Author Topic: Cleaning and ammo (Read 7349 times)

butchb · « **on:** September 12, 2018, 05:01:49 PM »

Got my Gamo Mach 1 and have shot a couple dozen pellets through it and doing ok. Have a couple questions since I'm new to the airgun thing. How often do you clean the barrel and with what in particular. I've watched several Youtube videos and seems they all are very different,some use solvent and oil some say never do it. I've cleaned rifles and shotguns a long time but thought I'd better check on airguns.
Also what is the best heavy pellet to use in this gun yathink. All I'm going to do is shoot 25 - 30 ft.black birds starlings and such. Thanks

Alan · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2018, 05:58:25 PM »

I have nearly 16,000 rounds through my .25 caliber, WAR Cobra. It has NEVER been cleaned, and shoots better than 3/4 inch group at 100 yards at the indoor range. BUt...

Some barrels just get dirty for a variety of reasons. I never lubricate my pellets, but some folks think it is the cats meow. If you do, you have to think about dieseling, no matter the driving force.

The Gamo is a break barrel. I personally have not had good luck with ANY nitro-piston airgun. If you are, good luck. However, they tend to shoot best with the heavier pellets, but be warned. What shoots best in your friend's identical airgun, might not shoot well in yours. After all, hold is as important than any other attribute you can name.

butchb · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2018, 08:02:33 PM »

It shoots well and I am using Gamo hunter pellets but I'm just getting started. I just read that heavy pellets shoot better. My friend doesn't know anything either. Thank you.

caniborrowsomeammo · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2018, 09:14:26 AM »

Go to Pyramyd Air website and look up their pellet offerings. Unfortunately, they don't offer a sampler and I only shoot Crosman boxed heavy and AA Field heavy pellets (both 10+ grain) that I shoot in my FT gun. There are even heavier pellets, but I don't have any as these are what MY gun shoots well.
If you PM me your address I'll send you some samples of each to try.

butchb · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2018, 10:43:15 AM »

Thank you,that would be great. I guess you just shoot so many of each and go with the one that you get the beast group with huh? I had the crazy idea I'd just buy a powerful pellet gun and site it in and shoot stuff like with my trusty Daisy only killing them instead of just making feathers fly. The more I read the more complicated it gets. Art

caniborrowsomeammo · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2018, 12:19:08 PM »

As for cleaning the bore. I never touch the bore anymore until I see accuracy degrade. Then I just pull a boresnake through a couple times with some Eezox on the back half of it, let sit for a while then pull through once more without adding any more Eezox.
A new barrel might be helped by cleaning as there is usually a lot of crap left from the factory. NO brass brushes, use nylon as AG barrels are pretty soft steel if you are using a cleaning rod.

butchb · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2018, 04:43:47 PM »

It is shooting a fair group now so I'm gonna wait awhile.Need to get a bore snake ,they look like that should do a decent job. Going to get on the site you suggested and look around. Cocking this thing is an experience in itself, not very strong in my old age but do a little better each day.

caniborrowsomeammo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 13, 2018, 09:40:47 PM »

Best price found for a bore snake if you can wait a couple weeks is Ali Express # B09:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Gun-Cleaning-kits-Pistol-Gun-Bore-Snake-fits-22-30-32-38-380-357-9mm-40/32889070402.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.15.37c96438TUbIxG&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_5017015_10065_10068_10130_10547_10546_10059_10548_5016815_10545_10696_100031_10084_10083_5017115_10103_451_10618_452_5016915_10307,searchweb201603_54,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=c3c81393-4a8f-412f-a09f-b04eef2176f6-2&algo_pvid=c3c81393-4a8f-412f-a09f-b04eef2176f6&priceBeautifyAB=0

butchb · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2018, 04:27:57 PM »

Quote from: caniborrowsomeammo on September 13, 2018, 09:14:26 AM

Go to Pyramyd Air website and look up their pellet offerings. Unfortunately, they don't offer a sampler and I only shoot Crosman boxed heavy and AA Field heavy pellets (both 10+ grain) that I shoot in my FT gun. There are even heavier pellets, but I don't have any as these are what MY gun shoots well.
If you PM me your address I'll send you some samples of each to try.

I tried the pellets you sent and the ones marked Diablo field heavy worked the best of any I've used so far. Been shooting pellets between 7.6 - 7.9. What is the weight of the Diablo? Thank you for sending those and helping out.

caniborrowsomeammo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2018, 04:43:20 PM »

10.34 g. Here's the link to them:

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/p/Air_Arms_Field_Heavy_177_Cal_4_52mm_10_34_Grains_Domed_500ct/713

They shoot just a tad better than the CP boxed 10.5 in my BSA. Just more consistant.

butchb · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2018, 06:13:36 PM »

Think there is any chance that a steady diet of those big pellets would be harmful to my gun ?

caniborrowsomeammo · « **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2018, 06:56:30 PM »

Actually, the heavier pellets are better when shooting in a springer, I know that for sure. Probably better for your piston gun too as it controls the force of the ram. The lighter the pellet, the more shock at the end of the rams travel.The heavier the pellet, the less shock at the end of travel.
Also though the heavier pellet may be travelling slower, it contains more energy downrange than a lighter pellet, thus mo smackdown energy.

butchb · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2018, 07:03:29 PM »

Sounds good, gonna get me a bucket full

butchb · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2018, 07:34:59 AM »

While ordering the Diablo field I see they have a 16.4 grain pellet. What would that be good for,just curious.

steveoh · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2018, 10:07:45 AM »

Quote from: caniborrowsomeammo on September 23, 2018, 06:56:30 PM

Actually, the heavier pellets are better when shooting in a springer, I know that for sure. Probably better for your piston gun too as it controls the force of the ram. The lighter the pellet, the more shock at the end of the rams travel.The heavier the pellet, the less shock at the end of travel.
Also though the heavier pellet may be travelling slower, it contains more energy downrange than a lighter pellet, thus mo smackdown energy.

I have been given nothing but grief when I've talked about using a heavier pellet in a springer over at the GTA. In my case I have an RWS/Diana 350 Magnum, and that thing loves heavier pellets.

The AirGun Guild

A friendly place to share one's interest in all things airguns.

News: