Mike Melik BAM B-26

[TCups]

There are good explanations for the variations you describe.  They have been posted here before.  I don't remember exactly when.  But in short, welcome to the vagaries of springer shooting, hold sensitivity, spring recoil and bounce, muzzle velocity and the like.  Generally you will be better with a firm, but not overly tight-fitting pellet.  You might try a pellet seating tool to make sure each pellet is uniformly loaded in the breech.  Also, any obvious dieseling with associated variability in the muzzle velocity may mix things up a bit.  My MM B-26 took longer than expected for velocities to settle down due to some dieseling (but not detonation) I think. Do you own a chrony (yet)?  Enjoy.

[billbillw]

Yeah, I'm still getting used to the stringent requirements for consistent hold, etc. No chrony, probably will never get one. The shooting yesterday totally disproved my idea of similar weight pellets having similar POIs. Maybe by the time I go through all these pellets (about 2400), I will have a favorite and just stick with one

[TCups]

Yep, and all that presumes the scope stays zeroed, the mount doesn't loosen and slip, and the manufacturer's weight tolerances on the pellets you are using are reasonably good.  But all of that aside, the MM B26 will do its part quite well and IMO, is still the best bargain in a quality air rifle at a very moderate price.  

Some time back, someone pointed out to me that you can order an F1 Chrony at the WalMart on line store and have it shipped to your local WalMart without any shipping charges.  $70 bucks, just in case you are ever interested.  I made myself a "computer" to use with the F1 -- a small bound notebook with a velcro strap threaded through the back cover.  When I sit on my shooting seat and work with the Chrony, I strap the notebook to my right leg and jot notes and velocities with a pencil in between shots. You can get more expensive models with printers, bells, whistles, lights, etc.  But a plain old F1 chrony seems to work pretty well.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4382668

I also found a jeweler's scale on sale for a reasonable price a while back and started weighing a few pellets.  Probably the biggest improvement in accuracy above and beyond the usual stuff is to just make sure the pellets you shoot have a uniform weight, that the skirts aren't bent, and that every pellet you fire is seated exactly the same way.  This is particularly true at longer distances -- 35 to 50 yards, and more critical for .177 than .22 I think, probably because of the relatively higher velocities involved.  But that's anecdotal.  See:

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10301&posts=11&highlight=weigh&highlightmode=1#M79842

[oldyankee2]

Aaaah !!!

I don't think that I can stand it much longer !  I may have to give in to buying a MM B-26, or perhaps even a B-28, if/when he gets those going !
I still enjoy my Gamo .177 CFX, but would like to try a different brand & style air rifle, as well as a decently powered .22 for comparison and variety.
Looking at the pics of the targets from still new rifles, and seeing some of the velocity numbers for the .22s, I am thinking of trying one of these instead
of a Panther 34 ..
Hmmmmm.

About how long was the waiting list for you folks who recently ordered/received one of these Mike-tuned Bam rifles?

[mikeiniowa]

Usual wait time is under a week unless I don't have the rifle in stock and need to order them, the last case of B-26's were all sold before they got here...I will have some of the B-28's available in a week or two, running on a limited budget so have to sell whats on hand first before ordering more...

[shawn67]

What do the B28's go for Mike? Are they're triggers as nice as the B26's? What kind of numbers due the 28's put up through the crony? I've been trying to decide between the B40 and the B28 for my next rifle, I'm leaning toward the B28 for its power, the B40 isn't as powerful is it?

[mikeiniowa]

the 28 shoots in the mid 700's to 800, they have a different style trigger thats nice, some folks feel they need springs replaced but I haven't found this to be needed....Mike

[MIKE I]

So I too have a coveted MM B26.  Everything I have read has come to life within the 400 pellets put through this gun so far.  Less than 3/4" groups at 30yds with cheap Crossman field hunting pellets.  Hits plenty hard enough to dispatch a critter, is easy to shoot accurately and a pleasure to hold.  Can't say enough about the whole experience so far and it's not half way to broken in!  I paired it with a Centerpoint 4x16x40 AO IR scope from Wal Mart for a mere 69.00 and it can't be beat.  Spent last night plinking with my brother and a friend who have little/no springer experience.  Both were able to take full advantage of the accuracy and consistancy of this gun.  All they kept saying is "This gun is SICK".  

Try one, you'll like it too.