Back 2011, I spent the entire summer with the goal of shooting a 1 inch group at 100 yards from a standard non-JW Springer. I kept getting really close with my tuned HW 77. I would get four that made the grade, and always had one which would blow up the target. Blowing up being defined as an inch and a half group at 100 yards with a springer. So I had an old 300s RT, with a butchered and modified thumbhole stock that I had refinished, And tried to return to original form. I had Gary steel at B and B supply put in a spring that would deliver approximately 9 foot pounds. I wanted higher velocity, but he recommended against it, as it would mess up the Non-recoiling action. I used 3 BKL #7 anti droop mounting blocks to get the scope dead on at 100 yds (talk about cant issues!). I was using a 25X Lupold sniper scope. Finally one morning, magic happened. The first four shots went into a group this size of my pinky nail, I’m sure I was close to peeing my pants when I shot the fifth shot. It landed about a half inch from the group, and I knew I had finally shot a 1 inch group. See below:
It was Not dead calm, there was a mild left to right 5 mile an hour wind. I found that interesting, because Harry had always claimed you needed some wind to shoot tiny groups at ultra long range.
Here are the results of that entire summer. I did end up shooting a 1 inch group with my HW 77, and I finally let the JW80 come in and play after I had made my goal. I shot a .615 with the .22 barrel, that was WAY easier. Just as an aside, I tried numerous 22 caliber Springers, a beautifully tuned RWS48, an incredibly accurate R1, an AA Pro-Elite.
They could not hold up at 100, the 177 was king.
Below is the HW 77 group, Not sure why I taped the target on backwards, Possibly I liked the little peel back’s.
A couple years later, I decided to see what I could do with a couple other rifles at 100 and 130 yds.
Top rifle is a Theoben Imperator FT 12 ft pnd, bottom is aJW60 Mark I. Both .177. The top two targets are with the JW 60 at 130 yards, five shots each. Just hitting the paper is a challenge. The bottom two targets are with the Theoben at 130 yards and 100 yards, 130 yard group is only three shots, they were less than a half an inch apart. I’m sure the fourth shot went right into the O-Zone
And last a 165 yard group with the JW80...3 shots and a great deal of luck.
The Tyrannosaurus Rex of springers.
Thanks for the great post! I love springers!
Mike
