A few questions for all the springer experts on my first …
..springer. I picked up a mint condition, hardly used R1 (.177) from the local gun show last week. The guy was a collector of old firearms and he claimed he bought this R1 from a collector and that it had grease coming from the trigger and it would not fire. He said he sent it back to Beeman and they fixed it. It is marked “San Rafael” on the action. I fired five groups and the best I was able to accomplish was one 1/2″ group, three 3/4″ groups, and one 1″ group (all five groups at 25 yards). I used what has been termed an “artillery hold”. I was also using a crappy daisy powerline 3×9 scope which did not focus clearly on 9x at that distance.
Here are my questions:
1) what is the (generally) best pellet for this rifle? I used RWS match wadcutter for all my test groups (that’s all I have)
2) what is a good scope for this rifle (preferably 12x or 16x mag)
3) what kind of maintenance does it require?
4) Since mine is marked San Rafael, would that mean it was created over twenty five years ago??? When did they stop marking “San Rafael, when was the move to Santa Rosa…??? If this is that old, and considering it is in mint condition (safe queen) what is the current market value for such a rifle?
Thanks guys!
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When it comes tp springers, follow the 3 golden rules..
1.Listen to rob’
2. Listen to rob’
3.Listen to rob’
I will look into getting some of the pellets you suggested.
Now does anyone know anything about the year this rifle may have been manufactured as it says: “San Rafael” on the action. Is this a very old rifle??? I am very curious because if it is that old, it was surely a “safe queen”. Thanks again, guys.
Rob, I’ll surf some of your old posts. Goodnight.
pay no attention to the pics on the action… it’s not a recommendation for pellets. Wads and pointeds will shoot like shit out of that gun, I can assure you. That is just a design… nothing more.
Shoot me a PM and I’ll square you away on a small sampler pack. No need to buy tins of pellets that may or may not work for you.
CPL’s always fit very tightly in the breech of the ‘R’ series guns. I’ve got an R1, R9, R7 and have reviewed an R11 and they all are the same Premiers are tight in them… and you may even have a half millimeter of skirt outside the barrel… no worries. Like a tight pussy, just push it in…it will fit.
A good springer like the R1 will last several lifetimes… great guns and easy to work on.
Far as manufacture date, I really dont know off the top of my head. Can Google it and likely find more info.
Thanks rj, and thanks Rob! I spent some time with it today and I enjoyed it fully. It shows–on the side of the action–two types of pellets to use. Wadcutters and Pointed. Does the pointed also include domed??? I tried to put CP domed in, but they would not fit in the breech.
I will look into getting some of the pellets you suggested.
Now does anyone know anything about the year this rifle may have been manufactured as it says: “San Rafael” on the action. Is this a very old rifle??? I am very curious because if it is that old, it was surely a “safe queen”. Thanks again, guys.
Rob, I’ll surf some of your old posts. Goodnight.
Okay thanks, because I think I put over 3500 without cleaning mine.
u need a scope made for springers to handle the reverse recoil of the piston check PA for there reccomendations
I clean all new barrels…. and after that, I only clean when accuracy falls off…. typically once every year or two. If you use quality lead pellets, you shouldnt need to be cleaning your barrel every month.
We are talking my language here now. If you check through the ‘other guns’ section, you’ll see some of my springers.
As for any springer, pellet recommendations are as follows….. you have to try different pellets. Period.
I have had guns of the same model and same caliber prefer different pellets. Just how springers are.
That said, the first pellets I’d try for a .177 magnum are…. CPL’s, FTS, JSB Exact, CPH…. in that order. If it wont group any of those, look to the JSB Express and the RWS Domes. Kodiaks may also work, but for .177 springers up to the 18fpe mark, I prefer mid weight pellets.
Accuracy…. with a decent scope, you should be able to get 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 40 yards with no problem after a little practice.
Here is an older post of mine with some groups that you can get with various springers….
http://talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2765&highlight=springer
Scope and mounts.
you will need a quality scope and mount for the R1. While not known as particularly hard on scopes, you do need to get a decent springer rated scope.
The Bushnell Legend 5-15×40 is great, as is the Hawke Airmax scopes. For a bit less coin, it’s hard to beat the Leapers scopes.
For mounts, you should use a good one piece mount or excellent two piece… my recommendations…. BKL 260… best…. or accushot one piece… acceptable if you must use a two piece mount, get a BKL double strap… otherwise, expect problems.
I have the R1 with iron sights. They seem fine for close distances, but my eyes ain’t what they used to be and I like to have the crosshairs make an nice four sectioned “pie” on the poa before I squeeze that trigger.
Do these springers destroy the scopes that are specifically made for springers???
can someone tell me how many shots generally it should take till you clean your barrel? sorry to hijack your thread lol
I had a Bsa xl and loved it but ruined scopes. I am not Sure but you might want to put iron sights.
Yes it is a Weihrauch. Thanks for the pellet choice. I will order some shortly.
Am I right in thinking the R1 is a Weihrauch ?
If so then H&N Field Target Trophy work a treat in any Weihrauch.
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Thanks Rob!
Yes, I will listen to Rob…Listen to Rob…listen to Rob 😆
Here is a link Garret gave me on the yellow. Good info on when they would have been made…and then some.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/message/1263563003/This+might+help…