It's doing my head in.

[Windmill01]

No1- Walther LGV Challenger Ultra, 22 cal, 5 shots, 30 meters. The flyer was the first shot and my fault. Scope is a UTG Leapers 3-9*40, has held zero for last 10 months.

No 2- Benjamin Trail NP, 22 cal, 5 shots ,30 meters. Scope is a Nikko Stirling Gold Crown Air King 4-12*42 AO. Scope holds zero most of the time, only needs 1 or 2 clicks up or left or right once a week or so. Half inch above target as is my go to heavy hitter and sighted in at 40 meters.

No 3- Benjamin Trail NP, 177 cal, 10 shots, 30 meters. Scope is a brand new Bushnell Trophy XLT 6-18*50. This rifle has just killed the previous Bushnell, lucky for me the scope has a lifetime warranty, no questions asked.

Yesterday it was zeroed in at 30 meters and shot exceptionally well if I did my part. I've had several problems with this rifle, which by the way I have enjoyed fixing. This was a very accurate rifle but several issues has seen it relegated to the back of the safe. I wanted to order a Diana Bullseye ZR mount but the only importer in Australia advises that they won't arrive until December. 

You might not be able to tell but it started high and slowly worked down. If you have looked at the 10 dimes challenge you will see that is is capable of being very accurate for a cheaper air rifle.

Very frustrating, am I expecting too much from this relatively cheap airrifle or not. I really enjoy fixing problems with it but some times it just does my head in.

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

First off GOOD SHOOTING !!!! Dude you may be asking too much from the gun ....That being said. You for sure know how to get the best out of a break barrel . The Benjamin/ crosman rifles ive owned strungpellets a little . 
My best guess ,ands its JUST a guess is the barrel to breech wasn't locking up properly. But I honestly couldn't feel any wiggle or anything . If the barrel itself was bad it wouldn't even string it would just shoot all over the place . 
If you don't mind , what all have you done to it ?

 

[Windmill01]

G'day Joe,
I might need some "scientific stuff" to help on this one, great video. Listed below in no specific order is what I have done to the 177.
- replaced the barrel pivot washers, once ( had to make these)
- replaced the jam spring, twice (had to have them made)
- replaced the breach seal ( had it made)
- removed the galling from the compression chamber with advise from Outdoorman 
- polished the piston
- replaced the piston seal, to numerous to remember 
- after each strip down applied molly to piston
- fitted bearing to trigger
- polished sear and trigger
- experimented with removing the tension spring in trigger, finally left it out
- experimented with the removal of the first stage adjustment, finally left it out
- had to drill new scope mount stop pin hole, the original wore oblong
- clean barrel when groups opened up, more then what's happening now
- tightened break barrel screw after each strip down
- and finally replaced many scopes that failed on it. They weren't expensive but In the range of $200 Australian.
- centered the scopes by turning them around whilst adjusting the rectical
- made sure each new scope had the parralex adjusted for distance 
The only thing I haven't done is replace the gas ram but it's still going strong. Well my friend this is what I have done to this cantankerous Benjamin Trail. Sometimes my shooting has a big effect on those groups but when it's zeroed in and I do all the correct things look out. 

Edit, locktite all stock screws after each strip down


I seem to think it may be the new scope. As I said I maybe asking too much from it but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Gary

 

[SendinSlugs]

What pellets are you using? Maybe them 177 pellets are going too fast ,you ever put them over that scientificy device thing that tells you how fast they're going? You know, to be all scientific and $h¡t?lol. ;p

 

[SendinSlugs]

I've also had problems with vertical stringing when the breech seal is shimmed too much especially with wedge lockup like Benji guns have,the seal doesn't allow the barrel to close all the way every time unless you force the barrel shut each time to insure it closes every last thousandth of an inch

 

[Windmill01]

G'day SendinSlugs, I'm using JSB Exact Heavies at 10.34 grains at the moment. Last year I borrowed one of those scientificy thingies that tells you how fast the pellet is going from a mate, then it was sending the Heavies down the road at 850 fps, there was only about 9 fps varience in 10 shots I recall so I didn't think that was the problem. By the way Joe needs one of them scientificy thingies for his next air gun review.

But seriously the breach seal has passed the paper tissue test, another scientificy breakthrough and as as far as I can tell not impeding the lock up, and I made the jam spring 2 mill longer then the original to lock up the barrel tightly. And prior to each shot as part of my preparation I tap the barrel up to ensure lock up. I also rest it lightly down before shooting. I should borrow it again to see if there is now significant variance between shots but I'm pretty sure if there was that much variance the gas ram would have failed by now, but I could be wrong.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Butch]

I have the trail xl was having a similar problem and have done similar mods that you have done. Found mine to be the shroud that covers the barrel that caused the problem. Try removing your shroud and shoot it to see if that is the problem. It should unscrew counter clock wise. Hope this helps. 

 

[Windmill01]

G'day Butch, the shroud you are referring to is it full barrel length? My Trails don't have a full length shroud (see photo) only a hard plastic barrel grip which I don't seem to be able to remove. I don't think they screw off and I don't want to mark it with a pair of stilsons.

Thanks for your input
Gary

 

[Butch]

Yes on the XL it is a full length. Might want to take a flash light and check the end for clipping. 

 

[Windmill01]

Butch,
No marks no clipping.

Thanks
Gary

 

[SendinSlugs]

How does the crown of the barrel look? Might need to take 2000 grit wet or dry and just LIGHTLY TOUCH IT UP if it looks anything but flawless. JSB pellets have also been on a downhill slope lately,I've had non stop bad tin after tin,different skirts,AA pellets mixed with exacts,3 different dies in the same tin,,I'm starting to think JSB pellets aren't worth the price anymore..

 

[Windmill01]

SendinSlugs under inspection with a led light and magnifying glass (something else Joe should get for his scientificy collection) the crown looks really clean and not damaged and it's the same for my 22 cal Trail. 

Ive still got a few tins of JSB' s on hand so I'll order some H&N soon.

Thanks again for your input.
Gary

 

[Windmill01]

In frustration I removed the new Bushnell Trophy and put on an old spare Niko Stirling. The stringing stopped and it has held zero for two days now. I'm ordering another Leapers UTG as I haven't had any issues with the one on my Walther. Thanks all for your input.