Raw MicroHunter.
Part 1
P8 Prismatic optic P8-Part 1
Part 2
P8 Prismatic optic P8-Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
This report covers:
- Short
- Scope rings — another challenge
- Who is wrong?
- Discussion
- The rest of the story
- Install scope ring caps
- One final question
- Summary
Today I planned to mount the new 3-9X36 Bug Buster Accushot Pro scope on the RAW MicroHunter and re-shoot the 25-yard accuracy test. But when I removed the Lucid P8 sight I discovered several things that slowed me down. I recently walked you guys through every step I took to mount a scope on another cantankerous PCP and it turned out to be a good report. The detail given in that report was what some of you needed and wanted. I’m gonna do the same thing today.
Short
First — the MicroHunter has a short receiver. That’s one of its engaging features, but when mounting a scope it can also be a challenging one. The real challenge is the 12-shot rotary magazine that sticks up over the receiver’s top.
The top of the receiver is where the scope has to go. That mag sticking up has to be worked around.
Scope rings — another challenge
Leapers actually put the new Bug Buster in my hands at the Pyramyd Air Cup last month. It’s a pre-production prototype because they are still working on the image clarity, though my eyes tell me it’s crystal clear.
Okay, I thought, I have the new Bug Buster. But this scope has a 34mm tube. Remember, I told you it has the DNA of the Integrix series scopes? That’s fine except BB lives in the real world and only has one set of scope rings that fit a 34mm scope tube — the ones Leapers sent me to mount the Integrix.
No problemo! Leapers reached into their box of stuff and handed me a one-piece mount with 34mm rings. Oh, oh — problemo! The MicroHunter has 11mm dovetails. The UTG scope mounts have Picatinny bases. And their bases have several crossbars for the Picatinny base. Their 11mm-to-Picatinny adaptors are too long to fit into their one-piece scope base. You can’t get one of their adaptors to fit. Problemo, problemo, problemo!
This UTG one-piece scope base with 34mm rings has two Picatinny lugs (1 and 2) too close together to allow their 11mm adaptor to be used. Same on the other end that’s not numbered. Lug number 3 has no jaw on the bottom side to clamp the adaptor. This mount will not fit an 11mm airgun scope base!
Who is wrong?
I’m not saying AirForce is wrong for not putting a Picatinny base on their RAW, nor am I saying that Leapers is wrong for making a scope base that cannot be mounted on an 11mm dovetail airgun scope mount. What I am saying is this 34mm one-piece scope mount will not work on the RAW MicroHunter.
So, I asked Leapers for a two-piece 34mm scope mount set that had just one lug per base. They had some and I came home with a pair.
One of the two 2-piece rings Leapers gave me for the new Bug Buster. With a single lug this ring accepts the UTG Picatinny to 11mm adaptor, which increases its mounting possibilities.
Discussion
Do you guys see what I’m saying here? AirForce is selling a premium air rifle that will only accept certain scope mounts and UTG is selling a premium scope ring that will only fit certain airguns. Are you starting to understand why this report isn’t about testing the air rifle; it’s about mounting the scope? Today’s report is about both the MicroHunter and the new Bug Buster, but it’s about scoping the MicroHunter and also about mounting the new Bug Buster to anything.
I’m also telling you look at details like this before you spend your money. I don’t mean to not purchase either item. Just pay attention and find out what it takes. The new Bug Buster Accushot Pro is an ideal precision scope for the MicroHunter because it’s light and compact, just like the rifle. The Lucid P8 was ideal for the rifle as well, but for hunting, not for precision shooting. Or, at least that’s what we are going to find out in the next accuracy test.
The rest of the story
Once I got the first mount on the rifle, things went faster. The P.O.I. rings Leapers gave me are ideal for this because they are at the same level of precision as both the rifle and the scope. These rings are high, but it appears medium rings will work, too.
Both UTG 34 mm rings are mounted on the MicroHunter and the rotary magazine has plenty of clearance. This is where I level the scope.
