170 Shots at 13 FPE with .22 Cricket!
Having lowered down the power of my .22 Cricket compact to 13 FPE, I am able to shoot over 12 mags of JSB 15.9-grainers! :suprisedn: I am able to get this much shots by adjusting the regulator’s overall length (end-to-end) to 52.05 mm. The regulator’s stock setting was 53.06. To ensure air efficiency, I swapped out the FAC hammer spring to the low-powered one that originally came with the gun. When testing both springs, both of them were able to shoot the pellets at 610-619 FPS. However, the FAC spring wasn’t consistent in air-usage as I believe it gulps the entire available air in the regulated air chamber in one firing cycle. The low-powered spring is able to meter out the regulated air much more efficiently while still being able to launch the pellets at the same 610-619 FPS range. I should mention that I’m using the hammer-spring tension adjustment knob I got from Steve at WWAG as it is able to screw in deeper and compress the spring more than the stock version. This is due to the WWAG HST adjustment knob having a protrusion after the threads as opposed to the stock cap having a recessed slot to house the spring.
I stopped at 174 shots and the chrono registered 603 FPS. The air pressure was 65 BAR indicated on the airtube gauge (which equates to 75 BAR on my SCBA gauge). The beginning starting pressure is 210 BAR on gun gauge (and 220 BAR on SCBA gauge). I’m sure that if I fill to 230 or 240 BAR I’d get even more shots! Incredible!
I’ve decided to turn the power down on my Cricket as I’ve been backyard shooting a lot, and my backyard limits me to a range of 28 yards. At that distance, the 15.9 JSBs virtually stack themselves on top of the other if I do my part. Using Chairgun, I’ve set my far zero to 27 yards. With all things accounted for, and deciding on a quarter-inch sized target, the killzone is from 15.5 yards to 29 yards (with a scope height of 2.43″) with practically close to nonexistent holdover/holdunder. I think that’s pretty cool.
All Replies
Airgun gear show reviewing a sub 12ft/lb .177 cricket. Legally set up by the seller.
Any idea what method is used there, and how efficient is it?
Best regards
Adham
Thanks and best regards
Adham
The cause(s) of low velocity shot(s) can be from many factor(s).
Bad pellet(s), some inconstancy in the gun/tuning of and so on.
A lower reg setting may require a loner wait time between shots to let the reg settle ?
I have notice that if the HST is set to far out CCW, it may produce this effect of inconsistency, mid way seems to be the best.
Also any hang up from the HST spring guild, hammer and spring, buff and polishing both has helped with some guns.
The 2 smallest O-rings inside of the reg can also cause inconstancy problems but rarely, they usually leak all the air out of the AT before going bad.
The barrel rotation method from Ernest has mention that it is more constant then tuning down the regulator from the ideal 120bar stated.
But I suspect that it will not yield the high shot count you’ve been achieving by detuning the reg.
In both method there is a tread off and I’m thinking one can’t have the best of both worlds.
Both are good, not saying that one is better then the other, just a different way with different out comes.
The more optional tuning method posted the more versatile the Cricket can become !
If one shoots at 30 yards or so it may not matter that much if the velocity varies a bit.
If one shoots targets at 50 yards they may need the added constancy in the velocity.
Like I stated above, that will be the best average group size you can achieve with the deviation in speed according the ChairGun.
My Compact 177 is used out to 75 yards and tune to send JSB 10.34g @ 890 fps with a max 6 mag fill.
My 22 standard can take over from there and used out to 100+ yards and tuned to send JSB 18g @ 880 fps with a max 7 mag fill.
Both guns are very accurate and tuned to the same shot curve/trajectory, so same holdovers. 
I just have to dial down my scope to 12x on the 22.
~ ATB ~ GKU
Yes Awny.. .177 cal is not ment for long distances and big game. So if you are shooting 30-40 yards max, why not set it up in low power/more shots “mode” .
How does it perform in terms ES/SD?
GKU.. In each of the strings i shot, only one shot registered low 820’s like 822 or 24. Rest all near high speed as you can see from the average. Do you have a clue to whay this happens?
Thanks and best regards
Adham
In both of my Crickets I added a spring silence into my hammer spring to cut out the soft twang it made, there is no twang now.
GKU
What did you do to make a spring silencer? Did you fashion a delrin spring guide and cap for it? Any pics? Thanks
PM sent
My compact 177 I set at 600 fps on JSB 8gr since I use it mainly for blinking, small game, and backyard type shooting (I have the 22 standard for the 30 fpe hunting and long range). With that setting I get about 200 shots per fill. Sometimes it feels it never ending shots. And with that setting its extremely quiet!!!
