FWB124 Question

[Sundog]

Has anyone ever tried slowing down a 124 to get more better accuracy, and if so, how did you do it?  Down to maybe 600-650 FPS.

I doubt I will ever again shoot anything animate with mine so I don't really need the horsepower, I would rather have better consistancy.  My 400 FPS-ish pistol has taken several rats so I think 600 would be plenty around the yard.

Any thoughts and/or comments appreciated.

TIA

 

[Acapulco]

Are you having problems? No need to slow it down for accuracy. The 124 is a classic and some say the best springer ever made.

600 fps is left to the R7.

Run your 124 over a chrony and see what it's shooting.

[Motorhead]

Just shoot heavier pellets in the 8.4-10 grain range, gun will still cycle fine and drop right on into the upper 6's low 7's quite likely.

JSB 8.4's or H&N FTT 8.64's a good pellet !!

[Mark 611]

or you can take some coils off the spring! that would be the easiest way to de tune it!

[Sundog]

Thanks for the replies

I have been shooting H-N Match Rifle 8.18 gr waddcutters.  Not sure a few more grains would accomplish much.  Part of the excersize would be in calming down the firing reaction.

I have a SS trigger on order so I will be visiting the innards before too long, which is what had me thinking.  Anybody have an old spring they don't need?  I don't really want to bugger up the one that is in there.  Chrony is on my PA wish list along with other pellets.

I'm working on my holding skills too and I know I am not shooting as well as I once did, I need to practice more.  I've also been thinking about adding another AG (as in 150 or LGV 2012) but since I can only use one at a time, why not use the one I already have?

 

[JohnWI]

I have been shooting H-N Match Rifle 8.18 gr waddcutters.  Not sure a few more grains would accomplish much.  Part of the excersize would be in calming down the firing reaction.

How far are you shooting?  Wadcutters are made for short range (10M [maybe twice that???]) paper punching.  Round/domes are for longer.

[Sundog]

How far are you shooting?  Wadcutters are made for short range (10M [maybe twice that???]) paper punching.  Round/domes are for longer.

Punching holes at ten meters from my patio into my garage mostly.  I can get 25yds from my yard into my garage.

 

[palonej]

Thanks for the replies

I have been shooting H-N Match Rifle 8.18 gr waddcutters.  Not sure a few more grains would accomplish much.  Part of the excersize would be in calming down the firing reaction.

You'd be amazed how much difference a couple of grains make bro!! Just got a chrony so I've been going chrony crazy!!
56 TH firing CPLs, 7.9 gr, is just over 1,000 fps. FTS, 8.80 gr are 900.
Give it a shot.
Joe

[Sundog]

You'd be amazed how much difference a couple of grains make bro!! Just got a chrony so I've been going chrony crazy!!
56 TH firing CPLs, 7.9 gr, is just over 1,000 fps. FTS, 8.80 gr are 900.
Give it a shot.
Joe

Appreciate the input, did you see a change in accuracy also or just velocity? 

My goal is to be more accurate by slowing down the pellet and calming down the rifle.  There must be a reason (or several) that match rifles from Anschutz to Walther keep velocities down in the 600s, ballistics for instance, just as high-velocity .22 rimfires are not as accurate as standard velocity.

I'm not certain shortening the spring would be the correct way to go.  I would think (I do that occasionally) the spring would want to keep the same travel but use smaller diameter wire to reduce tension.  I will reverse engineer the existing spring when I install my SS trigger and go from there.

 

[palonej]

Definite change in consistent accuracy. Gun fires smoother and much quieter also.

[JohnWI]

Ahhh....and there's the rub.....accuracy vs. power and just where is that happy medium?

Also, pellet fit/size matters almost as much as weight.  I've seen similar weights go different speeds (and this is from about 18" off the muzzle).

[lizzie]

Are you having problems? No need to slow it down for accuracy. The 124 is a classic and some say the best springer ever made.

600 fps is left to the R7.

Run your 124 over a chrony and see what it's shooting.

Maybe you just need to work on your form and shooting (no intent to sound critical- I've been there and done that). My FWB 124 has excellent accuracy and consistency. Has it been tuned lately?

