Diana 350 Lets Me Down

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

So yesterday Im winding down from a day of trap building. While in the bath room I see "Mr. Wabbit" munching on my newly sprouted okra. This is unaceptable! I sneak out & sight in for a perfect head shot at 15 yrds. (from a rest mind you) Im very confident in the 350 now.  If ever I was confident in a shot, this was the one, perfect in every way. He just stood there!! How in the heck did I miss?? I reloaded, he gave me a second shot,, missed again!! This time he ran off.  I figure the scope has been "bumped". I proceed to kill every cig. butt within 20 yrds after that many times! Today I shot the 350 again,its spot on! First two shots however were "flyers. Anyone here ever heard of a "warm up"?? I for one believe in this 100%, I always fire a few rounds into the ground before I hunt with my 54. (other springers as well) This is a contreversial subject I know, I know what works for me. Just fired 10 rounds at pinecones, 350 is loaded, waiting on that rat to come eat the PBJ/Honey/corn sandwich I just put out LOL! Still LOVE my 350!! Tim.

[Gene_SC]

Hey Tim, now that I know you have a Okra garden you may see me down there amongst the rows of Okra munching away....:) You better make it a good head shot.. hehe I will eat all your oakra... Just love oakra, just ask David Kirby... hehe Gene

[longislandhunter]

Have you been shooting the rifle lately??? The reason I ask is that if I pick up a rifle that I haven't shot recently I will take a couple practice shots before I start my hunt or target practice session. I of course do this to make sure the scope is still "on", but the main reason I do it is to re-acquaint myself with the "feel" for the trigger. It only takes a shot or 2 to get the feel for the trigger. If you missed the first 2 shots at the rabbit but then you were hitting everything you aimed at then perhaps even without knowing it those 2 missed shots gave you back the "feel" for the trigger... Anyway,,,, just throwing it out there...... I'm sure you'll get another shot at that rabbit,,,, especially since you are growing what he likes to eat :)

Jeff

[Skip]

Tim  I have had that happen to on more than one occasion. I would then go back to paper and the gun was dead on. What Jeff said seems to on the mark, looking back I hadn’t shot that gun for a while. I guess I shouldn’t let any one sit too long without attention, nothing trigger time to keep you on target.  Skip

[shadow]

Yup tis good to put a few warmup shot's through her and yourself just to get the feel of thing's again. Ed

[Crimson Sky]

When aquiring live targets i've experienced adrenaline rushes that raise the heart rate instantly and throw off my accuracy. This is typical of soldiers and snipers who spend long hours in concealment.

[only1harry]

Tim:
I know exactly why you missed!  It's because you probably made a promise (to your self perhaps) not to shoot another "bunny" after the last one that you froze and were going to stuff :-)   Maybe the goddess Diana heard you and punished you on your next attempt? hehehe

What pellet were you using?  If it was CP's try and inspect them well before putting one in.  They are really bad lately.  Even my new batch from Jan '08 has a bunch of deformed or smaller ones (like .20cal), shorter ones, etc.  I have 3 different batches (diff. dates) and they all have many irregular pellets.  I always inspect a couple of them very them well before I load one to shoot an animal or go on the prowl.  I put 5 or 6 hand selected ones in my pouch and off I go.  This is why I 'm going to shoot more Beemans this year especially after the super-tune.  I haven't had fliers with Crow Magnums or Kodiaks, or FTS come to think of it.  Superdomes seem to be consistent enough too and are ok for close range on bunnies and squirrels, but not for the "big" stuff (like g-hogs, possoms, etc.).  JSB Exact Jumbos are pretty consistent too, I rarely get fliers with them.

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

Hey Harry, Yea I said I was not gonna shoot anymore "Bunnys" after the last one, he was so purdy I decided to have him mounted. I Lied!! This one ate me & Genes okra seedlings,he must be dealt with! Im well aware of the recent inconsistancy of CP.s. The one I loaded fit snug as a bug in a rug. Guess I had a case of "Buck Fever" ( Bun Bun fever). Today when I got home from the P.O. I shot the 350. First shot, high right 1 1/2", second shot, high left 3/4". All after that were pretty much "dead on". (20 yrds) Maybe its just me that needs a "warm up", in talking to the few others I know that still shoot field target with springers, they all tell me they "warm up" their guns first. Heck, I cant shoot anyway, I need every posible advantage I can get!  Any word on your 350 Harry?? Man I cant wait for you to get it back! Im getting ready to make a post here that will tear you up. Watch the SHOP section!LOL! Sorry I forwarded those pics. from Gene to you,I had too! Now as soon as I put my 350 together?? Im gonna rub salt into your open wounds He He He! Look out Mr. Bunny! Talk at ya soon Harry,,dont call me right now, Im busy working on my 350!LOL! Tim.

[only1harry]

Hey Tim,

Curtis is away in CA on a consulting assignment but the gun is about 70-80% done.  It's just waiting for Curtis to fabricate the rear guide, top hat, and spacer, and then put back together and test fired.

Yes the 350 definitely needs a warm up.  When I shoot it cold it 's not always "spot on".  It usually shoots a little high.  I put it through the Chronly "cold" a few times and noticed I was getting 870+fps with 14.3gr CP's.  After about 3 shots or so the velocity became more consistent around 850fps.  Most likely you overshot that bunny's head by a hair.  Probably a lot more than a 350 .22 because your pellets are much lighter and its easier for them to "climb" if they 're shooting faster.

Are you trying to compete with my 350? hehehe  Keep on dreaming!  :-)  When have you have a polished and jeweled trigger like mine, then we 'll talk :)  Why are you opening it up?  I thought you said John from PA did a good job tuning it.

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

Thanks for the back up Harry on "warm up"! Yes Buddy I shot over him for shure, he was upright at attention. The pell. would have shurly struck if I was low. Like you, Ive been playing this game for awhile. It sailed over his head! Man you & that perception of 22 for fur LOL! Guess my lowly little 177 is only good for feathers?? Areyou joining Warrens camp against 177?? LOL!  Just funnin Buddy! I Love my Diana 350 even though its 177 cal..  John did a nice job tuning it. Dont make me come over there! I can still reach you with Kodiaks from my 350 or 54, I doubt your 850 can get to me!LOL! Man that was just wrong!  Just plain mean on my part! Just had to Harry, I got a custom 350 & you  dont Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Still friends?? Tim.