Generation 2 Benjamin Marauder with synthetic stock.
Part 12 (all links to earlier reports are there)
This report covers:
- Where we are
- World is changing
- Light trigger
- Is the Marauder holding?
- Today
- Filled to 3200 psi
- The test
- JTS Dead Center 25.39-grain
- Benjamin dome 27.8 grains
- JSB Exact King Heavy Mk II
- Shot count
- Summary
Well, we have a great one today! In fact it is so great that the greatness will be a part of the report!
Where we are
When the Hatsan Factor Sniper Long test started many weeks ago it got me thinking about .25 caliber precharged pneumatic (PCP) pellet rifles. I now have two—today’s Benjamin Marauder and a JTS Airacuda Max. And I dimly remembered that the Marauder had been tuned to shoot very well. If you want to see how well, go to Part 12 of this report.
World is changing
Well, the Pyramyd AIR Cup I attended a few weeks ago had .25 caliber rifles in the Benchrest match. In fact the new Marauder 3 was one of them. So I thought as long as I’m testing the Hatsan Factor why not look at my Marauder that’s been sitting unloved for awhile?
I looked at the .25 caliber pellets I had on hand and then went to the Pyramyd AIR website to see if there were any new ones. Cowabunga! BB Pelletier has let the world pass him by! There are plenty of .25 caliber pellets I was not even aware of.
Before you criticize, take a look at what’s out there. Twenty years ago nobody was shooting .25 so there were only a handful of real choices to be made in pellets. Yes there were some oddball types on the fringe, but real solid pellets anyone would shoot? Not so many. That was then.
Today everything is different. JTS offers four different .25-caliber pellets, and I only have one of them. There are even brands that did not exist in the US 20 years ago. Brands like AEA who now offers three different .25-caliber pellets!
So I need to see what pellets I have and what I need to really test this Marauder. That’s part of the challenge. I know the rifle works well with the JSB King Heavy, but they now come in a Mark II version.
Light trigger
When Tom Himes tuned my Marauder in 2016 he set the trigger at 2 ounces and single-stage. That’s too light for me. So another challenge I have is adjusting the trigger heavier and also more positive. I need it to be a solid two stages to do my best work.
Additionally I only really tested the rifle with a single pellet—the JSB Exact King. I did test it a little with other pellets, but after the tune it needed to be thoroughly tested again and that did not happen.
Is the Marauder holding?
Another question I had was whether the Marauder is still holding after all this time. Well, it is—sort of. It seems to have a very slow leak—loosing 400 psi over 20 days. That’s so slow I won’t worry about it, but I will make certain it gets oiled with high-flashpoint silicone oil at every fill.
Today
Today I’ll test the velocity with three pellets and also determine the shot count. I just gave you the trigger pull so that’s been done. And I must comment that this rifle now cocks smoothly and lightly! That is one of the best things Himes did.
I ordered a single-shot loader from Maple Custom Products and they sent me two of them, plus two of their 8-shot rotary magazines. A customs issue at the border between Canada and the US turned it into a double order, but they said I could keep everything at no additional charge. And I’ll tell you right now their single-shot loader is the way to go!
Filled to 3200 psi
I filled the rifle to 3200 psi because I learned in Part 9 that filling to 3200 gives me 24 good shots. Actually today I filled slightly higher and got even more shots, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
I filled with the RovAir Portable compressor and used the new GX-PUMP water separator. This is where I discovered that setting the RovAir to fill to 3200 psi is actually 3250 psi on my Marauder’s gauge. Then I did the test.
The test
I shot three different pellets and since I wanted to also see the shot count per fill, I shot strings of 8 pellets instead of 10. Since it only got 24 good shots per fill in my 2016 test I wanted to conserve air.
JTS Dead Center 25.39-grain
First to be tested was the JTS Dead Center 25.39-grain dome. I’ll show each shot and explain why later. This pellet weighs the same as the JSB Exact King, and I wanted to test it. In 2016 JSB Kings averaged about 808 f.p.s.
Shot……Vel.
