I am thinking on buying a 54 in .22 for shooting at 50 yds off the bench. I am wondering how it compares accuracy wise with a TX200 or an HW97K. Also, does it need tuned for top 50yd accuracy or does the sled make that not needed.
Any Diana 54 owners out there??
- Thread starter JEFFPPC
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I have a 56. Its a fun gun and it has a unique factor that I really enjoy but it doesn't really keep up with my 97s or my TX. It actually doesn't quite keep up with most of my other springers for the matter unless I'm having an off day. Off day or not that 56 doesn't care how I hold it. As long as I practice proper follow through that pellet goes about where its supposed to. I should also note that I'm using a Bullseye mount on mine which could be a contributing factor to me lessened accuracy.
That being said, my 56 is putting out nearly 23fpe with JSB 15.89gr. It really doesn't seem fair to compare that to a 17fpe .22 97K or a 10.5fpe 97K and TX200... I've seem a lot of people saying they get PCP accuracy with theirs but unfortunately I have yet to see it with mine.
That being said, my 56 is putting out nearly 23fpe with JSB 15.89gr. It really doesn't seem fair to compare that to a 17fpe .22 97K or a 10.5fpe 97K and TX200... I've seem a lot of people saying they get PCP accuracy with theirs but unfortunately I have yet to see it with mine.
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I have the AirKing Pro in .22, along with a HW 97 and a AA tx200, both in .177. It is not nearly as accurate, I tried it with a scope and the weight got to me, so went back to a peep sight. Cocking it takes so much more effort that I do not get a lot of pleasure in shooting it. It's somewhat awkward for me off a bench, I have to take it off rest the butt on my leg, and heave the side lever back. I'm right handed and would rather have the cocking lever on the left, I use my left hand to cock my underlevers, and continue to hold the lever back while loading a pellet,
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I have two 56’s and a 54. In my opinion they vary out of the box, but have a lot of potentential. Add in the HTM and you’ve got several key areas where systematic tuning can payoff.
Steve
Steve
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54 .22 with an old JM VRT kit, is not as easy as a PCP but with proper technique it can perform. A solid mounted scope with a lifetime warranty helps
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I have had the Air King Pto .22 when they first came out. I just started shooting it a month ago. I’m amazed at the accuracy and it’s power. Just shot it this afternoon, have the sore shoulder to prove it. It’s a young man’s gun. Crow
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D
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AirKing Pro in .177 beech. Like it because its different in regards to the recoil mechanism. Okay in the accuracy department but find it awkward and difficult to cock. Good look'n rifle IMHO.
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The 54 Air king Pro still holds the greatest number of FT titles for springer class in the UK and still owns the 2nd smallest long range group ever made with a springer, but its really an FT only tool.
Its weakness, for all that ride rails recoil tech, is additional weight, (a whopping 12.7lbs without scope
) which many shooters cannot get on with, and not something any shooter would want for lengthy field forays.
Off a bench, you will not outshoot a tuned one unless using a top PCP but take it off that bench and it starts to lose its edge.
Its weakness, for all that ride rails recoil tech, is additional weight, (a whopping 12.7lbs without scope
) which many shooters cannot get on with, and not something any shooter would want for lengthy field forays.Off a bench, you will not outshoot a tuned one unless using a top PCP but take it off that bench and it starts to lose its edge.
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Off the bench is my interest. It's out getting tuned now.The 54 Air king Pro still holds the greatest number of FT titles for springer class in the UK and still owns the 2nd smallest long range group ever made with a springer, but its really an FT only tool.
Its weakness, for all that ride rails recoil tech, is additional weight, (a whopping 12.7lbs without scope
Off a bench, you will not outshoot a tuned one unless using a top PCP but take it off that bench and it starts to lose its edge.
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I had a tuned older .177 54 (18FTLBS)that I used to do pest control on a goat farm with, used to kill starlings 80-90 yds away with JSB heavies pretty regular.. at 50 yds it would shoot 5 shot groups you could cover with a nickel easy. Killed a lot of squirrels with it also, they are a tank to carry around but great to shoot from bench or a rest.
