Recent content by nervoustrig

Ah yes, .219 heads being sent through choked barrels (LW polygonal and FX). A good lapping regimen (cast lead lap with an aggressive abrasive) would extend the time between cleanings and make it easier to clean.

The photo presented shows crisp definition at the ends of the rifling, which is the part that matters. The facing cut isn’t pretty but it contributes nothing to, and detracts nothing from the barrel’s capacity to be accurate. Granted, it may call into question the quality of the other...

Okay, got it...yeah it sounds like our terminology is getting crossed up. People typically use the phrase “all the way in” to describe the hammer spring being maximally compressed. But since you have tried moving it the opposite direction and found the shot count to get even worse, it sounds...

All the way in means maximum hammer spring tension, which is very likely causing the gun to waste air...meaning the reason shot count is poor.

Setting up a PCP without a chronograph is like building a deck without a tape measure. It's possible but it will take longer and it won't turn out as well. Step 1. Read up on the $30 chronographs...

I just did a quick seat of the pants test of 3 brands of .22 cal pellets. The hardness of Apolo seems to be in between JSB and Crosman.

BTW, if you have an assortment of O-rings and metal washers, it’s pretty easy to improvise a Dowty seal. O-ring slightly thicker than the washer. Drill or file the washer so it hugs the O-ring. Done.

A gradual upward migration is usually caused by wear on the regulator’s valve seat (the small end of the piston). A more sudden increase may be the result of a small bit of debris pinched into the valve seat. If it were to continue climbing and reach reservoir pressure, it’s probably the seal...

Agreed, Kroil is a poor rust inhibitor. This battery of tests convinced me to try Frog Lube and it was a game changer. Stubborn stuff that was prone to flash rusting remain in pristine condition, even with a fair amount of handling. https://dayattherange.com/gun-care-product-evaluation/

It looks like a pretty typical check valve arrangement, and your understanding regarding leaving a small gap for it to cycle open and closed is correct. A few possible causes come to mind. The check valve has too much room and is tipping and binding. The stem is responsible for keeping it in...

Sounds like you are describing a bonded seal washer, sometimes referred to as a Dowty washer.

I use epoxy for a lot of projects but I prefer Loctite 638 retaining compound for this job. Very easy to work with and forms an incredibly strong bond. Even works with parts that are a sloppy fit (0.010” nominal gap, or 0.020in difference in diameter) but if the parts are poorer matching than...

Yes, what you observed is fairly common with a new regulator as it breaks in. The valve seat consists of plastic part squeezing up against a metal part. In the early going, little imperfections in their mating surfaces allows the pressure to slowly creep up until they eventually squeeze hard...

Any chance he is shooting in close proximity to a structure? A nearby wall produces reflections that can confuse the receiver. The fact your chrono works for him suggests his is faulty but I would at least try it again from an open space.

Regarding adding silicone oil to the fill port, I tried this approach in my first PCP but when I eventually took it apart, I could not find any evidence that the silicone oil atomizes and migrates through the system. There was a little bit just beyond the check valve on the air tube walls but...