My first tune, cross reference "Ruger Air Hawk Woes"

[microsalmo]

So this is the fulfilling euphoria all you crazies seek with these air guns?  Tuning an air rifle is like crack for your ego - what a wonderful feeling of self accomplishment. Now, I am among you and just as addicted.  For those that may have read my earlier posts on this frustrating Ruger Air Hawk, you would know that it had been shooting 2-3" groups off a rest on my indoor 21' range.  I tried a dozen different pellets through this gun and all were horrible, with the exception being the anomaly... the Polymag.  Opening the gun up revealed the culprit - the bad seal depicted in "Ruger Air Hawk Woes."

While I had it apart, I decided to implement all the information I gathered here, and try my first tune.  I'm not sure how much of this is from the seal replacement versus the tune, but none the less, I could not be happier.  I love this gun and can't wait to get it outside and open up the distances.  From my indoor experience with the NPSS, and how it translated, stretching things out to 40 yards, I have very high hopes for this inexpensive rifle.  I tried a lot of different pellets this afternoon and reserved the best ones to show here.  Each is a bench rested 5/group, shot at a distance of 21'.  The worst pellets were grouping at up to 1" ctc, so it was clear which pellets had the most potential for some longer range testing.  Thank you GTA!!

[LAalex]

Nice job.  I know how you feel.  I felt a little intimidated before my first tune but afterward what a great feeling to feel how smooth cocking and shooting my rifle (RWS34) was.  I know I can't do the things the pros do but I was still able to improve my rifle.  Congrats.

Scotty

[barcabarca]

Congratulations.  I had a very similar story.  Same great outcome with the same rifle!  You are right it feels absolutely great to open up a rifle, do your best work, and see the payoff.  Now you are ready to tune a Diana 34 or a Diana 350!!  Again congratulations.

[z28rod]

Those are some nice groups.

[Onebaddj]

Ya definatly fixed it! Congrats on the success. Its all down hill from here though. Every gun you see from here on out all you will see is a potenttial project and wo.der what you can do to make it better. Lol welcome to the sickness and be very aware of a force with more power than any springer and far more addictive, its the power of the Dark side and it lurks here always waiting always watching! Lol

Seriously though congrats on your tune.

[microsalmo]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the affirmation. Agreed, I have got it bad. Already I have torn down my Trail AW, and discoverd lots that can be improved upon.

But yea, that was a blast.

What all do you guys do to yours when you take them down?  Or is that stuff all top secret?

[Onebaddj]

I usually use my dremel and soft stone to deburr every hole and cocking slot in the compression tube. Polish spring ends and anything that touches the spring ends, piston weights etc. Thoroighly clean everything then clean it again. Lite molly on the piton end and slip on a new seal. Lube the spring and ease everything back together. If its a hollow stock ill fill it with spray foam. If the gun will take a grt trigger it gets it. Th biggest difference come from replacing the main spring with a better quality one and piston seal. Also check the breech seal by placing a tissue over the breech and firing. If it gets blown by an air leak youll see it.

Thats about it that i do. Have fun with the next one!

[shadow]

Sounds like you get her happy now, good job. Ed

[microsalmo]

Thanks for the feedback, and the props. Love the tissue idea!  Time will tell if I got the right lubes in the right areas, but I must have watched a dozen videos and  read at least 3 times as many articles.  I feel pretty good about things. Sure is smoothe; "snick!"

I wish I could get the trigger lighter. Its way to heavy on the break. I love how light Bob's triggers are.

[mikeiniowa]

to lighten the trigger you can add the second screw, make it as light as you want...

[microsalmo]

Thank you. Where can i find information on removing the trigger, and where to tap the second screw?
Steve

[mikeiniowa]

just pull the pivot pin, don't loose the spring, I use a 4-40 screw and nut for the second screw mod, cut cross bar on trigger and remove, drill just ahead by 1/32inch of the holes left by the cross bar, thread and then adjust. Easy way is to let me do it if you don't keep comfy with it...I'll do one up and send it to you if you send me your trigger back...

[Bullit]

BRAVO MIKE!!!  BRAVO!!!

[microsalmo]

Thanks Mike.  I'll have a look and if it freaks me out, I'll have you do it. 

[z28rod]

Mike is the man !!

[microsalmo]

pm me a price Mike, in case i chicken out - thanks, Steve

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Microsalmo,

 I just ordered a Ruger BlackHawk (basically the same as the Air Hawk with a sythetic stock). If I have to make some modifications to it for performance's sake, do you mind if I send you a PM with some questions or ask for some advice.

Thanks,

Air Rifle Hunter

[microsalmo]

Sure, PM me anytime.

[porkfrog]

Hey with those groups hitting an inch or so below bullseye, what distance would you say you are zeroed at?

[tod0001]

 About 35 to 37.5 yds with Crosman 7.9HP, that's guessing at 949fps.
That works great at that fps, with a PBR(Ability to aim dead-on) of 11 to 44.7 yds.