Ruger Blackhawk consistency problem

[kkoenning]

I seem to be having some issues shooting my Ruger blackhawk with any consistency. I do not have this problem with my Crosman G1 Extreme, Remington Summit, Gamo Big Cat, or Gamo CFX. Occasionally I am able to shoot a nice tight group with the Ruger, but usually I get a grouping that is good left to right but is not good in the vertical direction.

I have checked, loctited, and tightened the pivot bolt. I have made sure the stock bolts are loctited and tightened. I have tried two different scopes--the original and a Leapers 3-9 x 32AO, both mounted on Leapers accushot rings. I have tried resting the stock on my hand. I have tried resting the stock on a shooting bag. I have tried resting the stock on a rolled up towel. I have tried a loose hold. I have tried a tight hold. I have tried Crosman Premier hollow points, Beeman hollow points, Gamo hunters, Gamo match, Crosman pointed, JSB Diablo Exacts, RWS Supermags, and Beeman Kodiak extra heavy pellets. Everything seems to give me the same results.

First image is a grouping using RWS Supermags before zeroing for the heavier pellets. Next image is after rezeroing the scope. Last image is the most common type of grouping.

What is going on? I suppose it is something I am doing/not doing. But, I'm stumped. As I said, I do not have this problem with my other springers.

Distance is 25 feet (indoors).

TIA for any suggestions.

[shadow]

Just a thought if you have a chrony run some through it and see what the shooters pushing and what kind of spread your getting FPS wise. A chrony can tell you a lot about a shooters health and the problem may be on the inside, just a thought. Ed

[Gene_SC]

Hmmmm Check the barrel lock up. Hold rifle on the table securelyon it's side and see if you can move the barrel up or down. Just a couple thousands will make you shoot high one time and then low another. Just a thought. I do not think it is a consistency problem but merely a loose lockup or a loose nut behind the trigger... Just kidding.

[shadow]

Hehehehe Gene were all putting our fuseboxes together to see if we can get you fixed up, loose lockup Genes onto something there for sure. Ed

[Bentong]

Check this out >>

[kkoenning]

shadow: Chrony shows an average of 950 fps with a extreme spread of 40 fps. (Using Gamo Match pellets.)

Gene_SC: I cannot detect any movement of the barrel up or down while holding it on its side.

[shadow]

40FPS extreme spread a 10FPS spread or closer is good in a ten shot string, wonder if the piston seal went south. Is it making any funky noises when you cock it or fire it?. I keep thinking piston seal though but we'll get some more info and suggestions coming in from the family here. Ed

[Gene_SC]

Hey Leo, thanks for the pics. They look like some of my targets..  Is there one that shows when you have drank to much coffee in the mornings..

[shadow]

I need my java and without it my shot's would look like that lol. Ed

[Gene_SC]

Actually 40 fps is not bad for an untuned springer. I do not think it is a bad seal causing your problem. Look somewhere else. And it would not be a spring either. Remember that the Ruger Air Hawk is the same power plant as the RWS 34 series air rifles. You may be dealing with a hold problem.

[kkoenning]

Gene_SC: I suspect it may indeed be a hold problem. Do you think one of those adjustable shooting rests might help? Not sure what to try next.

[longislandhunter]

Have you tried moving your hand further back on the forearm of the stock when shooting ??    

I have a TF-89 .22 cal that is very hold sensitive,,, it took me quite a while to finally nail down the hold that the rifle likes.  My style of shooting/hold  usually has me placing my left hand well forward on the forearm of the stock and it works well on all my air rifles..... all except the TF-89 that is.....  

One day while shooting I moved my left hand much further back on the stock, a little less than 1/2 way to the trigger guard and whatdya know...... problem solved  

Since then me and my TF-89 are getting along wonderfully.....  

It's a shot in the dark but I figured I'd mention it to ya,,,,,, hey,,,, ya never know.....

Jeff

[kkoenning]

I tried moving my hand back as you suggested and shot a pretty good group. Thought that the issue might be solved. Shot two more groups and it was back to the same old poor groups. Can't quite figure this one out.

[JimL911]

I had a bit of a problem when I got my Air Hawk as well. I put in a JM spring and seal. With FTS's average 889 fps, 13 spread, 4 SD. Now I can cover 10 shots with a dime at 20 meters with just an occasional flier. Open it up and lube/tune and change the spring & seal then find the right pellet.

[mikeiniowa]

how many shots through the barrel??? might need to be run in....