RAW Micro Hunter.
Part 1
P8 prismatic optic P8-Part 1
Part 2
P8 prismatic optic P8-Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Scoping the RAW MicroHunter was different
When things just don’t work out
This report includes:
- AirForce
- Shame
- The test
- HOWEVER
- Clean the barrel
- Third group of JSB Jumbo Heavys
- Discussion 1
- JTS Dead Center
- H&N Baracuda 18
- H&N 23-grain 0.218-inch slug
- Discussion 2
- Next
- Summary
Boy, do I have one for you today! Today we learn what went wrong when I last tested the RAW MicroHunter pellet rifle.
AirForce
I took the rifle to AirForce because if anything was fundamentally wrong with it they should know, or they should be among the first to find out. They thought the barrel was dirty — not loose like I said. When I picked the rifle up that was what they told me. It had a dirty barrel.
Shame
Oh, the shame! A dirty barrel. Why didn’t I catch that? I put the same UTG 4-16X44 Mini SWAT scope that had been used in the previous test back on the rifle and sight-in was two shots. I then proceeded to shoot the rifle.
The test
I shot from 25 yards off a bag rest. I used the same JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy that’s been used in the last two tests of this rifle — the first with the new Bug Buster Accushot Pro and the other with the scope I’m using today. The first five pellets went into 0.292-inches at 25 yards.
The first five JSB Exact Jumbo Heavys went into 0.292-inches at 25 yards.
HOWEVER
However, the second five shots went into a 0.233-inch group that was just to the left on the first group. The size for all ten shots is 0.656-inches at 25 yards. Huh? That’s not a good 25-yard group — not for this level of rifle.
When I shot the second five shots the 25 yard group opened to 0.656-inches between center.
Okay, I thought. Maybe I wasn’t concentrating enough. I’ll try again This time 10 JSB Jumbo Heavys went into 0.741-inches at 25 yards.
Group two measures 0.741-inches between centers at 25 yards.
Clean the barrel
Did the barrel get dirty in the 22 shots fired since I brought the rifle home? I cleaned it with JB Non-Embedding Bore Cleaning Compound. Here’s a chance to use that new cleaning kit I reviewed for you recently.
I scrubbed the bore very well this time. Then I ran dry patches through to remove all traces of JB paste.
I removed the barrel shroud and cleaned the barrel with JB bore paste.
Third group of JSB Jumbo Heavys
With a clean barrel I shot group three with the JSB Jumbo Heavys. This time ten pellets went into a group measuring 0.685-inches between centers.
After cleaning the barrel with JB Bore Cleaning Compound the MicroHunter put ten JSB Jumbo Heavys into 0.685-inches at 25 yards.
Discussion 1
You know that doing the same thing repeatedly and hoping for better results is one definition of crazy — right? Sometimes when you focus in on the details it’s easy to miss the big picture.
For those who haven’t guessed yet — THIS MICROHUNTER DOES NOT LIKE JSB EXACT JUMBO HEAVY PELLETS!!!
Then why did I persist in shooting them for so long? That’s the real question. I did so because I was told by Martin Rutterford that they were one of the best pellets for this rifle. When he said that I became fixated on that pellet
Just one problem with that. Martin didn’t design the MicroHunter. John McCaslin designed it. No doubt Martin is thinking of the larger RAW HM-1000X that does quite well with this pellet. But the MicroHunter, at least this one I’m testing, doesn’t seem to like them. I think I have proven that positively.
But — does it like other pellets? Let’s see.
JTS Dead Center
The next pellet I shot was the JTS Dead Center dome. The first five shots went into a little hole, so I photographed it for you while it was still on the target box. I did that in case something crazy happened like with the JSB Jumbo Heavys, but it didn’t. After all ten shots were fired the group of JTS pellets is still 0.345-inches between centers. Now we know that the MicroHunter can shoot!
I didn’t measure this group but my eyeball says it’s around 0.30-inches at 25 yards.
The MicroHunter put ten JTS Dead Center domes into 0.345-inches at 25 yards.
H&N Baracuda 18
I tried the H&N Baracuda 18 next. Ten went into 0.386-inches at 25 yards.
The MicroHunter put ten H&N Baracuda 18 pellets into a 0.386-inch group at 25 yards.
H&N 23-grain 0.218-inch slug
Next I tried the 23-grain 0.218-inch slug from H&N. I didn’t expect them to do well, but ten went into 0.449-inches. That’s better than I would have thought.