1………..787
2………..797
3………..799
4………..806
5………..805
6………..811
7………..810
8………..814
The average for this string is 803 f.p.s. but let’s not focus on that. I’ll explain why in a bit.
Benjamin dome 27.8 grains
Next I shot eight 27.8-grain Benjamin domes. They are not the Single Die pellet but they might be similar because they weigh the same. Let’s look at how they did.
Shot……Vel.
1………..777
2………..771
|3………..781
4………..782
5………..777
6………..788
7………..776
8………..778
Notice the consistent velocity. My Marauder does not have a regulator. It has what I call a balanced valve.
JSB Exact King Heavy Mk II
The last pellet I shot was the 33.95-grain JSB Exact King Heavy Mk II. Let’s look at what they did.
Shot……Vel.
1………..722
2………..728
3………..726
4………..726
5………..726
6………..727
7………..727
8………..724
Now, that is consistent!
Shot count
Now you’ll see why I haven’t worried about average velocities. In 2016 I got 24 good shots per fill to 3200 psi on the rifle’s gauge. Today the fill went slightly higher. Maybe to 3250 psi?
At this point I’ve already fired 24 shots. I’ll go back to the JTS Dead Centers and continue.
Shot……Vel.
25……….824
26……….820
27……….825
28……….820
29……….818
30……….815
31……….808
32……….804
33……….799
34……….792
35……….783
Summary
The way I see it, filling to 3250 psi gives me about 33 good shots with this Marauder. I should blow off (shoot into the ground or somewhere safe) the first two shots and then I can count on the next 30 being right where I want them! The low is 800 and the high is 825. I’ll take it. That’s what can be done with a balanced valve that’s carefully adjusted.
Knowing all that, I’m ready to test the rifle with some of those pellets that weren’t on my radar last time. It seems the world has advanced and turned my older Marauder into a new rifle.
Very interesting.
Newest and greatest may not always be better. (And requires less maintenance.)
Can’t wait for the accuracy test, will be interesting to see the JTS&AEA, and I want to see what the “new kids on the block” are..
I have acquired a few new, (new to me) vintage toys that somehow don’t appear to have been covered in the blog. ( I searched the names and model numbers.)
In the words of Ridge Runner, “I may have to dance with the old ladies.”
Happy Wednesday everyone.
Ian.
Ian,
Regarding the accuracy test? Boy, howdy, I reckon!
BB
Ian,
Those “old gals” can and do show you some steps you did not think possible. Over and over again I have seen these “old gals” perform on the dance floor as well as or even better than some of the younger ones. The latest and greatest is not always that.
This Marauder that BB is going over again will likely do as well as most of the “new” airguns. Just so everybody knows, I am producing ten shot, one-hole groups at twenty-five yards with air rifles that are no longer in production.
Tom,
With the popularity of the .25 because of the long distance competitions I’m thinking the .20 will be left in the dust because it seems to become a solution in search of a problem in modern times. Years ago the was dearth in .25 caliber pellets. Nobody could build a use case for it. Now there are a lot on the market calling your attention.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I used to think that the lack of many .20 pellet choices was a liability for this caliber. Then, after getting one, I realized that that is one of it’s strengths! Only 3 pellets to test, and they all shoot well from my .20 cal barrel and just about any other .20 cal barrel.
Poor Tom, he has dozens of .25 cal pellets to try and then he needs to try some of the .25 slugs to boot.
Could be a very long series on this rifle….
-Yogi
Yogi,
Not poor Tom. It just means I get to shoot more!
BB
OK Smarty Pants,
Pyramid Air has 122 different .25 pellets listed. If you do a though test you need to test ALL of them!
So I anticipate over 100 parts of this test!
-Y
Yogi,
Maybe only 79-80? 😉
BB
How about a compromise? 79.5 tests should be enough to generate a valid database.
Yogi is right about the lack of choices being a big plus for the .20. The only ones that can be had these days are the top shelfers. You do not waste time and money on fishing sinkers.
