by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
The Diana 26 air rifle.
This report covers:
- The test
- Sight-in
- Falcons
- H&N Finale Match Light
- RWS Superdome
- Trigger is great!
- Sig Match Ballistic Alloy
- JSB Exact RS
- H&N Match Green
- H&N Baracuda Match with 4.50mm head
- The final test
- Discussion
- Summary
Today we look at the accuracy of the Diana 26 I have been testing. Two things are different about this air rifle. It’s a Diana 26, which I didn’t hear of until recently and it’s a .177, which I haven’t had much luck with. So I chose 7 different pellets, in hopes of finding one or more than were accurate.
The test
I shot from 10 meters off a bench using the artillery hold, though I had to hold the rifle tighter than normal because the butt is so slippery against my shoulder. I shot 5-shot groups to speed things up, but decided I would shoot a final 10-shot group with the pellet that was most accurate.
Sight-in
I sighted-in with Air Arms Falcon domes. The first shot hit 1.75-inches above the aim point and a little to the left, so I adjusted the rear sight down and right. Shot two landed a little too low and still to the left so I adjusted again. Shot three was in the bull and close to the center, so sight-in was finished.
Falcons
The first group was shot with Air Arms Falcon domes. Five pellets made a 0.444-inch group that was right on for elevation and just a little to the right. After this group I adjusted the rear sight one click to the left and never moved it again for the rest of the test.
The Diana 26 put 5 Falcon pellets into 0.444-inches at 10 meters.
This group isn’t bad. It’s just not great. I had hoped for something tighter.
H&N Finale Match Light
The second pellet I tested was the H&N Finale Match Light with a 4.50mm head. Five of them went into 0.666-inches at 10 meters. The group is vertical — a phenomenon that plagued me throughout the test.
Five H&N Finale Match Light pellets went into 0.666-inches at 10 meters.
RWS Superdome
Next I tried RWS Superdomes. RWS pellets often do well in vintage Diana airguns for some reason. This time the 26 put 5 of them into 0.743-inches at 10 meters. That’s not a good group. And notice that it is also vertical. I will discuss that at the end of the test.
Five Superdomes went into 0.743-inches at 10 meters.
Trigger is great!
I have to comment on the trigger on this rifle. It’s 2-stage and very crisp. I pull through the first stage and the blade stops at stage 2 positively every time. It’s not a target trigger, but for a sporting trigger it’s fine.
Sig Match Ballistic Alloy
The next pellet I tried was the Sig Match Ballistic Alloy wadcutter. In this group there may have been an aiming error, because 4 pellets are in a tight round group that measures 0.39-inches between centers, and then one stray opens it to 0.923-inches. If I’m still shooting well at the end of this test I may return and shoot a second group of five Sig pellets.
The Diana 26 put 5 Sig Match Ballistic Alloy pellets into 0.923-inches at 10 meters. Four of them are in a much tighter 0.39-inches.
JSB Exact RS
The next pellet I tested was the JSB Exact RS dome. The 26 put five of them into 0.846-inches at 10 meters. Once more the group is vertical.
The 26 put 5 JSB Exact RS domes into 0.846-inches at 10 meters, and once more there is some verticality.
H&N Match Green
Next I tried five H&N Match Green target pellets. At 10 meters they landed in a group that measures 0.65-inches between centers. This group isn’t as vertical as many have been .
Five H&N Match green target pellets went into 0.65-inches at 10 meters.
H&N Baracuda Match with 4.50mm head
The last pellets I tested were the heavy H&N Baracuda Match with 4.50mm heads. They are really too heavy for the power of the 26, but in .22 caliber Diana 27s I have found heavy pellet to be accurate. Five of them went into 0.655-inches at 10 meters. It’s not a great group, but for the 7 pellets tested today, it’s not that bad.
At 10 meters the Diana 26 put 5 H&N Baracuda Match pellets into a group measuring 0.655-inches.
The final test
I said I was going to select the most accurate pellet and shoot a 10-shot group with it at the end. That pellet is the Falcon — the first pellet I tested. Remember after that first group I did move the rear sight one click to the left.
This time 10 Falcon pellets gave me a 1.089-inch group that is almost straight up and down. This is not the pellet — it’s me. I am clearly finished shooting!
I’m done! I put 10 Falcon pellets in 1.089-inches at 10 meters.
Discussion
I tested 7 pellets in all. I expected there to be one or more that would group well. Falcons did the best and even they were just mediocre. But let’s talk about those vertical groups.
