Another thread got me thinking. I havent shot a BB or pellet gun in a while. My brother purchased a Gamo at Wal-mart that claims 1,000-1200fps depending on which pellet. Came with a BSA scope. Anyway i took it out yesterday and at 20yds it would have been a miracle to consistently hit a coke can. Whats normal accuracy? I wasnt expecting a 1 hole group but i was expecting a quarter size group at 20yds. Am i expecting to much? This was off a bench. The groups were like 4inches.
How accurate are the average pellet guns?
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plexreticle
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Check to make sure the scope is mounted properly. Check the base and mounting screws are torqued properly. Try a couple of different pellet weights also.
I have better luck with heaver pellets in my RWS but to each is own.
I have better luck with heaver pellets in my RWS but to each is own.
pacodelahoya
Member
Atabout fifteen yards, I can consistanly hit the eraser on a pencil. Probably about 3 out of five times.
On mine, the trigger is long and gritty and somewhat stiff, steady pressure is key to avoid jerking. I shoot it a lot, when my shootin buddies come over, I can make them look bad even though they are better shots than me at the range.
On mine, the trigger is long and gritty and somewhat stiff, steady pressure is key to avoid jerking. I shoot it a lot, when my shootin buddies come over, I can make them look bad even though they are better shots than me at the range.
Kimber1911_06238
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My beeman will shoot 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards if I do my job....they really are capable of being very accurate.
iamkris
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I have a Gamo Shadow with a 4X scope on top...with GAMO match grade pellets it will make 0.25" groups at 10 yards.
I'd say tighten the scope attachment points and try again.
I'd say tighten the scope attachment points and try again.
Smith357
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A nice Gamo Spring Piston Rifle should shoot bugholes at 20 yards.
#1 Magnum SP rifles generally prefer heavier pellets, in a 1000fps SP rifle I would start with 8.5 to 10.5 grain pellets. light pellets tend to start their travel down the barrel before the piston has hit optimal pressures.
#2 SP rifles do not shoot well from a bench, something to do with the long lock times, and the dual recoil and such. Shooting an SP rifle from a bench well would require a a free floating or rolling rest.
My cheepie SP rifle can shoot 1/4 groups at 10 meters when I do everything just right.
#1 Magnum SP rifles generally prefer heavier pellets, in a 1000fps SP rifle I would start with 8.5 to 10.5 grain pellets. light pellets tend to start their travel down the barrel before the piston has hit optimal pressures.
#2 SP rifles do not shoot well from a bench, something to do with the long lock times, and the dual recoil and such. Shooting an SP rifle from a bench well would require a a free floating or rolling rest.
My cheepie SP rifle can shoot 1/4 groups at 10 meters when I do everything just right.
goalie
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Also, with a springer, the way you hold the rifle is key to accuracy. The slightest change in pressure on them can affect the point of impact, as can holding too tightly.
XavierBreath
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I think the problem is your brother went to Wal-Mart and bought an average pellet gun.
If you want accuracy, you have to pay a bit more. Check out the IZH46M. Yeah, it costs more, but an inaccurate gun is not worth squat, even if it is a pelletgun. Here's my review on my IZH46M.
OOOps, I thought we were talking pistols.........I picked up a Winchester 1000XS at the pawn store, and have been very happy with it.
If you want accuracy, you have to pay a bit more. Check out the IZH46M. Yeah, it costs more, but an inaccurate gun is not worth squat, even if it is a pelletgun. Here's my review on my IZH46M.
OOOps, I thought we were talking pistols.........I picked up a Winchester 1000XS at the pawn store, and have been very happy with it.
koja48
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One must hold a spring-piston air rifle ("springer") more loosely than a conventional firearm. Consistency is extremely important. High velocity is stressed as a sales ploy. The last thing you want to do is approach or exceed the speed of sound with a pellet (in my neck of the woods, around 1100 fps) . . . accuracy goes plumb to hell at that point. Sample pellets, find one your particular piece likes, and stick with it. Never clean the bore "squeeky-clean" or excessively, either; accuracy will fall off. Never use conventional solvents; use a high quality airgun oil (I use the Beeman product); seals will suffer otherwise.
Remember follow-through; with a typical springer, the pellet is still in the barrel while you are feeling the recoil. Use a "soft" rest as opposed to sand bags . . . a rolled-up towel works fine & rest near the balance point of your rifle (typically an inch or two ahead of the trigger guard). If your scope mounts don't feature a scope stop, get some that do; without this feature, scopes can & will move around on air rifles. Check mount fasteners periodically.
Off a dead rest, I can maintain 1-ragged-hole groups with my Baikal IZH46 pneumatic target pistol (10 yards), < 1/2" groups with my HW97 Beeman, and always < 1/2", typically much less with a Beeman R-7, if I do my part (the last 2 at 25 yards). As far as pests are concerned, I "own" my yard (in the world of Starlings, I believe the silver maple next to my shop is widely referred to as "The Tree of Death."). I use nothing but Crosman Lights in the Izzy & R7; Crosman heavies in the 97.
