by B.B. Pelletier
Hy Score model 801 is a handsome vintage spring rifle.
Let’s look at accuracy today. I shot the 801 at 10 meters, resting it on the backs of my fingers and using the artillery hold. Someone asked me last week which breakbarrels require the artillery hold, and I will say that all of them do. In fact, nearly all spring guns require it, with the possible exception of the RWS Diana 54. The jury is still out on that one. Some rifles, such as the TX 200 and the RWS Diana 48 and 52, are less sensitive to different holds, but in my experience they all need it. In fact, John Whiscombe once counseled me that even his rifles need to be held that way!
Of course, all pellets were seated with the pellet seater. After the lesson learned in Part 2, I probably won’t forget to do that for the rest of my life. And we now know that spring guns up to the power of a Slavia 630 benefit from deep-seating, thanks to Cowboy Star Dad. So, we’re narrowing the field.
One more thing I want you to notice. Watch how the point of impact moves with different pellets. It’s a lesson in why you need to sight-in with a specific pellet.
RWS Hobbys
RWS Hobbys scattered over a wide area. They may be cheap and fast, but they’re not right for this rifle. I would have thought they would do better because they’re a larger pellet, but no dice in the 801.
Five RWS Hobbys gave this open group at 10 meters.
Gamo Match
I tried the 7.5-grain Gamo Match pellets next, and a funny story about them. Apparently they are no longer available. When the 7.71-grain Gamo Match pellets first came out, I was assured by Gamo that the 7.5-grain pellet would continue, but apparently that information was wrong. Or, at least, that’s how it looks at this time. I’m not wedded to the lighter pellets, but I have said in the past that they were continuing and I want to correct that now.
Five Gamo Match pellets gave this large group at 10 meters. Two pellets went through the hole at 9 o’clock.
JSB Exact
The JSB Exact domes in the 8.4-grain weight shot a tighter group that was also more centered on the bull.
JSB Exact 8.4-grain pellets shot a tighter group.
RWS R10 Heavy pellets
RWS R10 Heavy pellets turned in what is probably the best group of the session. Notice how they completely changed the point of impact, as well.
RWS R10 Heavy pellets were the best of the session.
Impressions
By this point, I was in the groove and couldn’t stop shooting, so I just selected a few more pellets and continued to shoot. These easy-cocking rifles will do that to you. I also want to comment that the single-stage trigger on this 801 is not the best in the world. It takes a lot to get it started, then the effort drops considerably and the release is clean.
H&N Finale Match Pistol pellets
Next up were H&N Finale Match Pistol pellets. I expected them to shine in the little rifle because of how the R10 Heavies had shot; though they did okay, the group is noticeably larger. Notice, too, the POI shift. They shoot close to where the JSB Exacts do.
Finale Match Pistol pellets moved up and in from the R10 Heavies. They’re good but not the best in the 801.
JSB S100 4.52mm pellets
I know what you’re thinking, because I was thinking it, too. I wonder what those “magic” JSB S100 pellets with the 4.52mm heads will do. Well, wonder no more because I tested them and they were surprisingly average. Not as open as some but certainly not as tight as the best.
The JSB S100 pellets with the 4.52mm head were only average in the Hy Score 801.
Crosman Premiers
Then, on a lark, I finished the session with Crosman Premier 7.9-grain pellets. After seeing that the JSB domes were only better than average, I didn’t hold out a lot of hope for the Premiers, and that’s when the fairy godmother of shooting whacked me over the head! Premier Lites seem to be nearly as good as R10s!
Don’t guess. Shoot the groups to find out which pellets perform. These Crosman Premier 7.9-grain pellets did admirably. Two pellets in the top hole.
The bottom line
The Belgian Hy Score 801 is exactly what it claims to be–a fun plinking rifle whose light weight and easy manners make it welcome all day long. This is a classic, though before David Enoch turned me onto it I was as unaware these things even existed. It isn’t another Diana 27. It holds, shoots, looks and feels entirely different. But, in the sense that the Diana 27 is an air rifle for the ages, the 801 belongs in the same category. This little look has been fun.
BB, you mentioned seating a pellet, in particular on the Slavia 630. What exactly does that do, and how deep do you seat them? I'm looking into my first spring gun soon. Jp
JP,
It's simple. Use a common Bic ballpoint pen (or Biro, as it is called in Europe). Simply press the pellet into the bore as far as it will go with the pen. A perfect pellet seater!