The MicroHunter put 10 23-grain slugs into 0.449-inches at 25 yards.
The last pellet I tested was the JSB Jumbo Monster. This was not the redesigned model. Ten made a 0.567-inch group at 25 yards.
Ten JSB Exact Jumbo Monsters went into 0.567-inches at 25 yards.
Discussion 2
Today’s test was not a real accuracy test. It was a test to discover what BB was doing wrong while testing the MicroHunter. The MicroHunter needs more testing but with pellets that are proven to shoot well — not just rumored to shoot well.
I was reminded that I have a methodology for testing airguns that I need to stick to. It’s nice to take suggestions from others, but I need to follow the way that has proven to work.
Next
The very next step is to clean the barrel again with JB Bore Paste. I want to go into all testing with a barrel I can trust. I plan to rerun the tests at 25 yards with both the P8 reflex sight and the new Bug Buster Accushot Pro. After each test I will clean the barrel again.
I won’t test all these pellets again. The JSBs are off the schedule, but the JTS, Baracuda 18 and H&N slugs will be tested.
I also want to adjust the power and also to adjust the air stripper to see what effects there are on accuracy. I want to do that while shooting the most accurate pellet so that’s what I’ll be looking for.
Summary
BB is back in line with today’s test. The MicroHunter is indeed accurate, but it’s also fussy about the pellet it likes. I’ll watch that as the series proceeds.
B.B.
Cleaning the barrel and checking stock screws are part of my SOP. I should add checking the scope rings and screws, but I keep forgetting.
-Y
WOW, who would have thought that the king of 18.1 gr .22 caliber pellets would be dethroned by a relatively new 18.1gr pellet?
I know its just in this one rifle, but wow.
JTS has been nipping at the heels of JSB in every gun I have tested them in.
It also shows that even though they are both .22 caliber, and they are both 18.1 grains, some guns just behave differently.
Ian
Tom,
Another factor to consider is that the head size of the JSB may not be compatible with the barrel of the RAW Microhunter. Then again most users will not bother looking at the head size and will simply keep looking for the best performing pellet straight out of the tin.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I am one of those who do not measure head size. I shoot straight from the tin. I do realize that the measuring of head size of each pellet is very time consuming and manufacturers are not about to do that as it would be cost prohibitive. Shooting straight from the tin is often demonstrable of consistency with manufacturing, most especially if similar results are found when using the same airgun with different tins from the same manufacturer.
Of course, all of this is based upon the manufacturer attempting to maintain a certain level of quality.
BB,
As you have stated multiple times, this is a hunter, not a long range target airgun. This little bugger should not be confused with its larger cousins. It is not in the same class as other RAW air rifles and was not made to be.
Everything is relative, so you have a compact pcp that can keep them under an inch at 25 yards. I say, not too shabby!
Perhaps the gun can be tuned a bit to shoot a particular pellet a bit better? How do you go about doing that?
P.S. I won the .177 Discovery. Now I need a pump. The toes are poised to dip into the Dark Side! I have lots of winter projects to keep me busy around here!
Congratulations, RG. The Disco was my first PCP and it has 5 squirrels to it’s credit. I did purchase a suppressor for it as it is fairly loud, especially shooting indoors. While I now have other and better PCP;s, I can’t bear to part with that little fella. Enjoy!
Fred formerly of the Peeples Demokratik Republik of NJ now hunting squirrels happily in GA (stay away from my bird feeder, you furry tree rats)
Thanks, Fred.
BB
I’m missing something with the barrel cleaning. When you picked it up were you asked to clean the barrel repeatedly?
Just wondering.
Deck
Deck,
I was not asked to clean the barrel repeatedly. I did it because I THOUGHT the barrel had gotten dirty. In retrospect, I no longer think that.
I just want every scope to have the absolute best chance for success. Now that we know the rifle is accurate and which pellets are accurate, the scope is the next thing we will be checking.
BB
B.B. and Readership,
Thinking a barrel is “dirty” is a copout!
Given that there is a device that may be use to LOOK at the condition of a bore; doesn’t AirForce have at least one of those BORESCOPE thingies?
shootski
I have noticed that my RAWs that have LW polygonal rifled barrels (HM-1000X in .22, .25, .30, etc) lead up very quickly, which leads to increased group size as seen here. My .177 RAW with traditional rifling does not do this. I clean the polygonal rifled barrels about every 100 shots (or after every match I enter) and the group sizes stay nice and tight. I don’t remember if the MicroHunter has a traditional or polygonal rifled barrel, but I think polygonal for .22 & .25 calibers.