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Its the old story though isnt it…
It depends how the gun is set up and used. All things being equal and running as they should do, comparatively tuned etc., the 54 is the title holder. The stats support it…
A no better example of what im saying is that of the HW98.
Some shooters can do exceptionally well with the 98. Its knocked up a good few HFT wins which even incl. PCPs and is manageable enough for field hunting, but some have got rid of them for not being able to get on with them.
The reason for this, is the variety of hold positions offered by the forend.
If you hold it in different groove positions, it will respond with erratic groups.Hold it in the same groove position each time, it will reward you more than a 95 which cannot offer the exact same positioning, or perfect cheek alignment.…..but with these options, its easy to make an error and grip the wrong slot, especially when shooting at angles. Get it right each time, tune it correctly, the 98 is some gun.
Of the bench the 54 derivatives cannot be beaten in springer class due to its recoilless operation.
Only a Feinwerkbau 300S has done better, recording the tightest ever group at 60yds but in still air..
At 6.4ftlbs it cannot really be considered usable at such ranges in out door conditions.
It depends how the gun is set up and used. All things being equal and running as they should do, comparatively tuned etc., the 54 is the title holder. The stats support it…
A no better example of what im saying is that of the HW98.
Some shooters can do exceptionally well with the 98. Its knocked up a good few HFT wins which even incl. PCPs and is manageable enough for field hunting, but some have got rid of them for not being able to get on with them.
The reason for this, is the variety of hold positions offered by the forend.
If you hold it in different groove positions, it will respond with erratic groups.Hold it in the same groove position each time, it will reward you more than a 95 which cannot offer the exact same positioning, or perfect cheek alignment.…..but with these options, its easy to make an error and grip the wrong slot, especially when shooting at angles. Get it right each time, tune it correctly, the 98 is some gun.
Of the bench the 54 derivatives cannot be beaten in springer class due to its recoilless operation.
Only a Feinwerkbau 300S has done better, recording the tightest ever group at 60yds but in still air..
At 6.4ftlbs it cannot really be considered usable at such ranges in out door conditions.
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That is all true. I should have said with me doing the best I can with all three, the 54 is the least accurate. At least my 54 in particular. With someone else shooting might be a different story. I try not to show favoritism!
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I have a 54 and a 97k and a TX200 . i can say the 54 is a nice gun and a smooth shooter, but both tx200 and 97k will out shoot it every time . Also the 54 is harder to cock in my opinion .
Just to add , my 54 is untouched the tx and 97k are both expertly tuned @ 11.6 FPE
Just to add , my 54 is untouched the tx and 97k are both expertly tuned @ 11.6 FPE
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I had an early 54 in 177. T01 trigger. Was more accurate than hw97k when both were stock From factory. But 54 was heavy and loud. Sold it. Still wish I had it.
bought 54 in .22 tuned by John in pa. Phenomenal shooter. Quieter too but heavy and heavy cocking. Had John tune hw97 and it is now much better shooter. Really like it and shoot it more simply because it is easier cocking which is important shooting lots of pellets. After John’s tunes 54 shooting 21.3 fpe and hw97 around 15 fpe. If I was going to shoot benchrest would be the 54. It shoots really well at 60yds too
bought 54 in .22 tuned by John in pa. Phenomenal shooter. Quieter too but heavy and heavy cocking. Had John tune hw97 and it is now much better shooter. Really like it and shoot it more simply because it is easier cocking which is important shooting lots of pellets. After John’s tunes 54 shooting 21.3 fpe and hw97 around 15 fpe. If I was going to shoot benchrest would be the 54. It shoots really well at 60yds too
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Might add that tuned hw97 only around 500 pellets so far. But already much better than factory. I bought 54 from guy who had it tuned by John but moved and didn’t have much space to shoot it. i had hurt my shoulder and wasn’t shooting it much because of cocking force. But shoulder almost back to normal and will shoot it more. But cocking is more than 97. But it is a smooth shooter. John does a really really nice tune. I sent 97 to him after shooting 54. 54 Was smootherand quieter than early 177 rws54
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