I am thinking about getting a mold for .25 pellets. Y’all just think Ridgerunner is frugal, I think I will give him a close race. Has anyone tried reclaiming pellets from a rubber mulch trap ? I have three rubber mulch traps between them there are many thousands of pellets to be gleaned. I have cast 45/70 projectiles and round balls for my British Snider from pellet scrap with great success.
Have been saving pellet and other lead scrap in case someday FM decides to “bite the bullet” – not literally, of course, and cast .58 “minnys” for his .58 Zouave percussion muzzleloader. Do recall Tom writing some words of discouragement about casting your own bullets but what’s a few more lead fumes when your brain’s clutch is already slipping, FM?
I have been working in The Petrochemical industry so long that the fume issues are redundant. Of course I take precautions at work and home, proper tools,PPE and awareness.
ssc,
I personally do not recommend you do such as the making of quality pellets can be quite difficult. It is one thing to cast large projectiles and quite another to cast small ones with the consistency of what can be easily bought.
I would suggest talking to some of the “slug” casters before trying your hand out on pellets.
ssc,
I gotta agree with RidgeRunner. Casting larger caliber (.30 and up) bullets is one thing and they can be super-accurate. Casting pellets is a completely different story. So says the man who once tried to cast .22 long rifle bullets. Read Parts 7 and 8 of this:
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2021/03/reloading-22-rimfire-cartridges-part-8/
BB
I remember that series. I will read them again.Back then I came close to buying one of those kits.
Yup, I cast Lee hollow base flat points for my 45/70 Rolling block and even at that size the “skirt” end can get wonky at times. When I do it I will try a slug mold for the .25 cal.
ssc,
Okay, you have been there and done that!
I have had some success casting .257 bullets, so your idea of .25-caliber slugs might work. You will need a GOOD mold, but I’m sure you already know that.
BB
My (.22 caliber) Marauder is a Gen 2 that is regulated and has a Lothar Walther barrel. I bought it refurbished. It is one of my most accurate rifles and a pleasure to shoot. I do have one .25 caliber rifle, a Barra 250Z. It is also one of my most accurate rifles. It likes the JTS Dead Center pellets. If I were to participate in a Benchrest competition with the guns I currently own, I would use one of these two rifles. However, in a 10-meter distance competition, I would most likely use the Crossman Challenger (.177 caliber) rifle.
I am looking forward to the accuracy tests on BB’s Marauder. In the meantime, I am going to read about how it was tuned. Thanks BB!
Seems you and FM have similar Marauders and are enjoying similar experiences with them.
Elmer,
I hate being your wet blanket, but the Crosman Challenger and the AirForce Edge are a pleasure to shoot but would not stand a chance in a ten-meter competition. A FWB 600 would shoot rings around them, never mind what is out there now.
Thanks for the response RR. But I must respectfully respond in kind. I fully realize that there are much better (and much more expensive) 10-meter rifles than the Crossman Challenger available. However, while using a bench with front and rear rests, and the sights that came on the Challenger, I have shot a 10-pellet hole that measured less than .177 in diameter. How do you think that it is possible to shoot rings around that result? The only way I can imagine is if the other rifles can do that every time. Can they?
Yes, normal 10-meter competitions are off-hand, not off of a bench. But when we are comparing rifles (not shooters), I think it best to eliminate as much of the shooter’s shortcomings as possible.
Plus I did qualify that I was including only the rifles that I currently own.
RidgeRunner,
I believe Elmer Fudd has you on this one.
Which Crosman Challenger are you thinking of?
I don’t have all that many pellets through my straight out of the box Crosman 2021 Challenger but with the stock sights and at 25 yards, OFF HAND, with a cuffed sling i am getting .25 inch 10 shot groups often enough to have me surprised. Remember too that i will be 77 years young in a few months.
Is it the R-10 8.2 grain wad cutter pellets…even at 25 yards?
Was i lucky with the Lothar-Walther barrel? Maybe.
OR, did Crosman do this entry level 10M air rifle really well?
shootski
I was hoping you might weigh-in with your experiences so far with your Crosman Challenger. Glad to hear it is performing well for you at 25-yards distance. That’s a lot longer distance than I have been shooting. I need to practice more shooting offhand. If I can do well offhand at 10-meters I will be very happy.