I recently learned my lesson about NOT shimming P.O.I. rings, so these guys went on the rifle exactly as they came from the box. The fit was perfect, as we have come to expect from the UTG P.O.I. line.
Once on the rifle, but before the ring caps were attached, I noticed the scope was positioned too far back for me to see the whole image. I worried for a moment because as you can see in the picture above, there isn’t a lot of forward positioning possibility. But wait — the MicroHunter has an adjustable buttstock and it was collapsed all the way to fit the rifle into its case. I pulled it out and found the sweet spot for my eye.
The MicroHunter butt adjusts for length, solving the scope mounting problem.
Install scope ring caps
Once the scope was mounted correctly for my sighting eye, the scope ring caps were installed. Not having shims meant the caps went on easily.
The scope ring caps were attached and the job was done.
One final question
The only thing that remained was to find out whether the rifle still fits in the gun case with this scope attached. Only one way to find out.
The scoped rifle still fits in the hard case.
Summary
We spent time today mounting the new Bug Buster Accushot Pro on the RAW MicroHunter with UTG P.O.I. rings. Where the Lucid P8 reflex sight gave fast target acquisition with hunting accuracy, we are hoping the new Bug Buster will take the MicroHunter to a new level of precision. That test will come very soon. In that report I’ll tell you about both the MicroHunter accuracy and the new Bug Buster Accushot Pro scope.
This reminds me of an old TV commercial from the 1970’s and a Carly Simon song.
It’s worth the wait…
That first mount with the offset rai engagement is intriguing.
Ian..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoLoyg3JKRQ
Ian,
Remember and like the commercial. Remember and like the song. I do have concerns about whether this old curmudgeon can wait that long though.
Tom,
That new Bug Buster Accushot Pro is so stubby that UTG might have to make another set of scope rings that can also adjust forward and backward in cases where the stock is not adjustable for eye relief.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
That would likely be nice, but they do have these.
https://www.leapers.com/utg-accusync-34mm-high-profile-37mm-offset-picatinny-rings-black-air422s.html
This old curmudgeon is most interested in that scope. Approximately how much is that scope supposed to retail for?
RR,
$400.
BB
It appears that there is a short section of 11-mm dovetail available forward of the rotary magazine that might be useful if mounting a longer scope. But that small scope appears to be a good size for that rifle (as you already stated). Looking forward to your upcoming tests of the rifle and scope.
That is a really good looking scope. Any guess on when it will be available.
RR
I can see one of these in your future. Probably two after you use the first one.
rk,
Soon.
BB
rk,
At that price, one. Hawke has a very nice low powered scope of which I already have one.
BB,
Hear your frustration, I also have a box full of rings but between scope diameter, receiver style and ring saddle height variables, getting the right combination can be a problem.
I went through the search-for-the-right-rings thing with my S510XS and Helix 6-24×50 scope trying to get a good cheek weld and sight picture. What a pain in the butt!
I needed to get as low as possible without interfering with the magazine and after trying three sets of rings found that the (fixed) comb on the stock was still too low and had to get an adjustable stock. Seems that the shape of the cheek piece on standard walnut stock for the S510XS was designed before the magazine was added and is too low for a large (30mm body, 50mm objective) scope.
There are adjustable height rings on the market (FX and Sportsmatch) but I’ve only seen them for the high range, not the low to medium or medium to high sizes. Wish that the manufacturers would standardize on how they dimension their rings and all give the saddle height.
Hank
I agree with Vana2. Standardization or at least a standard measuring system would help us consumers (but may be bad for sales). I have a similar problem with a Diana 350. The rifle came with a nice Hawke scope, mounted with a dovetail-to-Weaver adaptor with droop compensation and medium-to-high rings (not sure which). Everything works fine, but the comb is way too low for a proper cheek weld and sight picture. It’s a hunting / sporting setup, so that cheek weld is important. IMHO, “chin” welds are things for bench rest shooting when there is time to control all the other variables. I will have to call P.A. to discuss what rings I need to lower the scope a bit. I am also looking into a cheek pad with inserts to adjust the comb height. The temporary bubble wrap cheep pad just looks trashy. Otherwise, it is an accurate and powerful .22 springer.
