TargetTalk

We have just purchased a CO2 air rifle and were looking for some answers. We have a couple of questions regarding filling the cylinders.

1) When filling the cylinders it is possible to overfill and how do we know when it is full? Can we add more to cylinder after removing it to weigh or do we need to empty and start over?

2) Can we store the cylinder on the gun? Do we want the cylinders full or empty when storing?

3) We will live in South Dakota so will the warm weather have any affect on the cylinder when shooting?

Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated including any web sites that would be helpful.

Thanks in advance,

I write without knowing the specifics of the Daisy, but generalizing on CO2 airguns: The cylinder will likely be stamped with the 'tare' weight. This is the weight of the empty cylinder. The charge weight of CO2 and/or the weight of the 'full' cylinder will also be marked.
After filling the cylinder, weigh it on a postal scale. Relatively inexpensive scales can be purchased at Radio Shack or similar stores. Accuracy to + or - a gram is sufficient. If the cylinder is overweight, discharge some of the CO2 by pressing, gently, on the discharge valve. (Usually a tool to do this is provided with the gun.) Be careful to keep your hand clear of the discharge stream as the CO2 will be very cold - and possibly at high velocity if you do not press the valve gently.
You do not have to empty the cylinder before refilling it or topping it off.
As to storing on or off the gun, check out a very recent thread on this forum for a discussion on the pros and cons. Off the gun, it is fine to store the cylinders full, partially full, or empty.
While CO2 is subject to greater pressure change with temperature change than air, I don't believe the temperatures indoors in South Dakota will be of concern. The cylinder will need to be warmed (or cooled) to room temperature after sitting outdoors in the car in the cold winter months or in the hot summer months.

my son shoots a daisy 888 co2 pellet rifle, you can get a instruction sheet from cmp programs@odcmp.com

as far as storing the cylinder attached to the gun daisy dose not reccomend it, look in the back of the owners manual

if you chill the cylinder prior to filling you will get a better fill, if you don't you will have to discharge it before trying again, it just takes practice.

we live in missouri and have not had any problems,but i was told if you are driving a long way to a shoot you should store the cylinder in a cooler with a couple of ice packs, on hot days

1) When filling the cylinders it is possible to overfill and how do we know when it is full? Can we add more to cylinder after removing it to weigh or do we need to empty and start over?

YES --- It is possible to overfill. I use a postal scale set to grams.
An empty cylinder is approx 405 grams
(2.5oz = 70.87 grams so....)
475 (total weight) is the absolute MAX I recommend
460-475 grams will easily get a shooter thru two 3x20's
440-465 grams will get them thru a 3x20
below 440 needs a refill
I always cool the cylinders before filling ... I place them in the freezer for a half hour or so .... partially filled is better than empty .... I never let mine go all the way empty, just harder to fill them if you do. Usually, if you have a good cold cylinder, and a room temperature bulk tank, you will overfill the cylinder and have to dump a bit out ... short quick bursts with the fill valve. If you fill to over 480 grams you risk blowing the burst disk when the cylinder gets warm again .... (Go to Walmart in their paintball section and get a few to have on hand if it ever happens)

2) Can we store the cylinder on the gun? Do we want the cylinders full or empty when storing?

Store out of the rifle. Daisy has recommended that you point the rifle in a safe direction (empty chamber), take a clearing shot and then remove the cylinder. Store the gun with the hammer released and bolt closed. When we open the cases, the first thing my shooters do is open the bolt and insert the CBI.
I also store my cylinders full or partially full. Full cylinders in a padded "case", and partially full in the freezer. (Yes my wife is very kind to give me a section of one shelf) When I'm ready to fill them, I take them out of the freezer and fill quickly & easily.
But, again, store the cylinders with some pressure on the inner seals. If you store them empty, you may have some leakage until they seat correctly.
(BTW, if you do have a leaky one, empty it, place a few drops of oil (I use Beeman MP-5) on the top of the cylinder and work the valve to get the oil to work into the inner seal)

3) We will live in South Dakota so will the warm weather have any affect on the cylinder when shooting?

Again YES. We're in NM. If it is over about 85 degrees, I usually only fill to a max of 460 grams. CO2 does funny things above about 92°F ... you don't know if it's liquid or gas. The pressure in the cylinder can increase to a level where the hammer in the rifle cannot work the firing valve. If you are in the direct sunlight, keep the rifle covered when it is not being shot.
At 4-H Nationals this year there were many 888's and 887's on the silhouette line outdoors. It was very hot, but I did not see any of these have an issue as everyone was keeping them covered when not being fired.

Where are you in SD? There are some very knowlegeable clubs/coaches up there.
I'm still learning, but on the air rifle section of our club website I try to keep helpful infohttp://www.vc4hss.com/Air_Rifle/index.htm

This is in response to Guest moving to South Dakota. I live in South Dakota and know of some good coaches and good shooting programs in several areas across the state. If you need or want any coaches names or any help getting involved in a shooting program in SD, just let me know. I am from an area west of Sioux Falls.