Today’s report covers:
- Poor front sight
- Wilkins pellet pouch
- Bought one
- The test
- Cheek weld
- Sight in
- RWS Superdome
- JSB Exact RS
- Air Arms 8.44-grain dome
- Next
- Target 1
- Target 2
- Done
- Summary
Today I bare my soul and talk about that one air rifle I want for pests. Remember what I said in the report titled, The fool with 100 airguns? I was looking for an accurate air rifle to eliminate a mockingbird that was terrorizing the swallows nesting on my porch.
“The next few minutes looked like a Mack Sennett revival of the Keystone Kops, as I went from room to room and place to place looking for that one air rifle that could do the job. And I never found it. The mockingbird flew to the top of my fence and gave me a perfect 10-meter silhouette shot that could be made safely, if only I could find the one airgun to do the job.”
I said I thought I would like to use the Diana 35 in that role, as I remembered it as an accurate and smooth-shooting breakbarrrel.
Diana 35.
So I asked you readers about your go-to airguns and several of you responded. The HW 30 was the rifle most talked about, and I have one. But for now I remember the Diana 35 being the most accurate with decent power and a decent trigger. I knew right where it was because I have been thinking about this report for some time.
Poor front sight
What I didn’t count on was the front sight being too thin and hard to see. I had always shot the 35 off a bench at targets. It did that well because I wore my reading glasses that make the front sight sharp, but the tapered post is a little narrow on top for plinking. I was going to give up but I thought that I could resolve this problem later. Today all I needed to do was to see if the 35 was the right choice.
Wilkins pellet pouch
Reader RidgeRunner told me about all his vintage air rifles. He keeps a Wilkins pellet pouch full of the best pellet for each one. This is what he said, “You should learn that 35 and use it as your go to and get a Wilkins pouch to keep its favorite [pellets] with it. They are expensive, but they are nice.”
Now, in case you don’t know this, RidgeRunner is careful with his money. Careful, as in — next to him Ebenezer Scrooge is a spendthrift! So if he is recommending the Wilkins pellet pouch to me I thought I’d better look into it.
Bought one
I did look into it and I bought one. It came from England and cost me in the mid $40 range with shipping. That’s a lot, but I have seen these pouches at airgun shows for years and there is no denying the sanity of the purchase. But before I put pellets in it I need to find out two things. One — is the Diana 35 the pellet rifle I want to be my go-to airgun and two — which pellet does it like?
I bought the small Wilkins pouch that seems ideal for my purposes.
The test
I shot the rifle rested from 10 meters with three different pellets. I believed that Air Arms Falcon pellets are the best in this rifle but when I looked for a tin of them I couldn’t find one. I finally did but too late for this test. So I tried three other pellets that I thought might do well.
I shot 5-shot groups because I was just looking for the best pellet. I didn’t want to shoot groups off a bench; I also wanted to try a couple offhand groups, because it’s been a long time since I shot a rifle offhand. And, if this is going to be a pest rifle, I have to be able to shoot it offhand. I also have to be able to hit what I shoot at when it’s at an unknown distance, but one thing at a time.
Cheek weld
Remember the lesson we all learned when I recently tested the Norica Omnia ZRS at 25 yards? Thanks to the precision of the Integrix scope I was forced to use the same cheek weld for all shots and my groups shrank dramatically. Of course the modern Annie Oakley, Kirsten Joy Weiss has a short video on the subject that hits the nail on the head.
Having just seen a dramatic illustration on the importance of cheek weld with the ZRS I knew I needed a good weld for today’s test. I used the sharp point of the top of the stock that’s just behind the pistol grip against my cheek bone to position my head every time.
Sight in
I had to sight in the rifle because I think I last shot it at 25 yards. It was initially striking too high so I adjusted the rear sight down 5 clicks after the first shot and 4 clicks after the second shot. I’m showing those two pellet holes with the first group.
