Airgun Depot's Airsenal News

There are several things that affect our ability as shooters. First of all, we have to contend with the elements such as wind, and extreme heat or cold. It is seldom that we have the perfect shooting day, and learning to cope with the different temperatures we find ourselves shooting in just makes us a better shooter. 

Next, there are equipment issues. Today's blog entry deals with an issue that comes to the forefront when we elect to use a scope. For many, the scope is the sighting device of choice, and using it brings an issue to the table that many don't know how to cope with.....parallax. 

Parallax can be a shooter's nightmare if you aren't aware of how it works and how it affects your shooting. Simply put, parallax is an optical issue, or phenomenon, that can mean the difference between hitting and missing our target. Just as water can bend the light rays and make underwater objects appear where they aren't, parallax can put your crosshairs off the target, even though it may appear that you are on target.

Here's a good way to test your scope to see if it is experiencing parallax. Place your crosshairs on the target, then move your head side to side without moving the gun. If the image wavers, and the crosshairs travels, then you are experiencing parallax. Perhaps a better way of demonstrating this is to give you the following link that gives a brief video of parallax:

http://www.vimeo.com/2142332


Watch how the crosshairs travel, even though the gun isn't moving around. It's all an optical illusion that can cost you a bullseye, or a game animal if you are hunting! The best way to eliminate parallax issues is to have a consistent hold, with a consistent cheek-weld (where your face meets the rifle stock) that places your eye in the same position relative to the scope for each shot. That way you are repeating the same sighting procedures, and are less likely to experience parallax and its ill effects on your targeting.

Of the scopes that you find here at Airgun Depot, many come with an AO (adjustable objective), which greatly aids in eliminating parallax. Check out the great scope selection and take advantage of the built-in aids for eliminating parallax. If you are a hunter, then you owe it to the game you are hunting to be as precise as possible, and understanding parallax will help. If you are a target shooter, then being able to more precisely home in on your bullseye will bring added joy and satisfaction to an already enjoyable past time.

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 09:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Years ago, there was a TV show hosted by Leonard Nimoy, the actor who portrayed Spock on Star Trek, titled "In Search Of....". It was a great little show, seeking to explain phenomenom and other interesting things that make you go "hmmm". As an airgunner, there have been times when I've wondered about this or that on issues of airgunning, and have taken refuge in the experience and expertise of others.

One very useful bit of information has been catalogued and is available for download. A fellow airgunner on one of the many airgun forums took the time to make so much information easily available that I wanted to share with you how to access it.

Rather than fill up the page here on the blog with several printed pages of instructions, I'll post a link to where you can find the directions to access this wealth of knowledge. Here it is:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/message/1175918158/Airgun+Reference+Library+Updated 

There is quite a bit of info there, so be sure to follow the directions to use the torrent download option in order to access the wealth of knowledge available.

Another useful little software package that helps airgunners the world over enjoy sharing pictures of their airguns, hunting trophies, or other airgun related events, is a little gem called IrfanView. Most forums and websites that allow you to upload pictures want you to downsize the original to a more manageable size so that the website can still load quickly. IrfanView is great for resizing and otherwise working with your pictures in order to save, adjust, and post your pictures for the benefit of others. And, it was developed by a fellow airgunner Irfan Skiljan, a graduate of the Vienna University of Technology. And it's FREE!

Hook up your IrfanView-manipulated files to a free picture hosting service such as Photobucket, and you are ready to share your pics with others. And making our shooting community bigger and more influential is one of the keys to keeping our shooting and hunting rights safe from the advances of those who would do away with them. So check out these resources, and enjoy your airgun shooting with more knowledge at your fingertips, and an easier way to share your hobby pics with others.

Don't forget to grab a holiday supply of ammo, or pick up that perfect airgun gift here at Airgun Depot before the holiday rush! 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 07:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you enjoy hiking and shooting in combination, then you need to take a look at Crosman's Walking/Shooting stick. This little item is full of features that hikers, shooters, and photography buffs will enjoy. Let's take a look.....

