Where there's a will

[Paul68]

Broke down and put some pellets through it. Inconsistent but improving as more pellets go through the barrel. Even not broken in, it's more accurate right now than before I tore it down. Occasional flyers with about 1-1/2 to 2 inch groups at 25 yrds with Crosman destroyers at the end.

Each pic is successive. I put a bunch of paint dots on a piece of fiber board and just started shooting. Once it started showing signs of settling in and grouping, I put some effort into making the shots. Bout 50 shots through it so far. The last is where is where its at currently.

[blind dog]

I found on my tunes that the barrel get dirty fast right after all the lube and junk burns off and the gun settles in. I usually have to clean it after about 30 shots to speed up the process.
Again, nice work. Very impressive. (Kind of fun improvising isn't it?)

I got a similar project going on that I have posted here: http://airgunhome.com/agforum/viewtopic.php?t=7958

...And I'm still thinking about getting a proper mill-lathe combo though.

-Rob

[Paul68]

Thanks for the kind comments. Improvising is great, particularly when it's successful;)

I am however, not happy with the brass barrel washers at all. The first round of shooting was going quite well, and breaking in seemed to be taking place normally. Then the barrel loosened due to the brass washers wearing in and grouping opened up. I pulled them out, added more moly to them, and retightened the barrel.

After about 80 shots and improving groups, they've loosened again and grouping is again out the window. Beginning to annoy me a bit.

I may have to go with something a bit harder than brass for pivot washers.

[Paul68]

After a final relube and retightening of the barrel pivot, the brass washers seem to have settled in and are now holding tension.

I think I can declare this lube and tune a success. Now a matter of finding the right pellet and getting it dialed in. Right now, its turning into a tack driver at 25 yrds with CPHP's. JSB exacts are ok as well, but the CPHP's are obviously tighter and more consistent. Which is surprising because they fit tight and seem to have a higher rate of deviance in sizing. I'm often discarding these while loading and just grabbing another because of a very tight pellet head fit that requires too much force to fit into the port. If I keep to the CPHP's that fit properly though, it will put em in a 1/4" group. The CPHP's are louder too. EDIT (Now that I think about it, if I go CTC on the CPHP's, the groups are better than 1/4")

 I really need a chrony. At 20-25+ yards, this Storm will easily punch holes in the galvanized sheet steel of an old chicken coop . At about 50 yrds it put a nasty dent in the mailbox that nearly broke through. Hope the other half don't notice lol.

[ZipSnipe]

Great job with the grinder machining!!   I am impressed!!!

[Crosshairs]

Wow great skill making something from nothing with nothing. Im reading your posts and thinking what you could do with some real tool. GREAT JOB.
                            Mike 

[Paul68]

Thanks again folks. This Storm has been a very reliable and enjoyable shooter. I have almost bought another on a couple occasions to try installing a Gas Ram, but declined because of the pivot problems. I have switched from brass to zinc pivot washers and still get loosening. Considering other options.

[blind dog]

Oooooh...Nice job! 

[rich]

very clever!!