Roamin – which kinetic energy level you have now on 350? How is the shot cycle and recoil? I was thinking about some strong springer recently and this Diana came up. I have “two fifty” in .22cal on 16+FTE and I think it is not bad at all with the recoil.
Tomek, tonight, I will try to check my records and see if I have chrony info. If I don’t, I’ll measure and report back. One disclaimer is that I bought this gun used at an auction together with 2 other guns. It came with the scope, but otherwise, I don’t know if it has been tuned or not. All that I can tell you right now is that my impression was that the cocking effort was not as high as I feared (though tiresome for extended target shooting sessions), and the shot cycle was quick and without a lot of buzz or vibration (others have reported a ton of vibration). So I suspect it has been tuned.
I will provide more detailed info tonight if I don’t get too involved with helping my daughter with her chemistry homework. If not tonight, it will jump to the front of the rotation.
Thank you Roamin! Just if you have time to check, please do not put yourself in a pressure 🙂 It is this typical tomecuriosity.
Well Tomek, you enabled me. I just got a new (to me) chronograph in the mail with a Bluetooth connection to my smartphone and had to try it on…the Diana 350 Magnum. Looking at my records, I have not shot it since March! The best pellets then were the H&N Baracuda 18 and 15. Here is my target from last night.
Haahhhaha – thank you! Not bad at all. I’m curious what will be the outcome.
Bluetooth chrony for smartphone? This is interesting.
You will note the Baracuda 15 turned out to play a serious game last night, and from a direct rest on the sandbag! I threw in two pointed pellets because it is a hunting rifle, after all, the Spitzkugel is a pellet new to me, and the Straton is a very accurate pellet in two of my other air rifles.
Here are some results from the chrony on the Baracuda 15: average velocity over 10 shots 757 fps (230.72 meters per second) standard deviation 3! 20.22 foot-pounds energy (27.42 Joules).
The shot cycle could be described as a slightly extended push rearward. Not sharp, not buzzy, but powerful and purposeful. You know something happened. The recoil comes straight back against the shoulder, but no twanging or buzzing. I really do not sense the forward recoil. Even on the sandbag,, the gun simply lurches backward and stops.. The shot sounds more like a “thwuud” with the sound coming back from the target a loud “thwAAck.” I have to say it is a big, heavy powerful gun, but it is fun to let it rip!
You can see that I tried regular H&N Baracuda Match, which are the heaviest pellets of the test, but they did not group as well, and I even tried the artillery hold for the last 4 shots but it didn’t make much difference.
Sorry I didn’t have time to measure the groups for you. All shots at 10 yards last night. Oh by the way, this 350 has the T05 trigger. Not really adjustable, but it has a definite 2nd stage stop and no discernable travel during the 2nd stage, which has a relatively heavy, but crisp release. Very good for a hunting weapon, imho.
Overall I like it. I must find some time to try it at 25 and 50 yards.
I’m trying to post a picture of the shot string.
Wow Roamin thank you! What a nice blog you generated!
So it is definately worth of consideration. And definately easy to dismantle and play with the mainspring.
Tomek, I can’t confirm the second statement. I have not even taken the stock off, and I have not taken the powerplant apart. I have my suspicion that my rifle has been tuned, but only based on others’ horror stories.
Tomek: I only have my “ear chony” to tell me what my RWS/Diana 350 Pro Compact (carbine) is doing. The ring of the Champion Bullet trap tells me it is ferocious in .177 even with the heaviest .177 pellets I can find. The other indicator, by history, is that the 350 destroyed a Leapers Tru Hunter 3×9 44mm scope. So far, the second Leapers is tolerating the demonic double recoil, but how long it shall last, time will tell.
