New Pro-Sport .22 seems low-powered

[ProSport Shooter]

Hello Everyone. This is my first post on the forum.

I have a new Pro-Sport in .22 calibre. I'm on my third box of pellets, two boxes of JSB Exact and now Air Arms Diabolo Field.

After the first 100 pellets, I chronographed the gun at 10.6 ft/lb. I felt that was a bit low, but presumed it would improve as the gun was run-in and leaded.

1000 pellets later, I chronographed the rifle again with the Air Arms Diabolo 5.52 pellets, which are a tighter fit than the JSBs. The muzzle power measured even lower, at just 9.7

Am I worrying unnecessarily or is there something wrong with my Pro-Sport? It seems a long way off the 12 ft/lb limit which I had expected to be close to with a gun of this size.

[tonyc]

10.6ft lb is not exceptionally low. My TX200HC started at a similar level but increased to 11.0-11.2 and it's shooting well at that level. You might try some different batches/dies, also in 5.51mm. I don't have a Pro-Sport but my TXs' power vary with weight and head size. You can't rely on the stated head size so it's a matter of trial and error. I find a loose(ish) fit usually gives the best results but the highest power (with pellets too loose a fit) are not usually the best groups. If you find the power is still low I'd get it checked under warranty. Others may say it's easy enough to adjust but, as a matter of principle, I'd take it back just to make the point that mid-10s is not acceptable.

[ProSport Shooter]

Thanks Tony. I'll keep it under review for a bit then, while I try different pellets, and possibly return it for repair if power doesn't improve.

[tonyc]

Just one further thought: if you want to test several batches without buying full tins, and can't beg any from other shooters, try Pellet Perfect. They sell samples - in multiples of 25 pellets - and can probably supply several die numbers. You need to ask them to let you have the batch numbers.

[ProSport Shooter]

Update: I emailed Air Arms, and they immediately said to send it back to them, although they didn't send me an RMA (returns authorisation) and they asked me to take the stock off. They also said they'd carry no responsibility for the stock if I didn't. If I do that, I'm then to blame for any sheared bolts or other damage, even though it's a brand new gun. Plus without any RMA I'd just be sending it in blind without proper explanation. Is that what Air Arms are like with repairs? How long do they usually take? Seems a bit informal, and I wonder what they'll actually do with the time.

[Blackbaronfish]

They will check it all over and send it back on spec.

BBF

[tonyc]

Yes, no problems with AA in my dealings with them.

I had a stock damaged when my S400 went back under warranty because someone took it out of the original packaging and put it back in the box the wrong way round - tearing the internal partitions to get it to fit!. This was when Rothery's were distributors and the gun was returned via them. It didn't get packaged wrongly at my RFD (I was present when packed to be sent and when opened on return) and I can't believe AA did it. Whatever.... a long way of saying it's not worth taking the risk.

PS. I did get a replacement stock from Rothery but it wasn't as nice as the original.

[ProSport Shooter]

Further update: Because I had to drive down to Sussex anyway, to collect my daughter’s stuff after she finished uni, I decided to hand deliver my Pro-Sport to Air Arms in Hailsham. To my surprise, Chris from the Technical Department came out to meet me and fixed my rifle on the spot, chronographing it afterwards at 11.2 ft/lbs. Now that’s what I call service!

[tonyc]

Chris from the Technical Department came out to meet me and fixed my rifle on the spot, chronographing it afterwards at 11.2 ft/lbs. Now that’s what I call service!

Excellent!
Do you know what the cause was, and if anything needed to be replaced?

[ProSport Shooter]

I presume he just put a washer in; it was that quick. Including testing it, he was only gone ten minutes.