In both of my Crickets I added a spring silence into my hammer spring to cut out the soft twang it made, there is no twang now.
GKU
What did you do to make a spring silencer? Did you fashion a delrin spring guide and cap for it? Any pics? Thanks
Here is my results.
Best regards
Adham
WOW! 220 shots is awesome and will obviously net you a significant savings amount of air. And yes, the Cricket is so quiet with the weaker spring. I also should point out that the firing valve adjustment can also help in tweaking air-efficiency/metering.
The method of turning the barrel to decrease the size of the air transfer port should also work. That follows the same concept being utilized by the Air Arms S400/S410 FAC rifles (via the power wheel knob). Though I have not tried this method on the Cricket to make a fair comparison to the technique I am currently using, I question the idea that metering greater air pressure/volume (if regulator has not been adjusted to a accept a lower BAR rating) may or may not be as effective as metering a smaller one if one is to attain air-efficiency.
I guess there is a tread off with the better ES.
A 10 fps drop in velocity will create a 1/4″ drop at 50 yards or so.
About a 1/8″ drop at 30 yards for spinj.
The above is your average group size according the ChairGun, assuming no other variables like wind, pellet and so on to added on.
Shot count difference and air consumption/efficiency will have to do a A&B comparison to see.
Depending on what is your cup of tea, shot count or consistency.
It does seem to me also that the Cricket reg does/performs it’s best at 120bar.
Other then that it may have a louder hammer smack with the stronger spring.
In both of my Crickets I added a spring silence into my hammer spring to cut out the soft twang it made, there is no twang now.
~ ATB ~ GKU
Hi GKU.. Yes i remember Ernest was saying that. But i am not sure how would that technique help with air efficiency. meaning, with rotated barrel , less air leaving AT?
What about noise?
With my reg set at 80b and weaker HS it’s so quiet. And speed is more than enough for .177 cal.
Best regards
Adham
Going up in velocity is one thing, but there is an easier way to go down.
It takes about 5 minutes to do, you don’t need to go into the reg and it can be returned to the original settings in the same amount of time.
I did it to my Compact 177 cal to detune it to 890 fps from 930 fps after running out of CCW HST adjustment.
It took only 45 minute of rotation on the barrel to drop the velocity by 40 fps.
FROM ERNEST POST ON YF:
leave stock on, loosen barrel/AT cap screws rotate barrel to 2 o’clock (12 o’clock is very top of scope rail cap screws)or less than 1/4 turn in CW or CCW direction then take crony reading adjust barrel to target speed. It’s better to be a little high 10 to 15fps then lower by HST.
Note: it’s easier to rotate the barrel by turning the shroud CW.
Note: tighten only one cap screw while setting the speed (you’re going to loosen the cap screw several times till you get on or slightly above the speed you want) when done tighten all 4 cap screw.
No need to adjust regulator or HST in rotating the barrel all you are doing is making the transfer port hole smaller.
I use to adjust reg down to 90 bars with custom spring but not as tight of ES.
The reg is more consistent at 120+ pressures with a stronger HS—so keep that setting and just rotate the barrel. When you have set it to 12FPE mark the barrel alignment as a reference point by way of alignment screw hole and make an indent on the barrel or side of barrel clamp and mark you own reference point.
Original post:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/thread/1415204096/Cricket+’de-tune’+-+hoping+for+some+guidance
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/message/1415406337/
~ GKU
Hi SPINJ. I followed your steps and adjusted my .177 std . Not the greatest ES, but the average through out the shooting session was awesome. Including errors, i shot 220 shots from 220b to 70b using H&N 8.64gr averaging 829fps 13.19 fPE.
Here is my results.
Best regards
Adham
Yes the technology is defiantly growing in all directions.
Donny posted this on old yeller last week, very cool !!
~ GKU
Donny how did you the terminator was awesome. 3D printer is really good wish can have one now.
Yes indeed he is, but I can’t see how he gets that green Terminators head inside of the shroud to make it work ? :rofl:
~ GKU :18:
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Airgun gear show reviewing a sub 12ft/lb .177 cricket. Legally set up by the seller.
Any idea what method is used there, and how efficient is it?
Best regards
Adham
Ernest used to tune them that way too. Must be either by setting the regulator and/or the spring tension.
But nothing beats the flexibility of being able to tune the speed/energy from an external knob in your gun! I understand the 12 ft.lb is a legal regulation though for some.