My 29 Year Old R1

[Frank in Fairfield]

I got the R1 out today. I have been communicating with the Motorhead lately about maybe putting in a new spring, breech seal and plunger seal. I told him I was nowhere near the advertised speeds of the current R1. In 1984, Dr. Beeman said the R1 in .177 could conservatively reach 930fps. I can get about 885-890 with 7.9 CPD/CPH pellets.
About 910-920 with Beeman Lasers. I don't know what they were using back then. Scott said they were probably using 7.0 grain pellets. All I know is this bad boy shot very well 29 years ago when it came home from San Rafael and I think it still does. I got together some pellets (I have a lot more) and decided to shoot 5 shot groups using my best artillery hold from 20 yards (We might remember Beeman used to publish accuracy data for their guns but that was at 10 yards). Mounted on the R1 is the same scope that was mounted there in 1984: Beeman 2X7 66R Blue Ribbon. Here are the pellets used:
Crosman 7.9 CPH
Crosman 7.9 CPD
Crosman 10.5 CPD
AA Heavy 10.3 Heavy Field
Beeman 10.6 Kodiak
Beeman 9.8 RamJet
Beeman 8.09 Bearcub
Beeman 8.1 Silver Ace
Beeman 11.5 Silver Arrow

From 20 yards without adjusting the scope the pellets of 10 grains or more shoot 1/2"-3/4" higher than those of lighter weight. Barrel dwell time, of course, is the reason. The light pellets were able to exit the barrel before the reverse recoil pulse affected the shot.

Results:

#3. Beeman 9.8gr Ramjet: 1/2"
#2. A tie: Both of the Crosman 7.9gr pellets: 3/8"
#1. No surprise at all: The AA 10.3gr Heavy Field: 1/4"

After the 2nd shot with the AA I thought I was missing the target, so I had my wife change the backing cardboard after each shot. Amazing pellets. Scott has me shooting these very same pellets in my .177 Marauder.

So the R1 is happy with the inexpensive 7.9 grain pellets but is very happy with the more expensive AA 10.3.

I think I will leave the spring alone for awhile. The breech seal is good and tight too. Beeman replaced it in 1992 as part of a laser tune.

Now, if I had a scope with a little more power.......

[cwlongshot]

What no pictures?   

CW

[Frank in Fairfield]

[Motorhead]

As the saying go's ... If it's NOT broke no need to fix it !!
29 years after the fact if it shoots that well, nod your head and say THANK YOU to the Beeman team of old for doing a fine job indeed !!

[Hanabata808]

Yup, those old well-built rifles were very... Well-built!
My old HW77 from 1984 only recently croaked from old age earlier this year. With a new spring and seal kit (and the guidance of awesome GTA folks), it's back in action as good as ever!
Old legends never die. They just get better! 

[tjk]

May be a bit slow but surely no cause to be very concerned. A timeless classic the R1 is. And for good reason.

My R1 collection.

[robert w]

it would look great setting besid emy 44 year old hw-55 . dad got it for me when I was 14 and she looks like new today . not many guns last like a quality german made gun. I like your gun , it looks fine to me