The Diana two forty.
This report covers:
- The test
- RWS Superpoint
- Air Arms 8.44-grain domes
- The trigger
- JSB Exact Express
- Firing behavior
- H&N Excite Econ II
- Sig Match Ballistic Alloy
- Discussion
- Summary
Today we shoot the Diana two forty for accuracy for the first time. Have you been waiting for this? I know I have.
The test
I shot from 10 meters with the rifle rested directly on a sandbag. I did not sight in the rifle because I’ve found that when they come with open sights, they are pretty well on target from the get-go.
I shot 10-shot groups with each pellet tested. I used a 6 o’clock hold that proved easy because of how the target was lit. The fiberoptics had no chance to illuminate.
RWS Superpoint
The first pellet I tested was the RWS Superpoint. After the first shot I looked at the target through the spotting scope and saw the pellet hole in the center of the bullseye for elevation and just outside the right of the bull at 3 o’clock. I decided to shoot the remaining nine shots before adjusting the rear sight.
Ten pellets went into a group that measures 0.757-inches between centers at 10 meters.
The two forty put 10 Superdomes into a 0.757-inch group at 10 meters.
After this group I adjusted the rear sight two clicks to the left. That was the last adjustment I made.
Air Arms 8.44-grain domes
Next up were ten Air Arms 8.44-grain domes. They made a 0.725-inch group at the same 10 meters.
The two forty put 10 Air Arms 8.44-grain domes into a 0.725-inch group at 10 meters. The height of this pellet was caused by the pellet, because the rear sight was only adjusted for windage by two clicks.
The trigger
At this point in the test I noted that the two-stage trigger seems to be getting a bit lighter. It is still hard. It is very smooth but the blade does move in the second stage, just like most single-stage triggers. It reminds me of a vintage El Gamo trigger that took 3,000 to 4,000 shots to break in, but once you got there it was a beautiful trigger!
JSB Exact Express
Next I tried ten JSB Exact Express pellets. These weigh 7.87-grains, nominally and I tend to think of them as 7.33-grain RS pellets. But they’re not. I haven’t had any luck with these, but I keep trying.
Ten of these made a 0.897-inch group at ten meters. It’s the largest group of today’s test.
Ten JSB Exact Express pellets went into 0.897-inches at 10 meters.
Firing behavior
The two forty is almost dead calm when it fires. There is just a tiny hint of vibration with the shot and the rifle moves ever-so-slightly forward. All things said, this two forty is a very smooth breakbarrel.
H&N Excite Econ II
The next pellet I tested in the two forty was the H&N Excite Econ II wadcutter. At just six dollars for a tin of 500, the Excite II is enough to excite me, too! Ten of these 7.4-grain pellets went into a 0.869-inch group at 10 meters. I will take that and I’ll tell you why in just a bit.
Ten H&N Excite II pellets made a 0.869-inch group at 10 meters.
Sig Match Ballistic Alloy
The last pellet I tested today was the Sig Match Ballistic Alloy wadcutter. The two forty put 10 of them into a 0.817-inch group at 10 meters.
The two forty put 10 Sig Match Ballistic Alloy wadcutters into a 0.817-inch group at 10 meters.
Discussion
First thing — do you see how similar in size these groups all are? I think this two forty is not pellet-picky.
Next, while none of these groups is what we would call good, most of them show a tendency to be better (i.e. a large number of pellets in a smaller group within the overall group). I think with a scope I can do better. That’s why I will take the accuracy we see today.
The trigger is still too heavy, but it feels like it’s going to lighten up.
The two forty is small and easy to cock, but it feels like a larger air rifle. It’s the thickness of the wood that does it, I think.
Summary
I always look for air rifles that are inexpensive and good in the important areas, which would be accuracy, nice sights and a good trigger. The two forty is one such gun except for the trigger that I think will get better. And yes, I will look at the Norica Titan!
OK B.B.