Good luck . . .
Remember follow-through; with a typical springer, the pellet is still in the barrel while you are feeling the recoil. Use a "soft" rest as opposed to sand bags . . . a rolled-up towel works fine & rest near the balance point of your rifle (typically an inch or two ahead of the trigger guard). If your scope mounts don't feature a scope stop, get some that do; without this feature, scopes can & will move around on air rifles. Check mount fasteners periodically.
Off a dead rest, I can maintain 1-ragged-hole groups with my Baikal IZH46 pneumatic target pistol (10 yards), < 1/2" groups with my HW97 Beeman, and always < 1/2", typically much less with a Beeman R-7, if I do my part (the last 2 at 25 yards). As far as pests are concerned, I "own" my yard (in the world of Starlings, I believe the silver maple next to my shop is widely referred to as "The Tree of Death."). I use nothing but Crosman Lights in the Izzy & R7; Crosman heavies in the 97.
Good luck . . .
beaucoup ammo
Member
Depends On The Shooter
I remember, back in the '70's, two friends and I had access to a 35,000 acre South Texas Ranch for a couple of weeks one Fall.
Several nights were spent spotlighting rabbits. I got my share from the back of a moving pick-up going down the grass runway of the ranch's air strip using an open sight Sheridan air rifle.
I'm no "Dead Eye" by any means, but..like anything..if you have just a good utility weapon, and practice, that's all you need.
I remember, back in the '70's, two friends and I had access to a 35,000 acre South Texas Ranch for a couple of weeks one Fall.
Several nights were spent spotlighting rabbits. I got my share from the back of a moving pick-up going down the grass runway of the ranch's air strip using an open sight Sheridan air rifle.
I'm no "Dead Eye" by any means, but..like anything..if you have just a good utility weapon, and practice, that's all you need.
Mousegun
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Accuracy
The weight and shape of a pellet is a strong factor in determining the accuracy of a pellet gun be it a rifle or a pistol.
Generally the higher power the gun, the heavier the pellet should be but not always. I was hard into air rifles and tried a number of different pellets in my RWS medium powered gun, which is not a lot of power at today's standards. A wad cutter at about 5.5 grams worked best in my gun.
I read that recoil is the enemy of accuracy in an air gun because the gun starts moving before the pellet leaves the barrel. That is why holding it the same each shot adds to the accuracy considerably.
The best of the guns have a spring counteracting the main spring to dampen recoil.
Also, another report stated that higher powered rifles will unstablize an average pellet because they are, for the most part, not designed to travel at 1200FPS.
The match guns shoot at about 450 - 500 FPS in pistol and 600 - 650 in rifles.
The weight and shape of a pellet is a strong factor in determining the accuracy of a pellet gun be it a rifle or a pistol.
Generally the higher power the gun, the heavier the pellet should be but not always. I was hard into air rifles and tried a number of different pellets in my RWS medium powered gun, which is not a lot of power at today's standards. A wad cutter at about 5.5 grams worked best in my gun.
I read that recoil is the enemy of accuracy in an air gun because the gun starts moving before the pellet leaves the barrel. That is why holding it the same each shot adds to the accuracy considerably.
The best of the guns have a spring counteracting the main spring to dampen recoil.
Also, another report stated that higher powered rifles will unstablize an average pellet because they are, for the most part, not designed to travel at 1200FPS.
The match guns shoot at about 450 - 500 FPS in pistol and 600 - 650 in rifles.
230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
Sproing
Got a Feinwerkbau with a 3-9X Beeman original scope on it. Cloverleaf groups at fifty feet all day long, with RWS pellets, even with a long, creepy, gritty trigger. Good for fire discipline --you're working against a strong sear holding back a strong spring.
A little extra oil and it "diesels," yeilding a louder bang and the smell of a diesel bus and lower accuracy and possible cumulative damage to the seals.
I was told a long time ago not to clean the barrel and have heeded that advice.
Was told by Beeman it was a bit of a collector's item nowadays. Was thinking of getting a Gamo, but the reviews on modern reasonably priced pellet guns are quite mixed.
Funny thing is that I've got a varmint rifle with a bipod which has a couple of springs to hold the legs either folded or deployed and the "sproing" of the air rifle piston spring is just about the same as the "sproing" of the bipod springs on the .223 when the shot makes them vibrate. Oddest feeling.
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I am told that there was at least one military spring-air rifle which took advantage of this dieseling effect by injecting a little fuel into the piston's chamber before the shot. Anyone have any details on this, or is my wrinkled old cortex getting too wrinkled?
Got a Feinwerkbau with a 3-9X Beeman original scope on it. Cloverleaf groups at fifty feet all day long, with RWS pellets, even with a long, creepy, gritty trigger. Good for fire discipline --you're working against a strong sear holding back a strong spring.
