Author Topic: Problems with the Airforce Texan .308 and consistency (Read 2077 times)

Steelhead · « **on:** August 18, 2017, 06:20:29 PM »

I've put about 500-600 shots through my new .308 Texan/Hawke scope, but I'm still not at a place where I'm getting any consistency at all. I've used everything from round balls, 118, 132, and 154 grain and I can't any of them to group better than 8" to 10" with four or five shots. I've tried every conceivable air pressure, projectile, shooting tethered (when the fill tank pressure equalizes), etc. I've had some small successes with the occasional two or three shot group, but it's frustrating when I'm all over the target at 57 yards. I don't know how to use the tuning wheel (even which way is 'more' and which is 'less') I'm using bags and a bipod, and while not a world renowned marksman, I'm fairly good with my other non-PCP stuff.

My buddy came over today with his .25 FX Royale 2000. That's only PCP I've ever shot besides my Texan and I could cover a ten shot group with a fifty cent piece at 57 yards. Different guns/calibers/platforms...yes. But I'm hoping that the Texan is at least capable of shooting at game with confidence. Right now I feel like I can throw a rock and be more accurate and consistent. Either the gun is all hype, or I have a hell of a lot to learn (odds on the latter) I have absolutely zero confidence and I feel like I have to start from scratch.

steveoh · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2017, 06:28:20 PM »

Hey Kevin,

Have you tried cleaning your barrel? I've had very accurate AirGuns suddenly give me miserable groups. Clean the barrel and boom, the airgun groups again.

Steve

nielsenammo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2017, 07:57:28 PM »

Quote from: Steelhead on August 18, 2017, 06:20:29 PM

I've put about 500-600 shots through my new .308 Texan/Hawke scope, but I'm still not at a place where I'm getting any consistency at all. I've used everything from round balls, 118, 132, and 154 grain and I can't any of them to group better than 8" to 10" with four or five shots. I've tried every conceivable air pressure, projectile, shooting tethered (when the fill tank pressure equalizes), etc. I've had some small successes with the occasional two or three shot group, but it's frustrating when I'm all over the target at 57 yards. I don't know how to use the tuning wheel (even which way is 'more' and which is 'less') I'm using bags and a bipod, and while not a world renowned marksman, I'm fairly good with my other non-PCP stuff.

My buddy came over today with his .25 FX Royale 2000. That's only PCP I've ever shot besides my Texan and I could cover a ten shot group with a fifty cent piece at 57 yards. Different guns/calibers/platforms...yes. But I'm hoping that the Texan is at least capable of shooting at game with confidence. Right now I feel like I can throw a rock and be more accurate and consistent. Either the gun is all hype, or I have a hell of a lot to learn (odds on the latter) I have absolutely zero confidence and I feel like I have to start from scratch.

In my opinion that gun lacks desirability. Out of the box it sucks. You can get a lot of accuracy improvement by buying the RL shroud, still not a tack driver with it but improved a lot with it.

I have a slug that did fairly good in the gun when it was tethered with the RL shroud. You don't have to get the RL but that one is well priced and did improve the accuracy. The problem with the gun is when it is off the bottle it is really poor accuracy and tethered it is just OK.

I shot many swage slugs through it and I made them from 100 grains and up. As I went up in grains the accuracy got better. I had pretty good results with around 140 grain and I need to try my 154 grain in the gun which I will do soon. I think the 154 will be good based on the testing I have done so far. This is a borrowed gun so I will try and get that testing done with in the week.

I posted a picture of my best group. This was 9 shots, tethered at 2700 psi with a swaged 141 grain slug at 100 yards off sandbag. Two shot off to the side a little and the other 7 made a big hole.

Steelhead · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2017, 11:21:47 AM »

So I have good news! I made a couple of changes and I've gotten to Texan reeled in I'm getting the best results I've had. I really needed to see some progress and consistency to recover some confidence and I definitely did that this morning. I shot off of a front bag instead of the bipod (rear support by hand only) and that may be the biggest factor. I adjusted my tuning wheel to half (since I don't know how to use it properly I figured that was the best for starters) My air supplier is kind enough to not charge me for fills on my 98 cu ft tank, but sometimes I'm at the whim of his time and available air (outdoor paintball facility) Last weekend he got my up 2700 and so I figured that would give me the perfect opportunity for a tethered shooting session.

I used 154 grain spire point Hunter Supply bullets and I was getting ragged hole 5 shot groups at 56 yards, 2" to 3" groups at 88 yards, and surprisingly very consistent results on 167 yard gong. Previous sessions I was happy to hit the gong at all, and today I was able to walk in my shots using the mil dots and even score a bullseye on the 2" circle. I took 10 shots. First missed low, and the next nine were on. The last three were approximately a 4" group. Chronograph was steady 807 to 810 for the first 15 shots. It didn't work as well after I shot the metal arm off $:-\$

I was so frustrated the other day with the inconsistency to the point that I was really bummed. I needed a day with some achievement. I know it's not world class or Earth-shattering be any means, but at least I know have the confidence to walk in the field or to the range and show up with somewhat of a foundation to build on. Being a total newbie to PCP and starting out with this gun has been a challenge. As ;long as I can get some decent basic results, I can accept and embrace the 'hard'. But I also love the SF Ginats, 49ers, flyfishing for steelhead, playing golf...I must be a masochist.

Monkeydad1969 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2017, 06:03:25 PM »

Talk to Randy or Matt at R&L 866-446-3403.