The shooting stick features: 

Monopod
Designed for hunting, hiking & wildlife observation
Lightweight aluminum alloy
Spring-loaded, anti-shock design
30" to 63" adjustable length
V-yoke converts to a shooting stick!
Twist off cap to attach camera, spotting scope or other observation gear, or attach the shooting V for a steady shot in the sitting, kneeling or standing position
Includes rubber tip for paved surfaces, snow disc, & wrist strap with compass & thermometer
Two telescoping tubes quickly extend and lock into place up to 63”

There are lots of accessories, but for an all-around winner, this monopod stick may be at the top of the list. If you hunt, you should always try and get a firm rest before shooting. And this item gives you that needed rest to produce the best shot you can at your game animal. If you enjoy photography, then you will have a firm rest with which to produce your best photo. And for hikers, the stick will help with reducing fatigue, and to beat the bush ahead of you for snakes and other undesirables!

And aid to preventing getting lost is the included compass, as well as a thermometer to keep an eye on the weather. Hypothermia can sneak up on you if you aren't careful, and weather awareness is important for hunters and hikers alike.

Now, let's say you are carrying your stick in one hand. Do you really want to have the other hand full of airgun for the entire hike? To avoid this, get yourself a handy sling like this one:

http://www.airgundepot.com/leapers-deluxe-multi-functional-tactical-rifle-sling.html 

Accessorizing correctly can make any outdoor or shooting event much more enjoyable. And these two items are sure winners for almost everyone who gets outside and uses their airguns. Take advantage of the great selection of accessories that Airgun Depot provides and enjoy your shooting more and more each day. 

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 06:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the nicest things about shooting an airgun is that you aren't relegated automatically to cleanining it once you are done shooting. Airguns have the virtue of not dirtying up their barrels like firearms, due mostly to the absence of a burning propellant of some kind. However, airguns will eventually need some attention in certain areas, and doing it the correct way will help insure the accuracy and long-term use of your airgun.

First, when you get a new airgun, realize that there are packing grease, oils, and preservatives in the barrel. You really want to get rid of these deposits in order to enjoy the best accuracy you can get from your new airgun. But if you are a firearm shooter, avoid the urge to grab your rimfire cleaning kit and scrub the barrel. Airgun barrels, for the most part, aren't made out of firearm-grade steel, and an uncoated rod will scratch the inside of the barrel and possibly damage the accuracy of your airgun. And DO NOT use your harsh solvents found in your cleaning kit for firearms. You'll ruin seals and make your airgun useless.

To clean your new airgun, use a pull-through if you have one. Start a patch soaked with a citrus-based cleaner of some kind from the breech end, and pull toward the muzzle. If you don't have a pull-through, a coated rod of some kind will suffice. Run a couple of patches through that have been dampened with cleaner, and when they come out clean, run a couple of more dry ones through to dry out the barrel. 

Here are some products available from Airgun Depot to assist you with your cleaning needs:

Hoppe's BoreSnake for .177 caliber airguns 

http://www.airgundepot.com/boresnake-gunmate-rifle-cleaner.html 

RWS Shooter's Kit 

http://www.airgundepot.com/rws-177-shooterskit.html 

Gamo Air Rifle Maintenance Center

http://www.airgundepot.com/gamo-rifle-maintenance-center.html 

These products, as well as some others found at Airgun Depot, will help you keep your airgun up and running for years and years.

To finish, realize that many competitive shooters never clean their barrels until they begin to perceive a degredation in their accuracy. You don't have to clean often, so be careful that you don't over-do your maintenance. Airguns are much more shooter friendly when it comes to their maintenance needs. Their main enemy is dust and particles getting into their moving parts, not the leading up of the barrel interior. When you are done shooting, wipe the metal parts down with a good preservative and store appropriately to keep dust and debris from working their way into the gun. If you are using optics, place your scope covers to keep your lenses clean, and store it until the next time you are ready to enjoy your airgun shooting hobby!

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 08:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)