B.B.
Here is another question sent to Blogger:
SOME MONTHS AGO I PULL THE TRIGGER OF MY HW30S AIR RIFLE. WITH THE BARREL BRAKE, AND UNTIL TO NIGHT I DONT KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BARREL BENT PROBLEMS.I DONT HAVE THE GUN WITH ME NOW TO CHECK THE BARREL, SEEMS TO ME THE BARREL HAVE NO BENT AND THE RIFLE IS ALWAYS ACCURATE.(ANY WAY I AM GOING TO CHECK IT).YOU THINK IS POSSIBLE NOTHING HAPPENS?
THANKS.
MARIO CASTEJON GUATEMALA
Mario,
Look along the rifle at the line of the barrel. If it is bent, you will see that it no longer points straight, but up a little. The bend is at the base block, where the barrel emerges.
You may be lucky and have no bend, but probably there is a slight bend up. If the rifle still shoots accurately, then you have no problem.
B.B.
Question off topic
I picked up a Crosman 160 Pellgun
.22 cal sn# 103054. It looks to be in perfect condition with some minor rust. Stock is perfect.
I dont know much about the 160 other than it is CO2. Where can I get some info on proper cleaning and checking it out before I shoot it for the first time.
If I need parts is there somewhere that I can order them.
Thanks.
Great report! Tom, it seams like their are a million different old rifles like this. I know the brand names are different, but still…
Were these popular at one time? Were they sold at Department stores or gun stores way back when?
That is a nice looking gun. I do believe there was one for sale a week or so back on the yellow so maybe they are not to rare?
That first group almost looks keyholed on the outer shots?
If you dont have room in texas for that little gem I know I have room here in Az:)
lubricator
Crosman 160,
Your new rifle is a classic. You can ghet rid of the rust by wiping the metal with Balistol on a cotton cloth. The barrel doesn't need to be cleaned and you are better off staying oiut of it.
Oil the next two CO2 cartridges with drops of Crosman Pellgunoil on their tips before they are pierced. That will lubricate the inside of the valve and keep it sealed.
Here is the Crosman Forum, where a lot of good info is exchanged:
http://www.network54.com/Index/12861
B.B.
Lubricator,
If just one hole looked like that I would say the paper had torn but with several looking like that I think you may be right about the pellets not being stable.
B.B.
Crosman 160,
Before you shoot it:
Make sure the barrel is clear. Many old guns have pellets jammed in the bore. Check this first.
Buy some Crosman Pellgun oil
/product/crosman-pellgun-oil?a=222
and squirt several drops down the tube the CO2 cartridges go (we call this the gas tube) Try to get some of the oil in the middle at the bottom of the hole–that's the face of the valve. Also oil the o-ring on the threaded cap that seals the tube. There is no recommended substitute for the Pellgun Oil. Get some and don't use anything else.
Always COCK THE RIFLE before gassing it up with CO2. Get the CO2 and give it a try.
In good shape, it should hold CO2 indefinitely.
If you need seals, try here:
http://www.bryanandac.com/parts.htm
If you are going to try to fix the gun yourself here are some rough tutorials:
This is a Crosman 180 disassembly. It's pretty much identical to your 160 except your 160 uses two CO2 cartridges instead of the 180's single.
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/derricks-crosman-180-repair-part-1.html
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/derricks-crosman-180-repair-part-2.html
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/derricks-crosman-180-repair-part-3.html
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/derricks-crosman-180-repair-part-4.html
There's also a repair of a Taiyo Juki that is very similar to your 160. Note–there are several differences, but the disassembly is similar.
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/taiyo-juki-eig-junior-disassembly-part.html
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/taiyo-juki-eig-junior-disassembly-part_17.html
Special note: You will need to buy or make a notched tool to remove the CO2 valve from your gun.
Good luck. The 160 is considered to be a classic rifle for good reason. It's great gun.
You can also find excellent info on the Crosman Forum: This is probably the best place to ask pointed questions about Crosman specific products.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/275684/
HTH
Derrick
Airguns like the 801 were never sold in stores. They were always mailorder items, which kept their distribution down.
Store at this time were selling Dausy, Benjamin and Crosman guns.
