Diana 430L

[whyzee]

I bought the 80$ Mantis 3-9x40 and a droop mount for mine

Diana arrived today. All I was able to do before leaving for work was unwrap it. Looks okay, but kind of crude when comparing to my R1. Test receipt says it fires HN FTT 8.64’s at a notch above 800 fps @ 20 yards. 

 

[nick_p]

Received mine today around 3:30 unfortunately didn’t get to shoot any today but hopefully tomorrow I will be able to and hopefully my scope comes in Saturday. 

 

[whyzee]

I cleaned the barrel this evening with several patches wet with Ballistol. Filthy but expected it. Cocking is no tougher than my R1 with Theoben ram. The stroke is a lot less smooth. 

I had to remove the stock from the action to dremel a little off the inside where the cocking lever safety catch would drag as the lever was put through it’s stroke. Shot a few pellets into putty afterwards. 

Ready for a scope to see if it’s a shooter. 

Can anyone point me to a link on how to adjust a T06 trigger. I would like it to be a touch lighter? 

Any of this write-up may not be accurate as this is only my second airgun ever at 55 years of age. 

 

[Yarddog]

Whyzee, I just Googled how to adjust that trigger...seems to be quite a bit of info on that on the World Wide Web 

 

[Yarddog]

I'll expand it little more...about six months ago, I got the RWS 460 in .22, the 430's big brother. As I said in another thread, I'm tempted to get a 430, but I'm not a fan of .177...but I might anyway. In the case of my 460, I was put off a bit by the heavy cocking effort, so I sent it off to Motorhead for a tune...when it came back, it was no longer a 'magnum'...per my request, but cocking was a breeze. His work made this rifle into a complete joy to shoot. So, based upon the very low purchase outlay, I think it would be well worth spending the money to get it tuned...you got a heck of a starting point for a heck of a price, if you spend a couple of more C-notes, you still have a great rifle for a reasonable amount of money!

 

[whyzee]

Thank you for the info Yarddog. I just looked at the manual that was included (although it does not specifically list 430 model on cover) and what do you know? It demonstrates the three trigger adjustment screws and their functions. 

Will look around the net now for further info. 

 

[blackdiesel]

I almost ordered one because of the price. I already have three under-levers including a D460. 

 

[nick_p]

I finally was able to shoot some today it’s an absolute joy to shoot!! The trigger is amazing right out the box. I sighted it in with the new hawke vantage scope was shooting really good groups at 25 yards with h&n ftt still needs some more braking in but already super impressed with the accuracy of this rifle. I’ll try to get some pictures tomorrow of some groupings I get. 

 

[Yarddog]

I finally was able to shoot some today it’s an absolute joy to shoot!! The trigger is amazing right out the box. I sighted it in with the new hawke vantage scope was shooting really good groups at 25 yards with h&n ftt still needs some more braking in but already super impressed with the accuracy of this rifle. I’ll try to get some pictures tomorrow of some groupings I get.

What say you about the cocking effort? 

 

[nick_p]

It is definitely tough but how good it shoots makes you forget all about how hard it is to cock. Only other gun I have to compare it to is my Benjamin prowler and I would say it’s a little tougher then that only because it’s a lot shorter cocking stroke. 

 

[whyzee]

 

When I arrived home this afternoon, there was a box from Pyramid with Scope, rings, and droop mount. I carefully installed all of the pieces on top of Diana and took a shot at the pellet trap @ 10 yards inside of my place. Three shot group was 1.25” left and 1.25” low from the bull. After a few more shots and a little adjusting, Diana shoots lights out!! Several hole in hole shots. Super impressed with this inexpensive airgun. 

The cocking effort is less than my Theoben R1 carbine. And like Nick said, the fun and accuracy makes it all worth while. 

Tomorrow after the Football game, it’s over to my buddies’ house to see if Diana is deadly LOL. 

 

[nick_p]

What pellets are you using whyzee?? Also great looking set up!! 

 

[whyzee]

Thank you Nick. I’m satisfied for 306$ total outlay including shipping of rifle package and scope package. 

I chose these two tins of pellets because I read in the comment section for Diana, on one of the airgun dealer sites, that a person with firsthand experience found them both to be accurate out of their 430L. I figured it was a starting point. I see you have the H/N FTT. 

 

[nick_p]

Yes I’m very satisfied with the over price I’ve paid for such an excellent rifle. The h&n ftt are shooting lights out in my rifle!! 

 

[nick_p]

Shot this squirrel at 45 yards today was lights out instantly.

 

[smithfan4152]

I bought one with that AOA deal when it came with a scope. Fit, finish, stock, all nice. I dumped mine very quickly. Why? ENORMOUS cocking effort for a 12 ft/lb rifle. I'm 6'6", 325lbs. I immediately realized this wasn't an all day plinker for me, sold it for a big loss with maybe a tin of pellets thru it. You got to WANT to shoot this rifle, 'cause it has more cocking effort that my +20 ft/lb D52. Did I mention the enormous cocking effort? I have the NIB scope for sale in classifieds.

Gee I'm only 6-4 and 270, not to mention 66 years old. The cocking on the diana is not that terrible, I don't like the safety engaging shortly before it's cocked, it was my first springer, and for an hour I could not get it to fire, because I didn't pull all the way through with the cocking cycle. I think once they are cleaned and tuned they will all get easier. When I Can't cock these anymore I will then go to PCP.

 

[ranedouglas]

... i bought one around a month ago (diana 430L) , but it's still in the box , test fired only......been in and of the hospital...health issues suck... - paul .

 

[smithfan4152]

The salesman from AOA mentioned the H&N Sport Pellets, I went with them, and bought some others in the same weight range. Also I mounted the Bushnell AR Optics, 2X7X36mm. It has a very long eye tube and helps me get a good sight picture. 

 

[wyshadow]

I just bought one today I'm on a family vacation here in Phoenix and we are staying at the Great Woof Lodge. (Great place to bring your family) I had to bury the diana box under our stuff so the wife doesnt see the gun so I haven't given the gun a thorough run through. Will try out the gun this sunday at the gun range. Last time I had a springer was 9 years ago. A hatsan striker .177 and it was a good gun.

 

[DennisLeMenace]

 Diana 430L Pre_tune and post_tune numbers. John in PA did his magic with internals and install Vortek HO and pro seal. Triggered to 13.5 ounces. Topped of with Nikon pro staff. Cocking is buttery smooth no complaints on cocking effort. This thing is lighting matches. I feel dirty buying it for 150.00. I could have done a bit better on the group but the 13 ounce trigger surprised me a bit on the first shot and I touched of prematurely. Still a fine 10 shot group. This gun is a sweetheart. 13.7 lbs at 852fps with 8:44 grain JSB and 6 FPS extreme spread and 2.5 standard deviation is pretty dang good in any rifle.