Today reader RidgeRunner, shoots his Webley Tomahawk air rifle for accuracy for the last time. If you’d like to write a guest post for this blog, please email me at blogger@pyramydair.com.
Take it away, RidgeRunner
RidgeRunner’s Webley/Hatsan Tomahawk: Part Five
by RidgeRunner
Webley Tomahawk.
This report covers:
- The last hoorah
- Artillery hold
- At the range
- JSB 18.13 grain pellets|
- So, what’s next?
The last hoorah
This will be my last report on the Webley/Hatsan Tomahawk. I have been playing with this rifle a bit, but I am ready to spend my shooting time with some other airguns in my modest collection of “old gals”. I have a few I have not even shot yet, much less talked about. All of these “old gals” have been clamoring for their time out on the range.
Artillery hold
With this time at the range I am finally going to attempt to use the famed artillery hold. I had intentionally avoided using such in my previous shooting sessions with this sproinger, hoping to find a steadier method, but to no avail. As with most sproingers, this “old gal” only likes to be held a certain way on the dance floor.
At the 25-yard range
I will be resting my forward hand on my shooting bags and be shooting at the target stuck out at twenty-five yards. Of course, all of this will be set up on my very comfy shooting bench.
Not a bad setup, eh?
JSB 18.13 grain pellets
I decided I was only going to take this one pellet, the JSB Exact 18.13-grain dome, to the range for this trip and see how it did. Previously, at least for me, this pellet has proven itself to be the most accurate in this sproinger.
Six JSB pellets did not do too bad, at least for me. Six are in 0.8125-inches between centers. All ten are in 1.875-inches
As can be seen in the above photo, ten JSB 18.13-grain pellets went into a group of 1.875 inches. Six of them went into a group that measures 0.8125 inches between centers. Yeah, that sure is a lot of digits there, but that is what my calculator was saying. The truth is that is not that wonderful, but considering how bad a sproinger shooter I am, it ain’t too bad.
So, what’s next?
What’s next? It is my plan to allow someone else to own and shoot this air rifle for a bit. If it does not find a new home before then, I will be taking it to the upcoming North Carolina Airgun Show.
The truth is, this is really a very nice air rifle and I do believe if given some more range time she will really shine for someone. I just do not have the time to dance with her as much as she deserves. Hopefully, someone else will be able to spend more time with her.
RidgeRunner,
Too bad it didn’t perform to your standards. Maybe with some more tinkering like decreasing the number of coils therefore lowering the preload might have done it good. As you said lots of old gals waiting in the wings for you to give some of your precious time to dance with them.
At least you got a good scope in the deal.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I did indeed get a nice scope with the package deal. The Hawke will be going nowhere.
RR,
Kick that gun to the curb. What a waste of resources…
If you can not shot springers well, maybe you should visit the darkside?
-Y
Yogi,
Kick her to the curb? Waste of resources? This is really a pretty nice sproinger. A good bit of my collection of “old gals” are sproingers. The main problem I have is I do not dance with some of them enough to learn their particular steps and holds.
Now, if you want to see a real waste of resources, you just hold on a bit. Yes, it is a sproinger.
I do have quite a few darksiders that have been waiting in the wings for their chance on the dance floor. It is such a shame that you should have such a phobia to experience where it all began.
RR,
As B.B. has taught use, if it is not accurate it is not worth wasting pellets on! That gun is not accurate! If you push a pellet through the barrel, does it just fall with little to no pressure?
-Yogi
Yogi,
You are still not addressing your phobia.
What phobia? I have nothing but springers. Very accurate ones!
-Y
PS the only phobia that I have is that the world runs out of resources before we can populate another planet/moon. At the rate we are going, Earth will be uninhabitable for human beings within 1,000 years.
Yogi
I shouldn’t worry too much over that. In 1000 years we will likely have enough plagues, epidemics and wars to limit our reproduction. And there is always the random asteroid that might end us even sooner.
I only worry about the things that I, personally, can do something about. And I find that the older I get the fewer of those that are around.
I will stick with doing the best I can to make those I meet feel better for the experience,,,, and getting more shooting time in.
Ed
Ed,
You have the right attitude, unlike Ridge Runner…
-Y
Yogi,
You have a phobia about PCPs. With you it is a sproinger or nothing.
I will not be concerned with us populating another world. If it is the will of the Lord, it will happen.
RR
I have nothing against PCP’s, they are just not for me. My apartment is too small. They are easier to shoot, they shoot harder and more accurately. The guys at the range that split cards at 200 yards are my hero’s. Just not for me.
Before you diagnose people with phobia’s, I suggest you take a hard look in the mirror.
Have a nice day,
-Y
That is a nice shooting setup, RR; beats FM’s ad hoc TCSPS – Trash Can Shooting Platform System, though it is a “portable” one and does the job.
FM,
No, it is not near as “portable”, but it does fit one of greater stature and does not have certain “aromas” coming from it. 😉
Fortunately none of the aromas come from Pepe LePew.
