Spring/Piston My TX200 Has Done it Again. . . Broke it's Scope Stop Pin

[Hoppalong Doc]

As much as I love my TX200, It broke again this afternoon. Well, not the rifle itself exactly, but the scope stop pin sheared off. I use Sportsmatch scope rings with the pre-installed stop pin (from AoA). This is the 2nd time in the 6 years I've been shooting my TX200 that its severed this pin. As I always do, prior to shooting, I tightened all the stock, trigger and scope fasteners. This time the scope moved back nearly half an inch before I caught it. This past winter I installed a Vortek PG4 full-power tune. The firing cycle is smooth and quiet, as expected. I have two other springers, a HW97K and a HW50S. What am I doing wrong? Should I be using another brand of scope rings? All my scopes are quality Hawke scopes, so I 'm not worried about them as they have lifetime warranties. So help here, friends . . . Orv.

 

[Roamin Greco 1]

You are not doing anything wrong. It's just physics. You can add weight to the rifle somehow or use a lighter scope. Perhaps you can add another scope stop (without a pin) behind the front ring. Something like this?

 

[Pesty3782]

I have used those scope stops before on other springers, but my TX I have never had an issue. I am only shooting 11 FPE though.

Tony P.

 

[Madhatter]

This is what I used on my Diana 48. It never moved at all.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/358310589515?_skw=rws+mount&itmmeta=01M1MN2ZRH83GGA3ZSXGEV2THT&hash=item536cf9b44b:g:cOIAAeSwXJ1psGvW&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA4DKQclQvzFwZQpmMrsO4LupPnBX1CjxcOeqnBn6DEYDXKuH8CSVOBWJH5iKBenQ0IR0YYlMiGZsZpF4OEM%2B%2FlSft03%2FAL3pZhAFeHLHHRn8zJ9UXjcfJm9pJ66i9BXsEqNB7dW6GhRFFt9SV%2BFiNcYn7zEFKpKY46Gxr6Cr3DATpIYwlqrlLKQbBb%2FG9T8aJdRG%2Fu7iJUA7Wh%2FOKDU2h3kHWLef%2B2Ig0qkPzTuirkxMCVdkYtNWC7TLB7MmeSwYG3WymlqgikrAEvIYj%2BEHoN0bGTeT7j5ZyCqrM91taWyHM%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7j8i5WNaA

 

[jps2486]

What's the torque on the scope rings? I torque mine to 30 in lbs. This is surprising since the TX is a smooth shooting gun.

 

[Danman]

As much as I love my TX200, It broke again this afternoon. Well, not the rifle itself exactly, but the scope stop pin sheared off. I use Sportsmatch scope rings with the pre-installed stop pin (from AoA). This is the 2nd time in the 6 years I've been shooting my TX200 that its severed this pin. As I always do, prior to shooting, I tightened all the stock, trigger and scope fasteners. This time the scope moved back nearly half an inch before I caught it. This past winter I installed a Vortek PG4 full-power tune. The firing cycle is smooth and quiet, as expected. I have two other springers, a HW97K and a HW50S. What am I doing wrong? Should I be using another brand of scope rings? All my scopes are quality Hawke scopes, so I 'm not worried about them as they have lifetime warranties. So help here, friends . . . Orv.

Hey Doc, my question would be; what are you replacing those broken stop pins with? Maybe they are a softer (or hardened) metal and can't handle the stresses of the repeated recoil from a springer?
I am running the same rings on my TX also with a Hawke scope without issue, although I doubt it gets shot as much as yours? This winter it will be 3 years old...time flies, but no broken scope ring stop pins yet.
What i would do if it becomes a constant problem is to drill the ring base out and install the next size up pin and/or source the pins from somewhere else?

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

I have used those scope stops before on other springers, but my TX I have never had an issue. I am only shooting 11 FPE though.

Tony P.

Hey Doc, my question would be; what are you replacing those broken stop pins with? Maybe they are a softer (or hardened) metal and can't handle the stresses of the repeated recoil from a springer?
I am running the same rings on my TX also with a Hawke scope without issue, although I doubt it gets shot as much as yours? This winter it will be 3 years old...time flies, but no broken scope ring stop pins yet.
What i would do if it becomes a constant problem is to drill the ring base out and install the next size up pin and/or source the pins from somewhere else?

First of all Dan, I'm using the pins included with my Sportsmatch Rings. These are a premium brand as far as I know. They are high rings because the Hawke scope I'm using is 30mm and relatively long. I could go into my ritual of tightening everything down before shooting but I'll refrain in fear of boring you all to death. Anyway, I spent quite a good while on the phone with the tech from AoA before narrowing the likelihood of my problem being that I'm not pounding the drop pin far enough into the top of the receiver rail. I've also noticed that the hole in the current ring seems to have morphed from round to slightly oval. To answer your question Dan, the drop pins supplied by Sportsmatch are a rolled piece of steel, giving the pin it's strength. The new rings should be here on Monday, so we shall see. It got to late to hit the range this afternoon so I gave the rifle a good going over with Renaissance Wax and a few drops of Pelgun Oil applied appropriately. My TX200 has given me fits over these 6 plus years of service, but I'm truly convinced that its now operating at it's potential. Now if I can operate at mine as well. For these next few days my HW97K will just have to suffice. Aww, poor me. Orv.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

I have used those scope stops before on other springers, but my TX I have never had an issue. I am only shooting 11 FPE though.