A little extra oil and it "diesels," yeilding a louder bang and the smell of a diesel bus and lower accuracy and possible cumulative damage to the seals.
I was told a long time ago not to clean the barrel and have heeded that advice.
Was told by Beeman it was a bit of a collector's item nowadays. Was thinking of getting a Gamo, but the reviews on modern reasonably priced pellet guns are quite mixed.
Funny thing is that I've got a varmint rifle with a bipod which has a couple of springs to hold the legs either folded or deployed and the "sproing" of the air rifle piston spring is just about the same as the "sproing" of the bipod springs on the .223 when the shot makes them vibrate. Oddest feeling.
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I am told that there was at least one military spring-air rifle which took advantage of this dieseling effect by injecting a little fuel into the piston's chamber before the shot. Anyone have any details on this, or is my wrinkled old cortex getting too wrinkled?
lee n. field
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Try different pellets. A bunch of different kinds of pellets, and see if there's one it favors.
that number is typically inflated.
Which Gamo?
Hemicuda
member
I have a .22 caliber Beeman/Webley Vulcan spring/piston air rifle... it is as accurate as all but the VERY BEST .22 target rifles, and shoots .22 pellets at 800 - 850 FPS...
Might be the "wally world special" part that is the problem?
Might be the "wally world special" part that is the problem?
chris in va
Member
I've had this break barrel 650fps pellet gun for a few years that is the cats ass in accuracy. Nice, heavy wood stock and interchangeable front sights. On a whim I bought one of those Gamo 1000fps guns and found it couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.
Some are good, some aren't.
Some are good, some aren't.
thebaldguy
Member
Try using a better pellet; the low end Daisy/Crosman bulk pellets may not be as accurate as the higher end ones for a few bucks more. Try some different weights and pellet designs. Also try the rifle with and without scope to see if the scope/mount is the problem.
mossberg702
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chris in va I've had this break barrel 650fps pellet gun ????? I have a pumpmaster 760 that shoots 625 i have never heard of a break barrel that shoots that slow.
tasco 74
Member
lots of good info here.. get yourself a beeman guide and read it.. it takes a bit to get on to shooting a springer well.. if you hold a springer tight in becomes inaccurate.. you have to let em jump around a bit when shooting and be sure to follow through and keep your sights on your target well after your shot is fired... my rws model 34 will shoot the cheaper crosman wadcutters into small one hole groups at 27 ft which is the distance from the fireing line to the trap in my basement.. i use a beeman aperture rear and an anshutz front globe sight in winter for indoor shooting.. try as many different pellets as you can and keep practicing and you'll get on to it... i had a ball a couple of years ago when my brother showed up at my house while i was shooting at my target in the backyard... it's a steel swinger i painted black and stuck on some of the burchwood-casey orange stick on targets.. i just kept on pickin off pieces of the target dots when it was my turn and he couldn't even hit the steel on his turn.. of course i didn't tell him what he was doin wrong he wasn't there long enough to get on to shooting it anyway.. it can be frustrateing at first but after you get on to it it's a ball!!
Well, I was going to complain that my Beeman 650 only does about 1.5" groups at 25 yards--actually more like 3/4" groups with a "frequent flyer". But after reading this thread, I realize I've been using a hard rest, and holding the gun tightly, so that's probably my accuracy issue, not the gun's.
Sgt.Dusk
Member
Even my chinese "whatever"-4,5mm BB-gun shoots at least a 1" group from
20m. So I'd say you got something wrong with your scope.
20m. So I'd say you got something wrong with your scope.
I have a .177 daisy 880 pump that will do ragged holes at 15 yards and dimes at about 30-35. I use basic pointed pellets that come in the 100 rd tins or 500 round boxes.
No idea what the velocity is.
The accuracy is better than some 'real guns' I have fired.
No idea what the velocity is.
The accuracy is better than some 'real guns' I have fired.
crebralfix
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I never had an average pellet gun. Mine was a Daisy 853, which I used in competition. It was accurate to <1mm or so at 34 feet 4 3/4".
Modern Gamos are pretty unpleasant air rifles to use, at least to me. Soggy trigger, odd fit, bad firing shock. Should be somewhat accurate, though. If you're looking for a good cheap springer I probably would see about the lower end RWS or Beeman rifles. If you want a cheap target rifle check out the Daisy 953 or Baikal IZH-61.
A decent pellet gun is super accurate. I have an old Gamo 126 match rifle (a competitive 10-meter shooting single-stroke pneumatic they made in the '80s, much better than anything they make now other than the Compact target pistol) that'll do single hole groups at 10 yards. I can't shoot nearly that well, though.
A decent pellet gun is super accurate. I have an old Gamo 126 match rifle (a competitive 10-meter shooting single-stroke pneumatic they made in the '80s, much better than anything they make now other than the Compact target pistol) that'll do single hole groups at 10 yards. I can't shoot nearly that well, though.
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