Do new guns need "breaking in"?

[Missed_dinner]

I got a new Compatto a few weeks back and had then chance to put a few hundred pellets through it yesterday. I had three brands to try and at first all three were all over the place and almost felt a but rough to shoot, after a while a few came out here and there that were nice and smooth and on point, then you would get 2-3 in a row that where going through the same hole. I didn't have the best of weather conditions but I was just happy to have a few hours to play with my new toy.

Doe's it take time to break in? I was hoping the grouping was going to be a bit tighter at 30yds. A good 10 shots just fit in a 2p coin but not consistently.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...322_071352.jpg

Any other Compatto owners, could you let me know what pellets you find good?

Chris

[CuppaT]

Guns don't need time to bed in. Just a dozen or so shots to lead the barrel. For a .22 in windy conditions i'd say the AA Fields look about OK - but nothing special.

[Missed_dinner]

I was going to ask, would the grouping of a .22 be larger than a .177 just because the pellets make larger holes?

The Bisley Mags were actually being aimed at the top left target but they were heavier and seemed to drop to the right so I used the top left again. I started bottom right with the BM's but they missed the catcher completely so instated again too left.

[Shed tuner]

I was going to ask, would the grouping of a .22 be larger than a .177 just because the pellets make larger holes?

that's why you measure centre-to-centre

[Cocksure]

that's why you measure centre-to-centre

I do try not to be thick..but what does 'centre to centre' mean? From the centre out and back in the otherside, like pac man? I don't actually know, am I being thick here?....

[Missed_dinner]

I do try not to be thick..but what does 'centre to centre' mean? From the centre out and back in the otherside, like pac man? I don't actually know, am I being thick here?....

No, the centre of a hole to the centre of a hole. if the centre to centre is 1cm then the overall distance between the outside edges will be greater with bigger calibres.

[CuppaT]

I was going to ask, would the grouping of a .22 be larger than a .177 just because the pellets make larger holes?

The Bisley Mags were actually being aimed at the top left target but they were heavier and seemed to drop to the right so I used the top left again. I started bottom right with the BM's but they missed the catcher completely so instated again too left.

Broadly speaking - .22 groups are bigger than .177 groups. Not least, this is amplified by the larger .22 pellet which animates the group size more than a .177 pellet would (down to pellet size).

Don't worry about your point of aim. The groupings are what is important and the point of aim should remain constant for all pellet tests. When you find the tightest group / chosen pellet just zero your rifle accordingly.

[gingernut]

Not bad with a new gun and windy.
Mine would be about the same.

Don't think PCPs need running in too much.
It's just a guestion of getting used to the gun.

Fill Compatto to 180
Above that they get over excited and accuracy worse.

I try not to compare mine to my 100 in .177 which puts them in the famous one hole at that distance.
I'm not a great shot either.

[angrybear]

Did you clean the barrel from new ? if not give it a pull through to remove any packing grease.
Trying to zero in the wind is a lost cause at the best of time
Quite possibly it just doesn't like those pellets.

Some guns do need "shooting in" more than others.

Also remember that for the initial zero & pellet testing, you want to remove any/all human error so use a bag for support, once you know the scope is "on" & it likes the pellet, then you also know the rest of it's down to you the shooter.

[Missed_dinner]

Thanks as usual for the quick and informative responses, guys. I like this Forum.

For a .22 in windy conditions i'd say the AA Fields look about OK - but nothing special.

Another way of saying "shit" haha!

that's why you measure centre-to-centre

Good point.

Don't worry about your point of aim. The groupings are what is important and the point of aim should remain constant for all pellet tests.

That was my plan but became a problem when they weren't hitting the target. My backboard is a piece of thick plywood about 2' square and it probably has about 50 odd pellets in it now, making it heavier!

Fill Compatto to 180
Above that they get over excited and accuracy worse.

I either read or watched a video about the sweet spot so I have been filling to 190 and running down to 130 bar.

Chris

[Steyr]

All guns need running in. How much one might notice is the variable. Some will be smooth and take little settling or it might not be realised by the shooter. Others might be more noticable - even requiring some fettling by the owner or some capable individual.

The biggest issue is usually finding the right pellet for the barrel in terms of producing a tight group and things like brand and range, head size and the content of the metal can all have very variable results. Even switching from a 4.52 to a 4.51 can have a very significant affect on group size.

If your grouping, then you can move the group so POI with a mod on may be very different to a the one with the mod off. Just zero to the set up you will use to shoot.

PCP's may be full of grease and this will settle or it becomes more viscous or less with temp shifts.

Springers will need the spring to settle and the piston and head to shape tot he cylinder so YES, IMHO guns do need to settle

[lensman57]

I got a new Compatto a few weeks back and had then chance to put a few hundred pellets through it yesterday. I had three brands to try and at first all three were all over the place and almost felt a but rough to shoot, after a while a few came out here and there that were nice and smooth and on point, then you would get 2-3 in a row that where going through the same hole. I didn't have the best of weather conditions but I was just happy to have a few hours to play with my new toy.

Doe's it take time to break in? I was hoping the grouping was going to be a bit tighter at 30yds. A good 10 shots just fit in a 2p coin but not consistently.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...322_071352.jpg

Any other Compatto owners, could you let me know what pellets you find good?

Chris

i wouldn't call it breaking in but the parts need to bed in and the lubricants need to permiate the microscopic cavities and then is the barrel that needs leading. A couple of hundred shots should do it.

A.G

[TORNADOS7]

PCP's contain hammer springs/valve seats/breach seals and all manner of bits 'n' pieces that need to settle in...

[Missed_dinner]

I had time for a little pellet testing on Tuesday and had 9 different types to try apart from one (JSB Heavys) all the rest were a bit messy. It wasn't a still day but not blustery. Shooting off a bag on the bonnet of my car. Spirit level fitted. As said before, I am no pro but didn't know if I should be happy with these results?

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...413_105736.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...413_105854.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...413_105820.jpg

Also when I push the pellet into the barrel with the cocking lever it is a bit rough, sometimes more with certain pellets than others. It isnt smooth at all. Do you think it's worth a trip to my RFD for them to have a look?

[Mike1979]

Bisley magnum and jsb heavies look ok, so nothing wrong with accuracy but the cocking lever should not be rough, mine was not smooth as the mag wasn't lining up properly so caused problems when loading, try loading it one pellet at a time, if it's still not smooth get it checked out if it is smoother then it's probably the magazine causing problems.