And yes AirForce has one of those Borescope thingies…a very nice one that lets you see all the details in side a bore. If they said the bore was dirty, then it was.
Jess,
Thanks.
BB
Cloud 9,
Thank you for your reply. It as difficult to tell what Airforce was basing dirty bore on based on what Tom wrote in:
“AirForce
I took the rifle to AirForce because if anything was fundamentally wrong with it they should know, or they should be among the first to find out. They thought the barrel was dirty — not loose like I said. When I picked the rifle up that was what they told me. It had a dirty barrel.”
The borescope should make a “dirty” Leaded barrel obvious.
Interesting your experience with the LW Polygonal rifled bores.
Do you know if it is radial smearing (somewhat perpendicular to the twist) or linear (parallel to the twist) deposition?
I know what most firearm folks think: https://www.targetbarn.com/broad-side/polygonal-rifling/
Just wondered if without the heat and potentially higher velocities airguns would do a little better.
shootski
Shootski, and all-
Have been using a Teslong brand bore scope for awhile. It’s a great tool, just like bore scopes I’ve used in the past. However, while it may indicate a cleaning is in order, I don’t regard it as definitive in the manner of a patch and appropriate solvent. I’ve been surprised by ‘clean’ barrels when that first patch comes out.
pacoinohio,
I have had a Teslong in the past and they do a great job at the price; hopefully some day they will make one smaller than the current .22 caliber.
Patches can certainly be definitive as to if and what, but as you know, the borescope gives you a better idea of chamber and bore condition and a much clearer clue to deposition patterns and areas.
shootski
I simply do not like the looks of bottle PCP’s.
To me it’s just a cleaner way of screwing a can of freon into the bottom of the receiver.
Now on this airgun it’s not so obnoxious looking and kind of flows into the receiver but I much prefer an air ‘Tube’ that somewhat looks like it’s a functioning part of the airgun (HW-44) or is hidden inside, or is, the actual the stock or Weaver RIS.
I realize there is a benefit to having more air pressure available in certain situations, like big bores, and when needed the bottle works out fine. Same with a direct hookup to a remote bottle but leave it as an ‘Optional’ accessory when designing the airgun. Tac-T-Bulbus 🙁
I’m hoping BB will show us some details of how to clean the barrel with J-B Compound and his new kit…
Elmer,
I done did that many times, years ago. Load a brass brush with JB paste and run it through the bore at least 20 times in both directions. Enter the breech first if possible.
BB
Thanks!
BB-
Just some pencil scratch figgerin’-
The difference between smallest and largest groups is about two tenths of an inch. Twenty five yards is 75 feet or 900 inches or 9000 tenths. Divide 2 by 9000 equals .0002222……
Hard to think that the fourth decimal point difference in shot dispersion is significant for a hunting gun.
Paco,
Sine, cosine, cosine, sine. 3.14159! 🙂
BB
B.B.,
FYI
The Cap Bolt at the front bottom of the A*B Urban Sniper Buttstock will allow you to change the LOP (Length Of Pull) by as much as the Buffer Tube will allow.
That adjustment should be WAY more than the Butt Pad’s 1.35 inches.
shootski
Dirty barrel… dirty barrel… what?!?
What was inside the barrel? Why it was there? This is not a cheap market plinker…
tomek,
Read Cloud9’s comment:
I have noticed that my RAWs that have LW polygonal rifled barrels (HM-1000X in .22, .25, .30, etc) lead up very quickly, which leads to increased group size as seen here. My .177 RAW with traditional rifling does not do this. I clean the polygonal rifled barrels about every 100 shots (or after every match I enter) and the group sizes stay nice and tight. I don’t remember if the MicroHunter has a traditional or polygonal rifled barrel, but I think polygonal for .22 & .25 calibers.
And yes AirForce has one of those Borescope thingies…a very nice one that lets you see all the details in side a bore. If they said the bore was dirty, then it was.
BB
Outch, I was not aware of this issue. I mean that it might happen so fast you need to clean the barrel. Polygonal is something which I now but never experienced so far by myself. Is it supposed to be much better with slugs?