RWS Superdome
First up was the RWS Superdome. I find that RWS pellets often do very well in Diana airguns — especially the vintage ones. This 35 put five Superdomes into a 10-meter group that measures 0.441-inches between centers. It’s quite horizontal and still a little high despite the rear sight being adjusted as low as it will go. I don’t think the Superdome is for this rifle.
The two sight-in shots are above the bull. Five RWS Superdomes made a 0.441-inch group at 10 meters.
JSB Exact RS
The second pellet I tried was the JSB Exact RS dome. The first shot was dead center and I knew this one would be good. Five made a 0.31-inch group at 10 meters. Unless the next pellet is way better, this one will be the winner.
Five JSB Exact RS pellets made this 0.31-inch group at 10 meters.
Air Arms 8.44-grain dome
The last pellet I tested was the Air Arms 8.44-grain dome. Five of them went into 0.422-inches and strangely they were a bit off to the left, as well.
Five Air Arms 8.44-grain domes made a 0.422-inch group at 10 meters.
Next
Okay, we have the pellet for this rifle — the JSB Exact RS dome. Now for the real test of the day. What can BB do shooting them offhand at the same distance?
Target 1
For target one I found myself wobbling around. It is so much harder for me to hold a rifle steady in the offhand position than holding a pistol. That may sound backwards to some of you but I have had a lot more practice with a pistol. And the Diana 35 is so light it accentuates my every movement!
On the first target I put five pellets into a 1.34-inch group at 10 meters. I felt like I sniped (pulled the trigger instead of squeezing) on at least one of the shots.
The first five shots offhand I put into a 1.34-inch group at 10 meters.
Target two
This is where I blew up! I sniped almost every shot. The last one was called high and right, and it certainly is! Five pellets went into 2.71-inches at 10 meters. At least I hit the paper with all five shots.
On the second target I put five JSB Exact RS pellets into 2.71-inches between centers at 10 meters.
Done
That finished me for the day. I was wobbling and shaking like I had never shot before. But I did learn one important thing from this exercise. The Diana 35’s trigger is set too heavy.
The main reason I sniped the target was the trigger is set way too heavy for a rifle this light. I either need to adjust it or to try the HW 30S next. Because the 35’s front sight is so hard for me to see I’m thinking the 30S is the way to go.
Summary
You have now seen BB without his corset and all his other crutches. I’ve been telling you years that I’m not a great shot. It’s the airguns that make the shots look good, if they do.
This report is an embarrassment, but if I want a good rifle for pests it’s something I have to do. And you get to watch.
B.B.
The beauty of gas ram sprung airguns is that you can leave it loaded and ready, right by your backdoor. Even set your parallax to the most likely range.
Even with your Wilkens pouch you will still be too late for nervious game. Keep it loaded and ready to go at all time.
The birds that I target see the tendon in my hand move and they are gone! Yes, flying away…
-Y
Yogi, how many lower-powered gas rams are there, though? All the ones I know of in current production start at a theoretical 1,000 fps in 177/800 in .22.
Yes, my best hunting gun is a 16 fpe Diana 340 N-Tec.
Just hearing the piston latch would set my pry to flight.
Maybe Mocking Birds in Texas have slow reflexes and poor hearing???lol.
-Y
OP, there is BSA Meteor Super sold by AOA.
up to 12 ft-lbs and under 900 fps at .177 cal
up to 13 ft-lbs and under 750 fps at .22 cal
In real life, with lead pellets, I am thinking the numbers above shall be even lower. I’ve watched tests, where 9.56 grain .177 pellets flew out of its barrel at ~740 fps.
Quality fiberoptics, which might have certain benefits for today’s subject. Actually, the whole rifle seems to reek quality, grandson to grandson kind of air gun.
I do like the looks of those!
B.B.: food for thought:
1. Can you adjust the Diana Model 35’s trigger to be lighter?
2. Can you add a different sight insert for the front sight, perhaps a perlkorn?
3. For pesting, a red dot seems like it would be the ideal solution or a BugBuster scope.
4. Also consider a rear peep sight with an adjustable iris
Ridgerunner’s HW30S wears a Truglo Fiber Optic front sight and a Williams Peep rear sight. I’ll bet that’s a great close-range pesting combo. I have my R7 set up similarly, but with a Air Venturi Rear Peep with the stop pin screw my gunsmith installed. The prior owner set the Rekord trigger so light that I can wiggle off and wiggle on and touch off a shot at the right time.
