Accuracy question.

[AK-one-shot]

Hi folks,
I have a BAM modle 30, .22 cal, and I'm shooting indoors at 30 feet (10 yards)
Here is my delema. I'm resting the rifle on the arm of the couch. Using a Crosman 25 ft. qualification target, I can clean the center of the 9 ring, but occasionally I'm putting a shot in the 5 ring at 2 o'clock. I'm still minute of rabbit head, but I'm not sure how to correct whatever I'm doing wrong.  I currently have a five shot target, with the 9 ring cleaned with three shots, and two shots touching in the 5-6 ring at 2 o'clock.  At the time the trigger breaks, my sight picture looks good.  Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

Gordon, Nikiski, Alaska

[TCups]

Any dieseling going on that might make for an occasional "hot" shot?

[AK-one-shot]

Not that I'm aware of. There is no smoke like what comes from a friends $30 air rifle.  I can't detect a difference in sight picture or hold compared to the shots that clean the center of the black. I'm also using a Leapers, BUG BUSTER 4X scope. It is tight.

[TCups]

Check your pellet skirts for consistency and use a pellet seating tool to make sure each pellet is seated exactly the same way every shot and see if that helps.  What pellet are you shooting?

[AK-one-shot]

I'm currently shooting from1 a tin of Gamo Hunter pellets. I also have a tin of Beeman Crow Magnum, and a tin of Crosman Hunter pellets that I have not opened yet.
Could you tell me a bit more about the pellet seating tool, and where to get one? Thank you.

Gordon

[TCups]

You can send Pyramid Air $20 bucks for one, or, you can Google "ball head stirrer" and find some really attractive plastic swizzle sticks with round heads that work perfectly.  Here is one source:

http://www.beveragefactory.com/barware/bartools/beverage_stirrers_7922.shtml

Another might be your local bar.

I also found some really attractive "Flamingo Cocktail Stirrers" that might just give that special touch to accessorize your shooting ensemble.

Cheers!

[riflejunkie]

Check your NPA (natural point of aim).  If your rifle is resting in a position that is left of the bullseye and you muscle the sights over, the point of impact will be to the left. I'm a position shooter and not much experience off a rest, but the drill is like this;  Aim, then close your eyes and take about 3 good breaths and open your eyes.  If you are still "on target" then your NPA is correct, but if it is high and right then your point of impact is going to be high and right.  If you were shooting rimfire I would be pretty certain this would be your problem, HOWEVER, I'm still very new to shooting spring piston air rifles so there could be something else I'm not aware of.

[AK-one-shot]

T-cups, I like that pink flamingo bullet seater. I'll give that a try when I get a chance to pick one up. Although I can't see any glaring defects in the pellets, would you have any recommendations as to pellet brand?
Riflejunkie, even resting across the arm of the couch, I find I'm pulling the gun into the target, so I guess that is where I'll have to start looking. I'll try repositioning my body a bit, and checking the natural point of aim, more often.
Thank you both for the assistance.

Gordon, -30, in Alaska

[TCups]

Usually, at 10 yards, you are not going to see a lot of difference in performance with pellets.  If you are not grouping well off a rest, it is likely technique (as above).  For longer ranges, the differences in performance of pellets begin to show up.  

Crosman Premier Hollow Points (CPHP's) in the tin and Crosman Premier Lights (CPL's) 14.3 gr in the cardboard box are a staple pellet for several of my .22's, including the Mike Melick B-26 and my Crosman CO2 2250-XT.  RWS SuperDomes and RWS SuperHPoints are also pretty good, and seem to be preferred by my Hamerelli 850 in particular.  My high end .22 springer (Paul Watts' tuned Diana 34) shooting down range likes Beeman Trophy's (if you can find 'em) and also Beeman Field Trial Specials (FTS).  H&N Match in .22 wadcutters also shoot well.  And of course, if intend to whack a varmint or two, I will usually load up with JSB/Polymag Predators.

In my beloved 20 cal springers (Beeman R9, Diana 48, and Theoben Crusader), I usually end up shooting JSB Exacts or Beeman FTS almost exclusively.

In my 177 cal springers (HW30s, Slavia CZ-634, Gamo Hunter Elite, MM B-26) I like RWS Hobby or CPL's for punching paper.  The Beeman FTS, and JSB Exacts (AKA Wolverines) are especially good for longer distances, particularly for the higher velocities (850 FPS+) of the Gamo HE and my Mike Melick B-26

And for serious target shooting with the Walther LGR-U or Daisy 853, or the IZH-46A pistol, lower velocity single pump pneumatics, Vogel Orange (practice) or Vogel Green (Match) pellets are the best.

[riflejunkie]

Gordon,
I check my npa on every shot.  It turns into a habit.  Actually, it is part of my "check list".

[tjk]

Just spit-balling Gordan, but after reviewing your  post/responses, I was wondering if you were holding the rifle with your palm between the rest (sofa), or just on the rest without holding the weapon. I don't shoot much from rests, but when I do, the best results I get are with my palm between the rifle and the rest. Not to be a SA, but consistancy is everything, and even the slightest difference between shots will effect where you strike the target. Just keep practicing!!!!! Another thing I noticed is your pellet sellection. Tommy has given a few very good recommendations to this part of the thread, and I would try a better quality pellet also. I find the best over all pellets for my .22 cal rifle to be JSB exacts (jumbos), the JSB Preds,...the heaviest of my pel sellection, and the Beeman FTS's, and I wouldn't go much heavier in weight than that. With the Cro's,  unless your BAM is a super-magnum rifle,....that I don't know, I'd hold off on them with this springer. The swizzle stick pellet seat that T suggest does work,...I'm still using the one's he sent me with great results! You've gotten alot of very good advice from some GTA members here, and this really isn't my forte so to speak, but I wanted to offer my two cents LOL's!!! Good Luck and Happy Shooting.

[aimsmall]

so how deep are you seating the pellets?  I use my fingernail to insert flush with the barrel.  Is that the wrong technique?