B.B.
pcsashooter,
I finally got around to looking at the eMatch scores. Good shooting for you!!! I got slaughtered. Looks like I didn't even win the random draw, Bah!!! A lot more competitors this time. This is good! I'll have to go look see what an HW97K is. Him and Mr/ Anschutz are pretty tough cookies. It'll be interesting to watch them duke it out.
I won't be in the Feb match since flying with and bringing an air rifle into a foreign country is a pain. Plus it would cost me $70 or more as a second over sized bag.
-Chuck
Gamo Match no longer available?!!! Holy Cow! And I've been letting my grandkids shoot them up like bb's.
-Chuck
BB,I have a Hy-score model M 809.It's from august,1978.Can you tell me anything about the "M"…in the model name?All the other information I found easily by searching the blog,except this….Frank
Frank B,
I used to think that the "M" in vintage model numbers referred to "Match".
Although sometimes it does most of the time it refers to the stock type. Typically M models have fancier stocks.
In the case of the Hy-Score 809/Diana 35 the model M was the top of the line. Actions were the same across all model numbers but the M had the most expensive stock. See here:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/405945/message/1262722181/We+had+this+discussion+before+…………………
kevin
Speaking of BSAs
there is a newly listed BSA lonestar in .22 cal… pretty clean gun for $400 on the yellow classified
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79574/message/1265305114/BSA+Lonestar+400+plus+shipping+.22
Looks like the one I had, it was so very accurate… and loud!!!
but a great hunting gun!
Wacky Wayne, MD. Ashland Air Rifle Range
Coachadt,
If you have an RWS 48, you are a lucky man. Rich Imhoff will give you a great tune for that rifle.
Joe Springfield, I think that was me who mentioned the 1903A4. Thanks for the tip about James River Armory in Maryland. Springfields and their parts are so hard to come by. You are a lucky man with your stash. I personally don't need any more reality than a good rebuild–too pricey otherwise. One reason I like the Gibbs outfit is that they apparently heat treat all of their parts as part of the rebuild process.
Matt61
BB,
Gamo DOES make the 7.5 match. They just dont say that on the tin. I compared my 500 tin to my 250 and even thought they both say 7.71 the 250`s are lighter(and have bigger seems). I cant see much diferece beetween the acuracy of the two in my 953 though.
P.S. I wighed them.
Bud
Bud,
According to Gamo the 7.5 grain is dead. Maybe you got a tin that was mis-labeled.
B.B.
Crosman 160,
Derrick missed (because I didn't label them appropriately) two posts on the blog about the 167, which is the .177 version of the 160:
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/valve-stem-seal-for-crosman-167-part-1.html
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/valve-stem-seal-for-crosman-167-part-2.html
The 167 has the much older trigger, not the neat adjustable one. But the cocking mechanism of the 160/167 is quite different from the 180 so it's a good idea to become familiar with it.
To Tom / BB and BG Farm. and Matt61…
Re IJ Can't help much on that. Your early Carb though sounds good. You have to make a decision if you want to collect it or shoot it. Those are tough choices. Years gone by I made the decision that nothing I own hangs on a wall or is hidden in a wall– it will be taken out and used for which it was intended. Early M1's with the ground op rods were prone to go kaput, as were the early Gas Trap Garands. Bugs were worked out of the Carbines as they earned their stripes in battle and manufacturing processes. You might give a shout to that place in Maryland I mentioned previously, James River Armory. They are a small outfit, were at the Shot Show and are working hard to earn customers. They are putting together "restored" Carbines, M1 Garands, Springfield A3's, and for a while, K-98's. I have seen an example of their work and the resulting rifle is not a collectible, but is a pretty good shooter, properly cartouched even and good finish. You need not worry about a museum piece being ruined. Whether they have an IJ receiver is probably a long shot. Matt61m sorry I am not familar with Gibbs, as generally I did my own work. Heat treating all parts may be a risk if the original spec is supposed to be a particular hardness. I try to use only GI parts and judicious patience they are still available. The prices are all over the board, but folks like Sarco, Springfield Sporters, and Numrich still have some. It is best to bypass the order folks and speak to their resident experts though in looking for parts. The order people are great at their jobs, but sometimes lack the experience that the back room people possess.