How does it compare to your Bronco? Maybe at Christmas time you could do a Best $200 springer?
-Y
2nd the motion!
Looking like a winner for 1st air rifle category. Now if they would just make a peep equipped version for maybe $30 more.
TOM & FRIENDS: Just like a bad penny, here I am back with an off topic question: how hot is too hot to be shooting our springers? We’ve been traveling, and I haven’t been able to shoot in nearly a month. Tomorrow I’ll be shooting under cover, but the temperature is predicted to exceed a hundred degrees . . . AGAIN. I’m concerned for my TX200, and more for my nice Hawke scope. I’ll bet that a lot of us are under the same conditions with this Summer’s heat. I don’t like asking for trouble, so what say you (y’all)? Orv.
Hoppalong Doc,
I’m living in a tropical country (Philippines) and I don’t see much of a difference. I do see that the competitive shooters have to have different set-ups for the winter season and summer season in Europe.
Siraniko
Thank you, Siraniko. So, I don’t have to have any special concerns for my equipment? Of course, I figure that my scope will have to be recalibrated as the temperature was in the mid ’60s the last time it was used. What the hey, its all in the name of fun. Orv.
Hoppalong Doc,
Watch out for the mirages. Scope adjustments due to temperature changes are a given. The European shooters particularly the British have to change their piston set-up depending upon the weather.
Siraniko
Orv,
Do not “sweat” it. Hahahahahahaha! Do not lay it in the sun. You may have some zero shift due to the heat, but your rig will likely be “acclimatized” to the warmth.
Hoppalong Doc,
It’s been 97+ here for the past month; and the heat index has been 105.
I still shoot outside, but sparingly; I shoot in the afternoon, around 3 PM.
Why? Because that is when my bench is in the shade (for about an hour).
Also, my target trap is in the shade.
The main thing is: I keep my rifle and scope out of the sun!
I have no issues with shooting, and have not had to make any scope adjustments.
Of course, this rifle was sighted in a few summers ago, in conditions similar to today.
Summer is loooong in Georgia; just like when I was in Florida, it goes through September.
Right about now, I’m looking forward to October!
I do shoot air pistols on the 5-meter range a lot right now…since it’s indoors and under a/c. 😉
Blessings to you,
dave
FM is no “climate alarmist,” but a big reason why he hates to visit his former hometown, Miami FL, is he’s convinced the summers have gotten progressively hotter down there and this is due to the fact that the powers that be are busily paving over anything with green on it. From his dad’s house, the horizon to the east is just a wall of jagged-looking concrete skyscrapers which no doubt do a great job of blocking ocean breezes. As for our airguns, wouldn’t leave them out sitting in the sun too long, more so the CO2 shooters.
Stay cool and hydrated, friends.
https://jalopnik.com/turns-out-paving-over-everything-only-makes-heat-waves-1850695515
FM, I actually had a CO2 revolver blow a seal while it was on my boat and I foolishly allowed it to get into the sun…totally my fault! #_#
Hoppalong Doc,
I don’t believe your TX200 or your Hawke scope are going to suffer in any conditions that don’t drive you back inside the Bus first!
Don’t bring the shooter out frome a climate controlled space, especially the scope, and be shooting it before it temperature stabilizes.
You are going to NEED to shoot some sighters before any shooting session regardless of temperatures because your Density Altitude is going to be different almost every time.
shootski
PS: keep the scope out of the Sun! Unless you shoot under a reflective metal roof there is still some amount of radiation that will effect your scope temperature and internal pressure. Scopes are precision instruments (even cheap ones) compared to typical open sights and don’t take much temperature change to have there shot to shot accuracy impacted. Never lay a scope on the side in the direct Sun for any amount of time.
SHOOTSKI: Thank you, your input soothed my inner ignorance. I’ll sight-in my scope after it has had a breather for awhile. I’m looking forward to some much needed fun time out on the range. I’m quite sure that my guns all feel neglected following this long sabbatical . . . now to remedy that! May the breezes cease and my old eyes focus this day. Away!
