The $100 challenge.....
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Topic: The $100 challenge.....
Posted By: Billbobnz
Subject: The $100 challenge.....
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2023 at 10:10pm
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Righto all you tinkerers out there.... An idea for a challenge Who wants to buy on of these rifles below and modify, clean, polish, and do what ever we can to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear..? For judging we take before 10m or 20m groups and after say 2 (+/-) months of tinkering we do another group shot to find a winner of most improved....?? https://www.guncity.com/177-air-chief-target-jr.ghillie-green-air-rifle-600fps-376530 Who is in? Or is this a terrible idea haha |
Replies:
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2023 at 2:29pm
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What's the rules around upgrading. Is it improving the parts on it, or can say put a differnt barrel it etc. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2023 at 2:44pm
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Well I have been wondering about doing this since our friend cuterabbit got his air chief, but I though why not if anyone else want to join in on the fun we can all have a go and see what we can make of these. I was thinking the barrel would stay as standard, but anything else can be done to any other part. For the barrel though you could modify to accept a suppressor or air stripping muzzel brake, barrel weight etc.. To gain accuracy |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2023 at 5:20pm
| Be more likely to be a docking ring on it somewhere to see if can get the harmonics under control. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2023 at 10:17pm
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Sounds like an interesting challenge. If I had the technical know how and the experiance to strip, tinker, swap parts, rebuild, improve etc, I’d definatly be in… 👍🏻 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2023 at 11:26pm
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Certainly sounds like a good challange. You would only need a couple of vital tools to tinker. A sash clamp of sorts to relief preload on the spring would be needed, but otherwise making the gun shoot better by deburring factory edges, polishing contact points, proper lube to make it consistant. Pete, pulling the gun apart, tinkering and seeing the results of what you do is the best way to learn. In my experience, these "Bam" springers are not fine tuned pieces of equipment, but fairly fundamental and functional.
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Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2023 at 3:32pm
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I'm kinda interested. I don't really have the time at present and the other half won't be impressed but it does sound like a fun idea. I think it should be limited to modified stock parts only though to keep it fair. ------------- FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25 Walther Reign M2 .22 Evanix AR6 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Air Chief Junior .177 ($100 Challenge) |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2023 at 5:42pm
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Pauly, I agree with you 100%, the best way to learn is to take it apart and tinker with it. I’m very tempted to join in and take up the challenge…. But as of today I’m officially unemployed 🙈(of my own choice). My back and knee have been complaining about all the bending over to service traps, which is why I’ve been giving a lot of consideration to starting a little rabbit culling business… 🤔 So I should probably be watching my pennys untill I have some income again. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2023 at 6:47pm
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I'm in. See if can pick one up next week. Hopefully I've got a pellet it likes. 3 |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2023 at 10:56pm
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Awesome, I'll get mine in the next week as well. Also would it be best just to have no time frame and just use this thread to display the improvements as we go and will allow anyone to join in when they can? |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2023 at 11:03pm
| Sounds good. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2023 at 7:13am
| Yea, this sounds fun. Great suggestion. I'll go get one too. |
Posted By: jwabfrog
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2023 at 9:51am
| We should see if we can can wangle a bulk deal with GC, not that they're terribly pricey to start with |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2023 at 3:41pm
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Maybe they'd consider free freight? ------------- FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25 Walther Reign M2 .22 Evanix AR6 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Air Chief Junior .177 ($100 Challenge) |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2023 at 5:36pm
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Freight is $50 from GC so I went into my local shop this afternoon and they placed one on their regular order for me. They told me GC had 21 in stock at that time so there's still plenty left if anyone else is keen. ------------- FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25 Walther Reign M2 .22 Evanix AR6 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Air Chief Junior .177 ($100 Challenge) |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2023 at 5:39pm
Nec minute they have none 
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 11:29am
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Wahhhooo my latest gun. The air chief target junior. Open sights, rear adjustable for height and windage. Steel trigger (as you would expect on a target rifle. No trigger adjustment I can see ( cause the trigger must be so smoooooth) Heavier than I thought for its size. Pretty solid. Very nice to shoulder I thought. If it produces the fpe it recons, it'll do could be a good small bird gun. Power is on par with 1322. 