BG I can understand your affinity with the 'o6. That is my downfall too. I've loaded everything from 110 grain rounds and up, depending on groundhogs or Moose. When Springfields were readily plentiful, I butchered many of them to build sporters and the only deviation I made was to build one in .300 Win Mag, which is still in service and packs a wallop. I have fired it so much that I had to remove the old bedding some years ago and re do it— did a pillar job on it and closed the groups even more. That stock was cut from a tree stump on some property of a friend in PA, and looks like it came off a French Walnut Nursery Tree. Highly figured, but tough to work with and checker and cut for the action. Thank God for Foredom and Dremel and bedding chisels/rasps.
Tom good luck finding the IJ….you are in Texas, so may find something at the Houston Show. If Garands are your cup of tea, ever, check out a local guys site, (Iola Texas) Billy Pyle (who has forgotten more about gages and Garands than most will ever know)…He and his compadres publish a quarterly letter called The Garand Stand Report. They also accept ads from customers looking for parts for Garands and Carbines, and I'd bet you could get an IJ Receiver or entire piece. The web site is http:/tools.academicplanet.com/web/garandsand
Good luck….I am still awaiting to recieve the recommended Crossman Custom
I did advance order some pellets from Pyramyd—unfortunantly they failed to understand that small lead pellets packaged in cardboard boxes tend to break, so yesterday I received some scrap lead.
Sorry to be so windy….apologies to all
Joe 3006
Contact PA. They will make it right.
Sorry, I missed those posts of Nick's because my brain has turned to mush.
Jie 3006,
Thanks for your pointers. I forgot to mention that the front triggerguard pin on my Winchester Carbine is cracked in two. It still works because the stock holds it in but it's in two pieces.
Of course it is the type one pin with the bent wire piece in it. Do you know of any sources of originals for something like that?
I will check out James River right away. Sounds like I should give them some of my business.
And thanks for the info on Billy Pyle in Iola.
As for the junk pellets, Pyramyd AIR isn't supposed to do that anymore. You should give them a call right away. I will be looking in on them from my end. I thought the pellet shipping problem was over.
B.B.
How are the Marlin Cowboy BB gun and the Red Ryder different? Also, would you recommend the above two or the Daisy No. 25 for purely closer ranged plinking?
Thanks, Ryan
Ryan,
The Marlin and Red Ryder have entirely different actions. I guess what vou are asking is a detailed description of both. I haven't tested a new Red Ryder, so I won't be able to say.
I will be testing the new Marlin Cowboy and the new Daisy number 25 as soon as possible.
B.B.
BB,
I like the 801 more and more — and the checkering on that particular model makes me feel adequate:). The IJ M1 for $500 isn't a bad as I thought, the frenzy must be cooling down. I've been looking for a single shot boy's gun for my son, preferably in fixer up condition — yes, I'm cheap, but mainly I like to put something of myself into those kinds of things and there's plenty of time. IJ's are one option, although I think its a bit hit or miss, probably because many of them weren't always taken good care of.
Joe '06,
Amen — it will shoot most things well enough and the right things amazingly well:). As an aside, I was chewing the fat with a friend who is an experienced (like 25 years) benchrester. Imagine my shock when he started wondering about how long the '06 had been around:).
Matt,
I'm still smarting from my defeat, but I wanted to ask if you were using a scope on the B30. I assumed the M1 was peeps? My 36-2 needs a breech seal (anybody got one lying around?), but it did OK in practice this afternoon.
Folks,
I venture once again to importune all of you for advice that no doubt has been given many times before in the blogs, however, I am having trouble putting together effective search combinations that yield the desired information. Moreover, the searches invariably omit the last three weeks. So here goes:
For my brand new RWS Diana 34P in .177 caliber and RWS Diana 54 in .22 caliber, what actions (if any) would you recommend I take for inspection and preventive maintenance, before I fire these guns for the very first time?
Here's what I gathered from the blogs, please correct me if I'm wrong, and pleeeez add to the list if necessary:
1) Unpack gun from factory carton and read all included literature cover to cover.
2) Tighten (but not overtighten) all stock screws, but be careful not to mess with any screws that adjust trigger travel and tension;
3) Examine barrel for obstructions.
4) Wipe all exterior surfaces with a light coat of Ballistol.
5) Watch Tom's video on the Artillery hold again (and again!)
For my Crosman 1377 pistol in .177:
1 through 4 above, and:
5) Oil the pump head with 3 to 7 drops of Pellgun oil (only!)
6) Watch Tom's video on how to hold and shoot air pistols.
