Need Help with new 440 Hunter

First off let me introduce myself…  I love to shoot and hunt.  My user name comes from working on the Space Shuttle program for over 25 years now.  Most of my extra time is spent shooting sporting clays with my buddies.  As my wife is getting very tired of the squirrels digging up her flowers I went down to the local Big-5 and picked up a 440 Hunter combo.  I shot a few rounds with open sights at about 13 yards which is about the distance to the pesky varmints and got groups about 1”.  Yesterday I went to the range to shoot some of my rifles and took the Gamo along to try with scope mounted.  I set the target at about 30 yards, mounted the scope nice and tight and the first shot was about 3’ low.  After getting on the paper the best group I could get was 3-5” (very poor to say the least).  I was using the Game Hunter and Match pellets.  I must of put 200 rounds through getting no better results.

So what do ya think?

Also, what is the best way to check the barrel as the pellets don’t seem to fit very tight when loading and sometimes fall out when closing.

Thanks, Tom

[Gene_SC]

Hi Tom and welcome to the GTA.. Well pellet rifles are a bit different than powder burners.. First thing I must say is that one brand of pellet will shoot different at 15 yards than 30 or 40 yards... Typically most of us Gamo guys use, RWS Superdomes, JSB Exacts, Gamo Tomahawks, CP's, and a realm of other pellets.. You have a good gun with the Gamo 440.. I own about 13 of the Gamo air rifles and love every one of them.. I typically shoot targets and some small game hunting.. I have I think 4 of the S1K's and only two of them shoot the RWS Superdomes very well and also the Tomahawks. The other two are custom L/W Choked barrels and love Beaman Field Target Specials..  I have found that the rounded nose pellets are best for shooting acuracy.. My old Gamo 440 would shoot 1 inch groups at 40 yards with RWS Superdomes, but does not mean every Gamo 440 will shoot the RWS Superdomes that accurat.. The best thing I can suggest is get a sample pack of pellets and go to the range and shoot ten round groups and narrow down the pellet your Gamo 440 likes..

I am sure the other members will add to this...

Best of luck and let us know your outcome..

Gene

[longislandhunter]

Hello Tom and welcome to the forum.

Problem could be a number of things.  I'm not sure what procedure you used to mount the scope, or what scope mounts you are using, but it could very easily be that  the scope is slipping.  Did you clean the scope tube, rings and the raised scope rail on the rifle really well with some sort of degreasing cleaner?  I always clean everything, even the screws/bolts on the mounts, with denatured alcohol in order to remove any and all grease or oil.  Then I use a one piece scope mount (usually an Accushot mount) with a stop pin.  Then all the bolts get a drop or 2 of blue loc-tite before being mounted and tightened down.  I sometimes even run a bead of loc-tite in the dovetail groove where the mount will sit.  Then I let everything dry and cure for at least 2 days.  Using this process I do not have any problems with scope "creep".

Another thing it might be is simply the pellets.  Each rifle definitely has it's own preference when it comes to pellets.  The best thing to do is pick yourself up a pellet sampler pack  and try a number of different pellets until you find the one that your particular rifle likes.  Straighshooters.com has a good sampler pack if I remember correctly.  I currently have around 20 different air rilfes, give or take a few, and each one has a preference with respect to what pellet is the best performer for that gun.  However, I will say that the pellet I usually start off with, and usually have good results with, is the RWS Superdome.  If you can get some give em a try.  They'll also do the job on the squirrels.  

The last thing it might be is simply your shooting technique.  From your post it's easy to see you are extremely familiar with shooting firearms, powder burners that is, but air rifle spring guns require a different technique.  Of course I realize everyone has their own techniques for doing everything, including shooting air rifles, but I think you will find that the generally accepted technique is to use a light grip, letting the rifle forearm  basically rest in the palm of your hand when you shoot.  Try not to rest the rifle forearm directly on a hard surface when shooting at  bench or other fixed shooting platform.  Try the "easy touch" method  and see if it works for you.

