Today’s weather was witchy; storms and rain in the morning, but it cleared up nicely in the afternoon to the tune of 68F. I told my wife that with the weather nice for the next few days, I was rekindling my airgun love affair. I asked her to call one of the neighbors that may wonder WTH I was doing with a ‘rifle’. I figure prudence is the better part of valor; let’s avoid any misunderstandings.
As I mentioned in my recent intro post, I haven’t shot in a while. I decided to start with my Benjamin Marauder .22. There were a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to see if it still worked. Second, assuming it still worked and I could fill it with my Hill Pump, would it hold to pressure over the next few days as I dusted off my Beeman springers.
Nearest I can find via old musings on my blog, I last shot my Marauder in March 2018! And that too was after a multiple year hiatus of 7+ years. Bottom line, my Marauder hasn’t been used very much over the last 10 years; maybe 2-3 times. Maybe. That is sad and pathetic to be honest.
To get started I took the Hill Pump out of my closet. Other than dusting it off, I didn’t do any prep work. I am not 100% sure that this is my Hill Pump (since I bought it in 2009), but it looks similar enough.
One thing I noticed right away was the canister (holds dry-pac) was loose. I wasn’t sure if this was a problem or normal. I just made sure that the air hole on it lined up with the air hole on the pump. I bring this up in case someone has some pointers on Hill Pump maintenance. Please. I have never replaced the dry-pac and really have no idea if I should. After all, this pump was purchased in 2009.
One of the first things I noticed after I cleaned the Marauder was that the gauge was showing 500 PSI. The festivities of the pumping begin …
I am reminded again what a pain it is to pump. What is wrong with me? Out of shape? Does the pump not work right? Does pumping just suck? Was this the reason I dreaded purchasing a PCP all those years ago?
So I pump. And pump. I notice the Marauder is around 1000 PSI and the Hill Pump is 1,200 PSI. 1,900 vs 2,200. Finally 3,000 vs 3100-3200. Something to do with using a pump and the pressure going back into it? Thankfully I remember that I better bleed the air from the pump before removing it from the Marauder!
My Hill Pump works, the Marauder (with Hawke scope - not sure of the model but can figure that out if anyone is interested) is clean and at 3,000 PSI. I am ready to go shoot! But …
Where are my magazines? I have 4+ but have no idea where they are and start what amounts to an Easter Egg hunt. Without the magazines, the only thing I will accomplish is to make sure the Marauder is clean (and Hill Pump works) and watch to see if the pressure holds until I buy some new magazines or find mine. Good grief!
I eventually find one (let’s call it magazine #1), which is loaded with mystery pellets. I really don’t know what is in the magazine. Hopefully whatever the Marauder enjoys. After a good bit of searching and unexpected New Year’s cleaning, I find a container labeled “airguns” and a treasure trove of items including 4 magazines. Happy dance!
I load up magazine #2 with Crosman Premier Domed 14.3 gr pellets - I am pretty sure that this was the preferred pellet the last time I shot the Marauder. I load up magazine #3 with Kodiak Double Golds**. I picked these because the tin was open and some of the pellets had spilled and were tarnished. I figured I may as well use them while getting reacquainted with my Marauder.
Finally. Finally I can reward myself with some plinking. I set up my old range. This one is about 23-25 yards. Cans in various positions and a few other random targets. Try #1 was great - lots of action. I am happy with the results. Adrenaline is pumping - it has been forever since I have done any shooting of any sort! I think I may have shot pellets 6 and 7 together; I am not sure, but I think the Marauder is built to hold up to any idiot abuse I serve up.
I check out my accuracy and set up another round of targets. Magazine #2 was a pleasure to shoot. Accuracy was off the chart; let’s just say that I was happy with the results and felt like I couldn’t miss. This round was like a homecoming of sorts.
I decided to shoot the third and final magazine. After that, take a gauge reading, pump back up to 3,000 PSI, and call it a day. I couldn’t hit chit … I was wide left, right, aiming for a plastic bottle cap but hearing the plink of a beer can. WTH? I guess fatigue set in. The Marauder is on the heavy side and my arms were probably tired from all that earlier pumping.
On a lark, I decided to look at the pellets for magazine #3 - the Kodiak Double Golds**. At this point anyone following along may wonder why the ** for magazine #3. These pellets are not .22, which explains why I was so far off the mark, so to speak. I feel better but at the same time, awful - did I just mess up a perfectly nice Marauder by loading a magazine with the wrong caliber pellets?
As I wrapped up the session, the Marauder’s gauge was at ~2,500 PSI, after 30 shots. I really have no idea (and don’t remember past history, experiences) if that is a good or bad or average burn off. Much to my chagrin, I used the Hill Pump to restore the Marauder to 3,000 PSI. I want to leave it for a few days to see if it holds and go from there.
All in all, I am happy. When I first ordered my Marauder, there was ultimately a problem that Crosman fixed. When you think about the fact that this airgun has been rarely used over the last 10 years and it was flawless today (except for user error on magazine #3**), that is a testament to the manufacturing of this Gen 1 Marauder. Color me impressed.