With magnum springers of this level of power and shock, I’ve learned to put Williams Peeps on them because of two things: 1.) there is a LOT less mass in the peep, so it is easier to keep one in place and it is also less likely to self destruct, 2.) the effective range of air guns for hunting really does not need scopes. The peep will do.
The problem, however, with the Pro Compact is that it has a huge muzzle weight on it and no front sight of any kind. A machinist, of course, could fix that problem with no difficulty and some time in the shop.
The Diana 350 is a powerful and well-made German springer. It is serious airgun power, and that complicates things due to the recoil dynamics. When one breaks a Leapers AIRGUN RATED scope, that’s serious stuff!
LFranke,
Thank you for this important information. That is the reason I avoided the strongest springers so far… but still I have some tendency to try it.
Diana 54 for example is known as “scopekiller” when tuned with the strongest mainspring.
I think the demonic double recoil (like this description!) is one thing, there are also buzz – vibration events which additionally do their job. I think it is very important to tune the buzz away in a strong springers. This I was fighting against when I first installed the strongest mainspring in the Diana two fifty. At the end there are open sights on it anyway but how much better it was without vibration after each shot. It has already powerful recoil at 16FPE, so going up to like 22 / 23 FPE which D350 may generate can be only worse…
tomek,
With a sproinger, you cannot use that much power. There is just too much demonic recoil and vibration and you do not gain that much range. The Brits hunt small game with less than 12 FPE.
If you feel the need for more power, I would suggest you start looking at the “Dark Side”. If you keep your pressure fill at 3000 PSI or less, a hand pump can work fine.
Ridge – I think the same. It is just this dirty feeling… my D two fifty now with 16FPE is already “on the way” (honestly, the power is enough). I thought to have overdrive one sproinger – even a sprrROOoooinger. Just to be scared to shot it 😀
Tomek and RG
I would like to add some personal information about D350. I had a 4.5mm on which we experimented shorter barrel length. It was an accurate 20+ fpe monster. Not really hard to achieve groups like those of RG and relatively not that difficult to clock. With the short 12″ barrel though a moderator was absolutely necessary. For both noise and power/help needed.
I even tried a Titan spring to improve performance. Then it started to fall apart; the scope rail went loose and finally one day the ball locking the barrel went ballistic. I finally sold the remains to a friend who likes to torture himself with lost (airgun) causes…
But really wanting a high power break barrel I settled with an HW 90 in 5.5mm. Up to now every time I shoot it provides a beautiful experience; no mechanical noises etc, just a strong heavy solid thud and 20+ fpe out of the barrel. Cocking is quite easy for this 61yo retiree from office work. Quality engineering though a bit expensive if bought new. I went with a second hand buy and do not regret a bit.
Bill – thank you also for a good 4.5mm information. I always thought that such a powerplant can’t actually work with small cal. I wonder if it would be capable to handle the .25cal? Probably not so optimal as .22…
The HW90 is a really great peace of mechanics! 😉
The HW 90 is the one with the adjustable / tunable gas spring, correct? That one is quite a bit more expensive than the D350, especially if one adds the pump. However, I would prefer it over the D350 as well.
Tomek
Regarding the demonic double recoil I also cherish a D54, T01, 4.5mm with a Vortek kit. It’s in the 18 fpe region and I always use it with a Dampa base, whatever scope it wears. For the moment a UTG SWAT 8X32, big one, no problem.
A .177 Diana 350 Magnum is like putting a rocket engine on my kid’s dirt bike. What good can come of it? My 350 in .22 is actually not bad. Not supersonic in .22 so I actually shot it in the basement and didn’t wake the kids. Yeah, you have to flex those muscles, but I’m a nerd who drives a desk all day, and I was able to put in 100 shots last night for my friend Tomek. I’m not even sore! I’ll have to cock it 100 times with my right arm tonight though to even out the workout!