Tony P.

Tony: my TX200, .22 cal., with it's Vortek PG4 tune hits in the area of 15 fpe., varied a bit by which pellet is being shot at the time over the chronograph. By the way, I'd sure enjoy watching you and your favorite blonde competiting one day over there in the desert. Might even try getting off a few shots myself. Orv.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

This is what I used on my Diana 48. It never moved at all.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/358310589515?_skw=rws+mount&itmmeta=01M1MN2ZRH83GGA3ZSXGEV2THT&hash=item536cf9b44b:g:cOIAAeSwXJ1psGvW&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA4DKQclQvzFwZQpmMrsO4LupPnBX1CjxcOeqnBn6DEYDXKuH8CSVOBWJH5iKBenQ0IR0YYlMiGZsZpF4OEM%2B%2FlSft03%2FAL3pZhAFeHLHHRn8zJ9UXjcfJm9pJ66i9BXsEqNB7dW6GhRFFt9SV%2BFiNcYn7zEFKpKY46Gxr6Cr3DATpIYwlqrlLKQbBb%2FG9T8aJdRG%2Fu7iJUA7Wh%2FOKDU2h3kHWLef%2B2Ig0qkPzTuirkxMCVdkYtNWC7TLB7MmeSwYG3WymlqgikrAEvIYj%2BEHoN0bGTeT7j5ZyCqrM91taWyHM%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7j8i5WNaA

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, my Hawke scope work as its a 30mm tube. I have a one piece scope mount that I've tried, but it wasn't able to fit. Thanks again, Orv.

 

[cosmic]

Use a tiny amount of grinding compound in the scope grooves of the receiver .. Then mount you scope rings on top of the compound..

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

Use a tiny amount of grinding compound in the scope grooves of the receiver .. Then mount you scope rings on top of the compound..

Tell me how this works, please, Orv.

 

[Madhatter]

It's like putting sand on ice.

 

[Danman]

I spent quite a good while on the phone with the tech from AoA before narrowing the likelihood of my problem being that I'm not pounding the drop pin far enough into the top of the receiver rail. I've also noticed that the hole in the current ring seems to have morphed from round to slightly oval.

Ah, that could be it! I remember installing my sportsmatch rings the first time...tried tapping that pin into place while mounted on the rifle, I quickly realized that was a terrible idea lol.
Definitely send the pin about as far down as it will go and test fit on the rifle till its right, I recall the Hawke mounts used a set scew instead of a pin, for them I'd suggest a dab of blue locktite.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

Ah, that could be it! I remember installing my sportsmatch rings the first time...tried tapping that pin into place while mounted on the rifle, I quickly realized that was a terrible idea lol.
Definitely send the pin about as far down as it will go and test fit on the rifle till its right, I recall the Hawke mounts used a set scew instead of a pin, for them I'd suggest a dab of blue locktite.

I really appreciate your answer. Your comment about the Hawke mounts using a set screw intrigues me. Do you think that the Hawke system is superior to that of Sportsmatch? Sportsmatch has a great reputation and is what Pyramyd and AoA has recommended in the past, so I've simply gone along. The way I've installed the Sportsmatch is to gently tap the pin into the 11 mm. scope rail firmly, but not so as to cause damage. I'm guessing that there's something like 1/4 to 3/8's of an inch protruding above the rail for the scope mount to adhere to. On the Sportsmatch ring there is a hole so that the pin can be viewed. I don’t know what more to say here, but this is the 2nd pin that's been sheared of on my TX200. The initial one installed six years ago lasted for 5 years, this 2nd one just a year plus a few months. I've always thought that a TX200 had a mild recoil. I do feel that with the Vortek PG4 HO Tune that the entire shooting cycle is very smooth. My HW97K, although it doesn't have a tune, is much harsher to shoot and cock, although it is just as accurate as any sppringer out there. If I'm doing something wrong here, theac me. I'm addicted to shooting all three of my springers (to include my HW50s) and find shooting to be a pleasant way for this old man to spend his afternoons. Orv.