The last thing I will mention is the trigger.  It's a well know fact that the stock GAMO trigger basically,,, well,,,,  SUCKS !!   One of the best investments you can make in your 440 would be to replace the trigger with the drop in replacement trigger blade  that is available from Bob, aka CharliedaTuna.  It's extremely easy to install and I can't even explain how much it will literally transform your gun into a completely different animal.    Here's the site.......  

http://www.charliedatuna.com/

I'm sure I've left out a bunch of good information, but I know some of the other guys on the forum will chime in and add more good info.  Don't give up, hang in there.  The 440 is a nice gun, accurate and powerful.  If you can tame it you'll have a good pest weapon.  

Well, gotta run.  Welcome to the forum.  Look forward to your future posts.  Keep us up to date on how you, the 440 and the tree rats are doing. Oh, and by the way,,, we just love to see pics of airgun small game/pest kills. Post em in the "Hunting Gate".    Take care.  

Jeff

[shadow]

Welcome Tom, sound's like my buddy's have got you off to a good start. As they said try different pellet's, check all of your equipment, scope, screw's on the stock etc. Make sure all is tight! and as they said also check your hold. If this is your first air rifle, it's a whole new baby and she like's to be held loose. Were all here for any question's, some pretty smart cookies here. Again, welcome and did you say hunting squirrel's .Ed

[nyairman]

Welcome to GTA Tom. For sure your questions will be answered here. The guys pretty much covered everything about your proble. Keep in mind that a "springer" needs time to break in. Usually about 1000 pellets through the gun is the average break in time. The gun at that point should be it's most accurate. Gamo guns are very good shooters and are really accurate. Patience is a vertue in this wonderful world of air gunning.

Greg

[plateshooter]

Howdy Tom,  I'm no expert but I can relay my personal experiences with the Gamo 440.  Mine requires me to hold it firmly to get good groups. If I don't hold onto it firmly, it shoots 2-3" at 25yds for me.  Without the CDT trigger,  best I could do was 1" at 25 yds.  After the CDT trigger, I can keep them in a dime at 25yds with Crosman Premier 7.9gr HP pellets. (on a good no wind no coffee day).  I shoot a 3" steel swinger at 75 yds alot and get consistant hits at that range with the 440.  The gun may be more accurate than that, but that is the best I can shoot it.  It did take about 1000 pellets to get my gun to settle down.  I am starting to like it more now.  Good luck with your 440.  And welcome to the GTA.

shadow - 4/7/2007  1:59 AM Were all here for any question's, some pretty smart cookies here. Ed

Smart somethings yes. I don't know about the whole cookies thing.

Dookie

Stay calm and heed the advice of everyone who has responded.

I had a remanufactured RWS model 34 that I couldn't shoot the house with. I cussed RWS for two years and everytime I heard someone brag about RWS I htought to myself, "what a simple b4$tard.

Well a couple years go by and the "bug" hit me. Pick up the RWS and still can't hit s#!t with it. Send it off to Richard Imhoff, turns out the barrel had what he described as a bad spot.

Bottom line is: the second and third paragraphs have nothing to do with anything, but give yourself some time to get acquainted with your gun, learn how to shoot it properly and for Heaven's sake get a decent trigger on that thing! We're not kidding, the difference is amazing.

Hey guys, we need to talk to Bob about a referal discount on future orders.

"Dook"

Thanks for all the excellent advice.  After work yesterday I picking up some Superdomes and the first 3 shots with open sights @15 yards were in the same hole.

Thanks again and it's off to the post office for a trigger MO for CDT.
Tom

[Gene_SC]

Ya it goes to show ya Tom, ya just gots to try different pellets for different guns.. Don't forget that even different distances may force you to change pellets as well.. But the RWS Superdomes are good pellets and work well in many air rifles. Also JSB's, CP's and the list goes on..

Best of luck and come post on the GTA often.

Gene