Hey, just a thought: do any of you ever play the airgun equivalent of the old basketball game of “horse “? I think that a pig, chicken, lamb and perhaps a ram may well be endangered this evening. We have metal farm animal targets and such from 10 yards out beyond 150 yds to serve as challenges to our skills, although only those out to our “clown on the hill” at 85 yds are in any danger from my favored springers. I know, I just rattle on and on, blame it on the heat or . . . but methinks it’s just me. Orv.
OhioPlinker,
Maybe Diana will consider bringing back their “low-priced” aperture sights someday. Shouldn’t be too much of stretch to make the attachment out of acetal or some other lightweight material.
Siraniko
Siraniko, that is something I have never seen. Can you tell us more about it?
Roamin Greco,
Tom wrote about them in /blog/2020/03/peep-sights-part-1/ which is where I first saw them. I tried the idea over here which is when I realized the the attachment should not be made of steel but of aluminum or engineering plastic. The flat spring inside the sight keeping the tension broke after less than a hundred shots. Had to go back to the regular notch rear sight. The broken rear sight is waiting in a drawer somewhere waiting for me to find my Roundtuit.
Siraniko
OP,
For not much more than that, you can equip it with a rear peep.
/air-guns/accessories/open-sights/rear?orderBy=price_asc
Thanks! Although due to laziness I’d prefer it came set up from the factory.
When Pyramyd starts selling the Two Forty, I’ll order the sight and gun at the same time, with some pellets I can get free shipping.
LOL! I am not that bad. I put a Williams rear peep and TruGlo front globe sight on my grandson’s HW30S. Not much effort and time. About the same as mounting a scope. I can deal with that much.
B.B.
Which is the better rifle, the “two forty” or 240 classic? Diana phased out the 240 because it was more expensive to manufacture in Germany.
Kevin C.,
That is a very good question. Personally, I have no idea as I do not have any experience with either. I would take the HW30S.
R.R.,
I concur the HW30S being the superior rifle. I picked up a used 240 here in Costa Rica.
B.B. did a review on the 240 back in 2017, just wanted to know from his experience.
R.R.,
I concur the HW30S being the superior rifle. I picked up a used 240 here in Costa Rica. B.B. did a review on the 240 back in 2017, just wanted to know from his experience.
Kevin, I think that would depend a lot on whether the 240 had a different trigger than the two forty.
Roamin, yes the 240 has the TO5 trigger and a german barrel, I guess it would have an advantage over the “two forty”.
I had written a response about that but I lost it and then got busy at work. I was going to add that the T05 is adjustable for first stage length only, from what I understand. The T01 and the last ball bearing trigger that preceded it and the current T06 are more adjustable.
However, even if the Two Forty has the same trigger as my old Winchester 423 (Diana 23, a direct sear), it will not take away from what the Two Forty is: a solid beginner’s airgun and a great plinker for young and old. Can it be improved? SURE! But at what cost? What more can you really expect for the price of dinner for 4 at Outback (without adult beverages). Yes, the 240 and the 24 D (or J) that preceded it are more refined, but if you find a beat up one on the Bay you will still pay more than a “Benjamin Franklin” (airgun pun intended).
BB,
If it were not for the glowy thingy sights (personal preference) I do indeed think this would be an excellent “first airgun”. Now, I did buy my grandson an HW30S as his first, but it was a used one, and though it was in superb condition, it was quite affordable for a Weihrauch.
BB,
This is shaping up to be a great little rifle for those who have been saying to themselves:
“Oh, if only I had bought a Bronco when BB first told me about it!” 😉
Blessings to you,
dave
dave,
You mind reader! You are writing tomorrow’s report! 😉
BB
Tom,
My first-run Bronco is one of the last three air rifles I would ever sell. (That puts it in my top 1.5%, which says a lot!)