Lastly, the ammo recommendations for greatest general purpose accuracy (not match competition), in order, are:
RWS 34P, .177 cal:
A) Crosman Premier Heavy, 10.5 Grains, Domed, IN THE CARDBOARD BOX, not the tin!
B) JSB Diabolo Exact, 8.4 Grains, Domed
C) JSB Diabolo Exact Heavy, 10.2 Grains, Domed.
D) RWS Superdome, 8.3 Grains, Domed.
RWS 54, .22 cal:
A) JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo Expres, 14.3 Grains, Domed.
B) RWS Superdome, 14.5 Grains Domed.
C) Crosman Premier, 14.3 Grains, Domed, in the cardboard box, not the tin!
Crosman 1377:
A) Crosman Premier Light, 7.9 Grains, Domed, IN THE CARDBOARD BOX, not the tin!
B) RWS Superdome, 8.3 Grains, Domed.
Did I get it right? Did I forget anything?
Thanks,
-AlanL
Ryan
The Marlin Cowboy and Daisy RR are very similar in most aspects. The Marlin is fashioned after the Marlin Firearm Rifle and the Daisy RR was their version of a "Winchester" from about 50 years ago.
The Marlin has a ratchet device on the lever to prevent little fingers from getting pinched, the Daisy does not. They are both about the same velocity and both are BB only.
For me, it's more about looks and the safety device than any big performance differences. Personally, I like the Marlin and would buy one if I was into that type of gun.
Brian in Idaho
Brian,
Just a minor clarification: The new Red Ryders do have a ratchet on the plastic cocking lever. Even my 6 year old son noticed the difference in build quality and feel; he prefers my old one, which has a cast aluminum cocking lever with no ratchet but can smash tiny fingers (as I know from my youth):).
Joe 3006,
Pyramyd AIR would like to contact you regarding your pellet shipping issue. I assume that the email address you use in your Blogger handle is valid:
3006-springfield@msn.com
Thanks,
Edith
Though I agree the Marlin looks nice, according to their website is has a 'wood-grained plastic stock', as opposed to the real wood on the Red Ryder.
As long as the performance is about the same (they both claim 350fps) I would tend to stay with the Daisy because of the wood.
CowBoyStar Dad
Bronco Review..
by Wacky Wayne..
also posted on the PA site comments
Easy to cock is an understatement! Great job on the design of this starter gun for kids… or plinker for adults.
I just got a 1/2" 10 shot group with it on a make shift bench rest at 19 yards indoors with sorted 8.2 gr. JSB exacts. These are the 15th thru 25th shots right from the box after mounting a leapers 3-9x32AO golden image. 1st shot at 10 yards after mounting only 2" right and low. Soon on the bull at 19 yards. (no barrel droop!).
Very smooth shooting! Light , but safe trigger! I'm a firm believer in low power in spring guns, this is why! this gun shoots like a much more expensive 10 meter gun.
Don't ever ask a spring gun to shoot faster than 700fps with a 8.4 grain pellet. .. really 600fps is much better. You can almost never get accuracy with more power. Go PCP after 600 fps. low cost.. Marauder, then Air Arms if you can afford… but I digress..
I like the steel and wood. I'm getting use to the blond stock.. I like the full rubber butt pad, and it looks like one could add to the butt if they need more length to trigger. but it's fine for my average size as is.
The metal adjustable sights have good spacing and focus well for my old eyes… but I scoped it quick. I like the sleek win 30-30 style stock, it shoulder nice and gives me eye relief quickly.
What else can I say.. buy it for your kid.. and two more for you and your friends. You could shoot this baby for days on end and never get a sore arm.. but still be bragging on the great groups!
Things I would change:
The price! …its way too Cheap! How can I make any money on such a low priced gun! 🙂 Wayne Burns, Match Director, Ashland Air Rifle Range 🙂
Others should know:
It's such a sleek gun that eye relief is very tight on the open sights. It works for me right on, with my cheek pressed tight to the cheek rest… If your eyeball is lower than mine by much.. (again, I'm average size old guy), you might have an issue.. but I don't have any idea if it would be an issue. That's the only thing possibly, partial negative about the fine work from Mendoza. I will post again after 3,000 shots and see how she holds up, but I think it will be good since she feels built tough, and the power plant is so low.. she is not over working at all. AGAIN, GREAT DESIGN TOM GAYLORD!
