Cricket tuning for beginner HELP!
(I posted the below on several other forums in attempt to reach the largest audience base)
Hello all,
I am sorry for being the newb on here. I have read many, many, forums over the last two years while serving THREE consecutive tours over seas. I think it is about time for me to come home for a few weeks and attend to my new babies (.177 Cricket Compact, .22 Cricket Std, .25 Cricket Std). If you all would be so kind as to help advise my way ahead on tuning these laser cannons, I would be deeply appreciative. When I get back state side, I plan to take a trip to Long Island to meet Ernest at the range for some individual Q and A with some hands on stuff before I crack ’em open and I want to be as advanced as I can so as not to waste his valuable time. That being said, here is my plan moving forward. Please be as detailed as possible and do not feel bad for breaking things down Barney style:
For the .177 Cricket Compact:
1) Thorough barrel cleansing. What do you recommend as a cleansing agent? Should I remove the O-rings first? What is your favorite cleaning technique?
2) As soon as I get the gun, I was planning on putting about 900 rounds down range with a chrono before and after so I can see as the velocity changes as the regulator settles in and the barrel becomes “seasoned”.
3) Next will be the trigger adjustment. I am not sure exactly what needs to be polished inside the trigger housing to ensure a smooth pull, but I think if I do my linkage adjustments, and polish every contact point without rounding the components, I should be okay here. When polishing these components, Do I just use sand paper? What grit? What technique (Dremmel, hand, cloths…) What about polishing compound? I never see anyone using compound on their components, Why? Is that not the only way to make them mirror? If I polish (should actually be called sanding I believe) too much, will that cause a noticeable premature wearing of the parts?
4) Next (here is where it gets a little scary) the regulator. My plan is to pull the regulator and “polish” every contact point within the regulator, as stated by Ernest, and then set the regulator to 120Bar. My goal is highest possible accuracy with highest possible power on the .177 Cricket Compact. Is 120Bar Too high? Is the best tuning order: Trigger, Regulator, Valve Spring, Hammer Spring (HSTA), then barrel?
5) Next will be the Valve spring polish and tune. I am not sure what to set the valve spring to. Ernest suggests about 2 turns after contact, but others recommend maybe 1 1/4 turn. How many turns do I set the valve at after contact on a .177 cricket at 120Bar? How will I know if it is too tight or too lose given the regulator and HSTA setting?
6) Now with the Hammer Spring Tension Adjuster (HSTA). I have TWO FREEKING years of deployment money stashed away and I would like to buy the best on the market. Does anyone have any recommendations on the best given their experience (I know this is in the forum and I will look it up again, but the supplier has told me he is out of stock)? How will I know when the HSTA, valve are “balanced”?
7) Barrel polish and pellet testing. This is where I am most lost. I saw a technique on YouTube from “Free Man Shooting” where he pushed each pellet through as it was attached to the end of a cleaning rod to see how damaged the pellet was when it came out the end. He also stated that the crowns were ragged and the choke was too much. Ernest says that he polishes his barrels with “8,000; 14,000; and 50,000 diamond paste”. Is this something a beginner can do without damaging the barrel? Do I have to send the barrel to a machinest to ensure the crown is lathed properly and cut to 11 degrees then polished? How does one open the choke if necessary?
8) Pellet testing. I was going to buy JSB light and heavy with a few others and shoot them over the crony to see which gives the best groups and most consistent FPS. Is this out of order? should this be done earlier in the process? If so, when?
******Bonus questions*******
-I hear Moly Coat 33 is what Earnest uses, but others have said that there may be better lubricants out now to make the rings swell. Can one of you fine gentlemen/ladies recommend the best lubricant for the O-Rings? Do I need different lube for different rings?
– Can anyone recommend what size/type rings for each ring that may need replacing in the gun? Is there a kit for sale that works well?
In conclusion, I am deeply appreciative for all the knowledge that has been placed on the forums from all of you experts (defined as anyone other than me). And I hope that the reader may be so kind as to provide any small piece of information to any one of my many questions (maybe even in the form of links to other postings) as I begin my journey into this new sport, and I hope this post will prove as a “one stop shop” reference to all the other beginning Cricket tuners out there.
