Wildcat Problems

[Enterpryse]

Just recently my (almost new) wildcat 's has completely lost its accuracy,. Shooting at 30rds I'd be lucky to see a 6" grouping, it's almost like every shot is a flier.

900fps, 140bar on a Huma reg, .22 16grn Air Arms` Diablo Hunter pellets



Is there anything obvious to check before I take it apart!?



TIA

 

[hawkeye69]

I would begin by cleaning the barrel before doing anything else. Check tightness of the scope mounts as well.

 

[Brian.in.MI]

Have you chronied while it’s spraying pellets all over the paper? Sounds like extremely erratic velocity, which could be a number of things. Or the barrel is shifting or your scope is falling apart, or... Hmm. Is this a “sudden onset” issue? Have you changed anything recently? 

Brian @airgunner.usa

 

[JCD]

2nd the chony (if you can) to make sure the speeds are reasonably consistent.

Barrel oring? Clipping? Also, make sure the HST nut isn't moving erratically. The HST is prob the easiest to rule out. Mine was visibly moving with every shot with one that I have before applying a mild thread locker. Doesn't take much HST change to have a pretty noticeable impact on target.

 

[Tobbe77]

Seems pretty low fps with 140 bar on huma reg, with 16 grn pellets u should have that velocity with 116-120 bar on the reg, so maybe barrel oring is damaged.

 

[Enterpryse]

I would begin by cleaning the barrel before doing anything else. Check tightness of the scope mounts as well.

Thanks, the scope is secure and new, not an expensive one though.

Cleaning wise I'll need to buy something specific as the pull throughs for my rim and center fires won't fit but I guess you know this!!

 

[Enterpryse]

Have you chronied while it’s spraying pellets all over the paper? Sounds like extremely erratic velocity, which could be a number of things. Or the barrel is shifting or your scope is falling apart, or... Hmm. Is this a “sudden onset” issue? Have you changed anything recently? 

Brian @airgunner.usa

I thinks its pretty consistent on velocity (after the first couple of rounds have been shot).

I've not come across barrel shifting. The scope is new and well secured but I'll try it on another gun anyway.

Yes I have been playing around with the reg/spring/hammer weight to adjust the 900fps



Thanks

 

[Enterpryse]

2nd the chony (if you can) to make sure the speeds are reasonably consistent.

Barrel oring? Clipping? Also, make sure the HST nut isn't moving erratically. The HST is prob the easiest to rule out. Mine was visibly moving with every shot with one that I have before applying a mild thread locker. Doesn't take much HST change to have a pretty noticeable impact on target.

I like the o ring possibility so I've got one on order.

The HST is threadlocked but will re-check



Thanks

 

[Enterpryse]

Seems pretty low fps with 140 bar on huma reg, with 16 grn pellets u should have that velocity with 116-120 bar on the reg, so maybe barrel oring is damaged.

Good point, I was advised to set to 140 by Huma and set the velocity from there. I'll dial it down to 120 and try again.

O ring as mentioned above will be changed ASAP anyway.



Thanks

 

[Dan_Br]

2nd the chony (if you can) to make sure the speeds are reasonably consistent.

Barrel oring? Clipping? Also, make sure the HST nut isn't moving erratically. The HST is prob the easiest to rule out. Mine was visibly moving with every shot with one that I have before applying a mild thread locker. Doesn't take much HST change to have a pretty noticeable impact on target.



what is HST?

thanks

dan

 

[JCD]

HST = Hammer Spring Tensioner (adjuster)

 

[chohan]

Enterpryse, I make no claims of being knowledgeable but I remember a post by Chuck:

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/stacking-pellets-with-my-wildcat/

Since your velocity is on the low side for that reg setting, perhaps check your pellet probe depth. The hole in the end of the probe has to be exactly centered with the hole on the barrel inlet. Read about 2/3rd down the page to the post where Chuck explains it. Might be worth checking out.

Could explain lower velocity but not sure if that would explain the inconsistent accuracy. Just something else to rule out though.

cheers

 

[bzizzi373]

My Brocock Bantam HR Sniper was getting flyers all over the place, the fix was to put blue LockTite on hammer spring adjustment threads and clean the barrel. No more flyers at all anymore.

 

[Tweeter]

I agree with JCD, it sounds like a clipping issue. 6" groups at 30 yards all of a sudden... Did you just add a new shroud/ldc or remove and replace the barrel/shroud? Maybe something isn't aligned correctly?

 

[Crusher]

Sounds like a dirty barrel to me.

 

[Enterpryse]

Thanks guys, some excellent suggestions.



I'll start with the easy stuff and when I get it sorted I'll post back on here.

 

[airgunfans]

May be you can also check if the smoothness of the bore by pushing a pellet through the barrel and feeling if there is any significant change in resistance. 

 

[Eaglebeak]

I don't have any experience with the Wildcat but your reg pressure rings a few bells. If you up your reg pressure to 140 bar on a valve that is sprung to work best at 110-125 bar and you don't up the hammer weight or spring tension or both, you are asking for poor consistency and efficiency. Your hammer may be struggling to open your valve properly. I doubt that this alone would result in the groups that you describe. For groups that bad, something must be loose or clipping.

 

[Dan_Br]

HST = Hammer Spring Tensioner (adjuster)



thanks

dan

 

[DHart]

Enterpryse... please let us know when you get the issue corrected and what the problem was.