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 11:39am
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Should have it up farm this weekend I hope. Where it will be pulled apart, cleaned regreased/ oiled, seals soaked in a seal oil. Then probly ridiculed merciless on its build, put back together and shot for its intial test. Probly preform like a dream and not have any issues. Hmmmm best have a tui on that lol |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 12:19pm
| Don't forget to do before testing as a comparison. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 12:35pm
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Pulling it apart and cleaning it before do the first shots. That gamo got from gc had crap all through the springs etc. Give it a fair go before tuning it a bit. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 12:41pm
| Hahaha, hopefully I'll have mine by 5pm this arvo |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 12:43pm
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They got a dozen here if you can't get one. They are also in a vivid pink but I think it's just the olive ones on special. |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 5:25pm
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Please note that I resisted for almost a week. Its the Ghillie Green that drew me in. Good luck all.
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 6:40pm
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Lmao Enjoy the tinkering 👍 |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 7:56pm
Well I have mine.... Haven't fired it but did half cock it, made my hair stand on end...! Sounded like a series 1 land rover going up a shingle road! So I stopped and put it down! Really regretting my life choices right now but it can only get better from here hahaha.
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Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 8:10pm
Mark, have you ordered one through Dave or elected to buy direct? Looks like they're selling out fairly quickly. ------------- FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25 Walther Reign M2 .22 Evanix AR6 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Air Chief Junior .177 ($100 Challenge) |
mercs wrote:Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 9:41pm
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Hey, go easy on the old series ones, they are living legends…! I’ve also been trying hard to resist joining, but did someone say OD green…? 🤔 I might be feeling a purchase comming on… 😂😂😂 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2023 at 10:01pm
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Haha sorry Pete, I have great memories of a Series 1, One of my brother's friend had one many years ago and I used to bounce around in the back, almost had to wear helmets Yes the Ghillie Green is probably the best thing that's it got going for it. I'll do some shots in the morning and report back. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 1:16pm
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A few quick shots before I left for work, clouds of smoke out of the barrel each time I shot, was hitting a post at 15m but no time to set up a proper target. Trigger pull was very heavy on first couple of shots then started coming a little more predictable Breech looks um like it needs a tidy up.... 
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 1:27pm
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Didn't you clean all oils and shipping crap off first? The breach seal don't look that great on mine either. What pellets were you using. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 1:48pm
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Nope left it just as is haha Some old Daisy pellets I'll do a shot string using them with the gun uncleaned, then do a clean and another shot group test them so from there with pellet picking and tuning |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 2:12pm
| It'll be interesting to see what differences you get after a clean. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 2:33pm
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Bit I hope. If it's blowing smoke it's probly dieseling from oil to protect the barrel. Most likely the most powerful shots it will ever do lol. Shame on you billbob treating a target rifle like that. With all the work air chief put into the presion machined parts, you've probly put something out of whack that will stop it being so accurate. Snigger snigger |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 7:23pm
Righto, here is a 5 shot group at 15m with open sights using old Daisy pellets and rested on gun bag. 
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 7:49pm
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Air chief target 177 pellets are 8.18gr No sure if actual head size just has 4.5mm. Made by h&n. Im guessing that's a good starting point for the size and weight pellets they would recommend. Me I'm not going to buy lots of pellets to find best. Hopefully it likes sig. My 177 collection sux. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 7:51pm
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That's a shocking group billbob. Hopeful it tightens up after a clean. Maybe if its a target rifle,10m is its best range. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 8:21pm
| I know it's shocking for that distance.... But I am pleased I hit the box 🤣 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 8:25pm
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Pleased it's not after tuning it too I bet. I'm not expecting much better at first. |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 9:44pm
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I was hoping for a finely engineered American made trigger, oh dear. I will enjoy taking it along to club shoot. Now, who will fit the biggest scope? I hope someone from GC will be reading this. Perhaps we should avoid holding a hot cuppa when reading these posts over the coming weeks. Onwards....