One vertical group in eight is probably the pellet. I had four out of eight and that starts looking like the sights. This 26 has a tapered post front sight and a vee rear notch — about the worst possible sights for precision. They are quick to get on target and fine for plinking, but not suited for shooting targets.
That said, when I shot Michael’s .22-caliber Diana 27using similar open sights I put 10 Air Arms Falcon pellets into 0.595-inches at 10 meters.
Ten .22-caliber Falcon pellets from Michael’s Diana 27 went into 0.595-inches at 10 meters — proving a .22 Diana can shoot!
This is one more episode in my ongoing saga with the vintage .177 Dianas. I just can’t seem to get them to shoot!
Summary
There are many more things I could do with this Diana 26, but I’m going to stop here. I still have two more vintage Dianas to test — a 27S and a .35. I also have my own .22 caliber Diana 27 to tune with Tune in a Tube, to see how nice I can make it.
It’s been fun testing a vintage rifle I had no idea existed until recently. I will set this one aside for now and move on to my other projects.
BB—–Please repeat this test with stick on sandpaper on the butt end of the stock. This will allow you to use a correct artillery hold. I would blame the vertical stringing on a slippery butt , and too tight a hold. ——Ed
You must subconsciously not like loading the little pellets.
I certainly find them harder to load than .22 pellets.
When I shoot wadcutter .177s, I have to be careful that I do not load them in backwards; bin there, done that!!!
-Y
“I certainly find them harder to load than .22 pellets.”
Yogi, I concur, big time!
I have a .177 Beeman Tempest from back in 1982 that I inherited from my Dad. So, for nostalgic reasons alone, I love to shoot it; but I use a pellet pen from PyramydAir…otherwise, it’s too fiddly to load.
Contrast that with the 100 pellets I fired out back with my HW30 last night; no pellet pen needed there, since it’s a .22 using nice big pellets. The older and more fumbly-fingered I get, the more I appreciate big fat heavy easy-to-load pellets. =)~
Take care,
dave
Hi, Dave:
“I certainly find them harder to load than .22 pellets.”
Yogi, I concur, big time!
Yep, I certainly have to agree with you both. I don’t understand the problem you’re have with the Tempest. I don’t have one, but I have a Webley Premier Mk II from 1977 that was replace by the Hurricane that begat the Tempest. As I understood at the time, Webley was making their barrels slightly oversized and it required trying various pellets that would fit flush with the end of the barrel. Anyway, I find the Webley the easiest of my four pistols to load because of the barrel configuration. Once cocked, you just let barrel rest against the barrel latch, and with it pointed down you can literally just drop in a pellet. The Beeman P17 has the same config but the barrel is so shrouded it makes it more difficult to load than the Webley.
All of my rifles are in .22 except two FWBs – a 124 and a newer Sport. I almost didn’t buy the Sport because it was only offered as a .177.
Anyway, enjoy your Tempest. My Hurricane was stolen shortly after I bought it and I’ve carried a nagging desire on the back burner of my mind since then to replace it with a Tempest.
Larry from Algona
Hi Larry!
I should have worded that better; there’s nothing wrong with the Tempest; it’s not fiddly to load; it’s the .177 caliber pellets, using my big fingers, that are more fiddly to get out of the tin and load than .22 pellets.
I’m so sorry that your Hurricane was stolen; that is way uncool! I LOVE my Tempest; I bought one for myself back in 1981; then my Dad, after shooting mine, asked me to buy one for him in 1982. Shortly before he passed away, he gave me all three of his pistols: a S&W model 681 in .357 magnum (which is basically a 686 with fixed sights; it was formerly a police gun), a .22 caliber Walther TPH (an awesome gun! very accurate, reliable, and super thin; plus it’s stainless; it gets carried a lot…it’s in my pocket right now =>), and his Tempest. The great thing about that is that I “got stupid” and sold mine years ago. So now I have his, which is a great shooter, and also a reminder of my Dad. I would say, if you see a good one, buy it; the sights aren’t as easy to adjust as your Hurricane was; but once you find the best pellet and tweak it for them, you’ll be all set. I haven’t adjusted the sights in two years. Thank you for your comment that dredged up some good memories.
take care,
dave
Hi, Dave:
Great story about your Dad’s Tempest.
