"Springers" and the Crosman Storm XT

[JustinLa]

I recently decided I wanted to buy a pellet rifle so I could get some range time in in the backyard. The first thing I bought was some WalMart 30 dollar special. It basically amounted to a child's toy and after I realized it had a smooth bore I returned it and went looking for something serious. What I ended up purchasing was the Crosman Storm XT. It looked like a very good rifle of good quality and came with a pretty nice scope for a pellet rifle leading me to believe this is something that could be used for competition shooting.

I have heard of break barrel pellet rifles and knew they were powerful. This one supposedly gets a velocity of between 1,000 and 1,200 fps depending on which source you look at. I'm leaning towards 1,000 since mine is subsonic but still very powerful for a pellet rifle.

I'm sure I'm not the only one in the world to do this but I started out by setting up a phone book and paper target in the house. At about 5 yards I was getting a horrible grouping. I kept moving back to about 10 yards and it obviously hadn't gotten any better

The next day (today) I took it outside. I spent all day trying to sight in that scope. I eventually moved it out to 50 yds just out of hopeless frustration but was lucky to get a 4 inch grouping.

This is what I've found so far that explains it. Spring rifles have a counter acting recoil, before the round leaves the bore the shooter is experiencing recoil. Just about all the shooting I've done with this rifle has been from a bench rest position or some other supported position. I've also seen some say that the way you hold the rifle effects the accuracy? Is this true? I expect a rifle to put a round in the same spot when the hammer falls (figure of speech) regardless of the circumstances.

I've seen plenty of other people brag about the accuracy of this rifle. Are they doing something differently or just lying?

 

[tech2b9h]

Springers are very hold sensitive. Try to hold/support in different positions to see what works best. Also give it atleast 200 shots to break in.

 

[alfack]

Springer rifles are capable of fine accuracy, but they can be very hold sensitive. Some folks never get the hang of them. They usually end up with a PCP rifle or two, which have no recoil, and are easy to shoot accurately.

You need to try resting it on a rolled up towel, right in front of the trigger guard, and kind of leaning into the shot with good follow through and not too much cheek pressure. Try to not blink when the shot goes down range and keep those crosshairs on the target the whole time. The trick is finding the balance point and having a repeatable hold or style.

I just bought a Crosman NPSS and am still trying to learn its secrets. I have a Crow Magnum that I have mastered. Of course these are gas rams, but recoil like springers with maybe a slightly shorter lock time.

 

[JustinLa]

I looked up that NPSS and found this.

One problem with this type of rifle is that the piston and spring have considerable mass and when the piston reaches the forward end of the compression chamber, it jerks the rifle forward. All of this takes place before the pellet leaves the barrel. Consequently, achieving high accuracy with this type of rifle requires practice and consistency of shooting form.
http://www.crosman.com/blogs/croswords/?p=229

That pretty much confirms what I thought the problem was. It's a bit disappointing but if there is a way to somehow adjust my shooting style to improve accuracy then I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the tips and if anyone else has any tips regarding this type of pellet rifle I'd be happy to hear them.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Ammo, Ammo, Ammo. You didn't say which you were using. Makes all the difference in the world. Get some RWS MeisterKugeln or other competition pellets and then try it.

A LOOSE hold helps too with springers. If that doesn't fix the problem, then I'd be looking at the scope rings or the scope. Make sure all screws are tight on the scope rings/ hardware.

If it STILL doesn't shoot with different optics/rings, high quality pellets, and a good loose "springer hold", then you got a lemon.

I have a very hard time believing that the pellet is still in the barrel when the piston reaches the very end of it's range and delivers the forward recoil. Even if it is, this is not a problem with highly accurate rifles like a GOOD Beeman or RWS, etc.

The Crosman I had was a Mendoza made one, and it was considerably more accurate than you describe. Although, honestly, 50 yards is a Loooooong ways for a pellet gun, due to the wind, and so 4" at 50 yards ain't bad. But at 5 yards, it should be one hole, slighly ragged. At 10 yards, the groups should be a very ragged single hole or cloverleaf, at least.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I recently purchased a Daisey 853 from the CMP for 212.00 and it's worth every penny. Use 15 ft or 33 ft targets this is exrtremely accurate and even has a decent trigger. Great practice gun when you can get to the range cause you can actually fire, not just dry fire. It has good weight, balance, trigger, decent sights and the velocity is only about 500 fps. No need for more just to target shoot. And 33 ft is official distance for sporter class.

Good times.

 

[Hiaboo]

I have that exact same springer and it IS an accurate one -

I hold mine at the end of the fore stock and just kind of push it into my shoulder and it works out great for me..

Crosman premier pellets do well.

 

[powermad]

I have the Crossman rig.
It took most of a tin of pellets to get good with it.
I use mine in the shop for Pigeon control.
It's accurate enough for head shots at 25 yds.

 

[JustinLa]

Ok, I have discovered the artillery hold and have been working on it. At first it didn't seem to do any good but if it works for others then it must be able to work for me. Some groupings have been great others not so great. It is frustrating when my aim is good (rifle is scoped) and my breathing and trigger control are all good yet aiming in the same exact spot and having rounds go all over the place. I've included a picture of one of my last targets.

In the groupings I labeled I was using Premier Hallow Points which seem to fit more snugly in the chamber. The last wasn't as tight as I would have liked but I believe I'm getting the hang of it. Ideally I'd like to have no problem hitting a 4 inch target at 50 yds. I apologize for the bad photoshop work and hand drawn target but it get gets the job done.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/eyesopenwp/Target.jpg

 

[ManyStepsKY]

Just my $0.02...If you can shoot a spring gun, you can shoot ANYTHING. Once you have verified mechanicals (screws, scope, etc), the only thing you need to do is practice^3!!!
Have a great time with your rifle!

 

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

Just my $0.02...If you can shoot a spring gun, you can shoot ANYTHING /QUOTE]

eh? spring guns don't behave like real guns. they don't make any noise or recoil for starters....