Surprised by Benjamin Cayden

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TheCarFather

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Jul 15, 2022
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PLATTSBURGH
Just got my second PCP, a 22 caliber Benjamin Cayden. My first was a Origin in 25 caliber, which I've been very happy with. Just spent my first day shooting the new Cayden and it took me by surprise. I ordered a bunch of different pellets and a couple slugs to try. This gun is WAY more picky than my Origin. I haven't played around with the power settings yet, only shooting at max power as the gun came out of the box. I really like the build quality etc, and the trigger is very nice. But I'm surprised by the results of shooting different pellets so far. The gun HATES Crossman Premier HP's, JSB Knockout slugs, FX Hybrid slugs, and H&N barracuda extreme hunters. The only pellets it's grouping well at 30yds is Air Arms heavy 18gr and JSB Hades. I also tried Polymags but they don't cycle in the magazine, I'll have to pick up some shorts when they are back in stock. Also the point of impact varies greatly between the different pellets, much more than different pellets in my Origin. The point of impact variance took me by surprise. I only have experience with my Origin, which keeps everything within 8-10" or so from what it's zero'd with. The Cayden is proving to be much more difficult to test different pellets with. From everything I've read, I was expecting more from it in comparison.

Right now I'm still limited by my hand pump, my compressor is supposed to arrive in a couple of days. Once it arrives it will be much easier to test, but right now I'm frustrated. On a positive note the Buck Rail moderator works really well. I sent one round down range without it and was surprised how loud it was! It is much needed for my backyard shooting. This was all so surprising to me I was wondering if I got a lemon?? Maybe I just got lucky with my Origin? Anyways, just needed to vent!
 
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Well, turns out it might not be the Cayden's fault after all. I just brought it inside and filled it up to 3000psi. Currently I have the Centerpoint 3-12x44 PLT scope on it that came free with the gun, and I just got it zero'd with the Hades. I went back out and shot an 8rd group with them, all impacting about a foot too low! They grouped very well, but I had just dialed it in to be zero'd at 30yds. I checked all of the mounts, everything is tight. Now I'm wondering if the scope is garbage?
 
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I shoot jbs 18s and 25 s at 25 yds the 25 grain shoot hole in hole dime and smaller groups 18s shoot nickel size I shoot at full power 25s shoot half dollar size at 50 yds I absolutely love mine haven’t tried slugs yet because the 25s have plenty of knock down power. Scopes that are given with guns sometimes aren’t the best
 
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No rifle is zeroed for all pellets.

You need to zero the rifle for each pellet. Choose the one you will be shooting and then zero your scope at the distance is more suitable for your needs (I zero my rifles at 50 yards) and then learn how to compensate at shorter or longer distance.

If you zero your rifle with a 25 grain pellet and then you shoot with a lighter one, you are going to hit down, for example.

If you do not rest your face in the same place every shot you will not hit in the same place even if the rifle is dully zeroed.

The scope takes time to rest after you adjust it. The scope is not dully zeroed untill the reticle is resting were you want.

Very few scopes (no matter the price) keep the zero at the first try. Normally zeroing a scope takes days untill the reticle rest were you want.

Wind has an effect in the zeroing. With some wind you might think that the scope is zeroed but once there is no wind at all, you hit in diifferent place.

So do not blame the rifle or the scope as a first option.
 
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TheCarFather said:
Do you guys see a massive shift in point of impact between different pellets? That might be the biggest tell that my scope is having issues. My Origin is not even close to similar with different pellets. Really took me by surprise.
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Maybe mount a different scope?... How about putting the scope on your Origin on the Cayden?
 
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I understand different weight pellets impact high or low, left or right. But the difference between them on the Cayden is AT LEAST 4-5 times the amount of variation compared to my Origin. When I had it zero'd with the Hades and then shot the 18gr Air Arms, the impact was well over a foot low and a foot left at 30yds. On my Origin I've tested many different pellets, typically they all fall within 6 inches of my zero'd pellet of choice at 30yds. Heck, some rounds with the Cayden didn't even hit paper. I've never had that happen with the Origin.

The biggest red flag was going back out after topping the gun off and having the Hades pellet impacting a solid 12" low, and entire 8 shot group too. I had just previously had the rifle zero'd with those pellets, hitting bullseye. Odd part was the group was decent though, just super low. Not totally sure what's going on here, but something seems off. I have a new scope on the way so we'll see what happens when that arrives next week. I was going to order a scope for it originally but figured I'd give the free Centerpoint a try first.

I appreciate all the insight, every bit helps!
 
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Emu said:
If the rifle has an shroud, remove it and see how it shots.

If the rifle becomes accurate the problem is clipping. You need to make exit holes bigger with a drill.
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The Cayden does not have a shrouded barrel, but I did add a Buck Rail moderator. I just read that some people have to drill them out slightly to prevent clipping. Unfortunately I can't try shooting without it as the gun is WAY too loud for my backyard. But, I will take the moderator to work tomorrow and drill it out slightly and see if that helps. I'm now thinking this may be the issue. The new scope won't be a complete waste as I planned on replacing the freebie optic anyway. Hopefully between addressing those two items my problems will be resolved. Deep down I feel this gun is not performing correctly right now.
 
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Morning update. Found I had a drill bit that I could use to drill out the moderator slightly, so I just finished another round of shooting. The Hades, which it previously grouped well, did not group well this time around. I only tried the Hades, CP HP's, and the Air Arms 18gr. Only the AA 18's shot really well at 30yds. 10rds that could be covered with a dime. The Crossman HP's scattered pretty bad, still seeing a huge shift in point of impact between the different pellets.
 
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Emu said:
No one of my rifles keep the same accuracy nor point of impact when I mount a moderador. None.

Some have a so so accuracy with the moderador but not close to the one without it.
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From what I've researched, most Cayden owners run a moderator to quiet the gun down since it is so loud without having a shrouded barrel. With that being said, most people have reported excellent accuracy out of the rifle with one installed.

Either way I got another drill bit that was a little larger and just drilled it out once more. We'll see if that helps this evening. My compressor is out for delivery today, so that will make testing much easier, along with my chronograph.

I'm hoping things improve. Currently out of the 7 different ammo choices I ordered for it, only ONE is grouping well, the Air Arms 18gr. I've tried Crossman HP's, H&N barracuda hunter extreme, JSB Hades, JSB knockout slugs, and FX hybrid slugs. Also attempted to try Polymags, but they didn't feed correctly in the magazine. Will need to pick up some shorts when they are back in stock. Hoping the rifle will shoot at least one "hunting" pellet or slug well for expansion when pesting.
 
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I don't think it is reasonable to expect a Cayden to not be pellet fussy because your Origin is not. I have three P35s in 177, 22, and 25 caliber. All are similar in accuracy - good - but the 22 shoots a variety of pellets pretty well and the 25 does not. The 177 is in between. I think it just depends on the barrel. My Prod likes Crosman pellets but my P35-22 does not (it might like them better if I detuned it some, it is pushing them about 1000 fps).

Another example, my P35-22 shoots different head sizes of pellets well but my P35-177 has a definite preference. While the P35-22 shoots two head sizes into about the same size group the POI changes a little between the head sizes. The POI doesn't change on the 177, the group just gets bigger for the less desirable head size. This is the same gun except for the caliber. I wouldn't be surprised to test two P35-22s and find this sort of differences.

I have no Cayden experience but I don't think what you describe is very unusual. I'd love to know why barrels have these preferences but I'm not holding my breath waiting on the explanation.
 
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