5. FWB124? AA TX200 Mark III?
Tom,
I dare anyone to say they can do better without much practice shooting offhand. Trigger snobs have a point regarding trigger weights when shooting offhand. I find it easier to get smaller groups when I don’t have to fight the trigger while keeping the gun steady as I can.
Siraniko
B.B.
Wouldn’t your FWB 10M target pistol make a GREAT Mocking Bird Murderer?
You could leave it gassed up and loaded, ready to go….
-Y
The HW 30 is one of the finest air rifles ever made IMO-if not the D35, the HW 30 would be a great choice. But as Yogi stated, perhaps a pre charged pistol with appropriate ammo is the way. I would be leaning towards an MSP of your choice. Keeping it charged but unloaded with the Wilkins standing by is an option if discharge sound isn’t a concern.
BB,
I myself really like the perlkorn sight. YOU are not used to it, therefore are having great difficulty using it. I know the front sight on the Diana 35 cannot accept other inserts. I have the same on the Diana 34. If you need a different front sight, I have one I can send you.
The setup on the HW30S I have is awesome for quick, close-range shooting, but it is not powerful enough for what you want. You want at least an HW50. Something in that power range is exactly what you want. Forget the gas sproing, unless you still have that low powered Benjamin, otherwise they are waaaay too powerful for where you live. Those Brits are on to something there.
Something you might give serious consideration to is a Discovery/Maximus. They are almost low powered enough for what you want/need and accurate enough at that range. My Max came with those detestable glowy thingy sights. Now, if you take off the rear sight and put a peep on it, you would have a setup similar to my HW30S.
Peep sight on the rear! You are an old soldier, you know the value of such. Front glowy thingys are OK for quick, close range shooting. If you can find one of these TruGlo front sights, awesome. If all else fails, use a dot sight.
RR,
HW50 might be too much. He wants something enough for a mockingbird. The springer has to be as silent as possible as well – the neighbors. It has to be easily cocked too; I’ve read that 50S is almost as heavy to cock as his bigger brother, 95S. Even a Bronco might work within his backyard distances. If the cheekpiece on the new 30S stock lets him comfortably use the opensights, 30S could work too. But he has his Diana 27, and he has lots of experience with it. In this case .177 will work better, but I believe his 27s are .22. The Bronco has English grip, shooting upwards must be easy, might be needed. The sights are good, the trigger is crisp, but is it powerful enough for humane pesting?? I think it is, for mice and such tiny pest birds.
If you ask my opinion he already has his ‘that one airgun,’ he is just testing us. 😉
I think Fish is onto you, B.B.!
Fish,
You could be right about the testing. Would I use the HW30S for killing the mockingbird? I am not sure. It is very accurate, that is a plus. Does it have enough power? Maybe. Would I use the Bronco? I myself do not know. I do not have one, so I do not know how well it will work in my hands.
I am a fairly good-sized dude, bigger than BB. The HW50S would be great for me. If he changed his sights, I think the Diana 35 would work fine for him.
Tom,
As I looked at the photo of Kirsten Joy Weiss and her cheek weld, I couldn’t help but think, “See how she leans her cheek upon her [butt-stock]. / O, that I were a [pad] upon that [butt-stock] / That I might touch that cheek!”
–William Shakespeare, “Rome and Juliet”
Michael
Michael, if he were here now, I think Shakespeare would concur with your sentiment! 🙂
C’mon man, don’t forget there are other women in the room. You are waxing poetic and melting into a puddle.
Anyway, you are wrong. If you wanted a shooter’s attention, it would be better to be the front sight.
