This report covers:
Here are the answers BB had thought of when he wrote this quiz. That doesn’t mean these are the right answers or even the only answers. It just means this is what BB was thinking about.
Today I will give you the answers I was looking for in Tuesday’s pop quiz.
First of all, the rules. What does “…only one answer per comment.” mean? It means just a single answer. Pick one question and give an answer. However, those who listed 20 answers were not wrong. They thought I meant only one answer per question per comment. See how hard it is to communicate? They weren’t wrong. BB needed to be clearer on his directions.
1. You just installed a new scope and your rifle that used to be accurate now shoots large groups. What could be wrong?
There were a lot of good answers to this one. The one I was looking for was the scope’s elevation had been adjusted too high and the erector tube was floating. When you get large groups always dial the elevation down about 60-80 clicks and shoot a group. It will be lower than you want, but if it is small you know the rear of the scope needs to be shimmed up or the rear mount needs to be adjusted higher.
2. My CO2 gun has a slow leak. If I fill it at night it’s empty by morning. Is there anything I can do?
I was looking for using automatic transmission stop leak.
3. Do breakbarrels ever shoot higher than the scope can compensate? Why? (counts as one question)
Yes, breakbarrels can shoot higher and the reason is always a bent barrel. It’s not common but in my experience it is always the reason for this problem.
4. Why doesn’t the power of a multi-pump increase with more pump strokes after the recommended max.?
Again there were a couple good answers. The one I was looking for was the valve was not able to exhaust all the air with the shot. That is a common reason for this problem.
5. What does boxing the scope mean? Why do it? (counts as one question)
Boxing the scope means shooting a group and then adjusting the reticle in four directions by the same number of clicks — left, down, right and up, or some similar combination. The resulting target should show a “box” of four groups (the groups are at the corners of the box), with the first and last groups being slightly larger because they overlap. It tells you how precise the scope adjustments are, whether there is any stiction, whether the scope is mounted level with the bore and finally that you are holding the rifle the same way every time.
6. How does a single stage trigger differ from a single action trigger?
A single stage trigger starts the pull off the sear at the beginning of the trigger pull. Single action means the hammer or striker must be cocked manually before the trigger can be pulled.
7. In a breakbarrel rifle what is the air transfer port and what does it do?
The air transfer port is a hole passing from the end of the compression chamber to the back of the pellet in the breech. It allows the air compressed by the piston to get behind the pellet in the breech.
8. If a pellet hits the target at a certain point at 10 meters, what will a heavier pellet do? Why?
There was more to this one than many people realized. If the airgun recoils, the heavier pellet will probably strike the target higher than the initial pellet — at least at close range. In recoil the muzzle of the airgun will rise and the heavier pellet, going slower, may still be inside the barrel. If so the angle of the departing heavier pellet will be upward. However, if the distance to the target is farther than several meters (like 10) and the airgun doesn’t recoil, the heavier pellet will probably strike the target lower than the initial pellet because it goes slower and falls farther, relative to the distance traveled downrange.
9. If a pellet hits the target at a certain point at 10 meters, what will a lighter pellet do? Why?
This is another complex one. If the airgun recoils the lighter pellet can strike the target lower than the initial pellet because it got out of the barrel faster — before it could rise. And even when the target is farther away the lighter pellet will travel faster which means it falls less in relation to the distance traveled. If the airgun doesn’t recoil the first pellet, being heavier, will fall farther, relative to the distance travelled, which means the lighter pellet will strike the target higher.
10. In as few words as possible, describe the artillery hold.
The best answer would be follow through. But reader Feinwerk gave the best answer I could find, and here is what he said. “Hold the gun as lightly and consistently as possible, with loose cheek pressure and shoulder pressure, and let the gun jump and move during its shot cycle.”
11. How does a two stage trigger differ from a double action trigger?
A two stage trigger has a light first stage, then pauses at the second stage. Pulling harder should make the sear release suddenly and consistently. A double action trigger cocks the hammer or striker every time it is pulled and then releases the hammer or striker to fire the gun. All of this happens as the trigger is pulled back. The double action trigger on many guns also advances the cylinder or the ammunition in some other way.
12. If steel BBs go a certain speed from a gun, why do lighter Dust Devil BBs go slower?
I should have said sometimes they go slower, because they don’t always. Dust Devils are smaller in the bore and sometimes they allow gas or air to pass them by.
13. If steel BBs go a certain speed from a gun, why do heavier Smart Shot BBs go faster?
Again I should haver said sometimes. Sometimes the Smart Shot BBs fit the bore so tight that they completely seal the air or gas behind them.