 

[Danman]

I really appreciate your answer. Your comment about the Hawke mounts using a set screw intrigues me. Do you think that the Hawke system is superior to that of Sportsmatch? Sportsmatch has a great reputation and is what Pyramyd and AoA has recommended in the past, so I've simply gone along. The way I've installed the Sportsmatch is to gently tap the pin into the 11 mm. scope rail firmly, but not so as to cause damage. I'm guessing that there's something like 1/4 to 3/8's of an inch protruding above the rail for the scope mount to adhere to. On the Sportsmatch ring there is a hole so that the pin can be viewed. I don’t know what more to say here, but this is the 2nd pin that's been sheared of on my TX200. The initial one installed six years ago lasted for 5 years, this 2nd one just a year plus a few months. I've always thought that a TX200 had a mild recoil. I do feel that with the Vortek PG4 HO Tune that the entire shooting cycle is very smooth. My HW97K, although it doesn't have a tune, is much harsher to shoot and cock, although it is just as accurate as any sppringer out there. If I'm doing something wrong here, theac me. I'm addicted to shooting all three of my springers (to include my HW50s) and find shooting to be a pleasant way for this old man to spend his afternoons. Orv.

I definitely dont think the Hawke design is superior, i suppose the screw could back out overtime, get buggered threads, or even snap off with recoil as your sportmatch pin did?
I ran 2 hawke scope & ring combos on both my AirArms rifles and both have since been switched to sportsmatch rings. They centered the scope ever so slightly better too.
How many tins of pellets do you think you put through your TX200 in a year Doc? I recall @Hateful would often replace the main spring on his HW95 rifle annually or there abouts but he shot a TON of pellets through his springers....I might shoot 1000 pellets a year through mine.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

Dan . . . as a retired old man, I have a bit more time to enjoy time on the range shooting than a young working guy like you. I'm really most fortunate to have a well designed Bench Rest/Field Target range in our seniors resort just five minutes away by golf cart. To answer your question, I fire about a thousand pellets a month, mostly with my TX200 when it's healthy, but also through my HW97K and more recently through my HW50S. I also shoot my Sheridan, Dragonfly, and my my pistols on occasion. My primary airguns are my TX200 & HW97K. All told, I probably shoot somewhere in the neighborhood of twelve thousand pellets annually. I've got an awful lot of empty ammo cans in my gunshed. . . would you like some? (A few years back my dear wife talked me into putting a large trash bag of them in the dumpster, but I've still got plenty. Happy Labor Day, Orv.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

You are not doing anything wrong. It's just physics. You can add weight to the rifle somehow or use a lighter scope. Perhaps you can add another scope stop (without a pin) behind the front ring. Something like this?

I'm not sure how this application with my scope riding over the back of the rail and the safety release being right there as well. I guess that I'm just not quite seeing the picture here. Orv.

 

[Scriv]

I too am curious about the torque value of the mounting screws. I would suggest that you torque them to maximum allowable value, and see if that helps.

 

[Danman]

Dan . . . as a retired old man, I have a bit more time to enjoy time on the range shooting than a young working guy like you. I'm really most fortunate to have a well designed Bench Rest/Field Target range in our seniors resort just five minutes away by golf cart. To answer your question, I fire about a thousand pellets a month, mostly with my TX200 when it's healthy, but also through my HW97K and more recently through my HW50S. I also shoot my Sheridan, Dragonfly, and my my pistols on occasion. My primary airguns are my TX200 & HW97K. All told, I probably shoot somewhere in the neighborhood of twelve thousand pellets annually. I've got an awful lot of empty ammo cans in my gunshed. . . would you like some? (A few years back my dear wife talked me into putting a large trash bag of them in the dumpster, but I've still got plenty. Happy Labor Day, Orv.

Well that to me is the answer than sir, there is nothing (good) that you can or should do. Your TX snapped 2 pins in 6 years @ maybe 1000pellets/month. To be safe even if we chop that # in half and say 500/month thats 6k/yr @ 1 pin every 3 yrs that means conservatively each pin has survived 18,000+ pellets easily, possibly up to double that!
I say shoot-on Doc 'as you were'. There's extreme things you can do but I wouldn't. Maybe every couple months retorque everything if you arent already, but.... that is alot of lead down range.
Also...I struggle to throw away my empty tins too
Have you ever replaced just the pin then, or do you just get a whole new set of rings Doc?

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

1) if the pin can easily be removed, I use my reverse drill bits to remove it. Unfortunately, my skills are such that the pins are often damaged or or broken off in the ring. My first pin snapped off in the scope rail and my drill was unable to be extracted.
2) the first pin ovaled the pin hole in the ring so I replaced it. This second broken pin I chose not to bother trying to re-use the scope rings,. A new set of Sportsmatch Rings should arrive tomorrow from AoA.
3) I chelck all my rifle/scope fasteners before AlLL hooting times.I do this without fail. My TX200 has more loose screws than any of my other rifles, especially the forearm stock screws. I find the scope fasteners remain tighter longer.

I shot my HW97K on the range for 3 hours this afternoon. I'm beat this evening, but smiling.I followed up by my evening exercise routine and am now at rest. Ahh. . . tomorrow's another day. Orv