Gas Ram Zeroing Tips

[mick miller]

Dear PW'ers,

 

I am thinking of buying a gas ram air rifle, specifically an Eliminator. I have almost no experience of springers or gas ram air rifles and the last one I shot was a Webley something-or-other back in '79. The last air rifle I owned was a lovely Daystate Harrier X, should have kept it but there we go. To be honest, I found the PCP superbly accurate, silent and an absolute doddle to zero using a bipod. All my other rifles get the same treatment, flick out the legs and it's job done in minutes.

 

A FAC gas ram is clearly going to be different so I'm wondering whether there is a technique to this, should I use a shooting bag in place of bipod so that there is a solid base that copes with the recoil? Are there any pearls of springer wisdom anyone wishes to generously share?

[happyshooter]

Hi David , You need to hold the gun in a gentle but firm grip do not rest on any hard service

always rest the gun on the palm of your hand to cushion it , being consistant in your hold is the name of the game , for zeroing you can use a beanbag or suchlike as long as you cushion it in your hand

and practise will improve your style, i have used springers for many years , and theoben gas rams i find are better

due to the single recoil, i owned a .22 evolution for a year and it was the most accurate non pcp i have fired.

by the way i am the owner of the eliminator you may be buying i am only selling it due to left elbow problems as a result of 45 years of all year round motorcycling and a few arguments with mother earth.

atb brian--happyshooter

Edited May 6, 2010 by happyshooter

[mick miller]

Thanks Brian, I can't help noticing that you've moved!

 

I'll pick your brains when I come over.

[happyshooter]

Hi David I belong to many forums mind you never know

where i am hovering.

atb Brian

[chris o]

hi mate. i have a hw 90 and i have shot a eliminator that a friend had and there is hardly any recoil that bounces the gun about. the way i zeroed my rifle in was set my target up at 30-35 yards get a chair in front to rest the rifle on. and the rest is straight forward to zeroing any other rifle with windage and elevation. hope this helps.

[mick miller]

I went out today to try and zero it and its all over the place. Initially I zeroed in at 25 yards, which wasn't too bad, then I moved the target out to 48 yards (which may have been a tad too far) and it was all over the place. I didn't seem to matter whether I lay prone or sat up I couldn't get any consistency at all. I've settled on getting pellets within a 60mm circle at 48 yards for now, with the occasional flyer - looks like this springer/ gas ram journey is going to be an interesting one. Certainly it makes shooting a PCP look like childs play!!

 

One thing I thought about was using a Dog Gone Good bench bag (or window bag on a bench). We use these with the rimmies and they're bob on as they support the gun and allow it to recoil. Another thing I noticed was deposits around the tip of the silencer, as if the pellets are clipping it although that may not be the case. When I went to check the end of the silencer the cap was loose - perhaps this had an adverse effect on my results?

[chris o]

more then likely pal. or the strut could do with a good service. when i picked my 90 up. when i was zeroing in at 35 yards there was no consistancy i stripped it and it needed new seals lubeing up then pump it back up for me. cost me 30 odd quid. trust me these guns are great i own one and all my mates have had gas rams for years and we all swear by them. what foot pound is yours set at?

[mick miller]

Mine's running at 26ft/lb with JSB Exacts.

[chris o]

at that power 40 odd yards should be fine any way. get it serviced and let the gun smith know what you have been noticing and how inconstant it is being they will put it right. as already said though i was having these problems with mine got it serviced and zeroed now i am getting a frouping that will fit in the size of a 5 pnce coin with astring of 8 shots.. hope this helps. :blink:

[mick miller]

Well I'm not sure how much recoil yours gives at sub 12ft/lb (I assume it is sub 12ft?) but there's a fair ole' kick with this one. I'm going out to try again tomorrow, this time resting it on some form of sand bag or something similar and try shooting a few groups like that, now I know the silencer cap is tight.

Edited May 12, 2010 by mick miller

[mick miller]

Having spoken to Tony at Theoben it transpires that these rifles can only be shot from a standing or kneeling position. No supports of any sort, no benches, chairs, bags as anything of the sort will lead to inaccuracies and inconsistencies. I'm off up there on Monday for him to give it the once over (I think the mount needs attention) and to have the pressure correctly set. I have to say I have found the staff to be excellent; polite, helpful and fast to respond to requests for spares. I've heard some horror stories about them but so far they've been superbly helpful to me.