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Posted By: jwabfrog
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 9:49pm
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Holy hekka that is some dismal 15m accuracy.... have you tried the artillery hold? Joking, ha ha this is going to be a good thread |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 10:32pm
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Ok, so I got one too… 🙈 Mine didnt even come in a box, they just took it off the shelf, took the price tag off it and handed it to me (I think I heard someone mumbling “good luck” as I took it…?) 😳 Will also give it a 5 shot group tomorrow before a througha cleaning, then another 5 shot group before we start dissecting things. I’m going to be doing all my testing at 10m, because that’s an international standard for target air rifles, and also because that’s how far I can shoot in my garden (if I’m sitting in the dinning room 😂). Billbob, that’s a horrendous group!!! 🙈 but if you look on the bright side, it can only get better from here on 👍🏻 Shoot a group at 10m so we can all compare apples with apples. This whole excercise should be fun, I’m looking forward to it. Pauly, you got one yet? ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 11:08pm
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Welcome aboard Sir. Time will tell if it's me or the gun! Hahahaha |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 6:56am
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Hey or the pellet! When was the last time you found the best pellet first tin? I'm going to try the docking rings to see if I can tune it to a pellet. I also have a sneaking feeling from the 1322 which is closest I have to the fpe of this gun that head size will make a difference. Once I get it clean and broken in I'll measure a few pellets and see. I'm tempted to buy a tin of alloys just to see how they go. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 7:43am
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More of a gathering than a group. I plan to get mine today and shoot some gatherings too. I can shoot 20 m at home, but 13 from the comfort of my garage, so it'll be 13m from me.
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Posted By: J-S
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 10:41am
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well. this all looks kinda fun! Has anyone knocked off the front sight to see what the crown looks like? May get some accuracy from a bore polish and re-crown. ------------- https://www.instagram.com/js_airguns/" rel="nofollow - J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many.. |
Posted By: J-S
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 10:43am
I think the pellets are actually social distancing... ------------- https://www.instagram.com/js_airguns/" rel="nofollow - J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many.. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 12:25pm
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@J-S are you going to join us? I'll knock off the front sight in the weekend so will let you know. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 2:15pm
Haha, that'll be it. Well I picked my green one up today. A quick look down the barrel showing a nice parabolic feature. Externally it looks ok, but bore ain't straight. Breech has matching diagonal hacksaw marks across breech block and barrel with additional swarf extending into the barrel lead in. More feature than I expected for sure. I had been tempted paying the extra $30 to get the black stock, but common sense prevailed.
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 2:42pm
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eek how are the rest of your guys bores. I can't check mine yet. After going and buying a dremel set while waiting for the mechanic to fix his diagnostic of brakes rubbing ( I had sujested a failing bearing) and it's OK to drive it the next couple of days, till we can get you in, he said oh your bearing has collapsed you can't drive anywhere. So now staying in middle of Hastings having just spent my last 900 on what I need to get it fixed. Not happy has damaged a bit and due to bad mechanic diagnosis. Went from 250 to 900. So not in best place to be pulling out a rifle.and looking down the barrel. Still. I got the rifle and dremel before it collapsed. So that was bonus. Miss 4 days work because of it, so rather glad it's alter the original parts. Lest it's not going to cost any more. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 5:31pm
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I didnt get to shoot my Green Mamba to day, too many other things on the go. But I did get to spend a moment admiring it, and that’s when I noticed… There is hardly anything written on it! No warnings, nothing, not even a model or series name. Just “AirChief” and a very long serial number. Hell, mine dosent even have the caliber written anywhere on it! 😳😳😳 Tomorrow first shots. I can get 13m if I put my pellet trap in the flower bed ext to the fence, so should we standardize our grouping distance to 13m for comparison sake? ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 5:46pm
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I don't think so. I think 10m and 20m. One because 10m is the official range and over the shorter distance may just take some of the spread out. Twenty because it opens up groups, giving a more accurate picture of pellet movement, also if the trigger is stiff, there's barrel play etc it will show more at 20m. So I think those should stay the distances. If ppl can't get to 20m then go to the distance they can. If you say shoot 13m then we can shoot a target at 13m for comparison to yours. Ill prob try streaching it 25m 30m if 20m shoots OK. Just my view mind. |