Am I back? Depends on if I shoot tomorrow. With that said, it was such a great experience to be back in action, plinking again.
Up next, Beeman springer fun.
** Kodiak Double Golds .20 caliber (weight not listed)
As I mentioned in my recent intro post, I haven’t shot in a while. I decided to start with my Benjamin Marauder .22. There were a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to see if it still worked. Second, assuming it still worked and I could fill it with my Hill Pump, would it hold to pressure over the next few days as I dusted off my Beeman springers.
Nearest I can find via old musings on my blog, I last shot my Marauder in March 2018! And that too was after a multiple year hiatus of 7+ years. Bottom line, my Marauder hasn’t been used very much over the last 10 years; maybe 2-3 times. Maybe. That is sad and pathetic to be honest.
To get started I took the Hill Pump out of my closet. Other than dusting it off, I didn’t do any prep work. I am not 100% sure that this is my Hill Pump (since I bought it in 2009), but it looks similar enough.
One thing I noticed right away was the canister (holds dry-pac) was loose. I wasn’t sure if this was a problem or normal. I just made sure that the air hole on it lined up with the air hole on the pump. I bring this up in case someone has some pointers on Hill Pump maintenance. Please. I have never replaced the dry-pac and really have no idea if I should. After all, this pump was purchased in 2009.
One of the first things I noticed after I cleaned the Marauder was that the gauge was showing 500 PSI. The festivities of the pumping begin …
I am reminded again what a pain it is to pump. What is wrong with me? Out of shape? Does the pump not work right? Does pumping just suck? Was this the reason I dreaded purchasing a PCP all those years ago?
So I pump. And pump. I notice the Marauder is around 1000 PSI and the Hill Pump is 1,200 PSI. 1,900 vs 2,200. Finally 3,000 vs 3100-3200. Something to do with using a pump and the pressure going back into it? Thankfully I remember that I better bleed the air from the pump before removing it from the Marauder!
My Hill Pump works, the Marauder (with Hawke scope - not sure of the model but can figure that out if anyone is interested) is clean and at 3,000 PSI. I am ready to go shoot! But …
Where are my magazines? I have 4+ but have no idea where they are and start what amounts to an Easter Egg hunt. Without the magazines, the only thing I will accomplish is to make sure the Marauder is clean (and Hill Pump works) and watch to see if the pressure holds until I buy some new magazines or find mine. Good grief!
I eventually find one (let’s call it magazine #1), which is loaded with mystery pellets. I really don’t know what is in the magazine. Hopefully whatever the Marauder enjoys. After a good bit of searching and unexpected New Year’s cleaning, I find a container labeled “airguns” and a treasure trove of items including 4 magazines. Happy dance!
I load up magazine #2 with Crosman Premier Domed 14.3 gr pellets - I am pretty sure that this was the preferred pellet the last time I shot the Marauder. I load up magazine #3 with Kodiak Double Golds**. I picked these because the tin was open and some of the pellets had spilled and were tarnished. I figured I may as well use them while getting reacquainted with my Marauder.
Finally. Finally I can reward myself with some plinking. I set up my old range. This one is about 23-25 yards. Cans in various positions and a few other random targets. Try #1 was great - lots of action. I am happy with the results. Adrenaline is pumping - it has been forever since I have done any shooting of any sort! I think I may have shot pellets 6 and 7 together; I am not sure, but I think the Marauder is built to hold up to any idiot abuse I serve up.
I check out my accuracy and set up another round of targets. Magazine #2 was a pleasure to shoot. Accuracy was off the chart; let’s just say that I was happy with the results and felt like I couldn’t miss. This round was like a homecoming of sorts.
I decided to shoot the third and final magazine. After that, take a gauge reading, pump back up to 3,000 PSI, and call it a day. I couldn’t hit chit … I was wide left, right, aiming for a plastic bottle cap but hearing the plink of a beer can. WTH? I guess fatigue set in. The Marauder is on the heavy side and my arms were probably tired from all that earlier pumping.
On a lark, I decided to look at the pellets for magazine #3 - the Kodiak Double Golds**. At this point anyone following along may wonder why the ** for magazine #3. These pellets are not .22, which explains why I was so far off the mark, so to speak. I feel better but at the same time, awful - did I just mess up a perfectly nice Marauder by loading a magazine with the wrong caliber pellets?
As I wrapped up the session, the Marauder’s gauge was at ~2,500 PSI, after 30 shots. I really have no idea (and don’t remember past history, experiences) if that is a good or bad or average burn off. Much to my chagrin, I used the Hill Pump to restore the Marauder to 3,000 PSI. I want to leave it for a few days to see if it holds and go from there.
All in all, I am happy. When I first ordered my Marauder, there was ultimately a problem that Crosman fixed. When you think about the fact that this airgun has been rarely used over the last 10 years and it was flawless today (except for user error on magazine #3**), that is a testament to the manufacturing of this Gen 1 Marauder. Color me impressed.
Am I back? Depends on if I shoot tomorrow. With that said, it was such a great experience to be back in action, plinking again.
Up next, Beeman springer fun.
** Kodiak Double Golds .20 caliber (weight not listed)
