Diana Need some help with an old RWS 54

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I shot 20 pellets over the chrono today using a front rest and rear bag. Chrono set up 4' away shooting Crossman 14.3 gr pellets.

AVG = 774

ES = 181

SD = 79

Yes this 54 is a sick puppy for sure. I'm looking forward to the new parts.
POI at 25 yards wasn't as bad as Tuesday after lubing the internals but still not acceptable.
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JM parts were ordered yesterday and shipping today per an Email. Not bad for a one man operation!
 
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I put the kit in today, I believe the breech seal was the biggest problem as it was in bad shape. The original piston seal was slightly loose in the cylinder but in good shape. I installed the new Apex piston seal slightly oversize. The gun is shooting much better now. The velocity dropped about 80-90 fps but the ES on the last string was 9. Now that I know how easy it is to work on I'll tweak it some more.
I didn't have moly paste so used Sil-Glide. I'll order the proper lube later.
Thanks for the help guys!
 
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I just found out that while the Vortek web site is not HTTPS their checkout is. My apologies, it looks like thay have more of what I actually wanted. Too bad I don't have any more money to throw at this rifle.
I swapped out the spring with the heavier duty spring today. I also took a little more off the diameter of the piston seal although it is still fairly tight. It lost another 15-20 FPS, down in the 730's now. I think I'm going back to the original Diana spring and seal as I'm looking for 840 FPS with 14.3 pellets like when new.

BTW here is where I compress the spring. I take the rubber cushion off the 36" Harbor Frieght C clamp/spreader to do this. No adapter needed.
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This reminded me of when I bought a $70 rebuild kit for a very old Benjamin pistol. Turns out all it needed was a 50 cent O ring seal.
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Toxylon said:
Faulty breech seals really mess up the sidelever Dianas, as you found out.

Piston seals a little too tight rob quite a bit of velocity, but other than that guns with them shoot great: calm and collected, with good consistency.

Congrats on getting the 54 back to shape!
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On second thought I think I'll just leave it alone and shoot it for a while. It is shooting very good.
 
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I would check for movement lateraly in the stock. My 54 had hammered the stock screws to where they did not tighten properly. The movement back should be easy and free that area needs to stay clean. Mine was in 22 and shot very well. I know you have done your gun but my favorites are Macarri springs and Vortek seals. Ther is a real difference with that combo.
 
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Sicumj said:
I would check for movement lateraly in the stock. My 54 had hammered the stock screws to where they did not tighten properly. The movement back should be easy and free that area needs to stay clean. Mine was in 22 and shot very well. I know you have done your gun but my favorites are Macarri springs and Vortek seals. Ther is a real difference with that combo.
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What is the recommended stock screw torque?
 
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Thanks for all the help I received here!!!

Today my R54 has the ARH/Macarri VRT spring, ARH Tesla piston and breech seal.. Current FPS is 770's and ES 10-12 with 14.3 grain Crossman Premier pellets. Stock screws torqued to 15 inch lbs.
Accuracy is just amazing. If I do my part all the pellets go in the same hole at 25 yards using a scope.
I think I ruined the first ARH Apex oversized seal after figuring out how to size. The second seal sized much easier and broke in fairly quickly.
The original spring and seal are still good and produce 840's FPS with 14.3 grain pellets but both are in the spare parts bin for now.

I am very pleased with this rifle now. I think it shoots even better than new.
 
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