I hope that if Ernest is so kind as to meet up with me at the range, that I will be well versed in the didactic knowledge of his tuning process so we can get to the hands on. Here are the different aspects that he uses for tuning and I think I have touched on each topic in this thread:
1) Lead lap bore to 50,000 diamond paste
2) Crown breech end of barrel and polish
3) Polish, in lead, of bore of barrel (not sure what this means)
4) Polish crown
5) Smooth out action/mag index re-lube
6) Polish hammer and spring re-lube
7) Trigger tune
8) Polish trigger rod and add locking collar on spring
9) Regulator tune
10) Re-Seal air tube
11) Clean and inspect valve and stem for proper sealing and adjust spring for bouncing hammer. (not sure on this one either)
If you are still with me to the end of this, thank you again for your time and for reading the longest post in history!
All Replies
Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
SpinJ, Thank you very much for that. I’ve read all you’re post on accuracy and shooting, I’ve seen your exceptional work in your back yard, now I see what is achievable at longer ranges using the basic fundamental you have spoken about. Hope you enjoyed your range time.
Ginuwine, this is specifically for you as per your request. All right, I decided to go to the shooting range today to shoot a 50-yard group. The wind was terrible; it was blowing at 15 MPH according to the weather app on my phone (seemed stronger than that to me). I had to wait for it to completely subside because my Cricket is set to only 11 FPE with JSB 14.3 grain pellets, and at that distance it was absolutely critical for me to actually wait. I was so disappointed in myself because I forgot my front bag in the middle of the trip, and I didn’t want to drive back home to retrieve it. The range, however, had a rolled up and taped carpet as a benchrest provision, so I had to make do with what was available. There were no wind flags setup (I was hoping some of the shooters brought theirs.). Because there wasn’t any wind-direction reference, it is why I needed to wait for the wind to die out before taking my shots. Below is an eight-shot group at 50 yards.
Ginuwine,
The reason why I shoot only to 26/27 yards is because that is the maximum distance my property allows. I practice shooting in the seated position at these distances because there’s really not much of a challenge when shooting using a bench/table. The last time was at the range was back in 2013, and that’s the only place I can do long-range shooting. I have to drive there, and I only make the trip out when I really want to as it’s a bit distant. I plan to go back again soon though, and when I do I plan to shoot in the sitting position. Hopefully, I can find good solid back and knee support beams there.
Here is a photo I took when I last visited the shooting range in 2013. At the time my rifle was shooting at 33 FPE. The top two targets were achieved at 25 yards. The right target on the top has one shot due to shooter error. Both of the top two groups consist of 10 shots each. The center group was a 50-yard six-shot group. I think I did okay for a fairly windy day. I had to take my time and wait for the wind to die down a bit before taking each shot, but I’m happy with them.
Cheers!
SpinJ: Did you make it to the range yet? Would love to see some 50 yard groups from you. I know its not your thing but you had mentioned about heading out since it had been a while.
To add to my post, I’d like to also share the comment below this paragraph. Under no circumstance is this in offense to you, Sippy. I’m sure you’re a good shot. It is intended for those who read this thread and are thinking of doing the same, particularly if they haven’t given their gun a chance to exhibit what it is truly capable of if they aren’t skilled in their shooting abilities to begin with. When I say “skilled” I mean in a way that they can shoot even a cheap gun accurately, better yet with a spring-piston rifle. 😉
It is pointless to tune a rifle in an attempt to make the gun more accurate or consistent if the shooter’s shooting technique is lacking – SHOOTING DISCIPLINE TRUMPS ALL MANNER OF GUN IMPROVEMENT METHODS. BAR NONE! The shooter must first be accurate and consistent in the same way a theorist has the privilege of developing a theory with enough knowledge and factual supporting evidence. If the shooter does not work on his/her shooting skill first, then a tune is not going to make his/her gun more accurate. In this case, the primary benefit a tune will provide is that it will “slightly” mask the ineptitude of the operator. Sorry, but that’s the truth. I’ve seen plenty of Youtube videos of owners of stupendously-expensive stock Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti supercars crashing them because they did not have the expertise to control even a burnout or a straight-line launch.
Sippy, if indeed I am correct in your shooting abilities which I stated above, you will see how precision shooting instruments your Crickets truly are by giving them the chance they deserve before tearing into them.
Shoot safe and have fun! 😀
No longer tuning, have a web site to build and maintain—>then maybe?
ernest are you starting a forum too :whistle:
I turned down a lot of tunes—just because it was brand new and owner never shot it—from dealer to me, and that’s a shame I want them the break it in then decide if a tune is required.
No longer tuning, have a web site to build and maintain—>then maybe?
