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Hawker · New Member

Hello folks, long time lurker but first time poster.

I purchased an 880S this weekend and I'm trying to sight it in. I'm no expert but I've sighted in a few guns in my lifetime. Bottom line: after shooting 25 pellets I have a great group...but they are all two inches high and two inches to the right.

I have moved the rear sight all the way in both directions and interestingly...there has been no change at all, NONE. From a pure physics standpoint I'm a bit mystified. Seems to me that when you move the sight that much the pellets ought to be moving around some way...but I'm not seeing any change at all.

I'm shooting at 15 yards, eight pumps and using Crosman pellets. I have not yet tried the scope that came with the gun, wanting to get the some sort of accuracy with the sights first.

Thanks for any suggestions.

NZ Shooter · Suspended

I encountered simlilar issues years ago. Albeit on my very first 'cheap' air rifle.
Problem was a loose rear sight. Not too sure if that's your issue, but even minimal movement can affect impact point alot, even after adjustments to windage / elevation.
May pay to inspect front sight too...

radar · Silver Status Member

I have problems with the rear sight screw on those. When it's tightened, it moves the rear sight back to where it was before.
Try keep shooting another 50 pellets of the same kind to condition the bore to them so you can be sure the pellet POI isn't just moving as you keep chasing it with the sight. Unlikely they would both go to the same place to the same amount, but it can happen.
Make a tiny mark on the sight to see how far you moved it and make sure it stayed there when you cinched down the screw. Make sure the front sight is not loose, also, and when you move the elevation ramp, see that it is settled into the notch. Wiggle the rear sight a little with your fingers after each adjustment to try to settle it into its "happy place."

HTH

Welcome to the forum!

Hawker · New Member

Radar, you are correct. When tightening the screw the sight does have a tendency to drift back to where it started...not exactly a super high quality design I'm afraid.

However, I'm embarrassed to say that I was moving the sight in the wrong direction the entire time and actually making it worse in the process. Guess it's time to check into the home. Smile

It's getting close and by tomorrow I hope to have quarter size groups at least...then I'll mount the scope and see where that goes. I've not heard great things about the scope that comes with this gun so may end up buying something just a tad better.

That said...I'm very happy with the power this gun has and the overall feel in spite of the fact that so much plastic is used. I'm hoping to take care of the huge number of squirrels in my yard as well as a woodchuck that is digging monster holes in my lawn. I think this gun should do the trick.

Anyone have a specific pellet that you're partial to with this gun?

Thanks again.

radar · Silver Status Member

Ya. I been meaning to check into some sort of home for years. I hear they get Jello in the evenings.

Those are really good little hunters for the money. I have one. The scope is lame but can still shoot a squirrel with it.
Well every gun "likes" different pellets for accuracy, and also needs to shoot some (usually 15-25 will do) to get the bore conditioned to be accurate with them whenever you switch...Not always, but usually.
So if you try a new pellet, give it plenty of shots before you condemn or accept it. Pellet guns and pellets are just funny that way.

For short range, like 15-20 yards, I like Crosman Destroyer for hunting. Beyond that, they usually go all over the place. I think they lose to much velocity and wobble beyond that. They hit hard at short range though.
Crosman Premiers are a good bet to try for all ranges. (Always use domed or hollowpoint domed (rounded nose) pellets for hunting, not the flat nosed wadcutters.)
Hard to beat JSB Exact or H&N Sport brands in most guns if you don't mind ordering them. I usually get them online from Pyramyd Air.
For a .177 caliber pump-up rifle, I would recommend keeping the weight at not over 10 or 11 grains, nor less than 7 grains. Most run 7.3 to 7.9 grains weight. You want a good combination of speed vs. momentum for a given caliber and power level. I would stay away from any gimmicky lead-free (PBA) pellets or stuff with plastic points or whatever. (OK, the Destroyers I mentioned are a tad gimmicky, I think) Just get a good, midweight, domed, lead pellet and give it a good 30+ shot test. Stick to what you find best.

I have had zero luck with Daisy hunting pellets. So inaccurate I couldn't even sight the gun in at 20 yards.

Edit: A word about pointed pellets--they are OK, but not as aerodynamic as most domed pellets. Sounds strange, but true. They tend to be less accurate and not penetrate any better than the domed type, either.

-Rob

NZ Shooter · Suspended

Hawker · New Member

Thanks radar, most helpful for a new air gun guy. Appreciate it.

I'm also searching this board trying to bring myself up to speed. I have a feeling something in the $250 range may be next. Smile

NZ Shooter · Suspended

radar · Silver Status Member

SMP · Silver Status Member

Lol....

SMP · Silver Status Member

radar · Silver Status Member

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Just as an 'FYI'- and I have no idea what the breakdown was- NZ Shooter posted the same post in every topic area of the forum here about an hour ago, a couple of paragraphs insulting everyone on this forum in very "earthy" language. I can only assume, based on the lack of other evidence, that it was somehow related to this topic.

No matter what the reason, the conduct was uncalled for. NZ Shooter has been banned and his ISP blocked from the site. I sent him an email so he knows how to communicate with me (lets hope appropriately) if he chooses to get his act together at some point.

That being said- people can ask whatever airgun questions for which they need answers- anyone acting as NZ Shooter did will, ultimately, be put in their place. In this case, he helped himself along quite handily and with virtually no provocation it seems.

radar · Silver Status Member

Thanks for the update. I had no problem with the fellow until he bagged on my posts for no good reason. Maybe he was just having a really bad day, and I would uiderstand that. An apology or explaination from him, however, would have been more appropriate than more undeserved insults since he was the aggressor.
I have no more to add to this and will let it die.

Hawker · New Member

Again, thanks for your help guys.

And just in case anyone is wondering...yes, I did use the search feature before posting and have been doing a lot of research in the archives to get myself up to speed.