Yeah, the Hurricane being stolen was definitely uncool. As it turned out, the Hurricane was the gun I missed the least. Also stolen was a FWB 65, and a Colt Scout revolver that had its own Colt basket weave holster. Plus there was a pretty fair knife collection of mostly automatic opening knives. I’m glad I dredged up happy memories for you. Seems to have done the opposite for me. LOL
LMo
Larry,
I’m really sorry to hear about your additional losses. The FWB 65 was a gun after which I lusted (back in my super-poor days) and one which I never got. I did pick up a nice used Colt Scout for a good price…or so I thought; the gun had a bent cylinder pin. Once I got a new pin, the gun worked great; but I sold it to a man who wanted to teach his granddaughter to shoot in Cowboy Action Shooting (apparently, they have a kids class where all the shooting is done with .22s). At least can take comfort in the thought that a gun I used infrequently is getting constant use by one of the next generation of shooters…that does make me happy. =>
take care,
dave
Yogi,
Thanks for the report on the Pacific Airgun Expo. I planned on going both days but ended up going on Saturday only. Good pictures! Maybe we can meet there if you go again in two years. If you bought your pellets from Don who had a couple of tables with pellets, he is a good guy.
I went up to my cabin soon after the show. It is off grid and no phone service so I am just now starting to catch up on the blog.
Thanks
Don
Cabin sounds great.
Lovely country up there.
If I go in 2 year, I will let you know…
-Y
BB,
It’s a shame that you and the 26 could not get things worked out. Perhaps you should take a break from her and date someone else for a while. She will not mind and might even be more appreciative next time. 😉
“Five of them went into 0.666-inches at 10 meters.”
Ahhhh! Are you sure, B.B.? Maybe use another caliper; perhaps they only went into 0.665″, or maybe 0.667″.
We came across a Route 666 in Florida, and my wife wouldn’t let me drive on it, hahaha! =)~
But seriously, it would have been nice if this old gal had shot a little tighter. Still, she’s a nice-looking rifle, and would make a nice plinker, a nice fun-gun. And while precision guns are great, there’s nothing wrong with having a few guns around, like for when company comes over, and you want to teach their kids to shoot.
To my way of thinking, the more fun-guns there are, the better off we are; since the more people recognize that guns can be fun, the better our chances of passing our love of shooting on to future generations.
Take care & God bless,
dave
Dave,
I wondered if someone would comment on that! 😉
B.B.
Yep; that one jumped right off the page at me, B.B.!
I have a friend whose desk phone ends in “032,” while his cell phone ends in “666”…
…I never call him on his cell…#_# *LOL* =)~
Dave,
I noticed it also. We have a route 666 here. It is White Church Road. Talk about a contradiction.
By the way, I drive it twice daily on work days.
“We have a route 666 here. It is White Church Road.”
RidgeRunner, that’s hilarious!
If it’s possible to do so without going out of your way, I would LOVE to have a pic of the signs showing that contradiction (my email is: thedavemyster@gmail.com ). I run a Bible study at our church, and my group would be in stitches over that; thank you. =>
Dave,
Oh, it’s not out of my way. As I said, I drive it twice daily to and from work. The hardest part will be remembering the camera. 😉
Hahaha! I told one of my friends about “Route 666” being “White Church Road,” and she wouldn’t believe me until I pulled up this blog and showed her your comment! =)~
Well, now you can show her a picture.
Aww, man, that’s too much! I’ll share it with the entire group tomorrow; thank you!!!
RidgeRunner, I sent this pic to the whole group, and also printed it out and brought a full-page color copy with me last night (just in case someone hadn’t seen the email yet). Everyone got a big kick out of it! Thanks again. =>
Dave,
I am glad everyone enjoyed it.
B.B.,
I wasn’t going to say anything, but given that someone else opened the door . . . if you squint and look at that group just right, it looks just like, well, just like . . . a wide-hipped man leaning on his back foot! ;^)
Michael
Gad Zukes! It’s Opra Winfrey!
Every pic I’ve ever seen of Oprah shows her to have a couple notable differences from men.
A couple of more pellet holes should do it.
B.B.
Love these old classics!
Wood and steel in a traditional format. Particularly like the angled grip as I find them to be more comfortable (and faster) for off hand shooting.
Happy Friday!
Hank
Hank,
I am with you man. The shape of the “classic”, “traditional”, “ol’ timey” stock seems to just settle into your hands for the shot.
With the Mattelomatic style of rifle you have to learn how to hold it to get results worth mentioning and with 487 (maybe a slight exaggeration) styles of grips both fore and aft, I am not sure “they” have it figured out yet.