;o)
BB
Don’t overlook the HW50S. Mine is quiet as a mouse. Like the HW30S it comes with an excellent open rear sight with 4 choices plus a globe front with multiple insert choices. It also has power more in line with the Diana 35. But if 11 fpe and .22 caliber is too much firepower choose the HW30S.
PS: You can cock and load while still inside the house. Wacko mocking birds around here don’t fly away.
Deck
BB,
Basically you are ‘window sniping’. And you are shooting at 10m(?). And it is a bird! The old saying goes .22 for fur and .177 for feather. A 10m pistol using wadcutters will have needed energy to humanely dispatch that bird. And you have shown your ability to put the pellet where it needs to be! Besides the wadcutter will cut a wound channel for maximum effect.
Maybe you’ll be cracking the screen door open to to take the shot. Then sticking the looong barrel of that 35 out. The bird will be long gone before the barrel out the door. And you’ll be using the door jam for support. Lots of movement to frighten your pest.
I would second the motion put forward to use the HW30 in.177, and why not use the Diana 27?
This is just my humble opinion from years of defending the bird feeder against hordes of starlings, grackles and cowbirds.
BB
With all the different types of things you shoot, sticking with one for close range work will take practice. Much like your target pistol comeback.
Offhand shooting is very humbling. I always try and use a rest of some sort, doorway. windowframe, fence post, tree or even a shooting stick.
rk,
You’re right, of course. Yes, this is like my 10-meter pistol comeback, except with an air rifle I never was…
I will use a rest whenever possible, but I want to be prepared. And, after seeing what Kirsten Joy Weiss did with that egg at 300 yards, I am humbled.
BB
Bet she coulda shot Humpty Dumpty right off that wall and no one could have put Humpty together again.
BB,
For pesting I recommend the .22 for better energy transfer. The pest is less likely to fly/run off to expire in the neighbors yard.
Check out some hunting (expanding) pellets. I’m having excellent performance with the JSB Hades pellets.
Suggest that you try your AA S510 for pesting. The lowest transfer port setting is somewhere below 300 fps (with the 15.89 Hades), the second detent would probably be perfect.
You will need to check to see the hold over for sub near-zero shooting. It’s easy to miss head-shots at close range. My scope has labeled subtends; on my setup in the backyard, “4” is perfect for under the bird feeder, “2” the lilacs and the fence is at near-zero.
The grackles often spook and fly off to the trees 40 yards away, a quick twist of the power wheel puts them at the far-zero for my usual settings and leaning against the door jamb gives me a good rest to take them out.
The advantage of a PCP is that it is always ready to have a pellet chambered, has an excellent trigger, is quiet and accurate. Do you need an excuse to shoot your S510? 😉
You don’t need a lot of power for any pests under squirrel size. I’m using my Crown at minimum settings (about 460 fps with the Hades) and am getting complete pass-through on grackles.
Hank
B.B.,
One thing you might consider is taking a Swiss file and flattening the top of the tapered front sight to create your own custom-made perlkorn…that’s assuming there’s enough adjustment in the rear sight to compensate for the small amount of height removed from the front sight.
To a collector, that might be sacrilege, but that’s what I’d do…and have done, to many guns, not just airguns.
My Hawken had the rear sight flattened with Swiss files just moments after I got it.
A machinist friend removed .020″ for me (after calculations) off the rear sight of my Walther TPH.
Now both guns shoot perfectly; that’s important to me.
It sure looks like your 35 wants to be a shooter, especially with those RSB RS 7.33-grain pellets.
I’m not surprised; I’ve got a boat load of those things here. 😉
Blessings to you,
dave
P.S. I thought I read somewhere that the original Colt Single Action Army revolvers were made with tall front sights with the assumption that the shooter would file them down to size to sight them in…that would make sense, as it’s easier to remove a bit of metal than to try and add some back on. 😉
Hi BB, well I just bought my first PCP air rifle. It’s a Air Arms S510 XS TDR. The rifle came from a friend and it looks new. I need to scope it and have a 3x to 9x Bug Buster NIB I would like to use. I took some measurements and it looks like I will need high rings. What do you think? I’m going to order a air compressor from Pyramyd AIR so I might as well get both at once!