14. I am new to airguns but I’ve been shooting handguns for a long time. I want an accurate air pistol for my suburban back yard. What would you recommend and why?
This question is completely subjective, so I read your answers to see what kind of thought you put into them. There is no right answer. I liked the answers that considered accuracy and triggers.
15. I just bought a .177 caliber Air Venturi Avenger to plink with and rid my back yard of wasps. I have to scope it because it has no sights. What do you recommend?
This one was a puzzle with the answer embedded in the question. Wasps are bugs, so I thought of the Bug Buster scope line.
16. I am at a gun show where a local dealer is selling a UTG Bubble Leveler scope for a great price. Is it just a gimmick, or does it really work?
Another subjective question. This scope has brilliant optics and would be good with or without the bubble level.
17. My new house has a basement that’s 20 yards long. I convinced my wife to let me shoot pellet rifles (I have a .22-caliber Benjamin Marauder) and BB guns, as long as I was safe and didn’t create a mess. What recommendations do you have?
Come on, guys and gals — the rubber mulch BB and pellet trap! Nothing is better. And I like the magnet idea for the floor.
18. I’ve been invited to hunt feral hogs on my brother-in-law’s farm. He wants me to use an airgun for safety. I don’t own a big bore air rifle, but this is too good to pass up. What should I get?
I wanted to see here if you were aware that feral hogs are considered pests and an invasive species in every state. They are considered safe to eat if they are properly field dressed. The Centers for Disease Control issues the following guidelines for dealing with wild pigs:
- Use clean, sharp knives for field dressing and butchering.
- Wear eye protection and rubber or latex gloves (disposable or reusable) when handling carcasses.
- Avoid direct (bare skin) contact with fluid or organs from the animal.
- Avoid direct (bare skin) contact with hunting dogs that may have come into contact with hunted animals.
- After butchering, burn or bury disposable gloves and parts of the carcass that will not be eaten.
- Don’t feed dogs with raw meat or other parts of the carcass.
- Wash hands as soon as possible with soap and warm water for 20 seconds or more. Dry hands with a clean cloth.
- Clean all tools and reusable gloves with a disinfectant, like dilute bleach. (Follow the safety instructions on the product label).
- Thoroughly cook meat from any animal that is known to be a possible carrier of brucellosis.
- Be aware that freezing, smoking, drying and pickling do not kill the bacteria that cause brucellosis.
Now, why does your brother-in-law want you to use an airgun for safety? Big bore airguns (the only kind to consider for hunting pigs) shoot slower projectiles that don’t go as far as rifle bullets and not even as far as shotgun slugs. If they ricochet, the bullets travel less far. If you shoot through an animal, and even with bison, a side shot with most big bore airguns will pass through the animal, the bullet will go to ground much sooner.
19. BB has said that used airguns are often a good buy. Nobody near my house in Kansas City sells airguns — new or used. What can I do?
You can attend gun shows. You can buy online if you feel comfortable doing so. Heck, attending one airgun show would be as much exposure as a couple hundred gun shows.
20. I see these arrow launcher air rifles online. Are they any good? I want to hunt pigs with them.
Arrow launchers are generally as powerful or more powerful than the most powerful crossbows, which is to say more powerful than a longbow. They are easier to shoot accurately, though they do not make you an expert archer. Limit your shots to the distance at which you can keep all arrows inside a 6-inch circle when the circle is drawn before you shoot.
Well that was fun. In fact, based on your replies, I think we’ll do it again sometime.
Wow! I’m just going to have to keep reading – absorbing as many nuggets of truth as possible. Orv.
There were a bunch of good answers. Some of them were even correct.
This was one of those “lazy BB” blogs. Most of this blog was written down over the years, probably in a “notebook”, and all BB had to do was put the questions together in a blog.
It did give BB a “measurement” of how well he is communicating his thoughts to us. This blog offers us more than a review of various airguns. Here we can delve deeper into the mechanics of how airguns function. If we pay real close attention, we can learn what we are looking for from the world of airguns. If we are paying real, real close attention, we may notice ourselves changing over the years.
BB,
You are going to hate me for this, but what about the Fortitude? Were you not supposed to try another one to see if the performance was “up to par”? I “need” another “decent” PCP and this just might fill the bill. You also did not stretch its legs past 25 yards.
RR,
I don’t hate anyone. I will look into it, but as I recall, I had a lot of bad luck with that rifle.
BB
Indeed. You were going to try to get your hands on another one and see if it worked out.
Hi everybody,
I thought this was a really cool idea, so I rushed a bit to write my answers down before the blog post was old news 🙂
In other news, I am now able to shoot outdoors on a fairly large property. 50 meters shouldn’t be no problem at all, maybe even 100.