“Wood and steel in a traditional format.”
Hank & RidgeRunner, I’m with you both on that; this Diana 26 is a pretty little rifle…and so it that 1906 (?) BSA that RidgeRunner posted a pic of awhile back. The older I get, the more I appreciate classic old guns. Years ago, a friend talked me out of my S&W model 14, a true classic from the 50s (the pic is not of mine, but mine looked exactly like that, in about the same condition). That gun had no tool marks even on the inner surfaces where they would not be seen…why?…because they were polished off at the factory by workers who had “pride of craftsmanship”…and I’d not mind seeing a bit more of that today. =>
Dave,
You can find such quality and “pride of craftsmanship” today, but you may rest assured you will pay for it. It was true then also. The average working stiff in 1906 could not afford this BSA. That Model 14 was up near the top of the heap in quality AND price back then.
“…but you may rest assured you will pay for it.”
Amen to that; and I’m OK with that; the older I get, the more I appreciate quality and craftsmanship!
Exactly. This is what I am trying to instill in my grandson. One day my collection will be his. With proper care he will be able to pass these on to his grandchildren.
Different subject. A biker friend of mine that I work with lives on route 666, White Church Road. He can see the little white church from his house.
“A biker friend of mine that I work with lives on route 666, White Church Road. He can see the little white church from his house.”
That’s hilarious! I’ll make sure the whole group knows that! =)~
Off subject, Reading Hard Air site, new “black” bbs from Crosman. Sightly heavier and Product Manager Phillip Guadalupe says that he’s found an improvement in BB-to-BB consistency also with the new products.
I hope so as Crosman copper heads have not been at the top very often in BBs groups. I also haven’t had the best groups with them (when compared to Daisy bbs). I sure want Crosman’s claim to be true cause they are made in the USA. We are living the golden age for sure. I used to think a bb was just a bb. Now look how many brands and types of bbs we have! Nice the round ball shooter has choices now!
https://hardairmagazine.com/news/new-crosman-black-widow-bbs-and-targets/
Doc
BB.
Can I make the first request for you to try some of these in your next bb shooter review? I did not know PA already has them listed. $5 for 1,000 isn’t bad.
/product/black-widow-177-cal-5-23-grains-bbs-1000ct?p=1514
Doc
Doc,
Thanks for these links. I wonder whether Crosman is making them or buying them from the same folks who make them for Hornady? Either way they are worth a test.
B.B.
BB,
I am wondering about the new spout. I have never had much luck with the old spout on my bottle of Copperheads. I even cut the tip down some for a bigger hole. I still cannot pour them into my 99.
RR,
Remember what Ralphie’s father told him on Christmas morning, “Careful. They go everywhere!”
I can’t pour them in without spilling, either. Ain’t it wonderful that some things never change?
B.B.
BB,
LOL! I guess you could say that. I used to blame engineering for such issues, but have since learned that marketing and accounting have a considerable amount of influence as to what engineering does.
The whole lot needs to be required to use their own products. 😉
B.B.
I kept comparing the copper head bottles to these new black ones, I don’t see made in USA, at least not on the front of these. So maybe not made in house.
Doc
Doc,
I wonder if they will shoot MOCB (Minute Of Carpenter Bee) at 5-10 yards through my 99?
Ridge,
Sure sounds like a good plan!
Doc
Doc,
This is one of the methods I use to reduce their population here. Another is a rousing game of “Bumble Ball”. You know how they like to hover about near their bores. I go about with a racquet ball racket and use them as the ball. Bumble Ball.
RR,
None this year yet. I have a bad mitten racquet that a fellow at work gave me. There is a foam spray just for them. Put on the little tube and shoot directly in the hole. It will foam and expand and leaves a residue that gets on them when they come back. Or, catch one inside. 😉 The stuff works and I highly recommend it. Not long ago, a powder to put in one of those puffer sprayers was the only choice.
Chris
Chris,
I have some of that and use it where I can, but it is not near as fun.
BB,
Not what I expect from a Diana. I have never had the chance to shoot the 26, but both the 25 and 27 I have used quite a lot (in .177 and .22) and I have seen others shoot with the same guns. In general they perform better than this.
In the Diana 27 I do like the .22 better than the .177 as it shoots less nervous as the .177. For me it feels like the power of the gun is in better balance with .22 pellets than the .177 pellets.
Anyway, you have made me curious I have to look for one to see how it performs. Without the tune up though, I have never liked those for this low power type of guns.
