The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

http://blog.stegough.com/theoben-rapid-s-repair/

Basically the performance of my dads air rifle has deteriorated.

Took it to the airgun doctor in staffs and thought he may have found the problem, however back on the range and, well the pictures tell the story better than I can.

Anyone got experience with PCP air rifles, and what might be casing the lack of accuracy..?

Vertical stringing is generally a result of inconsistent shot to shot velocity. That wouldn't seem to be the case here, with a 5fps spread, but I'm guessing that that was recorded at less than 1 metre? Check the velocity at around 5 metres and see if it is still as consistent. It could be the pellets causing all the problems.

Now that the rifle has been serviced, a pellet that performed OK at a lower muzzle velocity might not perform well now that the velocity has increased.

That would be the first thing to check, anyway. If you're using a front rest, does the forend slide freely on it? Any dragging can cause the barrel to jump up and down fractionally, which will also produce stringing.

Try the above and see if there is any improvement. Also, I'm guessing that the barrel has had a good cleaning? If so, it might need several pellets through it to 'condition' it again.

What Les said

They might also have given the barrel a good scrub menaing it has to lead in again, or could be grease/too heavy oil on the hammer.

Just a thought but try the Airgun BBS

The barrel has not been cleaned. It is on the things to do. I know for sure they didn't put a rod through when it was serviced. Might be a place to start, it could be over leaded?

We've shot various pellets. al weighed so they are consistent, and as shown we tried die-sizing some pellets to try and get weight and size consistency. None to any avail. We also tried 2 different batches/types of pellets. Still with the odd flyers (non-shooter induced).

From doing the home service, as outlined on an earlier blog (replacing all o-rings) and taking it to the airgun doctor (who showed my dad the seals we used were perished/cracked already) there was no real improvement or deterioration. it shoots well enough to hit rabbits at 25 yards, however it used to be much more accurate. At least so I remember and am informed. ~ We used to be able to shoot individual blades of tall grass at 30+ yards, consistently. Now it's shooting as you see in the pictures.

Odd.

Regulator's knackered. More than likely coincidence, but having it serviced with correct seals etc has probably had the reg operating at its upper limit which has finished it. Unlikely the repairer considered this straightaway as he no doubt thought he was just rectifying a poor home service alone. Especially as the test shots showed a consistent level of performance.

TG, the answer lies in the forum name

Anything air goes into Shoot Gen.

christel wrote:TG, the answer lies in the forum name

Anything air goes into Shoot Gen.

"The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners
Supporting all legal firearm owners, collectors, enthusiasts, shooters and competitors by promoting and encouraging legitimate gun ownership and use in the UK through unity, advocacy and discussion."

Are air rifles not classed as guns then...?

TG, you read into that what you want

I say "down with 'Rimfire Shooting section'!"