WHY WONT MY GUN GROUP?

You’ve got your rifle, and it’s shooting like a dream. Every target is down, every rabbit dispatched cleanly, and life’s good. You put your rifle away, proud as punch. But next time you take it out, it seems to have transformed into a shotgun. Your tight groups have disappeared, and now you’re struggling to hit a barn door at six paces. So, what’s gone wrong, and how do you fix it?

CHECK YOUR AIR PRESSURE

If you’ve got a PCP (pre-charged pneumatic), ensure the rifle has the correct air pressure. Always double-check with both the tank and rifle gauges, as relying on just one could lead to over- or under-charging if it’s faulty. For spring guns, pay attention to how it feels to cock. A broken spring or damaged spring guide could wreak havoc on your rifle’s overall accuracy.

TEST FOR CONSISTENCY

Use a chronograph to shoot a full string of pellets and note the results. Is your rifle consistent? A variance of 8fps or less is ideal, though anything under 10fps should suffice. Fire 30-40 shots to check for erratic readings. Big variations will undoubtedly affect your groups.

TIGHTEN EVERYTHING

Ensure all bolts and screws are snug: stock bolts, scope mounts, butt pad, and any accessories like a hamster. Loose components can destabilise the rifle and your accuracy.

CLEAN THE BARREL

A clean barrel can make a world of difference. Use a pull-through or cleaning felts with a quality lube like Napier. Avoid using a bronze brush on an airgun barrel. For a deeper clean, consider a cleaning paste like VFG to remove lead deposits, but go easy—overuse can wear down the barrel.

TEST YOUR HEAD POSITION

Set up a target at your scope’s parallax distance—if your parallax is set for 25 yards, place the target there. Move your head slightly while looking through the scope. If the crosshairs shift, adjust the parallax until they stay still. This will eliminate any errors caused by poor head positioning.

CONSIDER YOUR SETUP

Sometimes, external factors play a role. For instance, winter clothing might interfere with your cheek weld. A thick collar or scarf can subtly change your head position, leading to inconsistency.

CHECK THE TRIGGER

A heavy or sticky trigger can ruin accuracy, especially in colder months. Learn to service your trigger if you feel confident. For simpler systems like the Air Arms CD or Weihrauch Rekord triggers, a basic clean and lube might suffice. More complex triggers, like Anschutz, should be handled with great care—YouTube tutorials are invaluable in cases like this.

BE REALISTIC ABOUT CONDITIONS

Even the best rifle and shooter can’t defy physics. Wind, even a light breeze, can scatter your group. Wind flags can help you gauge conditions downrange and adjust accordingly thereafter.

INSPECT YOUR PELLETS

Pellets matter more than you might think. Even within the same brand and calibre, different batches can perform vastly differently. For example, I’ve had great results with JSB 452’s die 54 in most rifles, but my HFT-500 prefers die 63. Damaged or inconsistent pellets can open up your groups.

INSPECT SEALS AND COMPONENTS

If problems persist, it might be time to disassemble your rifle. Check the probe and breech seals, as leaks can cause accuracy issues. Some models, like Air Arms rifles, have an internal barrel seal that’s prone to wear. Replace any worn seals or consider a professional service.

CONSIDER YOUR SCOPE

Scopes age, and the springs controlling windage and elevation can weaken. Try swapping your scope with a spare or borrowing one from a mate. Many manufacturers offer excellent warranties, so it might be worth sending in an older scope for repair or replacement.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Most accuracy issues can be resolved with methodical troubleshooting. If nothing works, maybe it’s time for a trip to your favourite gun shop—just don’t send me the bill.

For more tips like this, please feel free to drop me an email at lifeattherange@gmail.com