This is where something with more power than 7,5 joule (German limit) might be nice to have, but even if I took up Field Target, trained and got a permit for a 16 joule airgun, I wouldn’t be allowed to shoot it on a private property that isn’t a certified shooting range. I guess it’s still going to be fun. If I want more power, bows and crossbows are still an option (not regulated in Germany).
My friend (whose father owns the property) received his Diana 35 Commemorative some days ago. As expected it’s basically identical to my 31 Panther. Coincidentally, they are even in the same type of stock as I put my 31 in a wooden stock a while ago. The 35 already shoots well, but it’s obvious that it still needs to wear in a bit compared to mine.
At first, my friend was a bit hesitant because of the price, but I think this is a very good choice. In a way I already made the typical mistakes with sub-standard guns and scopes so he doesn’t have to 🙂
Stephan
Cptklotz
I would really appreciate your thoughts and, if possible, first hand experience on the 35 Commemorative. It seems that in Germany costs about 100€ less than the classic 34 (not the EMS). If they are comparable I would really be interested to buy one with an export spring.
Thank you in advance for any assistance.
Bill,
my 31 Panther would be called “34 Panther” in the USA (it came with the black synthetic stock which is very good, except that I think wood is nicer).
I *think* the 35 might be more powerful than the old 31/34 (probably has a heavier spring). I guess you could probably install any spring you like.
Apart from that, I think the guns are basically identical. Same action, barrel, T06 trigger… What’s nice about the “Commemorative” is that it comes without fiber optics and a removable front sight insert (doesn’t come with extra inserts though).
So, judging from that, I’d say it’s a rock-solid, well-made and accurate breakbarrel. I’m a little bit spoiled since I also have an old Weihrauch HW35E with a fantastic looking walnut stock which I may even like a little bit more. Performance-wise I’d say they’re about equal (except for the fact the Diana is quite a bit more powerful when using the full-power version).
I think BB tested the EMS and found that it has a version of the T06 trigger that isn’t quite as good as the standard one. I can’t comment on that. The regular T06 is great.
Stephan
Stephan,
I went online and looked at the 35 Commemorative. It seems like a nice air rifle.
BB
Stephan
Thank you very much for your response. EMS is a no go for me. Fiber optics also.
I really like the HW35 E, like everyone else, but the price is almost double than the Diana 35 Commemorative. Since I look for a medium springer to use with the Williams peep sight I might just go for the Diana. It’s lighter, slimmer, more powerful, without that nicer walnut stock though.
Yes, the HW35E is noticeably heavier and some people can’t stand the barrel lock (I like it).
I’d say go for the Diana if it fits your needs. I’m happy to recommend it 🙂
Ridgerunner,
Hang on to the Izh 46. The Diana mod. 10 would certainly be welcomed, but I was sticking to CO2 since you’d mentioned a Crosman 150.
Derrick,
that Hammerli was real nice. The problem is finding one. I would not be surprised if I could find a 150 at the Hickory show in October. As for the Hammerli, they are probably as rare as hen’s teeth.
My Izzy is not going anywhere. It would have to be some kind of pistol for me to swap her off. I am not sure a FWB 100 series would do it. It would be kind of nice if someone would seriously try and tempt me though.
Hi BB, A little off topic, but something I would like to learn more about. I saw an ad for CO2 cartridges from a major airgun supplier that were labeled ” High Grade “. The ad went on to say that theirs had ” clean ” CO2. I always assumed ( I know ), that cartridges were pretty much all the same. Some of the reviews attached to the ad were from soft air folks. Are there grades of cartridges or is this an advertising gimmick ? Would it be more of a concern for air soft use ? CO2 for air guns has been around for a long time, so I would be surprised if these in the ad are better, but what do I know. Thanks, Fishoot
fishoot,
High Grade is a new one to me. I really don’t know. I know that some manufactures inject a small amount of oil in their cartridges to oil the mechanisms of airsoft guns.
Maybe someone is making cartridges that are dirty and this is an attempt to get their business?
BB
The artillery hold explanation by Feinwerk was particularly useful to FM, who is still trying to master it with the HW95; for a light-weight guy, FM’s grip tends to be a little heavy-handed. A lot of good-to-know stuff in this and the prior related article.
“You can attend gun shows. You can buy online if you feel comfortable doing so. Heck, attending one airgun show would be as much exposure as a couple hundred gun shows,” wrote B.B. What the Sunshine State needs is a good airgun show, like the one in Findlay, Ohio for example. Who knows? It may happen before FM gets too old to break a barrel.