Regards,
August
Maybe I’m confused on guns. Too many oldies but goodies you have been reporting on lately. All the numbers are starting to sound the same.
But BB I’m thinking you hated sending Michael his springer back. It was a Diana wasn’t it? If it was a Diana and it shot so nice. Why? The dimensions like piston stroke and diameter, transfer port legnth and diameter and entry angle and spring all that other stuff needs documented.
Then to see if others like Michael’s shoots the same. That’s the things that grab my attention. When the same brand but different guns shoot better than the other.
Maybe I should say it a different way. You mention you don’t have luck with the Diana’s. Wonder if someone else might shoot better or worse than you did with this particular gun. Maybe certian characteristics of a gun work better for one shooter and not another.
I think I explained that well enough what I’m trying to say. Maybe not.
GF1,
Maybe wrong, but maybe not,…. I see B.B. as having a keen interest in (documenting) the “oldies, but goodies”. Good, bad, inaccurate or accurate. You know as well as anyone that different (same) guns can shoot differently. Why? Who knows? How far do you go to discern something and in the end find no concrete answers?
In all honesty,… I would not like to be in B.B.’s shoes,………….. Trying to document and record the “oldies” while at the same time,.. balancing the reporting on all of the new stuff. All in all,… it is good that it (all) get’s documented to at least some degree.
My 2 cent’s.
Oh yeah to Ya’all’s ,… I do not like loading .177 pellets either.
😉 Chris
Chris
I’m wondering if a certain stock or guns shooting characteristics suits one person better than another. Maybe one person can shoot a certain gun better than another.
I’m not directly talking variables. More like a gun just works for that person. Kind of like maybe one bike works better for a person than another type of bike. That’s where I’m going with that.
And I don’t know what you all are talking about the with .177 and .22 caliber pellets.
I would rather load .25 caliber pellets. 😉
Gunfun1,
I’ll see your .25 and raise you .575, Lol!
Actually I have no problems loading .177 into most guns but I do prefer loading bigger Pellets.
As far as a certain gun shooting better for one person than another and the bicycle comparison; isn’t that why they make different frame size, frame/head tube geometry and more? Or are you talking model or maybe even Brand? With modern 10 Meter air rifles they have those stocks that adjust everyway from Sunday so a shooter is shooting a gun that, if done right, fits like for no one else. In the old days you had to get a Gunsmith make a Custom gun with a fitted to the shooter Stock. Or you could DIY by getting out the rasp and putty till it fit.
shootski
Shootski
Right with the .575. and I have no problem loading .177 either.
And kind of like the 10 meter guns and their adjustability.
But maybe more like this. Maybe one person can shoot pcp’s but can’t shoot a springer to save their life. Then take the next person and they can shoot a springer or pcp with no problem.
Is it the gun that helps them shoot better. Or is it that they can just shoot what ever they pick up. Or does a guns shot cycle and such work for certain people and not for others.
I can’t quite place what I’m trying to say.
Yup, I’m the guy who can’t shoot a springer to save my life, and not because I haven’t tried. Just nothing I tried ever worked for me. Now the PCP, no problem at all and I don’t have to be so conscience of how it’s held. In pesting situations it’s not always possible to be in that ideal position and hold on a springer. It is very easy for me to change the POI on my Diana 34 by 2″ by just changing my hold slightly….it’s just to darn finicky.
Geo
My buddy I grew up is like that too.
He shoots skeet and bird hunts with a shotgun and never misses. It’s like you go what the heck if he misses.
Put him behind a springer or nitro gun and it’s over.
He’s even real good shooting semi-auto.
I think he concentrates too much when he gets a springer in his hand. He will take like10-20 seconds to take a shot with a springer. The other guns including pcp’s. He’s on target in a split second and the shots off. Seriously he can put some groups down. But not with a springer.
Something about a springer changes his mind set I think.
GF1,
Ah, but you are talking variables as each person is different. As Hank, Dave and I have been discussing, we prefer the “classic” style while there are others who have shot nothing but Mattelomatic style rifles for many years and have a hard time adapting to the “old school” stuff. Also, everyone sees, holds, feels, twitches, etc. differently.
RR
Yep and that too. The hold see and feel and twitches.
RR
You can certainly include me in the “old school” club. I’m even not partial to thumb-hole stocks.