[lizzie]

Thanks for the replies

I have been shooting H-N Match Rifle 8.18 gr waddcutters.  Not sure a few more grains would accomplish much.  Part of the excersize would be in calming down the firing reaction.

The best pellet I have used in the 124 is the JSB Exact Diabolo. YOu might want to give them a try and see if there's a change.

[cnjl3]

Ditto on the JSB Exact Diablo 8.4 gr pellet producing the tightest group.
CPHP is second best in group size and fpe.
I guess you have tried many different pellets besides wadcutters?

[Sundog]

Maybe you just need to work on your form and shooting (no intent to sound critical- I've been there and done that). My FWB 124 has excellent accuracy and consistency. Has it been tuned lately?

Work on my form..  FOR SURE!  My hold is shaky and my eyes are no longer what they used to be.  I could also upgrade the 2.5x scope, I also have a 66R 2-7X, but I can't hold that still either.  These are all "givens".

But, as JohnWI points out  "Ahhh....and there's the rub.....accuracy vs. power and just where is that happy medium?".  I learned long ago that all of life is a compromise and now I am looking for the most accuracy available from the Old Girl.

Just thoughts anyway.  I doubt I would be able to find a softer spring readily and I'm not about to start hacking at the current one.  But it might be fun to try, just to see if it wold make a difference, if I had other springs. 

I'm about to build a cabinet for my rifles so I can get them out from under the bed where they have been living while I was raising two kids.  When I finish that, I will probably add another rifle.  I lean toward "classics" so perhaps a vintage match rifle.

Thanks to all for the conversation.

 

[lizzie]

Maybe you just need to work on your form and shooting (no intent to sound critical- I've been there and done that). My FWB 124 has excellent accuracy and consistency. Has it been tuned lately?

Work on my form..  FOR SURE!  My hold is shaky and my eyes are no longer what they used to be.  I could also upgrade the 2.5x scope, I also have a 66R 2-7X, but I can't hold that still either.  These are all "givens".

But, as JohnWI points out  "Ahhh....and there's the rub.....accuracy vs. power and just where is that happy medium?".  I learned long ago that all of life is a compromise and now I am looking for the most accuracy available from the Old Girl.

Well, you might consider a tune, if it hasn't had one before. I sent mine off and had a tune by one of the best, and it was money well-spent. I wouldn't trade that gun for anything. It's the most accurate, and most pleasant to shoot air rifle that I have.

[Sundog]

@ Lizzie

"Well..."  As you can see by my signature, it has been super-tuned twice by Beemans.  Originally in ’78 after Robert Beeman inspected and signed off on it, and again a few years ago to have the seals replaced.



I think my point is being overlooked.  I feel there IS a reason (maybe even two) that 10 meter match grade rifles all seem to be firing in the low 600s.  Suppose that is a coincidence?

 

[lizzie]

@ Lizzie

"Well..."  As you can see by my signature, it has been super-tuned twice by Beemans.  Originally in ’78 after Robert Beeman inspected and signed off on it, and again a few years ago to have the seals replaced.



I think my point is being overlooked.  I feel there IS a reason (maybe even two) that 10 meter match grade rifles all seem to be firing in the low 600s.  Suppose that is a coincidence?

 

No, I don't suppose it's coincidence, but probably has a little to do with shooting at 10 meters, rather than 25-30 yards.
Whatever you want to do is fine, and makes no difference to me. I was just pointing out that my 124 has excellent accuracy with decent velocity. I have a couple of daisy target rifles, and I love them. They are great fun for sitting at the bench shooting 10 meters, but I just like the challenge of tight groups at farther distances. If you are just wanting accuracy at closer range, why not just buy a different gun made for that purpose, rather than trying to modify the 124. Heck, if you want to sell the 124, give me a buzz.

[Sundog]

Lizzie

Um...  Thank you for the sagacious advice? 

Any actual answers to the original questions?

 

[lizzie]

Lizzie

Um...  Thank you for the sagacious advice? 

Any actual answers to the original questions?

 

Yes. The only gun I would consider trying to modify, in order to decrease velocity, would be a cheap Chinese model. I'm pretty much a purist when it comes to high-quality air rifles, which fit into the collector category. I wouldn't modify them to meet my needs, but would opt to buy another high-quality air rifle which suited me.

Edited:
Might I recommend an HW30.