Mike
Mike,
That take down rifle does not have an adjustable cheekpiece, so I don’t know if high rings will put the scope too high for you or not. It has to do with the fit of your face to the stock.
BB
Thanks BB, I tried some 30 mm Medium Rings even though the scope is 1 inch. They were too low for the cheekpiece so it looks like it will be high rings.
Mike
This is my go to Grackle or starling gun. 22 cal Maruader pistol with AR stock and 6 power Bug Buster scope. Sighted in at 13 yards. (that is the distance to my bird feeder).
41 Grackles this year and counting. I’m shooting standing resting one hand on the door frame.
speakski, that’s a nice set up; *thumbs up* on the 6 power Bug Buster scope; I bought two (before they were discontinued), and wish I’d bought more of them. I called Leapers to ask why they were discontinued; a polite young man in Customer Service told me that the sales just weren’t there, that everyone wants adjustable power.
I find that a bit sad, since, as you’ve demonstrated here, a nice fixed 6X can be mighty handy! 🙂
Dave,
You have two 6X BugBusters?! I would gladly trade my 3-9X BugBuster for one of those 6X. They were fools to stop production on their 4X and 6X scopes, but I do understand. I guess I could set the power lower on my 3-9X and 3-12X BugBusters, but they are just not the same.
Yes, I am one of those who despite having variable power scopes do not need or want them. With sproingers, MSPs and SSPs, more than 6X is a waste. I would druther they spent the money to make them variable and lighted on making them better quality.
RidgeRunner,
I did BUY two of them, but now I only HAVE one (a friend already talked me out of the second one).
Sorry man, otherwise, I’d gladly trade it to you.
But please do check out the link I just emailed to you. 😉
Good luck, act fast,
dave
Speakski,
I like your PRod, however I am not much on the idea of shooting the grackles. Around my place they seem to be eating the bugs as the robins are. They stay away from my bird feeder. I am most fortunate in that my place is surrounded with woods and I do not have a starling problem in my little clearing.
As a matter of fact, I have more of a bear problem. If it was not for my dog, I would likely be overrun with the buggers. It is bad enough with the deer, turkey, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, opossums, skunks, etcetera around here. Most especially the skunks.
The dog, foxes, snakes and hawks do help keep the small, furry woodland creatures down to a dull roar thankfully. There is really very little pest control I must do, with the exception of the carpenter bees and the occasional mouse.
I have often wanted a PRod. It is an awesome little popper and would be a great little plinker around here. Your setup is exactly what I would want.
B.B.,
Hank (Vana2) does an excellent job of pointing out the advantages to an always ready and adjustable PCP powerplant.
I’m going to add the one thing so few shooters use these days and that is a shooters sling. You could wear a detachable arm cuff all day or you could use a well fitted regular ” Hasty” sling: https://artoftherifle.com/hasty-sling-how-does-it-work-if-at-all/2015/02/hasty-sling-how-does-it-work-if-at-all.html
The Link above is a very interesting read; especially the comments by his readers!
To sling up or not to sling up is a debate that waxes and wanes with decades long swings.
My personal opinion is that slings of any style are not for shooting groups but for the FORCED one shot offhand situations; such as pesting.
Read and enjoy there is more in the piece than just the sling debate.
shootski
Thanks, shootski, that was a great read, and the Star Wars references cracked me up! 🙂
shootski,
Because I do a lot of off hand shooting most of my rifles have slings. I’ve been told repeatedly that how they are mounted and how I use them is wierd… no surprise there 😉
I mount the sling on the left side (I’m right handed) and carry the rifle barrel down, on my left shoulder with my off-hand on the forestock. Carried upside down like this the stock rests comfortably against my shoulder blade; the barrel isn’t sticking up to catch branches. With my hand in the forestock I can maneuver the barrel/rifle and be ready to shoot, sling braced in under a second.
