I’ve got a new Hatsan 95 in .22 and I can’t keep a group at 40’ to save my life. Age is not kind to the eyes so I decided to mount a Leupold scope I’ve had forever. I still can’t keep my shots inside of a baseball at 40 feet. Please tell me I’m doing something wrong.

You are doing something wrong.

I'll bet the barrel or the muzzle is fairly, heavily leaded. Try cleaning it.

Andrew

It can’t hurt to try cleaning it. But it is brand new with less than 200 pellets through it.

quote:

Originally posted by Stlhead:
You are doing something wrong.

He asked!

Is the scope mount loose?
I just took a 10/22 to the range, was getting large and inconsistent groups. Found out the Picatinny rail was loose.

Big springers don't like tight grip, I think they call the loose hold with hands essentially cradling it, artillary hold: https://www.pyramydair.com/art...0to%20go%20elsewhere.

Maybe try different pellets. I think Crosman Premier are well liked.

Follow thru with your shots like shooting a muzzle loader.
Also you might have a future problem with your scope. A spring piston airgun recoils both forward and backwards requiring a scope designed specifically for them.

What pellets have you tried? Cleaning is likely unnecessary. Air rifles are not like firearms…and may perform better after several hundred pellets are fires.

That old Leupold scope of yours rated for an air rifle?
If not (and I'd bet it isn't), it not only won't hold zero, it will get beat to death and become trash.

My money is on this as what you're doing very wrong.

A Springer will ruin any scope that is not designed to be used on a Springer.

Yesterday I emailed Leupold and asked which scopes are rated for air rifles. Their response was that all of their scopes are designed to withstand air rifles including springers. Even old production models like mine.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
Yesterday I emailed Leupold and asked which scopes are rated for air rifles. Their response was that all of their scopes are designed to withstand air rifles including springers. Even old production models like mine.

If that's the case, then what pbslinger suggested. Shooting a springer requires a whole different approach than a powder burner.

quote:

Originally posted by pbslinger:
Big springers don't like tight grip, I think they call the loose hold with hands essentially cradling it

This...the stock should be touching your shirt, not your shoulder while cradling the foregrip like a newborns head. Also, check all screws for tightness.

That said, the last Hatsan I bought got returned. Brand new with compression issues.

Now the o ring seal at the breach has blown out of it’s seat.

Try different pellets. See how some RWS work. Springers are a bit harder to shoot accurately.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
Now the o ring seal at the breach has blown out of it’s seat.

Where did you buy this from? I'd be considering returning it. Too many red flags going up.

400m, is it driving or just steering?

The vast amount of time it’s the nut behind the trigger causing the issues. .

Use a very light hold. Do not shoot it like you would a powder burner. The problem is these recoil and vibrate all over the place and the pellet stays in the barrel for a comparatively long time. Using a light hold sort of let’s it recoil and vibrate the same way every time. Also when that piston slams forward it’s not unlike an open bolt SMG and that may be throwing you off.

Next thing is ammo. Try not only different brands but different head sizes. 5.50,5.51,5.52 etc. keep in mind air guns are like real guns in that crappy ammo will give crappy results and some guns like certain stuff. I have found H&N to be pretty good across the board.

If you truly are getting mechanical erratic shots then it’s most likely either your breech seal or piston seal. A little chunk missing or bad fit etc. can play hell with accuracy.

Also keep in mind most spring guns need 500 or 1000 shots to settle in, burn off excessive lube etc. and during that time you might see some weirdness.

All that being said with a new spring gun shooter , especially with a fairly powerful gun it’s the Indian and not the arrow. Spring guns can be hard task masters but are very rewarding when you learn to shoot them and pay dividends in real shooting.

Good luck.
Take care, shoot safe.
Chris

Also have realistic expectations. I find 50 yards to be about the PRACTICAL max range of most spring guns. 100 is doable but more as a parlor trick kind of thing for the vast number of folks.

Me I can shoot out to 50 OK but 20-30 yards is my comfort zone.