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 6:14pm
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Im tempted to go and get one as well...but do i have the time to be tinkering around with it? ive got so many other projects that i have to finish first to keep the misses happy but ill see if i can find the time. When is the cut off date to see who is the best? ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 6:41pm
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Don't think there was one. Being a forum if you can always update. But I'm assuming from momentum at moment there will be lots done in next month or two. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 6:53pm
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Be good for you anyway Nunga. Always good to get back to basics..i imagine it's been a long time since you Had anything as primitive as this. Maybe if we can get shooting accuracy from them at 10m a few of us who prob won't use them again could donate them to a air rifle club as loaners for newbez wanting to try out shooting at a club. With a donated by www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz see if can get a few more members on board here. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 7:41pm
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No time limit @nunga jump in any time |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 9:43pm
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Ok, so I had a first shoot at a target and at first I thought the trigger was stuck, then it fired after I used my pneumatic ram. It freed up after that, but was still heavy, but reasonably crisp and predictable. After the smoke cleared, I could see it was only about 30 mm low and to the left of aim point. Shot cycle was short and actually quite enjoyable. Gatherings were reasonably intimate, with social distancing being generally ignored despite the parabolic barrel bore. Here's a couple of photos of breech, group and chrony results. I actually enjoy shooting it, and look forward to modding it.    |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 9:47pm
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Here's a short video of my first couple of shots. It's a link to youtube. http://youtube.com/shorts/qCckiWUV1n0?feature=share" rel="nofollow - http://youtube.com/shorts/qCckiWUV1n0?feature=share
and a photo trying to show the bore.  |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 9:55pm
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You gonna take it back and exchange it? That sounded pretty quiet on the video. Loved the smoke. Wonder what they coat them with. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2023 at 10:03pm
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Nope, I will make do with what I got. The pellet should still come out straight, and the replacement might be worse. It wasn't noisy, but camera doesn't pick all the sound up. It has a tidy little thump to it, and no twang at all.
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Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 9:54am
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Oh wow, that barrel does look a little bent 😳 I’ll check mine when I get home! ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 5:19pm
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My barrels not bent 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😂 So straight out the box, or I’m my case, straight over the counter, barrel uncleaned. Breach face looks nasty, rusty, but should clean up. Barrel is stright and bore actually dosent look bad. I wouldnt call it shiny, but not bad either. I can at least see all the lands and groves. First time cocking was horrible, scratchy scraping noises, and a lot harder to cock than I anticipated. The grip is horrible, the angle of your fingers is almost 45deg away from the trigger, not easy to grip the grip and get ur first index joint to the trigger at the same time 🤔 I might be trying my hand at first time stock carving 😂😂😂 maybe a thumbhole with a 15” LOP 😂😂😂 First pull of the trigger was… interesting. A firm and constant pull felt the trigger creap back a few mm, I thought well maybe I’ve (firmly) pulled through the first stage. I relaxed my finger to try it again, but the trigger didn’t move 😳, it just stayed right where it was! Ok. So second pull started where the first left off. Quite heavy, but it did break cleanly. That initial creep dissapeared and it eased up a little after the first few shots. Still what I feel is on the heavy side, but crisp and knocks the spots off my two Gamos! What a suprise. And the smoke, looked like an old western movie 😂 First 5 shots at 5m to make sure we are on the board, poi was just about 7mm above poa! Those first 5 supprised me! The next 10 shots were at 10m. All over shooting sticks. Moving back to 10m, and in failing light, with ageing eyes (??? My +1’s have just become +1.5’s) I discovered the front bead and two accompanying green dots cover most of the target I was aiming at 🙈 I will definitely have to find a scope for it (well for me actually). So far all in all I’m impressed. Now to give it a througha clean and then next 10 shots @10m. And maybe add a scope 😉       I’ve also decided to change its name. Green mambas are actually a beautiful bright green. This one is not. Black mambas are actually a dark grey to olive grey, which this one is. Better name 👍🏻 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 5:59pm
