Diana HFT Diana 48

[Iowa Airgunner]

I found an RWS Diana 48 in the box for a good deal.
I have a TX200 for WFTF class and don’t want use it for hunter because the scope is 40x magnification. And I want a more powerful gun for HFT.
American HFT sitting on a bucket with a set of sticks.
This particular rifle is like brand new and came with a tin of pellets and one missing.
First owner shot it once . Second owner never shot it.
So it’s like brand new.
I mounted a nice scope and did some shooting and it is definitely a cannon. The trigger is really nice. The rifle is a 2014 with a T-06 trigger.

First thing is to remove the front sight and add a muzzle brake. I got one from Air Venture. I had to cut the sleeve around the barrel but it fits great.

Next I’m going to get a spring kit to slow it down and smooth it out.

Tomorrow I am going to get to shoot it for real. Going to a new shooting location and chronograph it and set up FT line with target
Stand and bench prove the scope and shoot the gun like it is. Just to brake it in and practice. I’ll do it all over again after I get the spring.

Today I got a level in the mail.

 

[marflow 777]

it is a rifle that has been around a long time since 1987 and most that have one or two or the 54 love them
most need a droop mount but if your scope has enough elevation that works also
now the pellet holder came in a box of 5 with a total of 500 so it might have been shot more than once but that is neither here nor there
i would call or email Vortek and see what they have to fill your needs
https://vortekproducts.com/

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

I mounted this very inexpensive level on my scope. I have a habit of opening my left eye to look at the level . This one is very small and sits very close to the tube. When I open my eye it like superimposes the level in my sight picture. Like a hitech heads up display.


I was looking at the Vortex pro guide 2 kit. But from the little bit of research I did. I read the Maccari spring is smoother.

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

I was looking at the vortex web sight the PG4 HO is 23 ft lb or the PG4 12 at 12 ft lb.

Given the choices I would go with the 12 ft lb . But I am shooting in Iowa . No trees and lots of wind. I am thinking going closer to 19 ft lb. Just a little bit lower than stock.

 

[marflow 777]

the Vortek vs Maccari has been going on for some time but Maccari has been around for ever
the kits that are there are what you see at Vortek but they can make what you want i guess both can
is 12fpe to little would 15-16 be better
the rifle with a factory spring would be at 19-21
good luck
mike

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

Thanks, I’m gonna crony today.This Diana 48 is definitely making close to twenty ft lb. But even so it shoots super smooth.

 

[Chuck-in-Ohio]

After your chrony session, if you feel the need to kit the rifle-

VRT Kit - RWS-Diana 48-52-54-56, Chinese Sidelevers-B21,22,30, SM1000

Maccari Custom Airgun Shop. Airguns and related accessories. Springs,tune kits,gunstocks,Beeman, Rws, Webley and many others. Sales and service

www.airrifleheadquarters.com

A message to member @thumper may garner you some useful info on setting a Diana 48 up properly. I know he has messed with a few of them, but do not know if he has shot FT with one.

Tuning - Diana 48 issue

Hello everyone, new guy (new to air guns also) here looking for expert advice. I just today received a (well)-used 48 in .177, bought sight unseen, except for cell phone pics. I put a cheap scope on and tried it out in my basement today and am chronying around 850 fps with 7.9 grn CPs. Also...

www.airgunnation.com

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

Ok… I am floored.
I like to fiddle with stuff. But I am kinda stuck here. Nothing to do on this one
This is a brand new and new to me rifle.
I have only shot it fifty shots maybe.

I set up a the chronograph in my garage and only had 14 yards to work with. But I’m just shooting off the bench for the chronograph and doing my best to aim at my 5x5 trap.

Seriously ??? Standard deveation of 4 with a tin of old dusty pellets?

And under a nickel . The one low shot was me aiming at the bull rather than one dot hold over. But it shoots so well. The level works . I did shoot 8.4 pellets and it would toss the pellet low right and be like 975. Then the next shot was 1020 and back on target. But the 7.8 are just spot on.
The trigger has a tiny bit of creep but it’s brand new.
I am not sure if I want to change it. I guess it could always be smoother but this thing is a real tack driver.

I’m looking forward to more testing.

 

[DesertSilver]

Ok… I am floored.
I like to fiddle with stuff. But I am kinda stuck here. Nothing to do on this one
This is a brand new and new to me rifle.
I have only shot it fifty shots maybe.

I set up a the chronograph in my garage and only had 14 yards to work with. But I’m just shooting off the bench for the chronograph and doing my best to aim at my 5x5 trap.

Seriously ??? Standard deveation of 4 with a tin of old dusty pellets?

And under a nickel . The one low shot was me aiming at the bull rather than one dot hold over. But it shoots so well. The level works . I did shoot 8.4 pellets and it would toss the pellet low right and be like 975. Then the next shot was 1020 and back on target. But the 7.8 are just spot on.
The trigger has a tiny bit of creep but it’s brand new.
I am not sure if I want to change it. I guess it could always be smoother but this thing is a real tack driver.

I’m looking forward to more testing.

