Introduction and a QB question

[CaptRussell]

Hi guys from Downunder New Zealand. I've been lurking here for awhile but now that I have my .22 QB78 I'm keen to start posting and availing myself of the wealth of information that's available here.

I have tried to shoot in my new QB today with a 4x32 scope,  (after doing a trigger tune etc) and while my old eyes aren't quite what they used to be I was able to zero it in so I could put quite a few pellets on top of each other at 20yds.
But then every now and again a string of them would go all over the place, up to 2 inches off.

My question is this: Are these pellet fussy? I'm using Gamo Match which works very well in my modded 2240. Any recommendations?
Also do these barrels perhaps need to be re-crowned sometimes?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated,
Russell

[Truman]

Happy Christmas from Spain Capt Russell!
Try the Gamo Pro Magnums! I shot a beer can lid sized group at 20Meters today with the Match pellets and nearly ditched my gun in a river! The Pro Magnums grouped much better!

[ribbonstone]

..and if you already cleaned it, clean it again.  They use a sticky "gunk" as a preservative during shipping which can cause wild shooting.  Even if already cleaned, every so often a new QB can cough out a bit of "airgun snot"...some bit of grease/preservative that gets coughed out into the barrel.

2nd step. Chek all the screws, esp. the scope mount screws.  Also, be sure the stock is tight to the gun.  there is only one screw, and you don't need to have it super tight (and certainly don't want to strip anything)...but firmly tight.  IF the stock moves seperately from the metal work, accuracy suxs.

3rd step.  That barrel band and barrel set screw.  Be sure the barrel set screw (on top of the reciver, just ahead of the loading port) is tight.  As much as people dislike the barrel band, make sure it isn't goose-loose.  the screw that runs through it is super easy to strip, so don't crank on the screw driver handle.

[TCups]

Welcome Russell!  Another Kiwi in the GTA and glad to have you here.  By all means, try some other pellets.  One thing that I have found:  the bolt action of the QB's can result in inconsistent pellet seating because of the shape of the probe relative to the cavity in the back of the pellet.  Had the same problem with the Hammerli 850.  I suggest you try RWS SuperDomes, RWS SuperHPoints or Crosman CPL's.  And the domed pellets always tend to seat better for me than the wad cutters in my QB.

[CaptRussell]

Thank you guys for your great advice. I hate to admit it but am pleased to say that a barrel clean did the job.
She’s far more consistent now. I’d dragged a ‘pull through’ with a rag on when I got it but in my haste to have a shot hadn’t done a good job. When I went back to it now I got a dirty rag for about half a dozen times. All clean and now happy with the accuracy.

Interesting something like this made so much difference, I thought a hundred pellets would have cleaned the bore but just goes to show what I know!!
Thanks again!

[CaptRussell]

Thanks mate for the welcome, I think I'll enjoy my stay here!
After a clean it would appear that the two lots of pellets I have here that I use in my Crosman 2240 carbine,  Gamo Match (target plinking) and the Crosman Acupells (hunting) are both pretty darn good.

[ribbonstone]

Glad to help out.

It's probably the sticky preservative they used (long slow trip in some big container on the deck of one of those gigantic cargo ships...salt air, heat, and lots of time).  

[CaptRussell]

I was surprised to see that inside the trigger mechanism that there was no lube at all!

[CaptRussell]

Thanks for the welcome Tommy, interesting you should talk about the probe because if I look down the barrel it appears to be off center. I shall get myself some domed pellets and try them as I only have pointed and wad cutters. Thanks for your input!
Russell