Break Barrel A few questions; I smell smoke? New to me HW 77

[Awl In]

Just getting my feet wet with this new to me vintage hw77. This thing is a tank and a real joy to shoot. And now I have questions.

First, I see and smell smoke. I see a puff when I cock and open the breach to reload. The breach is coated with a thin layer of oil. f
a) is the smoke normal? I don't know much about springers, but I have heard about dieseling?
b) The rifle appears to have been cosmolined from the factory, and it looks like the original owner did not fully strip it off (which is something I always do on the import rifles I have purchased in the past.) Is this to be expected?
3) I assume that when I break this down for a power upgrade (its a UK import) that I should thoroughly degrease the whole thing?

Second, I removed the rear sight and threw on a Hawke 3-9 x 50, because, at 10 yards, it looked like I was shooting a shotgun. I shot from a tripod rest and the groups look as pictured. WIthout knowing what to expect as far as accuracy, is this in the realm of acceptable? I would expect tighter groups, but I just cleaned the barrel and shot with some Hobby 11.9gr wadcutters.



All comments and shared wisdom appreciated. I really like this gun. I have owned two springers before this, and this is by far the most quality piece of the three.

 

[Linehauler73]

I am no springer guy but I’m pretty sure the smoke is normal and as it breaks in will go away. As far as accuracy shooting a springer is an art. They are a different animal due to the different recoil. Others will most likely chime in but you have to find the hold your gun likes and repeat it every time.

 

[Danman]

Just getting my feet wet with this new to me vintage hw77. This thing is a tank and a real joy to shoot. And now I have questions.

First, I see and smell smoke. I see a puff when I cock and open the breach to reload. The breach is coated with a thin layer of oil. f
a) is the smoke normal? I don't know much about springers, but I have heard about dieseling?
b) The rifle appears to have been cosmolined from the factory, and it looks like the original owner did not fully strip it off (which is something I always do on the import rifles I have purchased in the past.) Is this to be expected?
3) I assume that when I break this down for a power upgrade (its a UK import) that I should thoroughly degrease the whole thing?

Second, I removed the rear sight and threw on a Hawke 3-9 x 50, because, at 10 yards, it looked like I was shooting a shotgun. I shot from a tripod rest and the groups look as pictured. WIthout knowing what to expect as far as accuracy, is this in the realm of acceptable? I would expect tighter groups, but I just cleaned the barrel and shot with some Hobby 11.9gr wadcutters.

View attachment 23851

All comments and shared wisdom appreciated. I really like this gun. I have owned two springers before this, and this is by far the most quality piece of the three.

There is dieseling and there is detonating. My fairly new .177 HW50 was smelling the same way today after a few shots. I've cleaned the barrel and tightened stock screws but shot it as-is other than that.
Option 1 is to just keep shooting it till it goes away, or like u say; a full strip down, clean, and reassemble with proper lube, but keeping it out of the piston chamber.
Definitely run it over a chrono if you have one and see what its doing