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I pulled mine apart to clean it and I'm rather supprised, one at the trigger direct to the pin thru the center of the piston. Two that it's actually done to a better finish on the internals than the gamo was. The piston body is a bit rough. There is a couple of bits of stuff at end of cylinder, way to much oil in the cylinder. The trigger is going to be a bit trickier to adjust as its connected strait to the piston so has no leverage flike a trigger group. Rifling is great, strait, clean, defined. (take yours back Pauly) Its got a locking bolt for the barrel bolt! See more expensive guns without that. The arm that pushes the piston back is the only thing that has sideways play. Take the trigger spring out before taking tension off main spring or it goes flying. I like it so far. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 6:13pm
  Pretty basic. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 7:25pm
| Righto, I have the day off tomorrow so will do some 10msh*ts again before I clean |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 7:50pm
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I'm at a bit of a loss as to why you guys want to fire it pre cleaning. So put it back together, fired 20 shots thru it, still smoked for first few shots. Bit graunchy for first few shots but that stopped pretty quick. Just shooting at tree 19m away from inside shed. Had 3 ricochet back into shed door (10m from tree) and they hit the door with a whack! Loud as little gun I recon. Sight is slightly crooked to right,but was hitting tree trunk everytime. (where I have no idea it was dark outside.) So I'll lead it in a bit more tomorrow and try a couple of groups with the sig daggers. Turns out one of the shops I descovered today waiting for mechanic to do his stuff, sells sig, and crossman pellets. I sujested maybe try jsb as Well. Here's hoping. Oh the trigger, snap pull seemed to work Well, fighting against the spring to find where it released was terrible. Once I strip it to tune it I think I will go powdered graphite for the trigger sear. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 8:20pm
| Good to see they have spring guides fitted |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 8:21pm
| Ragerpete, your breach looks very tidy compared to mine |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 8:33pm
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Needs it. That catch on piston actually feeds into the guide. The trigger is located in that thinner bit of black plastic behind the guide, so has to pass right through it. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 8:38pm
Yeah always pays to wipe. What have you been eating to do a 10msh*t. .surely that's a world.record 
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Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 9:09pm
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Gee that's interesting the trigger acting straight onto the piston rod. No wonder it's heavy. I wonder of an extra sear can be fitted somehow? Those groups of yours not too bad Pete. I tried some H&N FTT today, and they were so tight, it hurt to seat them. At 20 m I was lucky to hit my target. 3 out of 5 hit. At 10m horrifically better though, but safe to say these pellets not good through it. I think I will take it back Kruz.  |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2023 at 9:24pm
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I was looking at the sear thinking of cutting it back so the there was less travel to disingauge. Polish and graphite. I think if the trigger is heavy a short sharp fingerovement is better than long fighting resistance one. Yep Pauly you got skill and gear to alter the trigger. There's a lot of metal on the actual trigger itself, enough to reposition/add pins. Plenty of room on the plastic round thing it slips into as well |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 8:03am
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10m open sight. Indoors. Sig dagger. Center target, aim point base of red centre. Sights at some random setting. Shocking would be an understatement. I'll accept some blame. But not the spread going on here. see if likes a differnt pellet or try docking ring after a morning coffee I think 
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Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 8:14am
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Hummm… after seeing the sig daggers (and assuming u can shoot Kruza 😂) and seeing Paulys H&N ftt’s the JSB exacts aren’t looking too bad. Before doing any more testing I need to put a scope on so I can see what I’m aiming at 😂😂😂 The reason I did test groups before cleaning is so that I have a base line starting point to start from, and also because that’s how 99.5% of these little guns are going to be used, just bought and shot by kids who’s parents don’t know any better, so for me it’s nice to know who it performs out the box. Looking at Kruzas pic of the “exploded diagram” of the internals… I need to learn the names of all those different parts. Anyone care to put some labels onto the pic so I can start learning? Would be much appreciated 😃 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 9:11am
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Same target 100 rounds approx. Gun/ aim point/ pellet same. 
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Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 9:21am
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About as good as the last (and I mean the last!) Gamo I had...
