Haenel 312.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
This report covers:
- The test
- RWS R10 Match Heavy
- Adjusted the sight
- H&N Finale Match Light
- H&N Finale Match Heavy
- Qiang Yuan Training pellets
- JSB S100
- Vogel target pellet
- Firing behavior
- Trigger
- Summary
Today we see the accuracy of the freshly tuned Haenel 312. I don’t expect a change, but we shall see.
The test
I shot the rifle off a sandbag rest at 10 meters with the rifle resting directly on the bag. I shot 5-shot groups so I could test more pellets.
I had removed both sights during the disassembly and assembly. The rear came off to get access to the sidelever block pin and the front to put the barreled action into the spring compressor. So did I need to sight in? I felt that it would be fun to just start shooting without a sight-in and see where my shots went. Remember — I also did that in the first test. And, no, to whoever asked if I typically shoot warm-up shots in accuracy tests. I sometimes do, but it’s not a habit.
I shot many of the same pellets from the first accuracy test in Part Three.
RWS R10 Match Heavy
Well, wouldn’t you know it — the very first pellet was also the most accurate. Five R10 Match Heavy pellets went into a group that measures 0.109-inches between centers. That is a gold dollar group!
The Haenel 312 put five RWS R10 Match Heavy pellets into a 0.109-inch group at 10 meters. It’s the best group of the test.
In Part Three five of these pellets went into 0.241-inches. So, yes, this is better, but as you’ll see, it’s also not typical. It may just have been luck.
Adjusted the sight
Notice that the pellets didn’t hit the target too far from the center of the bull. After seeing where they hit I dialed the rear sight down five clicks and left 2 clicks. Because the remaining pellets were different weights and head sizes I probably won’t try to center any of them.
H&N Finale Match Light
The second pellet I tested was the H&N Finale Match Light pellet. In the first accuracy test (Part Three) five made a 0.259-inch group. In this test five went into 0.28-inches. That is more consistent with how well I believe this rifle can shoot.
The Haenel 312 put five H&N Finale Match Light pellets into a 0.28-inch group at 10 meters.
H&N Finale Match Heavy
Next I tried an H&N Finale Match Heavy pellet. These weren’t tried in the last accuracy test, so there is nothing to compare them with. Five went into 0.277-inches at 10 meters, so not much different than the Lights.
The 312 put five H&N Finale Match Heavy pellets into this 0.277-inch group at 10 meters.
After seeing this group I adjusted the rear sight one click to the left. And it seemed to make a difference.
Qiang Yuan Training pellets
The next pellet I tried was the Qiang Yuan Training pellet. They made the largest group in the last accuracy test, at 0.295-inches for 5 shots. Today they also made the largest group at 0.499-inches, but one of those shots was a called pull. I called it as going up but the stray shot in the group actually landed lower. The other 4 shots are in 0.227-inches between centers.
Five Qiang Yuan Training pellets went into 0.499-inches at 10 meters with 4 in 0.227-inches.
JSB S100
The next pellet I tested was the JSB S100 Match pellet. This was another new pellet for the rifle. The 312 put five of them into 0.28-inches at 10 meters. That’s not bad for this rifle.
Five of the JSB S100 target pellets went into 0.28-inches at 10 meters.
Vogel target pellet
The last pellet I tried was the Vogel wadcutter. It was also the first time I tried it. The 312 put five of them into 0.304-inches at 10 meters.
Five Vogel target pellets went into a 0.304-inch group at 10 meters.
Firing behavior
The rifle still shoots with a minimum of vibration. There is a little, but it’s nothing compared to what it was before. And as mentioned in Part 6 the rifle cocks with 8 pounds less effort. I could get rid of the rest of the vibration with more Tune in a Tube, but I don’t need that.
The rifle sits quietly when fired. There is no recognizable recoil, but that was true before the tune.
Trigger
The trigger is still single-stage and vague. It is a weak spot of this fine rifle. But the pull is light so I won’t sweat it.