To go from carrying to the shooting position, I swing the barrel to the right, the butt passes under the left arm to land, in position on my right shoulder as I’m stepping into stance; the trigger hand moves into position at the same time and the cheek weld happens. The sling is now across my chest on the outside of my left arm, raising my arm slightly puts tension on the sling and locks the rifle in position; the scope is aligned with my eye and the target.
My shotgun also has a sling and to practice for partridge I used shoot skeet with starting with the gun in the carrying position on my shoulder. The guys at the range thought I was nuts but the scores were a respectable 21-23/25 🙂
Cheers!
A picture of the rear sling attachment…
Vana2,
That looks like a workable set-up. I have seen any number of hunters who carry slung for barrel down.
I prefer to carry with a Biathlon Sling even when i’m not on skis, snowshoes, or roller skis. For off of skinny skis i prefer the T.A.B. Gear ELITE: https://www.tabgear.com/products/biathlon-sling#shopify-product-reviews
With various Grovetec Flush Cups: https://www.shortactionprecision.com/collections/slings-and-gear/products/grovtec-push-button-swivel-bases really work perfectly on many rifles and allow the sling to come off your back in a flash.
But better still is having the T.A.B. Gear ELITE equiped with : https://austrialpin.net/product/cobra-original-adjustable/ COBRA Quick Release Buckles; the best QR Buckle on earth.
Short Action Precision has some really great gear that would work on/with your FX PANTHERA ;^)
shootski
shootski,
Just finished a new grip for the Panthera. The one that came with the airgun is too small for my big mitts!
Been too windy for outdoor shooting so I’m working on a gun cart. Will send pics when done.
B.B. and Readership,
For those of you that read my Hasty Sling reply above here is a good introduction to the Loop Sling (or the Arm Cuff Sling.)
https://gundigest.com/more/how-to/rifle-shooting-basics-loop-sling/amp
Look at the % improvement that Col. cooper talks about…
shootski
B.B. and Readership,
One final (maybe lol!) thought: wear a glove on at least your “off” hand; any kind of glove is better than bare handed. Of course a well fitted and purpose built Shooting Glove is the Cats Meow!
Your Pulse induced movement is what the glove damps out a bit; not a fashion accessory!
shootski
BB, you’re overanalyzing this. You’ve wasted your $$s on that $40 thing. And what’s cheek weld? Just grab your Diana 35 or 27 as is, tie a small tin can to a tree and place it on the ground or on a concrete height with the string strecthed loosely, and shoot at it within the distances in your back yard as many times as you can. From time to time, at a safe location, ask a friend to throw the tin can in the air for you to shoot at it and master hitting it flying in the air. With your experience level, in a very short time, your muscle memory will do the rest for you.
BB,
“Now, in case you don’t know this, RidgeRunner is careful with his money. Careful, as in — next to him Ebenezer Scrooge is a spendthrift!”
Of course, you realize that I have been greatly insulted by this comparison. Yes, it is true that because of my Scottish heritage I am most careful with my financial expenditures. However, being so maliciously compared with an English person of such detestable pedigree requires that this matter be settled on the field of honor. I therefore must challenge you to a duel with bb guns at one hundred paces. The use of bbs will allow me to use a magnet to collect the projectiles to reuse them. Safety glasses will be allowed as it may result in an eye being put out.
I will see you at dawn!
RidgeRunner,
Do you require a Second Sir?
If so.
Have DAQ .58 Pistol – will travel.
Please advise,
shootski
That ramped up quickly, perhaps body armour will be required.
Mike
Mike in Atl,
As a Second I am there to “protect” the Honor of both Dualists! I take that role with all seriousness and will make use of appropriate firepower if invited to second for RidgeRunner ;^)
shootski
https://www.geriwalton.com/pistol-dueling-its-etiquette-and-rules/
This actually better: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6085/6085-h/6085-h.htm
Very interesting stuff there but i could not find a way to make an easy way out of the dual. Perhaps I should make myself the Second to BB and suggest something like an arm wrestle that could be more fun and less dangerous than a dual.