RidgeRunner
Nice shooting setup. Think you have an umbrella stand built in. I like large ones that tilt. Good for overhead sun heat plus glare. Chrony likes it too.
Deck
Deck,
That is supposed to be for a third place to sit, but that would put it in front of a muzzle. An umbrella stand is not that bad of an idea for it though. I will have to investigate such.
Nice shooting platform! I am envious!!
Now if’n I took the most beautiful gal in town to dance, and I was a pretty good dancer, and she kept stepping on my toes I wouldn’t be dancing with her at all.
I once had a pistol that couldn’t hit the broad side a barn from the inside!! But she many redeeming qualities. She could cook and clean house and entertain with class and style!! Sooo…. she was a keeper.
Breeze,
I think it is more me stepping on her toes. I think she can dance. I am just not a good dancer. You will have the chance to check her dancing qualities at the NC Airgun Show.
As for the shooting platform, I bought the frame from Lloyd for $10. The rest was just stuff left over from various projects around here, some from the previous owner.
Have fiddled with that thingie at end of the barrel?
If that really is a harmonic balancer, they really do work!! I had one of those thingies on my JW80 and another rifle, that I can not remember, and I was able fine tune many different pellets Into accurate ones. Of course back then I was washing and sorting and doing a lot of shooting.
Breeze,
I think it is more of an air stripper, but can probably be used to adjust harmonics. Will I mess with this thing anymore? Not right now. I have other things I want to shoot.
It’s not sun that causes havoc on an optical chronograph. It’s the passing clouds and or the breeze shaking the branches and giving you shadows on the chronograph that results in no reading or bogus reading. But you are correct an umbrella eliminates the inconsistent shadows that cause the chronograph to give a no reading. But with all the trees and an umbrella there might be an issue with not enough light, and you will need an indoor lighting system.
I purchased one from PA and then a 24 volt battery from Amazon to power it up without an extension cord.
It all fits inside the carry bag from PA.
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/competition-electronics-indoor-lighting-system-fits-prochrono?a=4017
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/competition-electronics-prochrono-carrying-case?a=9313
Mike
bmwsmiley,
Nice little setup. I just have a cheapo Caldwell with a pretty decent tripod. I do not use it very often though, I like to see how an airgun is doing and then do not fool with it. Most of the time I do not bother with one except to let you guys know how a particular airgun is doing.
Those lights may be something for me to consider though.
Mike & RR
I always use the old, mangy beach umbrella when shooting from my deck. Natural outdoor lighting even when cloudy is no problem using scopes, peeps and open sights. Target visibility at 25 yards is another matter for peeps and open sights. Shadows are the bugaboo. Old eyes don’t help either. When skies are totally overcast I can score as well with peeps as scopes at 25 yards. Lately I just shoot at 10 meters except with scopes. Maybe someday I’ll get a portable target lighting system.
Deck
Deck,
I will have to admit that there are times that a target light system would be nice.
Thanks for the report. I agree that the results are not that bad for the distance, conditions, and type of gun. I prefer to shoot my springers regularly and try to get better with them. They will definitely let you know if you are not using all of the proper techniques. Thus I feel like when I improve with the springers, my overall shooting techniques tend to improve.
Off topic, there is an excellent article in Guns & Ammo (2025 Annual) magazine on the 50th Anniversary of the Springfield Armory M1A rifle. The limited edition 50th Anniversary commemorative rifle is showcased in the article. There are also currently some very interesting other versions available (that I wasn’t aware of before reading the article). These versions include: the “Loaded” precision rifle, the “Socom 16”, the “Scout Squad”, in addition to the “Standard Issue” version. Some features include items like a “national match trigger,” “national match sights,” adjustable stock, Picatinny rails, etc. It sure makes me wish that airgun versions of some or all of these versions of the M1A were available. Or perhaps just some kits to convert the M1A Airguns already available could be fashioned. Just me dreaming….
Elmer,
If it was not for the fact that I have what has become quite a collection of sproingers and PCPs, I would likely be getting much better with one of my sproingers. The truth is, most of the “old gals” around here will not accept optical sights such as scopes. They are pretty newfangled gadgets around here. It is true that a little more time with some of these “old gals” would be nice. Maybe after I grow up a bit.
As for the M1A, I would not mind having one myself. I would much rather have one of them than a Mattelomatic, that is for sure.
I became interested in the M1A while reading the book I mentioned recently by Jim Owens “Sight Alignment Trigger Control & The Big Lie.” Jim is a champion shooter from the USMC. He mostly discusses the M1A in his book. It is his long distance abilities with the M1A using iron sights that intrigues me. I currently have one of the M1A replica Airguns (the underlever spring piston pellet rifle) on it’s way to me from PA. 🙂
RR,
Well, sometimes you just have to move them on. Trying to shoot air guns that refuse to shoot beyond their capability is like trying to give obedience lessons to an alligator. I have one springer that always fights me when I try to achieve better consistency than she is willing to give, no matter how nicely I ask. If I were within one light year from an air gun show, I’d have a few putsy ones I’d like to pass along to make space for others. Best wishes for some neat trades at the NC show!