Elmer Fudd,
To get better at unrested shooting in any position something that Tom used to teach his Father-in-law with a pistol works better than most of the typical techniques. Start closer. Move out as you improve.
What you are trying to learn is the FEELING of when to break the shot for hitting the X and not what your sights are doing or not doing. If after a number of shots you are doing well hitting close to the X put down the gun and take a short break. You need to breath and it helps to cup your palms over your eyes (NO PRESSURE) and give the neural path from eye to brain a rest.
When you pick up the gun you need to build you POSITION for Natural Point of Aim EACH time EXACTLY the same. FEEL as best you can when you get that tingle that says BREAK THE SHOT.
REMEMBER what you are seeing is time late and NOT REAL TIME!
If you are just OFF today there is NO reason to train being off. Shoot from Rest if you must or go do something else and return tomorrow or the next day and repeat.
Dry Fire saves the loading time and enhances focusing on the Position Build and Shot Cycle without the projectile loading and target anguishes.
shootski
Try it, i believe, you will be surprised :^)
Thanks Shootski, that’s helpful.
Everyone,
Another Sheridan Supergrade is listed on eBay. This one looks almost new!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/136594290556?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11021.m164380.l178264&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=7954be1097ea46d1bac7f0117a427981&bu=44523534329&ut=RU&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20251015031711&segname=11021&recoId=136594290556&recoPos=1
BB
Ouch
B.B.,
This looks like it spent most of the time as gun locker Queen.
The roll pins look like they have been driven out at least once. And, i just get the feeling the wood furniture has been refinished, certainly done well, but still refinished.
Nice photography!
shootski
Very interesting and timely report – especially for FM. Funny thing, his HW90 just adopted by RR was a .25; had it been a .22, it might still be residing at Casa FM. Somehow – this is just FM talking here – based on experience, have come to believe .22 is the optimal caliber for a “sproinger,” providing a good balance of speed, power and accuracy. This also depends on the “sproinger” model, of course.
When it comes to PCPs, the .25 may be what the .22 is to the spring-piston “ladies.” FM is certainly quite happy with his Lothar Walter-barreled Marauder – makes him feel he’s attained Davy Crockett or Dan’l Boone accuracy with it, or so FM fantasizes. By the way and thanks to smaller hands, have been able to single-load the Mrod though acquiring a shot tray seems a very good idea. Replacing the HW90 with a .25 PCP could be a thing now that there is a gap in the airgun closet to fill.
Thanks to FM, I now have another .25 air rifle. Once upon a time I had a Benjamin Armada in .25. The truth is I was not really impressed.
Maybe I am expecting too much. I am looking for one-hole groups out of my air rifles at one hundred plus yards. Maybe I should tone it down a bit.
Ridge Runner,
One Hole 10 shot groups in .25 caliber can get fairly large even if they are quite circular in shape.
Just saying…
shootski
Ha! If one-hole groups is the standards, all you need is to shoot larger groups. Anyone can shoot out the star given enough BBs.
Seeing the 25 Marauder tested again caught my attention, as I remember our meeting at various Pyramid Cup competitions quite well. Reading through I noticed two things:
1. The actual trigger pull was not adjusted at all by me, when I tuned your rifle years ago. At that time you insisted the trigger adjustments be left as is and I honored your request. I did however apply a small amount of the same super-lube to the trigger sear and pivot points, as was used on the cocking mechanism. This lube is not only very slippery, but long lasting. It obviously was and still is doing its job on the cocking action as well. If I remember correctly, a small amount of this lube was included when the rifle was returned to you. A little bit goes a long ways.
2. It’s interesting to see the shot count approach what I originally mentioned to you, albeit with a little more fill pressure.
Great to see older rifles being used and tested. I still own the 22 caliber FX Independence, which you and Jim Chapman shot at the first Pyramid Cup in 2014 and were shocked at how smooth the overall action of the rifle was and how quiet. This rifle is now approaching 50,000 rounds through it and is smoother and more accurate than ever. I think you’d really enjoy shooting it now!