Wacky Wayne, Match Director, Ashland Air Rifle Range
Alan,
BB and quite a few other shooters will take a swab, dip it in JB non-embedding bore paste and swab the brand new barrel down ten times. They will then push patches through until they emerge clean. The alternative is just start shooten! After about 100 or 200 pellets, you'll have achieved the same thing plus, your trigger will start to break in very nicely. Check the stock screws and all the scope mounting screws. If they continue to loosen up, Blue locktite is my solution.
Two other pellets I've had very nice results with are Crosman Premier Ultra mags and the RWS Super H points. If you want to experiment with pretty much every pellet out there, one vendor sells a pellet sampler. Comes in a plastic, divided compartment box or two and provides some 25 pellets of EACH type. You can join me and go crazy testing to see which pellet your rifle likes. You'll also find out which are real crap as respects accuracy.
As it's a sort of competitor to PA, I won't mention the name but you can do an internet search if you're interested. See, I told you this was habit forming.
Fred PRoNJ
B.B.
Another thing I like is the way you put the front sight out of the way for cocking the gun. It still works fine.. but I went to a scope asap anyway.
Darn it Tom, I've got USFT#6 from Billy Lo, sitting there waiting for me to meet her, and your $100 springer has got me not wantin to stop shooting her!
Wacky Wayne, Match Director, Ashland Air Rifle RAnge
Wayne,
if you want, I'll take USFT #6 for a while to keep it warm and prevent it from rusting till you get tired of playing with the Bronco. I'll even pay shipping both ways.
Fred PRoNJ
Fred,
Habit forming? You know, the worst addictions are the ones that come back to you after years of lying dormant. When I was 10 or so I had a Daisy BB gun. It was not a Model 25 nor a Red Ryder. If only I could remember which model! If I told you all the mischief I got up to with that gun you wouldn't believe me. Then I grew up. Now I'm not so sure anymore. I'm back into airgunning, with a vengeance!
-AlanL
Fred,
What a nice offer…
I'll sleep on it…
for a year or two..
I might be more open to your generous idea, but I've got a Nikko Diamond 10-50×60 on the way and I'd have no where to put it!
but really, I can't stop shooting the Bronco.. I'm trying the lighter 7.3gr Falcon pellets now, and they are grouping nicely too..
The more I shoot it.. the smoother she gets.. but right from the box, no cleaning.. tighten up the mounts and start shootin er.. she be groupin!
Wacky Wayne, MD. Ashland Air Rifle Range
Wacky Wayne..
Wayne,
The Bronco is on its way to me in the same box as the 54. That's supposed to be my son's after he's grown into it proving to me he can handle the Marlin bb gun safely. Now you've got me so tempted… which one oh which one should I break in first, the 34P the 54 or the Bronco!
Wish your range was in South Florida.
-AlanL
Crosman 160 (off topic)
Good call on the pellet lodged in the barrel, it was. I ran a patch down the barrel and the pellet came out.
The patch came out completely black too.
I put some Pellgunoil in the spots suggested.
Slid 2 Co2 carts down the gas chamber, tightened the cap. Gave it a quick counter clockwise turn and the cap locked in place as the pressure built up in the gas chamber.
Took it out side and fired it twice, pellets came out each time. It was dark so I just fired it into the ground.
Felt like it had good power.
I'll try it again tomorrow to see if it still has pressure.
Balistol cleaned it up real nicely, it almost looks brand new.
Thanks again for all the great info.
Wayne,
Thanks for your review of the Bronco.
I'm glad to be a part of your new scope, enjoy!
Mr B.
Ryan, I just bought one of those new Daisy Model 25's and compared it to my daughter's late model Red Ryder (as well as a late 60's vintage Daisy 1894).
The only downside to the RR is the misfeeds – seemed to get 2 or 3 every 10 shots. Other than that it came off as the better plinker. The sights are better, it was easier to cock, and it grouped noticeably tighter at 15'. This was with Crosman BB's, if I can find some Daisy's I'll try it again.
Mu old 1894 beat 'em both for accuracy, though… sorta surprised at that.
Does anyone know what the airgun in Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes "The Adventure Of The Empty House" is? The Sherlockian canon has it as being built by Von Herder, a blind German gunsmith. Is this provenance fictional?
Can anyone recommend the three best books on air gunning – history, the guns, collecting?