RG
You may want to read my comments to Tomek just above.
Vassilis
Thank you Roamin! 100 shots for me is the best present I can imagine 🙂
And I didn’t have to eat any spinach to do it.
RG,
IMHO, beauty is in the performance- tight groups, exactly where you aimed them. If it takes an ugly stock to get there then so be it.
I figure that if the performance warrants it, the stock can always get a face-lift. 🙂
A couple of layers of thick leather laminated up as required and fitted to the comb make a decent looking and functional fix to a low comb.
Hank
That may be a good winter project. However first is to get the scope mounted lower. I am thinking that the drooper rail adapter is already like low rings plus a set of low rings may give me the equivalent of high rings. Right now, it seems extra high. The picture is a bit dark, but if you look closely there is a lot of room for that scope’s front bell to come down.
RidgeRunner, that bubble wrap pad would fit right in in my rural neighborhood…very redneck! 😉
As an Appalachian-American, I must agree.
Thanks, Ridgerunner and Davemyster, I don’t feel so bad now. ;o)
You are most welcome, LOL! 🙂
😉
See reply to Ridgerunner
.
B.B.
OK, three independent variables? Scope ring diameter, scope ring height, scope ring attachment system.
Now you throw in whether your airgun is a drooper or not, and things get real complicated real fast…
Are any PCP’s droopers?
-Y
Yogi,
That’s a good question. Yes, some PCPs do droop. It isn’t always a given like we see in breakbarrels and it probably isn’t that common, but it does happen.
BB
Most of these scope mounting issues could be resolved if more manufacturers would have the magazine fully enclosed in the action like BSA/Gamo. I’d rather have a smaller magazine with less capacity and have a continuous rail.
B.B.,
You wrote: “But wait — the MicroHunter has an adjustable buttstock and it was collapsed all the way to fit the rifle into its case. I pulled it out and found the sweet spot for my eye.”
The photograph appears to show an extension of the Butt Pad?
From the PAIR description:
“The air rifle has an AR-compatible A-B Arms textured pistol grip and a buttstock with 4 different positions that add .45 inches each for a total of 1.35 inches of adjustment to the length of pull, in addition to an ambidextrous adjustable cheek rest for maximum flexibility.”
The PAIR description appears to be similar to a typical AR collapsible Buttstock with adjustable cheek rest and not just an adjustable Butt Pad.
Doesn’t the thing slide to four positions (length of pull) on the fake buffer tube too?
It should be simple to get proper eye relief if so.
Of course as soon as adapters get involved in mounting a sighting system to a long gun it usually sounds like your experience!
My choice if i owned one of these and there is enough metal to have a gunsmith cut or tap and mount a TRUE PICATINNY RAIL or more current:
NATO Accessory Rail (NAR) STANAG 4694
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Accessory_Rail
But shouldn’t RAW actually have done that on a PLATFORM rifle; i’m not going to cut them any SLACK on this as you did. It would be simple to lengthen the NAR rail length as well for other scopes more “normally” dimensioned than a Bug Buster.
shootski
shootski,
It has an extendable butt STOCK. Yes, the cheek rest adjusts but that didn’t figure in here. The butt pad does not adjust — despite what the AirForce website says. The entire butt STOCK adjusts for length and, as you read in the report, length was what I needed.
The butt STOCK is the part of the rifle behind the receiver and I showed the adjustment in the picture. The butt PAD is the rubber part at the end of the butt STOCK.
BB
B.B.,
I should have used the term Butt Plate.
The A*B Arms Webpage: https://abarms.com/product/ab-arms-urban-sniper-stock-uss/
Has a complete description of their FIXED-ADJUSTABLE™ DESIGN. All is understood now.
I always disliked immensely the metal COLT M-16 adjustable butt stock because it had way too much slop; especially when at full extension; always the first Field Expedient modification.
shootski