Michael
Smart man! I wish I’d done likewise. 🙂
LOL! 🙂
I got lucky. Having bought a Bronco and being especially pleased with the Williams peep, I bought a second one for a grandson. A few years later I gave mine to my son in law. They are still in the family.
I am perplexed that .177 JSB Express 7.87 grain pellets don’t perform for BB. How can this be? Some of my rifles including HW30S, FWB300S and Walther Olympia LGV prefer them. AA Express 7.87 grain pellets do equally well with a slight difference in group location. Does anybody here like these pellets other than me? I’m beginning to think I should give other premium pellets more testing in the 3 rifles mentioned.
Deck
Deck,
My HW50S / Vortek likes the JSB 7.87 pellet marginally better than 7.33. So, I like that pellet, too. I never tried the AA 7.87. I have tried several others (H&N, RWS, etc.) but none equalled the Express.
jumpin
Jumpin
Thanks for sharing.
Deck
B.B.
How about a series of articles about how “extreme heat” effects airguns?
You have already schooled us on what happens to CO2 powered airguns, now how about PCP’s and springers.
What effect does it have on scopes, at what temperature do lead pellets become soft…lol
-Y
Yogi,
softened Lead pellets…
Long after you can’t pick them up and load them anymore! Lol!
Having watched enough Pb melting in pots the solid to liquid change happens at or really close to:
The melting point of lead—at 327.5 °C (621.5 °F)—is very low compared to most metals; but still hot enough to send you to the hospital if you touch it or IT TOUCHES YOU.
nb: watch out for Raindrops, water drips, squirts, or splashes when using an open casting pot!
Not at all like high cocoa content chocolate…that melts in your mouth and your hands.
shootski
Tom:
When I reviewed this gun back in January I got my best group with RWS R10’s. How about including them in the test?
Also, I, too, noticed the trigger (and the effort it took to “break” the barrel open for cocking) both got easier as it was used . By 300 pellets the trigger was much better and still improving. Haven’t shot it much since then.
Motorman
Eastern Missouri
Motorman,
I see another test similar to this one is coming.
As for breaking the rifle open, oil the ball bearing detent.
BB
I just wanted to share with you all a moment from yesterday’s night.
Bill,
No words needed.
It does trigger a strong urge to Howl for some strange reason ;^)
I hope the sky is clear for the end of the month Super Blue Moon.
shootski
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
There is one variable that I have not seen any discussion about, that I can recall anyway, and I believe it may? have to do with why some airguns are pellet picky and others are not, and probably accuracy as well … The rifling in the barrel.
Nothing we can control or modify, other than wearing it out some, but what type of or variables in the rifling will have beneficial results? Deep, shallow, thin, thick, wide, sharp, smooth, smooth twist, twist rate or number of cuts and where it starts and ends inside. Not to mention the engagement design.
What makes the top-of-the-line barrels so superior and why haven’t others adopted the design or even offer any information on what they have in any given airgun so that we may compare them over time to predetermine the accuracy we may get.
FX was open about their smooth twist barrels, and I believe I just answered my own question. Patents and company secrets and probably cost involved but it would be nice if we had more information to determine which design performs better in the long run or determine what we can do to modify it.
Kind of a ‘Black Hole’
Bob M,
An introduction: http://quackenbushairguns.com/Airgun_barrels.htm
Also: /blog/2016/12/what-makes-a-good-barrel/
A great barrel: /blog/2018/08/my-day-at-sig-sauer-part-3/
shootski
Thanks Shootski. Been busy finding another memory care home for my friend and arranging medical and transportation and banking.
Thanks for the info above info will look into it soon, I hope.
Bob M,
I hope it helps in some little way.
Take care of yourself FIRST Shipmate!
I learned as a Beach/Open Water Lifeguard that you are of NO use to a drowning person if you drown yourself before the rescue is completed!
shootski