Basil,
So — organize one! That’s how the Texas show began.
BB
So roll up to Hickory, NC in mid-October. It is a pretty big show, and they have a shooting range. I will be heading there myself on the Saturday.
https://www.tmacsairgunservice.com/
That’s a thought, and it is Mrs.’ “home country;” she could make social calls while Worst Half does the show. Don’t know about organizing one down here – FM is not much of an organizer – but there are a couple of local airgun dealers that perhaps can be convinced to get the ball rolling or maybe combine one with a gun show.
There you go!
Hi Tom! I really just wanted to chime in and say thank you. My brain is not sharp like it used to be but the fact is all those answers now live in my head thanks to you.
I couldn’t focus long enough to participate and post the answers….. But after 15 years it’s remarkable what you have taught me….. About a topic that I love.
Thank you godfather LOL
Frank,
It’s my pleasure.
BB
BB,
I’d add that one additional consideration for hunting with big bores, and especially the arrow launchers is that as fairly unusual/new hunting tools is where they fall in regulations, especially if certain types of game have set hunting seasons/specific requirements (minimum calibre, etc.) in an area. And bring a hardcopy of any errata or amendments that the regulating authority may have issued (ie, treated as a muzzleloader, treated as a crossbow…) as well as know where the documentation/notice is posted online in case it becomes a point of discussion.
Cheers,
Nathan
Nathan,
See the PA/ASA links for the latest USA Wide best collective information on Airgun Hunting with convenient LINKS to the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)/Hunting/Fish & Game Agencies:
https://airgunsporting.org/laws/
/airgun-map/
Both of the above links go to the same interactive map of current airgun hunting laws in the USA. It seems to be very up to date.
I think that Pyramyd AIR and the Airgun Sporting Association are doing a great service for our community! Over the past three decades great progress has been made in educating the Legislatures and Controlling Agencies on the effectiveness of airguns for hunting; much remains to be accomplished.
The LINKS provided need to be widely shared to keep folks from hunting UNlawfully with airguns and causing setbacks to the hard and long efforts of so many good people.
shootski
B.B. and Readership,
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Whiskey 3 ASP scopes are on SALE by the manufacturer at ROCK BOTTOM prices. They are being sold at or below cost. You may not have gotten the airgun but the scope is the real deal for airguns. It will, however, not have the extra Elevation BDC (Bullet {pellet} Drop Compensation) turret cap.
shootski
Thanks for that; now you’ve complicated the options for nicely scoping the Ben Max .22 – in a good way. Whiskey3 or Bug Buster? – to replace the Center Point scope that came with the rifle. Now, FM does not want to start a Rabbit Hole thread here but not stopping one either. 🙂
Will S. July 23, 2022 at 7:43 am
Shootski,
Thank you for the Public Service Announcement! After reading that, I jumped onto buying the Whiskey -3 scope faster than you can say, “Jack Robinson.” Something my mother used to say. I was thinking of buying my fifth Bug Buster, because they are super for my use, but I’ll be very happy with the Whiskey-3. How fortuitous! Thanks again!
Will
Will S.,
Read my scope(s) unboxing post today on the PA MOA Challenge weekend blog.
I think you will be even happier.
shootski
BB,
In the questions 8 and 9, is it the same effect for break barrel spring air rifles as well?
Fish
BB,
I asked this question, because the spring piston recoils differently compared to the others.
Fish,
The key is recoil. If the rifles recoil, then yes.
BB
BB,
You see, I’ve only enjoyed Diana 27s – other than a short period with a friend’s Hatsan, which doesn’t count. To be honest, I didn’t even worry about the artillery hold or kinds of pellets I used. I was buying any pellets I could find, and my Diana 27s took care of the rest for me. The shapes, grains, and such didn’t matter. They all worked accurately. Talking about plinking here of course. So, recoil hadn’t been a matter for me. With a springer, the rifle moves a little backwards first, which the shooter usually doesn’t even feel, but then the forward movement comes in the play at the end.
My QUESTION for you here is, in recoil the muzzle of the airgun will rise – regardless it’s a breakbarrel springer or not – Am I understanding it right? Sorry, I am stuck here.
Fish
Fish,
You are correct. On MOST spring-piston air rifles, the piston travels forward at the shot and that causes the rifle to move to the rear — recoil. When that happens the muzzle of the rifle rises a bit. If the pellet is still inside the barrel when that happens then it moves up, relative to the target.
Does that explain it?
BB
BB,
Yes, that explained perfectly. Thank you.