Regards,
Will
Will,
I think that with some more trigger time, this would become a good dancer. I just do not have it. I also have some other sproingers that I am more likely to hang on to than this one.
It does not help that I am really wanting to mess around with some of the PCPs that have shown up here.
You know I hate to interrupt these proceedings with a grumpy gripe. But for the Pyramydair website to instantaneously scroll me to the bottom of EVERY link I click on is extremely aggravating, customer unfriendly, and labor intensive. Am I the only one unhappy with this unrequested, undesirable website change undoubtedly inspired by an overly zealous Pyramydair marketing department? Go ahead, tell me I’m wrong, I can take criticism, even unconstructive criticism.
Calvin,
I have forwarded your comment to the Pyramyd AIR IT web design team.
BB
Hey RR, I have one suggestion. Try the new Benjamin and JTS Dead Center pellets. I have a .177 Diana 350 that never grouped well at 25 yards. Last week, I tried shooting with the JTS pellets and for the first time for this rifle, got a 1 hole group. True, it was a large one hole group (3/4’s of an inch if memory serves) but still…
Is the NC airgun show coming up this week?
Fred formerly of the Peeples Demokratik Republik of NJ now happily in GA
I may have some of those new Benji pellets, but there is none of that JTS stuff around here. I may see what I can do with some of these PCPs, but it will likely be some time, if ever, I return to this particular dancer.
The NC Airgun Show will be the 1st and 2nd of November. I am planning on being there on Saturday, the 2nd.
https://www.tmacsairgunservice.com/documents/image2024-05-30-125107.pdf
RR,
Wish we lived closer to each other. I think we’d figure this one out
RidgeRunner,
You have been an Off Hand shooter for most of your life, correct? So even though your shooting bench is well built and placed; is that why are you doing what isn’t your natural method?
Get up and away from that fine shooting bench and DO your shooting standing, kneeling, prone, leaning on something, with shooting sticks…
At least try it for an extended time and see what happens. Most of all trust in your past experiences.
Wishing you great shooting and the big internal smiles that it causes.
shootski
You may have a little something there. Most of the time I am just sitting on my back steps popping feral soda cans at between 10 and 25 yards. The next time I break out one of the sproingers, I will most definitely do as I have in the past. I may even do this with the upcoming bunch of PCPs, most especially the pistols.
RidgeRunner,
Go get those dance tickets Shipmate!
shootski
I’m going to toss in here something from my five basic shooting “things to remember”, as taught to me by a shooting instructor (and friend) quite some time ago.
If anyone got past that first paragraph, the rest is really simple. He always referred to it as one’s “natural point of aim”. And that is exactly what it sounds like. We each have our own and they may change with the weapon being fired.
The simplest way to find it is as easy as closing your eyes. Just that. Get into whatever stance you choose,, from offhand to prone to bench and shoulder your weapon of choice ,,, with your eyes closed. Hold your position for a bit, the open them . Wherever you are pointing,, that is where your body finds it easiest to do so.
If you are at a bench, you may find that you need to rotate it. Sure, you can make your body conform to the bench,, but your shooting will improve if you do it the other way.
Well, that’s enough preaching to the choir. I’m sure that most everyone who posts here is aware of this already,, but I thought it a good idea to bring it up for those newer to our sport.
Ed
That’s a fantastic reminder, edlee. I have found that to be true. Even on a bench, when you are first setting up, it is well worth the time to pause, close your eyes for a few seconds, take a few breaths, get totally relaxed, and then see where you are aiming when you open your eyes. Shooting from the relaxed position is more consistent.
RidgeRunner
I gotta add one more tip to the growing list of good suggestions. I perceive you are a traditional shooter. You seem to like this airgun except for accuracy. If it were mine I would balance it on a very narrow shooting bag. Get the sear released by squeezing the trigger against the rear trigger guard with as many fingers as you can comfortably use. Don’t touch the rifle anywhere else. This ain’t traditional nor is it an artillery hold. What it offers is identical recoil movement every shot. It could give you another talking point when selling/trading if it shoots sub 1”
I do like the aesthetics appeal too but I have too many air rifles and no place to scrunch in another.
Deck
RidgeRunner,
What’s with this “The last hoorah”
HOOYAH is US NAVY.
Get with the program Sailor!
shootski
HOOYAH?
RidgeRunner,
https://coffeeordie.com/hooyah-origin-story#:~:text=No matter what the instructors,used by the SEALs today.
shootski
I thought it was oorah these days. Mine predates even the HOOYAH you have put forth. It is in reference to the last effort.
Madone! Too many gems to waste time on this Cubic zirconia. Wish the airgun event was a tad closer to the mason dixon line, sounds like it would be fun.
Or at least Virginia.