Summary
The accuracy hasn’t changed a bit — just as I thought. That one super-tight group at the start was pure luck. At least that is my belief.
I have always wanted to test a Haenel 312, to find out how it stacks up against the other target rifles of the 1970s-90s. Now I know. It’s okay but not great. I can live with that.
Lucky?
It is smarter to be lucky that lucky to be smart…
If the ratchet worked your groups would be smaller.
-Y
Yogi, what a profound sounding saying !
Though not addressed to me, I did read it and thought ‘What?’, you see:
I consider myself a very lucky person and much less so smart.
So, what is so smart about my being lucky, and, if I truly am, then why am I not also lucky to be smart – ooh, my head… maybe I really am not smart at all! 🙂
And finally: how does the Haenel 312 ratchet affect accuracy, and what has that to do with luck or smartness – I am thoroughly confused !
hihihi,
The 312’s ratchet should not affect the accuracy either way. The ratchet has a small section that protrudes from the side of the spring tube. Returning the sidelever to the closed position presses on the ratchet section and rotates the pawl away from the piston rod. It is completely out of the way when the gun is fired.
Paul
Thanks Paul in Liberty County, that makes sense.
Sorry Yogi, I think I misunderstood your sense of humour. 🙂
Because when B.B. rebuilt the rifle. He did not do it perfectly, hence the ratchet no longer works. Subconsciously he knows this and thus can not shoot the gun to the fullest of the guns abilities because he did not restore its fullest capabilities.
-Y
Yogi,
Now THAT is a sense of humor! 🙂
BB
if it aint broke…dont fix it lol. ten meter rifles should be shot at 25 yds cause all the German rifles will shoot into a tiny hole at ten yds
BB,
This is definitely not going to be in the running with your planned 10 meter shoot off. This rifle would be great for plinking if only the trigger could be fixed properly.
Siraniko
Actually, the trigger relegates it to the plinking pile. Overall, the rifle is not really bad, there are just others that are better.
BB,
I guess if you have a collection of “vintage” 10-meter air rifles, this is a must have, just as the Baikal is. Of all the 10-meter air rifles I recall you having, your “Daisy” is my favorite.
Speaking of Daisy, whatever happened to that new competition one of theirs?
The model 599 quickly became a favorite in sporter class type competitions. Good price point, accuracy and features and the air tank was big enough to get a competitor through a full course of fire plus sighters. I see it is currently on back order on the Daisy sight.
I had the chance to try this gun and a Crosman Challenger 2009 at Camp Perry’s indoor range a couple years ago. The manufacturing quality of the 599 was clearly better than the Crosman. I did slightly better with the Challenger, but that was due to the front sight insert. The Daisy’s was too small ( for me) and the rifle’s owner didn’t want me to change it.. I liked shooting the Daisy better than the Challenger and there was good adjustability to the stock to fit a variety of shooters.
Paco,
Thanks! This is the first I have heard about it since it was introduced. It sounds like a very well-kept secret.
RidgeRunner,
Here’s a report on it: https://hardairmagazine.com/reviews/daisy-599-target-air-rifle-review/
Maybe BB can snag one for review and include it in the 10 meter shoot off?
Siraniko
BB, Do you know of a source for inserts for the 312 front sight ?
fishhook,
No. I haven’t looked into that.
BB
B.B.,
For what it’s worth, I have four different airguns with this same trigger unit and no two feel the same. The worst has some creep and may need adjusting and/or cleaning. The best example is really good. Maybe they need several thousand shots to run in or just someone who really understands how they work. Either way a 312 is a fun gun to shoot.
Paul in Liberty County
B.B., Yogi, and the rest of the Readership,
I hold no truck for Lady LUCK!
I prefer Providence and preparation; thereon we can build Wisdom and Skills that will look as LUCK to the unwashed Masses.
Shootski-senpai