------------- FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25 Walther Reign M2 .22 Evanix AR6 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Air Chief Junior .177 ($100 Challenge) |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 9:30am
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Woooooo that's incredible particularly with high quality pellets! It's like the gun is coughing them out. Pauly5 I'm wondering with your bent barrel is the steel not that very hard? I've got a carbon tube that will slip over which I will see if it stiffens up and helps with accuracy |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 10:52am
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Ten shot group. 10m Indoors open sight AA heavy 10.3 gr weighed Head size 4.51mm measured Turned out the best pellet I had. Couldn't tighten sig up enough with docking ring. Without Flyers 47mm vertical x 43 horizontal. With Flyers 57mm vertical x 43 horizontal. Don't see it tighten up much more than that with pellets I have. Aimpoint splitting bull in half with sight.  Low on that size pellet so no 20m at moment. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 11:44am
Right, this is 10m with using air chief target flat tips. Much better. I've removed the front sight and will get a scope on. J-S here is a photo of the crown 
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 11:45am
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20 meter Outdoors no wind. Everything same as when shot 10m. Ran 5 over chrono 438/443/447/442/444 fpe. Muzzle energy 4.4fpe at 442fps x 10.3gr 10m 4fpe 20m 3.6fpe.  These are what I have to improve on. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 11:46am
| Ye gods that's barely a clean hole let alone a crown! |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 12:08pm
10 shot group at 10m, Air chief Target Flat tips with Discovery VT-R scope 
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Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 1:22pm
| I've noticed that the breech hasn't been machined to 90° so the barrel is sloping down slightly, which means the breech isn't locking properly once cocked. A slight bump and it unlatches which is probably why I am getting the two groupings in the 1 gathering... Breech isn't exactly tight either. I'll disassemble and start the cleaning and will take the barrel into work on Monday to mill the breech |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 1:52pm
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Billbob, how did u get the silencer off? Gentle persuasion with a hammer? ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 2:10pm
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Just collected mine from Magnum Sports. Probably a bit better than I was expecting for $100 but the barrel pivot bolt is peened over as I though it would be from what I'd seen on YT, so strip down will involve a little more effort. The trigger shape is god awful, but I think I can use the fixed sights for initial shots. However I'll be swapping them out for a little Tasco scope I have lying around.   ------------- FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25 Walther Reign M2 .22 Evanix AR6 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Air Chief Junior .177 ($100 Challenge) |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 2:17pm
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So I’ve had an interesting morning with the black mamba. Cleaning first. Took a good few patches through that barrel before they started comming out clean(ish).  First one was properly black 😂😂😂 Man I love the smell of Hoppes no9! I’d wear it as aftershave if it didn’t sting so much! Then tried to mount a scope. That’s when I noticed there is no recoil lug recess hole on top of the tube 🤔 The only mount I have is a gamo one piece which is quite low, but I was hoping the 3 Allen keys and the long clamping dovetail might keep the scope in place. Rear sight was in the way so I took that off. Put rings on and mounted the scope, and it looked damm good, but of course now the damm breech won’t open 😡. So back on went the rear sight. I decided to change my sight picture so I can see the bull at 10m, and “zeroed” as best I could accordingly.  Snugged up the stock screws, which were a little loose and started re-leading the barrel. After 40 shots it was all over the place!!! 😳😳😳 Checked the stock screws and they were loose again😡 Tightened up all 3, then it would t cock??? 😡 Figured out the screw in front of the trigger guard can’t be snuggled up tight, won’t cock, needs to be about 1/8th turn backed off. Seemed to not move for the rest of the shooting session, but the two fore end screws did, after every shot 😡 Spent the next hour tightening the fore end stock screws after every 5 or 10 shots. They seem to loosen and if left alone will settle then stay there, but I do think some lock tight is needed after all the stripping and tinkering is done. My best group, after cleaning and releading, with slightly loose stock screws is slightly worse they yesterdays. I need to get a scope on there!  ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 4:01pm
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Front sight will slide off with a little help with a hammer and vice grip. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 4:46pm
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I thought I'd do a quick few things to no great finish to see if would react to a bit of tlc.(mostly I wanted to play with new dremel) 1 tidy up crown. 2 tapper the breach hole where pellet goes in. 3 polish bore with cutting compound. 4 play with sight to even up. 5 grind down trigger sear 6 cut trigger return spring as it has way more tension than it needs 7 Polish trigger sear face and on piston too. 8 Pop seals and reseat. The breach seal is also tapered billbob, as is the face on mine. Seems to lock, and shoot ok so I'll be keen to see how straitening it goes. Ran 20 shots through it then a did a five shot group. Five shot group 10m, outside, no wind Sitting in door of car with elbow on knee holding forend . No sand bag and table this time. AA heavies 10.3gr 18mm vertical 24mm horizontal  As nothing has been done to any degree of finish, could be promising. Trigger pull is a lot shorter and snapper now. And not sighted in. Rear sight was to "I recon about there" then not adjusted. Searching for grouping before worry about bringing on target properly But that's it for now have other guns want to play with tonight. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 5:13pm
| I have had time to disassemble yet as I'm tanning another deer cape ready to mount tomorrow. I'll have to check the face of where the breech seats against to make sure thats 90° or angled to match the breech. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 5:37pm
| I'd say angled, the seal was angled. And it sat flush with face of breech. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 6:02pm
The first pellets I tried were flat head target pellets, 7 grn. And with the power around 4.5 ft/lb I'm thinking the lighter pellets are probably best through these guns. The barrel itself looked straight, it's like the bore hasn't been bored straight, as if the barrel was under stress, in a slight bend while it was being bored, then when pressure released the barrel goes straight, but bore has the curve in it.
