HW35 Fettling

[TonyL]

I know what you mean, Mick. And the '77 will never be as wieldy as a lighter break barrel, but as a pure shooting machine the '77 is so impressive and most definitely a game changer.

I'll never, ever forget my first few shots with my '77 back then. So little movement on firing, afforded by the light internals vs heavy all-up mass. The firing cycle was just like breaking thin glass....quick, not sharp, and so, so smooth. It set the blueprint for many future rifles.....

[TonyL]

I had an enjoyable little session with it yesterday. The firing cycle is nice and quick but most certainly not harsh. I probably had about 60 or 70 shots. I'll let it run in for a little longer and then check the power again. If I deem the power then to be a little too close for comfort, a slight spring crop should make for an even sweeter firing cycle. We'll see how the old girl settles.

Older, basic Gold Crown 4x32 non-AO mounted Thursday evening. The slim lines and uncluttered tube really suit the old school looks, I feel. Hoping to have a quick session after work tomorrow......hope it's not a droopy one and the scope zeroes okay!

I ordered the 13mm mounts from our sponsor on Tuesday evening and they arrived on Thursday morning. Usual brilliant, quick service and excellent communications.

[TonyL]

Yay! It isn't a droopy one!

To be fair, although I've heard of a good few that are, all the '35s I've ever scoped up zeroed in with no fuss, and this one is the same.

I lost a little time refocussing and then I lost the light later, as I only had a small time window after work yesterday evening, but the zero isn't far off at about ten yards. Just a little fine tweaking to do when I get the chance.

Firing cycle feels lovely. As said before, it's quick but not harsh. You can tell it's a "thumper" with its heavier 30mm piston, but there's also not much sight picture disturbance. Will re-chrono again soon to see where it's going to settle and reduce power if required.

[CapitalBee]

Result then Tony.

[TonyL]

Thanks, Mark.

Yes, all looking good. As said, I'll check the power again soon and if it's a little close for comfort, shortening the spring a tad more should make it even sweeter.

Nick is going to re-seal my other older '35 cylinder at some point. I'd already done it (just by squeezing Perma Lock into the void) and it seems okay, but I just know it'll be much better done expertly by Nick. Still debating whether to ask him to sleeve the TP down and go 'O' ring on that one also or go to leather and use the piston you kindly sent me.

[TonyL]

As posted on the Spring Boinger Bash thread.......I thought I'd check the power again. Although the cycle isn't harsh, one or two screws kept coming loose. So I thought if there is any scope to soften the cycle further this might help. The chrono check revealed the gun is making too much power.

I'd spoken with Mick, T20, and he thought it might be detonating. It turns out that it is. And speaking with Jon Budd, Jon pointed out that 'O' ring piston guns can generate very high pressures. So, high pressure, leading to higher temperatures, leading to even higher pressure and so on. All sounds very feasible.

So the gun's coming apart. Thoroughly degrease and very sparingly lube. I'm just debating whether to take a little more spring off to improve the manners even more. Chasing high power isn't a priority and I'd rather have a super-sweet soft cycle and even easier cocking.

A little vertical play in the breech lock up has shown itself again, so I might refit the older detent once I've ground a little more off the point.

[Shed tuner]

I've no doubt the 35 will get there Tone, just a little fine tuning.. it's the joy of springers

[NickG]

I would say lose a bit of spring , or try a softer longer one .

[TonyL]

Yes, I think I'll be losing about half a coil off the spring, Nick. And a very sparingly lube.

[TonyL]

I've no doubt the 35 will get there Tone, just a little fine tuning.. it's the joy of springers

Indeed, Jon. It's all part of the fun. It does shoot very nicely already, to be fair, and a little down-tuning should see it with even milder manners. Thank you for your input.

[TonyL]

Yes, I think I'll be losing about half a coil off the spring, Nick. And a very sparingly lube.

I've not had the chance to squeeze any more playtime in yet, but I think I'll be taking a little more off the spring when I do. As said then, will re-lube very sparingly and see how it goes.

[TonyL]

Got the chance to work on it yesterday.

Stripped and degreased. Started to shorten the spring. After a few seconds my Aldi rotary tool expired (it's about ten years old but hasn't had much use) so I used the bench grinder.

Rebuilt with a very sparing lube - just the feintist wipe of Bumslide on the 'O' ring and piston tail. A very conservative wipe with moly grease on the outside of the spring and.......RESULT!

It's now doing a shade under 12 with Hobby and Suoerdome. Fps consistency around 3fps. Cocking effort a little lighter and smoother. Stock bolts don't come loose. The end of the spring guide is level with the end of the cylinder. If the velocity doesn't drop a little more after a bedding-in period I'll probably reduce the spring a tad more.

Scoped it up. Very accurate, smooth and very pleasant shot cycle.

Thank you Mick, Nick and Jon for your input and thank you Tinners for the kit and Bumslide.

Job done for now unless I drop the power a tad.

[Waddy]

Got the chance to work on it yesterday.

Stripped and degreased. Started to shorten the spring. After a few seconds my Aldi rotary tool expired (it's about ten years old but hasn't had much use) so I used the bench grinder.

Rebuilt with a very sparing lube - just the feintist wipe of Bumslide on the 'O' ring and piston tail. A very conservative wipe with moly grease on the outside of the spring and.......RESULT!

It's now doing a shade under 12 with Hobby and Suoerdome. Fps consistency around 3fps. Cocking effort a little lighter and smoother. Stock bolts don't come loose. The end of the spring guide is level with the end of the cylinder. If the velocity doesn't drop a little more after a bedding-in period I'll probably reduce the spring a tad more.

Scoped it up. Very accurate, smooth and very pleasant shot cycle.

Thank you Mick, Nick and Jon for your input and thank you Tinners for the kit and Bumslide.

Job done for now unless I drop the power a tad.

Nice result Tony, that O ring must be extremely efficient !

I'll have a go at de-lubing & polishing the chamber on my 35 once I get this 100 done, I've discovered that one O ring is missing off the main valve




.

[TonyL]

Yep, bearing in mind that it's using the older style piston, Paul (shorter stroke) and with the stroke further reduced by the 'O' ring head, I'm guessing very efficient.

Sorry to hear of your missing 'O' ring. I hope you manage to get one quickly so that you can get the 100 running as it should.

[Shed tuner]

Good result Tone