screws) is the only droop-compensated mount I use on my Springers.  They have never moved on me, nor the scopes.

[Ballistik_.20]

Congrats on the new magnum! as tjk pointed out, heavy lead works best in these and i also agree with only1harry...the BKL 6 bolt/ droop mounts are pricey but excellent at keeping errthang tightly secured. Enjoy!

[SAADE]

+1 to droop (adjustable) mount and heavy pellets.
If you don't need the droop compensation, just leave it in the parallel postion, BKL and UTG are both good, but BKL are the best IMO.

[thekid]

I have the 350 mag .177 as well.
These are very accurate shooters once you get to know her. Only suggestion don't go with such a big scope, as these are scope eaters.
Mine ate a few leapers 40mm objectives, and now wears a Bushnell banner 40mm.The heavier the scope the more recoil it takes. I tamed the recoil on mine with the vortek kit, definitely a must with these. After the vortek kit and a complete tune you will be very happy.

Mine loves the JSB 10.2 gr and Crosman ultra mags 10.5 gr, and is stupid accurate.
Rob

[WHITEFANG]

.177 is a powerhouse and will take some shooting to get use too. Got 3 of the 350's. I have an extra .22 barrel if you ever want to convert the .177. I love the short barrels myself. The heavy magnum spring will also help if you don't want to spring the $$ for the kit and is easy to put in. Enjoy!!! Remember these are scope eaters and heavy slingers. Even with the 12 land there is some choke on mine and I was lucky on both 12 landers. All mine like the heavy pellets.

[James Bond 007]

Contrary to some posts above, I found the 1-piece UTG mount with no droop works well for my 350 in .22 -- you mileage may vary...