Thanks,
AlanL
Alan,
if you start to read this Blog from it's very beginning, you'll have the best book on air gunning, IMO. Next, get yourself the latest edition of the Blue Book of Airguns – some decent articles including one on the Lewis and Clark air rifle taken on their transcontinetal hike, and prices and brief histories of most of the known airguns.
Oh, navigate over to the UK and look for Cardew and Cardew's book on airguns, "Airguns, From Trigger to Target". The son, his last name escapes me, now has a watch and clock shop and website so do a search on Cardew watches. I say this because he thinks his brother, who is selling the books, may still have some hard cover books left and I would consider these collectibles!
Very informative reading!
Fred PRoNJ
Oops, I meant to say his first name escapes me but I believe it's Martin.
Wayne, I really do enjoy playing straight man for you. Just remember, the straight man always got top billing on Vaudeville (Abbott and Costello, Ted Healy and the Stooges and so on. These guys went on to become the Three Stooges and dropped Ted).
Fred PRoNJ
Crosman 160,
Amazing how many times we find old guns still loaded or with the barrel obstructed.
A couple times, I've gotten a used airgun home and been surprised to find a pellet halfway down the barrel. Darn glad I pointed them at the pellet trap when I first pulled the trigger. Now I check more thoroughly with a cleaning rod.
Good catch on your part!
Wayne,
Come on. Tell us how you REALLY feel about the Bronco!
I'm glad you found it to shoot like I did. That means I'm not crazy. The rifle is pure joy to shoot. And it's accurate.
If any group can put one through its paces it's yours, so I'm hoping all the guys at your club take it for an extended test drive.
B.B.
B.B.,
Might that have something to do with the fact that YOU designed it? ;-))
I got mine last night, together with the 34P but haven't unpacked it yet. Can't wait! But still have to assemble my silent trap first…
I trust my prep checklist had no glaring errors or omissions in it, and has your blessings? (I know I'm being anal, but I really do want to treat my guns right and I take safety very seriously.)
Thanks,
AlanL
AlanL,
I read your checklist and approve! : )
The most important thing you can do is continually monitor your trap as you shoot. I don't know if you know it, but I shot through the back of a silent trap that didn't have a steel backing plate. I blogged it here:
/blog/2008/8/evanix-renegade-double-action-rifle-part-3/
B.B.
B.B.,
I took your experience to heart and ordered the steel backing plate from the get go. I will sandwich it to the back of my trap with a half inch or so of duct seal, then put a 4" thick layer of duct seal in front of it. That ought to do it, I'm sure, and then I will weigh it carefully. I intend to never remove any pellets and in a few years I'll weigh it again.
Hey there! I’m a 15 year old boy and my uncle recently gave me one of these hy-score 801 air rifles. I’m no pro when it comes to firearms or pellet shooters but you think I’d be able to figure out how to shoot something like this. I know it’s a barrel break gun and I’ve tried pushing the barrel down as far as if can go to try to prime it for firing but that didn’t work. Like I said, I’m no pro, but to my eye it looks to be in good shape, no broken or missing pieces. I do shoot air soft and paintball so I’m looking to start shooting pellet guns too. I completely understand that it’s not a toy so save me the lecture if you were getting ready to give one. Help would be very much appreciated. Thanks. -Adam
Adam,
Welcome to the blog!
No lectures, although I hope that you do attend a course in firearm safety, the same as the rest of us.
As for your rifle, the sear should catch the piston when the barrel is broken open all the way. When that happens, there is no spring pressure against the barrel and it will close more easily. Yours rifle doesn’t seem to do that?
If the trigger was adjustable I would say that it is out of adjustments. But I don’t think this trigger is adjustable. Therefore, there must be something wrong with the gun internally.
I don’t know where you live or who you know, but at this point you probably need some help with this. I wouldn’t recommend trying to take the airgun apart by yourself. If there is a gun store you can take it to, they may have a gunsmith who could look it over for you and figure out what is wrong. Or maybe you know someone who is mechanically handy who can do the same?
Please join us on our regular daily blog at
/blog//
We don’t concern ourselves with the daily topic, and there are tens of thousands of readers — some of whom own Belgian 801s like yours. Maybe they can help, too.
B.B.
I have a Belgium Hy-score 801. How do I find a replacement front site.?
Howard,
There are no replacement parts for guns as old as yours, so you need to locate a donor gun. Try this man:
B.B.