Mike
I at first considered wet noodles at two paces, but as they are not very durable, there would likely be no resolution achieved. With bb guns at one hundred paces AND each wearing safety glasses, neither is likely to experience serious injury, least of all myself.
Also, as I pointed out, using a magnet later to collect and reuse the bbs that we expended during the duel appeals to my Scottish heritage.
I do. Thank you for your kind offer.
RidgeRunner,
As a fellow Citizen of our very fine Commonwealth i could do no less.
shootski
RR, I think B.B. is complimenting you. Don’t forget the final scene where good Uncle Ebenezer had his change of heart and became enthusiastically generous. I have personally benefitted greatly from your generosity, patience, and kindness towards a newly addicted airgunner. Anyway, being frugal with money is not a bad thing, especially when it comes to spending on yourself. All that and my daughter played Ebenezer Scrooge in the middle school musical last winter. So, I love that character!
RG,
Ach, man! Ye be making it difficult on me, but I canna care for the English blood. Aye, he turned hisself about, but he is still English!
I myself have been the recipient of BB’s and other’s generosity. I can but pass that on. I like to think a few have benefitted from such.
Roamin,
Thanks for figuring that out (and for saving me embarrassment). Now if I could just find a way to tell RidgeRunner that Scrooge is Scottish, everything would be hunky-dory.
Most people are familiar with Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” and the central character Scrooge, but not many will know that Ebenezer Scrooge was based on an Edinburgh worthy and Scottish surname. Dickens visited Edinburgh in 1841 and while passing time visited the graveyard of the Canongate Church.
BB
BB,
How does your eye line up with the opensights using the new sporty stock of the HW30S? Does the cheekpiece height and width cause any issues for you?
I’m asking this, because I had the pleasure of holding a 362 this weekend, and my eye naturally found it’s happy place without any efforts. However, if it had just a tad bit higher cheekpiece, I would hate to aim with it. This makes me worry in regards to the high cheekpiece trend with the HW breakbarrels. hihihi also mentioned something about it.
Fish
Fish,
It seems the HW 30S comb may be too high for me.
BB
BB,
I’m afraid the comb on the new 30S stock may be too high for me as well. I guess the folks at Weihrauch forgot to lower the comb when they brought back the open sights on 30S. When I heard that they would introduce the new sporty wood stock, I hoped the issue was going to be addressed. This leaves only Diana 48 among the quality springers in the market today. It still has no high comb. Am I missing any?
Fish
What’re the differences among comb, adjustable comb, and cheekpiece?
I’ve just had to refresh my memory on these terms. I was wrong.
I don’t know if it’s just me or the fact that I wrote my first guest blog on the Diana Model 24 J, but I am seeing a bunch of Diana 24s lately on various auction sites. All seem reasonably priced (without any conclusions offered regarding their condition) at around $120 – 150.
Yeah, people read the piece, and the 24 has become popular again. Not joking, possible. What’s the LOP on that one by the way? Is it same with Diana 27’s, for example?
Recession is coming. Things are gonna become cheap, very cheap. Don’t buy them now. Soon, at yard sales, they’ll be going for $40. That’s how much they should worth anyhow. Most ‘vintage’ air guns are used and abused items, but the owners act as if they were the rarest antiques. My predictions are usually wrong; let’s see what will happen with this one. 🙂
Thabks for the kind words. I hope you are wrong about the recession and right about things getting cheaper. I suspect my Model 24 J has had the stock cut down. If you go back to the guest blog I did, I took measurements and provided a link to an Airgun Warriors post with a picture of a Model 24 side by side with a 27 and the dimensions were very similar except there was more room in the pistol grip for all 3 non-trigger fingers behind the trigger guard.
I also added a comment recently to that guest blog with a few sample velocity readings to round out the report.
Where are the impressions of the Wilkins Pellet Pouch? Sure would like to hear what you think about it.
tmburner,
I like it. I’m glad I got the small one because it still holds hundreds of pellets. More when I get to that report.
BB
Great, thanks! I didn’t realize that the report was coming. I’ll watch for it!