Joe

Bullfrog · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2017, 01:00:48 PM »

I also recommend the R&L. Makes the gun super quiet, and the way its built it seems like it adds stability to the barrel, or at least adds some tension.

Do check the barrel set screws. There should be 8 on the gun. On my brother's .45 Texan they come loose every so often.

nielsenammo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2017, 01:03:51 PM »

Quote from: Bullfrog on August 25, 2017, 01:00:48 PM

I also recommend the R&L. Makes the gun super quiet, and the way its built it seems like it adds stability to the barrel, or at least adds some tension.

Do check the barrel set screws. There should be 8 on the gun. On my brother's .45 Texan they come loose every so often.

Good point. Loctite those in.

Steelhead · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2017, 07:45:02 PM »

Thank you for those suggestions! I'm considering the shroud; my only reservation is adding MORE length to an already very long gun. For me noise isn't an issue. I actually kind of like the 'boom'! However, accuracy is another matter and I don't discount that be any stretch. If it will make a marked difference in the grouping then I would be almost obligated to get it. The barrel screws I will definitely do. That's something that can make a difference without ordering parts or some other logistic. I never would have considered that so thank you.

Forgive me if I sound stupid on some posts, but I don't know some of the intricacies of guns (airgun or otherwise) and gunsmithing. I grew up in the 70's/80's on a ranch and we shot a lot with Rem. 700's, Winchester 870's, and everything else was basically for decoration. Our family had the basic hunting guns and really nothing else. A lot of the details that are more 'modern' things (accessory rails, scopes that do more stuff than my phone, valve assemblies, trajectory equations, etc.) are relatively new to me in a hands-on sense, especially in relating to airguns. I'm learning a ton here and it's helping me make educated decisions and hopefully not waste any more time and money than I am already do making rookie errors.

I'd like to make a donation to AGG as a thank you for the great info provided. Shoot me (no pun intended) a message with who to contact.

Kevin

oldpro · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2017, 08:08:14 PM »

Sounds like a good candidate for a carbon sleeve.

Steelhead · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2017, 09:52:51 PM »

Hypothetically a carbon sleeve might help with accuracy (but no guarantees), but could it hurt velocity/accuracy? Who can supply me with one for my Texan, or is it something that has to be brought to the smith for install? Approximate cost?

dreuf · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2017, 12:20:46 AM »

It is very nice to see that you start to master this beast.
I have few questions since this gun is still on my radar.

How is the accuracy now if you shoot untethered? Does it improve also?
810 fps is it a speed that gives you the best accuracy for those bullets or is it simply due to your local dealer limitation to fill your bottle up to 2700?

Please continue to post your progress here I am higly interrested for any feedback and ways to improve out of the box accuracy.

Regards

Steelhead · « **Reply #11 on:** August 26, 2017, 07:32:59 AM »

To answer your question on air, my local air guy can get me to 4000-4500 on my tank. I just have to be lucky enough to time my visit when HE is there since he takes the time to do it right. The part time teenager employees don't have the patience and the place is usually crawling with people and they're swamped, so I don't blame them.

As far as shooting of just the gun, I've relegated myself to the fact that I got two good shots and that's it. On thing that I've found is that heavier bullets do much better. I know that this isn't new info as others have said this all along. But as a newbie it's natural to think, 'well, a smaller projectile will fly straighter, faster, and further'. So far 154's have been the most accurate but I haven't shot the 174's or 198's much at all. I've shot the 118's and 132's a lot though and the 154's are many times more consistent.

So far, 810 fps has been a winner. According to my notes I've also had some successes with the air pressure at around 2100 with the 118 grain bullet. I can't afford a massive amount of upgrades as I am still somewhat recovering from the initial purchase of the gun and the accessories, so I'm content to do what I can afford and 'run what I brung' out of the box.

Alan · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2017, 01:39:17 PM »

Let's face it. Big bores use a lot of air, as does striving for maximum energy. It is one of the reasons I don't shoot my 9 mm very often, preferring either of my .25 calibers. Nonetheless, I find it necessary to have a 4,500 psi compressor, and the requisite tanks. So it is difficult for me to understand the interest in big bore guns, yet not owning a compressor and tanks.

dreuf · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2017, 02:40:37 PM »

Quote from: Alan on August 26, 2017, 01:39:17 PM

Let's face it. Big bores use a lot of air, as does striving for maximum energy. It is one of the reasons I don't shoot my 9 mm very often, preferring either of my .25 calibers. Nonetheless, I find it necessary to have a 4,500 psi compressor, and the requisite tanks. So it is difficult for me to understand the interest in big bore guns, yet not owning a compressor and tanks.

I fully agree and that is the reason why I bought an altaros booster.

Right now I am stuck to find the right big bore for extreme long range accuracy (availabe in EU) .....

Steelhead · « **Reply #14 on:** August 27, 2017, 07:52:33 AM »

As far as not buying a compressor, I seriously considered it but I was spooked by all of the bad reports on them. Unreliability, extreme cost, vastly different systems, etc. I'm not particularly good with mechanical intricacies and I didn't think I should have to fiddle with an air pump to make it work after spending $1,500.00. The other factor is that I live in close (less than 5 five minutes) from a dive shop that can get me to 3500 psi. They're open seven days a week from 6 to 6 and the fill is five bucks. The only reason I go the paintball place is to a) get to 4500 (which never happens), and b) I don't have a K valve needed for the dive shop (which I will be ordering soon).

Having absolutely no knowledge of the different compressor's plusses and minuses I decided to wait. I would rather learn more and make and educated decision on it. It