Hi Sippy,
Before going the route of tuning the guns, I highly recommend that you shoot them first. The Cricket is as accurate as any other well-made airgun and is ready to shoot with pinpoint accuracy from the get-go if you do these two simple things first:
1. Before shooting your first pellet, clean the barrel REALLY GOOD! The Crickets come from the factory with their barrel lathered with heavy amounts of lube or protective coating. When I first cleaned mine, it took over thirty patches to get all the stuff out! The agent was greenish in color and very thick. I used Break Free CLP as the cleaner. Once you’ve managed to get the patches coming out clean with the cleaning agent, dry-fire the gun several times to discharge any lube that may have entered the transfer port. Finally, run several more dry patches to wipe off the remaining lube.
2. Especially on a new gun, keep shooting it until all the moving parts and mechanisms have settled in and smoothed out (e.g., cocking cycle, valve components, magazine indexing system, etc.). More importantly, the regulator needs to be broken-in as the end of the piston shaft needs to mate with the delrin nut. By letting it go through this process, the delrin develops an imprint/signature of the piston shaft’s end (the one that closes and contacts the delrin nut when the regulated air pressure has been achieved). Once this process is completed, consistency tightens further.
I never touched the barrels on my two and just tuned and did triggers myself. Both shoot under 1/2 inch at 50 yds. Many don’t come like that, though, with the barrel and would send it off. I know more than a few guys that messed up their barrels trying to lap them on PCPs and one doing a crown. It never quite shot right again. 😛 I would send it off to Ernest if you can’t fix it with the right pellet and self-tuning and trigger.
I’m with Bee , shoot them first and see what they will do without a tune . My Crickets were all tuned before I got them but I’ve seen some INCREDIBLE groups from off the shelf guns !! You won’t tknow till you try .
I get the tuning thing but some Crickets shoot lights out from the factory. I bought a 25 Syn. Brand new a few years ago and it is the most accurate airgun I own. Including my other crickets & Colibris. Haven’t had it open or changed a single o ring or even turned a screw on her. Basically threw a scope on, sighted it in and the rest is history. I don’t know how I could improve it . I’m curious as to what it is about your Kalibrguns you want to improve ? Do they not perform to your liking ? I confess Im a tinkerer as well and have no problem tearing into one of these, so I get that too.
By the way, welcome. And thanks for your service . It’s much appreciated.
218bee
Just send it to Ernest and let him do his magic, much easier and less mess…..
Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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You are welcome, Ginuwine. And thank you for your comments. I thought this morning was a good time to return to the range as it’s always a beautiful day here in the valley. Moreover, I wanted to see how my Cricket would fare at its current power level. As much as I enjoyed my time shooting there, I equally enjoyed driving to the place. I got to see many fields of farmland in the countryside and on the way back home I was thinking that one of these days I’m going to approach one of the farm owners and ask if they need any help in getting rid of some of the pest birds on their property. 🙂
Yes, it is important to follow good shooting technique when one wants to hit what he aims at. Without it, he would be chasing the point-of-impact in frustration. It took me many years and pellets — by the cases — and practice to develop strict discipline in shooting. In my early days of shooting, I was perhaps like some folks here too who have difficulty in attempting to repeatedly place a pellet on the point-of-aim. But I was determined to improve on my shooting skills, and that determination has gotten me to where I presently am. I spent, and continue to do so, more on pellets than airguns. In fact, pellets are more important to me than the airguns themselves. 😀 I have lost count of the amount of tins I’ve emptied, but if I were to “guesstimate” I think I’ve expended around 250,000 rounds (conservatively). And the number will continue to rise as I enjoy shooting. I still, however, consider myself a continuous learner and in constant practice.
In the posts/articles you mentioned you read — and thank you for your time in doing so — honestly, the techniques stated are actually what constitutes my overall shooting technique. There are no secrets, really, to precise shooting. The fundamentals, with a little understanding of basic physics, are actually THE SECRETS. All it takes is putting in the time and practice to allow those fundamentals to naturally be in place every time you shoot. I always emphasize in many of my posts/articles, especially those related to accuracy, that it is discipline in shooting that enables one to be accurate. Having such discipline allows one to almost feel the shot. I’ve been into this hobby and have enjoyed it for such a long time (way before the internet came of age), and I wish the same for fellow airgunners. And it is through my posts such as those, hopefully, that will inspire them to become good at shooting too and enjoy it as much as I do.
Remember: Accuracy is simply a product of consistency and a little understanding of physics. Once accuracy has been mastered, precision shooting becomes possible.
Cheers, shoot safe, and have fun!