TENRINGS

Pellet group testing of Steyr Sportwaffen LP10E pistol

Having now started to get used to the brand new Steyr Sportwaffen LP10E, it has been decided to carry out some basic pellet grouping tests to enable some comparisons to be drawn between the the earlier LP1 and the LP10E pistols.

The LP10E was set up in the trusty workmate test rig and fitted with the Combo chronoscope. The ambient temperature was 6 degC and the humidity was 70% RH, variations in these condition might have a small affect on the obtained group positions, but should not adversely affect the overall group size. The pellets that were being used were 4.49 H & N Finale Match Air Rifle.

Several test shots were fired until the shot placement was near to the centre of the card. It soon became apparent that the muzzle velocity was quite a bit higher than had been experienced in previous test undertaken on the LP1 air pistol.

As it is not quite so easy to remove the grip and adjust the muzzle velocity as the grip has to be re-instated before being able to initiate the superb electronic trigger, it was decided to concentrate purely on creating test groups with the muzzle velocity at the factory setting.

Three test groups of 10 shots each were carried out, all with very good results not only in shot placement but also in terms of consistency of muzzle velocity.

The resultant test velocities in feet per second are shown below with the corresponding group placement image. The groups have not been modified in any way only moved over slightly to show a comparison with the “10” ring on the standard 10 metre targets.

Test 1:

547    538                     Average 542FPS.

547    545

542    543

546    540

546    547

Test 2:

536    548                      Average 547FPS.

548    550

540    550

548    553

546    551

Test 3:

547    545                      Average 545FPS.

548    545

547    547

544    547

542    543

As can be seen from the group patterns that have been obtained, the LP10E has created some outstanding groups. As a result of these tests, we will not be immediately attempting to adjust the muzzle velocity in search of the possibility of a tighter group.

At some point in the future this could be undertaken, purely to establish if the fairly high air usage can be improved on, as it has been found that it would not be wise to expect many more than 100 shots out of a full air cylinder, which when compared to the normal 160 shots out of the LP1 means not to expect to shoot more than one full ISSF course and sighters per cylinder.

In conclusion, this pistol works perfectly straight out of the box without the need to make any adjustments and the electronic trigger is a dream.

Further Bench testing of Steyr Sportwaffen LP1 Air Pistol

Following on from our first foray into more serious bench testing, we decided that having evaluated the grouping possibilities of different type and weights of pellets, that on this occasion we would try to determine the relevant group size and position on the target when slight variations were made to the average muzzle velocity.

As with the previous test sessions, a Combo chronoscope was fitted to the muzzle of the LP1 and carefully aligned to prevent erroneous readings. The air cylinder for the pistol was pre-charged to 200 bar before the first tests were carried out. As only a total of approximately 80 shots were fired, there is no reason to doubt the consistency of the air supply to the pistol.

The now proven and trusted pistol bench test rig was set up at 10 metres from the target and a few test elevation shots fired. It soon became apparent that with a small amount of adjustment, it would be practical to locate the resultant shot holes near to the centre of the target. Whilst not affecting the outcome of the tests, this would provide the added bonus of displaying the shot group position relevant to the ‘10’ ring.

After a few more stabilisation shots to ensure that the pre-charged air cylinder was temperature stabilised at the ambient temperature of 15ºC and relative humidity of 55% the test were started.

The pellets used were H & N Finale Match Pistol 4.49 which have been proven consistent and reliable since the Air Arms pellets used previously became unavailable.

A series of 10 shots were fired, the average muzzle velocity calculated and the resultant shot pattern card annotated. The muzzle velocity was then adjusted and some stabilisation shots fired before commencing the next test series of 10 shots. This procedure was followed for each subsequent change in muzzle velocity.

Having started at the current average operation velocity of 524FPS, the velocity was first turned up, eventually stopping at an average of 531FPS as it was felt that the group image was starting to spread. The average velocity was then turned down eventually to 519FPS, before returning back to the obvious best value of 524FPS.

As can be seen from the resultant groups, there is very little to choose between them as they are all within the ‘10’ ring. The other observation was that despite the changes in the average muzzle velocity, there was only a slight variation in the vertical position of the shots and group on the target.

In order to clarify the results and give a representative indication of the details that have been obtained, it should be noted that the diameter of the 10 ring is 11.5mm and the diameter of the 10X or carton ring is 5mm, whilst the pellet has a nominal size of "4.5mm".

The conclusions drawn from these tests are that the previously found most consistent average muzzle velocity of 524/525FPS also produces the best relevant group on the target.

Having gained this information and the reassurance that this combination of grade of pellet and average muzzle velocity produced the best results from the bench test, it is now down to the small matter of correct application of this new found confidence along with improved trigger technique to see if similar results can eventually be obtained on competition cards. That could well be a future subject all of its own.

10 shots with average of 519 FPS.

10 shots with average of 520 FPS.

10 shots with average of 521 FPS.

10 shots with average of 522 FPS.

10 shots with average of 524 FPS.

10 shots with average of 527 FPS.

10 shots with average of 530 FPS.

10 shots with average of 531 FPS.