Sometimes I feel guilty just being a “lurker” here, but since the topics here for the last year or two seemed to cover mostly PCPs, air compressors, or CO2 guns, I find I have nothing to contribute that someone else has probably already said better.
I read several other Facebook airgun blogs and it seems the majority of the contributors just keep buying the big box stores’ latest and greatest Crosman, Benjamin, or Umerex hot dogs, looking for that Holy Grail. I guess my rant is, if you really need 20+ fpe, for crying out loud, buy a PCP.
To quote the late, great Harry Callahan, “A man’s got to know his gun’s limitations.”
Larry from Algona
Larry,
I welcome you to the “old school” club.
There is no shame in being a “lurker”, at least not here. I myself did such for quite some time, at least until I thought I knew what I was talking about. Now they can’t shut me up.
You are quite right about the pursuit of power. You may indeed eventually find incredible power in a sproinger, but can you hit your target with it?
RR
HaHa, like they say on Facebook, Thanks for the Add.
I guess Hatsan is making high powered rifles for .25 and .30 cal pellets, but I’m not feeling any attraction. You’re still going to be better off with a PCP even if they are accurate. With a rainbow trajectory you are really limited to your range so anything you could hunt would probably be impossible to get close enough to. And you’re right. The higher the power the harder it is to group well, even with a great artillery hold technique.
I doubt if I will ever buy another air gun/rifle. Presently, I have an even dozen, four of which I trying to figure the best way to dispose of. Of the remaining eight, they are all break barrel springers with “old school” wood stocks and I figure it will take me my remaining years to master every one.
This selection is quite eclectic as I have single examples of the various makes and models except for the FWBs. I already started out with two of those before purchasing a current FWB Sport .177.
Oh, I guess I forgot to mention, I have open sights on all of my rifles that include peeps on my original 42 yo 124/127.
I’ve got an indoor range of 16 yds. I’ve never been the best off hand shooter but lately, I’ve been putting my 124 thru the paces and at that range I was hitting 30 shots that could mostly be covered by a quarter with it’s peep sight. (I think I’ve rambled enough.)
LMol
Larry,
When I stop and think about it, I find I have far more airguns than I ever intended. It is all BB’s fault. He made me buy all of these antique airguns. 😉
The rest are examples of the various “types” of airguns such as break barrel sproinger, PCP, big bore PCP, etc. This part of my “collection” could actually use a few more, but I end up spending most of my time with the “old gals”.
I will not say that I will not do so, but I do not see my “collection” growing very much if at all. Right now I have more to shoot than I have time to shoot.
By the way, you should not have more than one FWB in your collection, even if it is “eclectic”. You should immediately box up the oldest one and send it to live at RidgeRunner’s Home For Wayward Airguns. Here the “old gals” are given much attention and that will help you with your “overstock” issue.
Hahaha, nice try, RR. Fortunately, I’ve seen you attempt this ruse on other readers.
I think I would rather get rid of my Weihrauch 95 or my Diana 34. (whoops, that’s an RWS 34 T06 Classic – they have totally removed anything relating to Diana on this one. Thankfully it’s still stamped Made in Germany.)
I hate when they do that.
And, yep, reading this post for several years now I have seen many readers relate how “the Great Enabler” has caused them to dip into their hard-earned cash reserves.
A couple of things about my two oldest FWBs: The 124 is listed as the rifle with the oldest serial number they have been tracking on the FWB 124/127 Owners group base in England. The 127 is stamped with Imported by Beeman, San Anselmo, CA, which even Dr. Beeman has written would make it pretty rare.
Take care,
LMo
Larry,
Yup,…. B.B.’s blog has (certainly) helped drain more than a few green backs from my wallet. Thing is,…. the more I knew,… the better choices I made. So,…. in the end,… time that was (very) well spent.
Chris
Larry,
OK,OK, you caught me. I’ll just take the HW95. Yes, she is fairly young, but I have a few other young ladies hanging around here also.
Hey Larry, seems that I recall that quote as being “A man’s got to know his limitations.” I could be wrong though. But in reality, it’s probably more the human’s limitation rather than the gun’s.
Geo791
You are absolutely correct. I was intending to say “paraphrase” instead of “quote” but I seem to have had a senior moment. Or, to “quote” Denny Crane: “It’s the Mad Cow”.”
Have a great day.
LMo
Larry, I miss that show, “Boston Legal”. I remember that episode where a guy attempted to rob Denny (Shatner) and he pulled a pistol and shot the guy in the foot. Then Denny’s partner made a comment and Denny shot the guy in the other foot. When the police frisked him he had like four pistols on him. Very funny.
