Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

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pedro.m.reis
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Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:12 pm

Hi all, newbie question again :).

I'm in the process of changing my TX200 mainspring. I bought it 2nd hand and I'm doing a change on springs, guides, seals, o-rings, etc. For now I'm going with a factory one.

But, I' wondering, what makes a mainspring a "good" one. What makes an aftermarket spring "better" than an original one? And, in your opinion, what is the "best" mainspring.

I'm looking for accuracy and consistency not power. My main objective is Field Target practicing.

BR

Pedro
TX200 Mk3
HW50
Diana mod. 25 (being rebuild)

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Timmytree
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Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2015 11:50 am

Re: Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

Tue Jul 25, 2017 5:49 pm

"Better" is down to the user. Many people change springs, buy kits, different seals, top hats and guides and then swear that their rifle is so much better than standard. Personally I've tried all of that in my Prosport over the years and gained nothing. The standard spring is good as long as the ends are finished properly. A well fitted guide will always be better than a sloppy one.
Decent lubrication and finding the right pellet is far more important, pellet weight will affect the "feel" of the shot cycle, you can fine tune by altering tophat weight with washers or altering preload at the guide end.

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pedro.m.reis
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Re: Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:05 pm

Timmytree wrote:[...] you can fine tune by altering tophat weight with washers or altering preload at the guide end.

Tks for the insight!

What is the difference on adding washers on the guide (back) or on the tophat (front)? Dont they just "compress" the spring?

And what is a "shot cycle"?
TX200 Mk3
HW50
Diana mod. 25 (being rebuild)

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Timmytree
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Re: Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:24 pm

Shot cycle is the interval between pulling the trigger and the pellet exiting the barrel.
The "feel" can be affected by piston weight, pellet weight and fit, even the lead compound can make a difference. Raising power with washers can actually make things worse because it can increase recoil. Adding or subtracting weight at the tophat can balance the piston weight to match the pellet being used. With a springer lighter pellets are usually better anyway.
The two main characteristics you will encounter whilst "fiddling" are bounce and slam. Slam is when the piston hits the end of the cylinder wall, bounce is when the piston rebounds off a cushion of air, usually because the pellet is too heavy or too tight or sometimes because the spring is weak or hasn't got enough preload.
Springers are a dark art!
With your TX I would start by looking at guide and tophat from Tinbum Tuning to fit a standard spring and try that for a while. After that you have the option of short stroking, sleeving and alteration of transfer port. I've only tried short stroking and didn't like it!

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GrandadG
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Location: Bedale North Yorkshire

Re: Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:31 pm

Very good explanation there Tim :D
HW100T .177
AA Prosport .177
AA S200 .177 Huma Reg

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pedro.m.reis
Posts: 31
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Re: Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:45 pm

Timmytree wrote:With your TX I would start by looking at guide and tophat from Tinbum Tuning to fit a standard spring and try that for a while. After that you have the option of short stroking, sleeving and alteration of transfer port. I've only tried short stroking and didn't like it!


Im doing that already, waiting for the spring and kit to arrive.
Thanks for the explanation!

One funny fact, everybody on my FT club uses JSB exact or express, springers and pcp alike.
TX200 Mk3
HW50
Diana mod. 25 (being rebuild)

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FPoole
Posts: 339
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Re: Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:14 pm

Many guns have factory springs that are less than good. AA factory springs are high quality and have given me good service. I also use springs from Air Rifle Headquarters, here in the U.S., and they are of excellent quality. I've also found springs will vary from spring to spring even though they are the same part number. Luckily with the TX200, a spring change takes only a few minutes.

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pedro.m.reis
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Re: Question on springs: What is a "good" mainspring?

Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:21 am

Got the mainspring.
Did the "roll in the table" test on it. It is not "perfect" but I think it's normal a little "wobbling". Also inspected the spring ends. Seemed ok for an untrained eye :).
Now lets wait for the Tbt kit to arrive :)
TX200 Mk3
HW50
Diana mod. 25 (being rebuild)

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