View attachment 479569

IMHO I'd go with a heavier pellet. Those speeds are way to fast for a pellet to shoot accurately. At 14 yards it should be almost pellet on pellet. I've found with my 48 that a 10 or so grain pellet works much better. Pellet speed is best below 900 fps.

 

[Chuck-in-Ohio]

As above, the speed it is running at just cries out for you to try some 10.3 JSBs in it.

 

[beerthief]

I mounted this very inexpensive level on my scope. I have a habit of opening my left eye to look at the level . This one is very small and sits very close to the tube. When I open my eye it like superimposes the level in my sight picture. Like a hitech heads up display.


I was looking at the Vortex pro guide 2 kit. But from the little bit of research I did. I read the Maccari spring is smoother.

View attachment 479451

nice find you are going to have fun .

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

IMHO I'd go with a heavier pellet. Those speeds are way to fast for a pellet to shoot accurately. At 14 yards it should be almost pellet on pellet. I've found with my 48 that a 10 or so grain pellet works much better. Pellet speed is best below 900 fps.

I agree this is way fast.

This is just the beginning of trying to find out what this gun likes. I am really just shooting up old pellets to brake in the new gun. I want the 7.8 around 900 plus range and then try the heavier pellets .
Thats is why I’m going back and forth with the spring selection.
I’ll try heavy pellets next time and see how that goes.

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

There seems to be three choices .


Vortek has a Diana Proguide 4 in HO putting out 23 ft lb and one that puts out 12 ft lb.

PG4 STEEL Tune Kits

SILENT-STEEL OVER SPRING Patented (4) Damping Guide Tune Kit (2) Liener (2) HelicalPrecision machined STEEL Guide, Radial interference to Piston. The manufactured STEEL Body PRO-GUIDE4 STEEL tune kit provides another level to damping.With its new mass, weighted rear retainment guide, stiffer...

vortekproducts.com

Then there is the Macarri spring that is said to be smooth and just a little slower than the factory spring.

VRT Kit - RWS-Diana 48-52-54-56, Chinese Sidelevers-B21,22,30, SM1000

Maccari Custom Airgun Shop. Airguns and related accessories. Springs,tune kits,gunstocks,Beeman, Rws, Webley and many others. Sales and service

www.airrifleheadquarters.com

My first inclination is to go with the Maccari spring .
Or the 12 ft. In.vortek spring and maybe shim it up to the desired speed.

I get mil spec machined washers from Mc master car and make very nice spring shims.

 

[JimBentley]

I think for your use, the JM kit is the best.

 

[marflow 777]

you know you have another choice
open it up and cut a coil off but i would replace the seal at that time also clean the tube and relube to your choice
you know the rifle will shoot and for the most part they all do
i think pellet choice is up in the air, as of now you are shooting a little under 20fpe

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

you know you have another choice
open it up and cut a coil off but i would replace the seal at that time also clean the tube and relube to your choice
you know the rifle will shoot and for the most part they all do
i think pellet choice is up in the air, as of now you are shooting a little under 20fpe

I hate to do that . Because I can’t put it back on.
I am going to go for another pellet test and a better set up. Today in the garage was just to see the speed and spread. It had tighter groups at 20 yards . Because of the bag and setting it down different .
But I got a good selection of flat pellets from 7.87 gr up to 13.4 gr .

Should be fun to see how it goes and brakes in.

 

[boscoebrea]

I have a 52 model,one of my more powerful springers.I do not use it much,but when I need to do varmint control it is my go to springer. If you are just shooting to have fun I think 12 is too low,it is a big rifle, so try 16lbs I have had Jim M make up some springs that would give me what I wanted,just ask him .I always thought the .177 was too small for the48-52-54 models

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

I’m going for Hunter class field target competition. I already have a TX 200 that shoots at 12 ft lb. I want this to be a little flatter trajectory or at least a heavier pellet to buck wind better.

 

[klentz]

What a wonderful find!

It's terrific to read that you've been around the block with springers especially for FT and HFT.

I've own several 48s and 54s. I'm sure you already know this but that 48 from 10 years ago has a Diana spring that was known to be very brittle. Appreciate that you're trying to break it in but shooting lightweight pellets is asking for that spring to break.

The only reason I post this is because after marflows suggestion of cutting the spring you fought back and said you'd like to preserve this spring. Completely understand and it's commendable.

I would shoot mid weight pellets during the break-in if that is your goal.

Never put a vortec kit and my 48s but did put several maccari kits in mine and was very satisfied in a lasted a very long time. For what it's worth

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

What a wonderful find!

It's terrific to read that you've been around the block with springers especially for FT and HFT.

I've own several 48s and 54s. I'm sure you already know this but that 48 from 10 years ago has a Diana spring that was known to be very brittle. Appreciate that you're trying to break it in but shooting lightweight pellets is asking for that spring to break.

The only reason I post this is because after marflows suggestion of cutting the spring you fought back and said you'd like to preserve this spring. Completely understand and it's commendable.

I would shoot mid weight pellets during the break-in if that is your goal.

Never put a vortec kit and my 48s but did put several maccari kits in mine and was very satisfied in a lasted a very long time. For what it's worth

Thank you for the kind words and good advice. I did read about the springs breaking. I just feel like the gun is such a magnum I would want to keep the power up a little.