 

I guess I'll be doing a lot of practice with free standing shots from here on in, good job pellets are cheap!

[mick miller]

Excuse the update.

 

I found a video on the 'artillery hold' on the tube and gave that a go. Both standing and prone and there was a marked improvement for sure. I've run out of pellets now though.

Edited May 13, 2010 by mick miller

[mick miller]

Thanks Happyshooter for your sage advice via telephone.

[happyshooter]

Anytime David , happy to help pls let me know your progress.

atb brian

[mick miller]

A quick update:

 

I've been out today, using the open handed method for the leading hand, little pressure from the trigger hand, kept the stock loose around the shoulder - effectively I tried to eliminate all the tight or grippy spots and let the rifle float. I also worked out the balance point for the rifle and used that to position my leading hand. Using a seated stance I managed to place several pellets within a 20p sized circle at 20 yards. At 40yds the group started to open up considerably although I'm certain that that was due to my own lack of ability; not the rifle.

 

In short a massive leap forward from where I was 4 days ago, with still a long way to go; I am at least starting to hit most of the objects I'm plinking at. There's a long way to go before I can even consider live quarry yet.

 

Any tips for a prone position with a gas rammer or is it out of the question?

[mick miller]

Final update:

I popped up to Theoben this morning and as suspected there were several issues with the rifle, which would have affected accuracy (I didn't think I was that bad). These were:

 

• The rifle was only doing 10ft/lb - The gun shop that chrono'ed the rifle said it was doing 26ftlb - I they need their chrono looking at.

• The barrel bolt was loose which meant the barrel slopped from side to side, the retaining locking grub screw was also loose.

• The Dampa Mount was shot, well the front one was completely shot and the rear one was on its way.

• The barrel locking button was broken, possibly caused by firing the rifle whilst out of the stock. Either way it was dangerous left as it was so its now been fixed.

• The gas ram itself had had its o-rings removed and then had been packed with grease? Lord knows why but there we are.

 

Fortunately the nice man at Theoben (Tony) has fixed it all for £65 and I now have a lovely Eliminator that's doing a consistent 24ftlb and it cocks and feels just like new!

 

I just need to go out and put more pellets through it!

Edited May 17, 2010 by mick miller

[chris o]

i did say it would be worth getting it serviced didnt i pal. it all sounded like what i had with me 90. especially the inconsistency a good service and you should now be able to get some good groups at 35-45 yards. as said i have shot the eliminator and loved it just gutted that i don't have a fac.

you should find it great shooting now though and very consistent. the gas rams need servicing more regularly then a pcp or spring rifle.

[mick miller]

Just went out and shot a 50p group of 20 shots seated at 40 yards. Needs to be better before I can go out pest controlling with it but lets just say that there's a noticeable improvement!

[Clubshot]

I have a Sub 12FP HW90 in .22

 

And in my Silly Day's jacked up power

 

And it Broke - on taking it to Theobans - advised it had been set above Sub 12FP

 

Which the Ram was not designed for -

 

There is a Difference in Sub and FAC Rams

 

Be careful as not only cost you repairs but your Air Gun's if found to Exceed

 

the Sub12FP Rule - Unless listed on a Section1 License

 

Not forgetting FAC Gun's have to be made and Registed on Ticket

 

Owning a FAC Ticket - does Not allow you to own Unlisted Gun's

 

In most cases will lead to loosing Gun's and a possible prison Sentance

 

BOB/R

[mick miller]

I have a Sub 12FP HW90 in .22

 

And in my Silly Day's jacked up power

 

And it Broke - on taking it to Theobans - advised it had been set above Sub 12FP

 

Which the Ram was not designed for -

 

There is a Difference in Sub and FAC Rams

 

Be careful as not only cost you repairs but your Air Gun's if found to Exceed

 

the Sub12FP Rule - Unless listed on a Section1 License

 

Not forgetting FAC Gun's have to be made and Registed on Ticket

 

Owning a FAC Ticket - does Not allow you to own Unlisted Gun's

 

In most cases will lead to loosing Gun's and a possible prison Sentance

 

BOB/R

 

Ummmm, thanks for that. The Eliminator is only available as an FAC rifle and it's on my ticket as such.