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Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 8:42pm
Now the owner of an Air Chief Junior, mine arrived in very good order. Cleaned and lubricated before use, mechanism is smooth and easy to operate with repeatable fps. The truth about the rifle will require a bench test which I will get onto but far from disappointed. Trigger will definitely get some attention but I have owned worse. Fitting a basic scope will also be interesting.
Out of the box  Breech was clean and seal in good order but whether machine or hand finished workmanship is definitely poor.  Barrel looks ok but needed a good clean.  10 metres standing. Sights left as found. POA the bull with resulting 50mm OD group. Front sight obscured the bull.  Upgrade number 1, Red Dot sight installed  Repeated test with resulting 45mm group, looked as if I would improve to within 25mm but messed up last couple of shots, I had done better when sighting in so need to check a few things out.  Gamo 4x32 scope fitted  10 metres with Gamo scope gave a 35mm group using AirArms Diablo Field Heavy 10.3 grains Technology and posh pellets do not make a big difference. I suppose it would shoot at a 50mm plinking target and deliver some backyard fun.  |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 8:52pm
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First play tonight with the little gun tonight. Put it across the chrony first, lots of smoke but the speed came up to just over 500 fps using 8.44gr JSB Exact 4.52 pellets. Then a batch of 10 shots at 6m with the standard sights with no adjustments. Not too far off the target centre and quite a tight little group of 7 pellets. I then stretched it out to 10m but with my glasses there was no way I could see through the sights so I pretty much had to guess where the centres was and the group reflects that. I've since removed the front sight, it took a fair bit of effort with the hammer against the vice-grips to get it to move. The crown doesn't look too bad at all, the crap on it in the picture I suspect is thread lock from the sight installation. I was planning on cleaning it up in the lathe but it might not be worth the effort. The next step is to clean the barrel and fit my little 4x32 Tasco scope. Hopefully my 10m groups will improve when I can actually see the target!      ------------- FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25 Walther Reign M2 .22 Evanix AR6 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Air Chief Junior .177 ($100 Challenge) |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2023 at 9:38pm
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U got an owners manual… no fair. I want one too. Does anyone have one of those recoil absorbing bases that goes under the one piece gamo mount/rings that they want to donate or sell? That Ranger scope I wanted to fit is super long and I need to lift it up so the breech can open. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2023 at 12:23pm
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Kruz, how easy did the barrel pivot bolt come out? Did you just force the peened end through the thread or machine it off somehow first? ------------- FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25 Walther Reign M2 .22 Evanix AR6 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Air Chief Junior .177 ($100 Challenge) |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2023 at 1:03pm
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No I started by unscrewing it, once I had removed the locking bolt next to it. Then once it was out of the oppistite side threads moved the barrel till the tension was off the pin and pulled it out. |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2023 at 1:04pm
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Well I have tightened up the breech as far as I can go before fear of stripping the Philips head out and I still have alot of lateral movement so I am going to have to shim the breech. Also noticed that the breech end of the barrel the barrel is definitely oval or off centre only where it's fitted into the breech block. Then it's perfectly straight after that. Maybe if I can remove the barrel I could cut this section off and machine down and refit and put up with the shorter barrel. Over baited Starlings at 12m Ive missed 3 from 3. I'll head out with the old BSA meteor and see what I can do in exchange |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2023 at 1:10pm
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It has play when it's open. Mine lost it all when closed. Whats the difference in height between top and bottom of angled bit. I'm gonna head out in hour or two. Apperently the hares are.chasing each other on the bottom paddocks |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2023 at 1:59pm
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You can laugh at me all you like..... But yes this @#$$)@*£}€÷ did strip out when I tried to remove it..... That will be after works job on Monday with an extractor |
Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2023 at 2:02pm
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With the compression tube against a straight edge the barrel is at around 3° downwards |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2023 at 2:35pm
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That's a big drop over the barrel length. Did you strip the Phillips head or the threads.? Tou can put a ring spanner on the head. How's the starlings going. |