Just to make sure I got it right. At the start, the piston moves forward, then the gun moves backward – light recoil, possibly not even noticed by the shooter. And everything in the question happens at this stage. At this point, the muzzle of the rifle rises a bit, so the pellet will go higher relative to the target if it’s still inside the barrel.
So, at the end of its travel, when the piston comes to a sudden stop – when the rifle jumps in the same direction the piston was traveling -, the pellet has already left the barrel. So that jump (forward recoil) doesn’t affect the pellet at all; everything in question happens at the first mild recoil.
Fish.
Fish,
Yes.
BB
BB,
Question 17: The magnet was your idea. You mentioned it while you talked about 499b and its special steel BBs for indoor range.
For the .22 cal, wouldn’t keeping the fps under 600 fps be important with lead pellets to avoid lead dust and particles?
Fish
Fish,
What is your source for the 600 FPS for Lead poisoning prevention?
In all the research literature I have viewed on Lead exposure (while shooting or Shooting Range contamination) I have not found any to list a specific speed at which problems begin.
What I have learned is proper ventilation, ventilation, and more ventilation is the answer on firearm shooting ranges. The reason for that is the Lead compounds used in some primers, gas jet cutting during the shot cycle and the high barrel heat levels that firearms may experience. I’m not saying that shooting Lead ammunition in airguns is license to ignore good Range Hygiene. Which includes NO Eating, Drinking, washing face and hands or NOT putting Lead projectiles in your pockets or mouth.
Indoor Range cleaning should be done with a HEPA Filtration vacuum cleaner. Wearing a properly rated mask, gloves, protective clothing (washed separately from other laundry) or disposable for outdoor Lead Trap cleanup.
IF you are concerned get your Lead blood level tested REGULARLY but realize that without a baseline you won’t know the TRUE cause if elevated.
Unless you have shot thousands of pellets and put most of them in your mouth, sucked on your pellet loading fingers after every loading you will probably be OKAY at least from airgun shooting being your cause of elevated Lead Blood Levels.
This Lead topic comes up on an almost fixed cycle; much as High Pressure Air Cylinder FAILURE due to moisture cycles every few years. The statistics just aren’t there but the anecdotal retelling is brutal.
Do any of the READERSHIP know of an airgunner with medically confirmed elevated Lead blood level where the cause was confirmed as caused by shooting airguns and NO other possible source?
This should have been question 21.
shootski
Shootski,
My source is BB.
/blog/2020/03/with-airguns-home-is-the-range-part1/
Fish,
The B.B. Blog you showed the link for was another one of the Godfather of Airguns topnotch Blogs.
He did however indicate that was for shooting into Steel traps. He went on to say: “…so stick with guns that shoot slower than 600 f.p.s., or use a quiet pellet trap for guns shooting from 600 up to about 1,000 f.p.s. The Quiet Trap generates no lead dust if the pellets are cleaned out after use.”
I think the mulch trap had not become the go to quiet trap in March of 2020. The clean out of the mulch trap would require some Lead dust precautions that I discussed earlier.
shootski
shootski,
Good answer! Thanks, 🙂
BB
shooski,
I know what it says in that blog. I read that too. My concern is the pellets that miss the trap. I would like to be able to find them in one deformed piece later on.
shootski,
Sky is the limit here. If you want to spend a lot of money, you can have a perfect range in the basement. With a homemade quiet mulch trap and limited budget, I would keep the fps a little lower for indoor fun. If you are shooting .22 at 850 fps in doors, and you miss the mulch trap, what is your plan to catch the pellet in one piece? If you have a good plan for that, then, yeah, pick any cal at any fps. At home, there are too much that are not under your control, and you cannot be at home all times. Maybe, I am over analyzing this.
Fish.
shootski,
You made good points, and I agree. But I was not worried about those at all. You brought all those details up and then answered them yourself.
Fish
BB,
I can’t find the blog where you mentioned the magnet. It might be my idea after all!? I read it somewhere but can’t remember where.
BB,
“What does “…only one answer per comment.” mean? It means just a single answer.”
I still feel terrible about it. Sorry.
Fish,
A synthetic cutting board works as a backstop behind the trap. Obviously it must be larger than the trap.
BB
BB & Shootski,
Synthetic cutting board, this resolves all the indoor range queries I’ve had. Then now, after all is said and done, a .177 HW30S is truly the only brand-new air rifle in the market for my wishes – it’s perfect for indoors and outdoors. HW30S… Hmm…? I think this might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
I also thought about attaching 4 or 5 moving boxes for 55-inch TVs and filling them with rubber mulch. But I think that would be a tad bid expensive, even as a one-time investment. It could last forever though, considering there won’t be too many pellets that miss the main quiet trap with the target.
Thanks guys,
Fish.