First I would like to say that my experience up front with the quality of the Ruger Air Hawk IMO is an 8 on the scale of 1-10. I am still surprised at the quality and workmanship of this Chinese springer cloned after what looks like to me an RWS 34-36. But the stock has a nice rubber butt plate like the RWS 36 models had. The metal work is above average compared to many of the Chinese air rifles I have seen and owned. The trigger is a decent replica of the RWS later triggers. The action, piston and internal parts matched the RWS 34-36 parts and were made very well. Not allot of burrs and the action tube itself was plus or minus .0001. On this model the Chinese used a nice poly seal but was a bit on the soft side. Would not be a forgiving seal in the long run, but better sealing capabilities than the standard hard nylon seals they use.
I went to work early this morning with my regular tuning sequence for doing a Turbo Tune on an RWS type springer. Nothing different about tuning the Ruger Air Hawk, aka B-25. I cleaned and de-burred all the parts and cleaned again. Made up a new custom delrin guide for a new spring. This style of guide modification was introduced years back when CDT found at weak spot in the design and re-designed the whole guide setup. The new improved design will last forever. The old thrust washer that they used at bottom of piston where spring sits was a standard washer which already had shown signs of spring impressions on the surface. I keep a batch of custom stainless steel washer on hand that I pre make for all the different sizes. Replaced old thrust washer with new stainless washer.I used a new large Apex seal for the piston end.
Now I was ready to put everything back together. Pushed the piston into the action, slid spring into piston and laid it in my spring compressor. Within 5 minutes I had it buttoned up and ready to clean up and put the stock back on.
After the stock was on and screws were tightened I set the spring with the first cock, lit a cigarette and then put a pellet in the breech. Locked her up and pushed the safety forward with my thumb. Sure enough it sounded like a rim fire on the very first shot but then she was quiet as a mouse on the second one. The trigger needed adjusting. It had to much free play in the first stage. I made a couple of adjustments and she was breaking at 3 lbs. and it was a crisp brake. Of course the trigger is open for tuning and I am sure you could get it under 2 lbs.
Nest after about 20 shots I lit up the chrony and lights. First shot was 901 fps, 890, 894, 891, 888, 889 893, 896, 895, 897, 894. The first ten shot across the chrony looked to be promising. I am pretty sure she will set in at around 900 fps after break in. I was using Gamo 7.9 gn pellets so if I had used a JSB or something heavier the fps would come down a bit.
I used a standard RWS 34 spring. But I did calculate a couple different springs that could be used to lighten up the fps some as well as heavier pellets.When I shoot her I get a solid quick thud with very little action noise with the spring I used.
I think that this new Chinese made air rifle may very well be a major improvement over many of the previous Chinese springers in the past. Looks like the Chinese has crossed the threshold and will be giving some of the Euro boys a run for there money..
They already produce the B-26 which is the clone of the Beeman R-9 and that is another great air rifle they have designed to complete with the big guys..
I have taken several pictures so you all can see up close what this Ruger Air Hawk aka B-25 is made of..