Geo791
Yes, he would have fit in with us handily, he certainly loved his guns.
Always getting caught doing something unethical he always begged off with It’s the Mad Cow.
LMo
Chris
In regard to your post with the blog and green backs.
When you gonna try out a AirForce gun.
😉
GF1,
Might have a .25 M-rod with RAI stock and FAB defense 6 position up for offer. RW and M-rod are a bit of duplicity. I tend to be minimalist. Yes,… Air Force has had my interest from the start. A magazine has been my only hold back. I like regulation,… so that would be a plus too. Then again,… an AF would just be replacing the M-rod.
While I liked it at first,… (and still may),…. I am not so sure that fussing with mods. is my cup of tea. Not enough time for me, at the moment.
Chris
Chris
You don’t have to mod them. Just shoot them. They are fine as they come. What’s nice is they can be modded if you want.
Gunfun1,
I think you are taking the Natural Born shooter and the student of shooting; the first just GETS IT without trying and the other works hard to gain the experience needed to shoot anything. So I think most of us fall into the NOT Naturals, a big bunch of us find one sort of gun they can shoot and stick with it, and a few of us work really hard to learn and get that EXPERIENCE with many different guns that almost makes us look like the Naturals from the outside. Along those lines I think it a shame that some airgunners never try to shoot other weapons like bows, crossbows, blow guns, black powder, rimfire, center-fire; heck even knife throwing, axe throwing, slings and slingshots. Heck, just about all the ballistic weapons/arts beside Golfing help you learn to shoot better.
shootski
Shootski
Yep that’s probably what I’m getting at.
Heck one of my favorite things to do as a kid was launch rocks out into the feild with one of those slings with a pouch and a string that you spun around and let go of the string where you wanted. Actually got pretty good hitting stuff with it.
But yep natural and add in practice then what do you have? 🙂
Hi B.B.
Well that’s slightly disappointing. I would have expected more accuracy.
It doesn’t have very many shots since the lube so maybe it needs some more shots and a barrel clean from the burn off lubes. But maybe this is just all she has got.
Carel
Geo,
Did you ever get a indoor pellet trap/stop built? I have (barely) managed to post pics, with success,… so I could do a few for you since you asked before. Let me know. That said,…. (IF) I can remember how! 😉
Chris
Chris,
Do not listen to GF1. Do not try AirForce, not unless you want to spend a whole lot of greenbacks. There is sooo much you can do with just one of those.
RR
Right.
😉
Chris,
No, I have not constructed a new indoor pellet trap yet. Seems there are always higher priority projects. My brother-in-law brought me a piece of aluminum about 12″x12″x1″ thick. I think this will make a very good backstop. I will just need to figure out what material to use in front of it to keep the pellets from rebounding and making a lot of noise. I will have to buy some more material to make a new box to house the aluminum. I keep thinking about it but just have not got roundtoit.
I built a new desktop PC in March and getting all of my programs transferred and Windows 10 setup the way I need has taken a lot of my time. It’s pretty much done so now I am ready for a new project…oh and it’s time to get the lawn tractor ready for mowing too. Thanks for thinking of me and remembering I wanted to build a new pellet trap. I haven’t done much shooting this winter either. I saw the picture you posted a few days ago, looked great too. I need to take a picture of my solution to keeping the air probe clean and protected using a pill bottle. That works very good and keeps the grease from getting contaminated with dirt.
Geo
George,
Stop working at this. Here is the quick and easy solution.
/blog/2018/03/the-right-now-pellet-and-bb-trap/
B.B.
B.B.,
Thank you for that link to an earlier blog. I do remember reading that blog at the time. Very ingenious pellet trap. I built my pellet trap using 1×4 boards on the perimeter and 1/2″ OSB board on the back with about 2″ or more of duct seal. The size is 10″x12″ and mounted on post which is mobile. My problem is that I am shooting pretty powerful airguns. My RWS 34 in .22 and my Gamo Urban PCP. Not many tins of pellets have been shot into the trap, but, some are exiting out the back already. These airguns are no joke and require more than just duct seal to stop the pellet. I don’t just shoot at the middle either. I use targets printed out using my computer, consisting of (20) 1/2″ or 1/4″ dots on 1″ grids. So the pellets are not localized. I am shooting in my basement at 17 yards. Most of the time the Urban can hit a 1/4″ dot at that distance too.
Geo
Geo,
The skillet stops the pellets. Your plate will stop some pretty big stuff. Box it like your previous trap and put duct seal on top and you can shoot till your heart’s content.
Yes, that is the plan. I was thinking of using something other than duct seal this time. It’s little pricey and after I applied it to my trap it sagged. Then I had to redistribute the duct seal and it was a difficult because it had dried out a little and was not really pliable any longer.
This time I am thinking of using some carpet scrap or rags in front of the aluminum plate. I would like to find some 1/4″ rubber to attach to the aluminum but have not been able to find any. An old mud flat from a semi would be very good….can’t find a piece of that either. Still thinking about it.
Aaron Cantrell (airgun YouTuber) states that a box of rags makes the best pellet trap.
Geo,
That plate sounds just fine. Isolate it from the box. I mounted the 11 ga. plate with PA pellet foam behind it. 1 hole in each corner and screwed with rubber washers. Isolate, that is the key to quiet.
I got away from duct seal real quick for the sole reason of lead clean up. You want the pellet to hit, fall and come to rest in the bottom. Sweep up and done. I give all mine to a fellow who cast fishing sinkers.
I chrony within 5′ so when doing the .25’s, I put a 4×4 hardwood buffer “plate” in front of the 11 ga. plate.
Carpet would do just fine. Door matts abound at Wally World. I will see if I can post some pics this weekend.
Chris
Geo,
As Chris says, door mats will do just fine. Lowes has rubber floor matting also. Stuff can be ordered from Uline.
Oh, just forget about it. Send me that aluminum plate. 😉
Geo,
Something else you could do is make the box deeper and put the heavy mat on the front, then fill it with shredded tire “mulch”. I have heard of others doing such. The lead fragments eventually sift to the bottom for easy collection.
RR,
I had thought of using a plastic tub filled with rubber mulch. I too have read that the rubber mulch makes a very good backstop. My wife has a nose like a beagle and when I mentioned using the rubber mulch, she said it would smell bad in our basement. So, that’s off the table. Bugbuster has graciously offered to send me some rubber mat 3/8″ thick which will work great with my 10 3/4″ x 12″ x 1″ thick aluminum plate behind it. I will just need to construct a new wooden box to hold everything.
Geo,
You have to make the boss happy. 😉
You might want to go to Lowes and pick up some soft foam floor mat to fit on top of the other. It is about 1/2″ thick and will be somewhat self healing. It will make it easy to pin targets to the backstop and when a section wears out you can cut out the bad and replace with a piece.
Are you sure you want to hang on to that aluminum plate? 😉
RR,
You sure seem to be interested in my aluminum plate. 😉
It should work great and will never require replacing.
Are you referring to the foam pad material used under carpeting?
Geo,
No lack of advice from the “peanut gallery”! LOL! 😉
I considered the rubber mulch thing. More to hassle with. I open the front door, lightly shop-vac off any backer or matt material and simply gather up the lead. I went through several variations to arrive where I am at. Isolate that massive plate and all is good. That mass alone will do wonders.
I will do my best to post some pics this weekend and maybe at least give you some design aspects to consider. You can go from there.
Till this weekend,….. take care,…….. Chris
Chris,
Thanks for your comment and willingness to share you design. I believe the mulch would be a hassle too. I look forward to your pictures. I have the text you gave me on building a pellet trap saved in my airgun folder on my computer. Having pictures to go along with the text would be nice. Have a good week.
Geo
Geo,
They make a foam padding to go on top of the floor that has interlocking sections.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gray-Anti-Fatigue-Mat-Common-4-ft-x-4-ft-Actual-49-21-in-x-49-21-in/3111467
It comes in different colors.
RR,
Thank you for the link. Now I see what you are talking about. It doesn’t say how thick it is though. Something to consider yet.
Geo
Geo,
As I recall,… I never had an issue with any pellet fragments bouncing back through the corrugated cardboard target backer. Splat and fall to bottom. bb’s (will) bounce back if they can find a hole or if they still have enough power to punch through and bounce from the reverse side. The curtain is optional if doing pellets, but recommended if doing bb’s.
Crazy weekend, but still intend to do some pics of the target box/stop.
Chris
Geo,
It is about a 1/2″ thick. I have some black panels in my “toy closet” so as not to scratch the floor.
Geo,
Box pics on (most current) 5/3/19 blog at bottom,…… Chris
Thanks Chris. I checked it out. Looks like a pretty heavy duty backstop.