.22 Armada...the journey...

[TerryH]

After joining the ranks of the air gun world with a couple of break barrels (NP pistol..yeah I know.. and a NP2 rifle) I decided that the good timing of a nice Christmas bonus from my work was a sign from above to enter the world of PCP's. I do love the AR platform rifles so I ordered up an Armada combo from Air Gun Depot with scope, bipod and Air Venturi G6 pump. I made an initial unboxing and such thread of the packaging, contents and general thoughts. Here's the link to that...

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=119733.0

I have read everything I could find and watched way too many YouTube videos on the Marauder/Armada. I knew that I would want to mod it because, well, I mod everything. I'm fairly mechanical but have no knowledge of guns other than the very, very basics so I'm starting from ground zero and learning as I go. Let me say that GTA is an incredible wealth of information and personalities. I'm involved in a few other forums so not new to forums, just new to GTA.

In a couple of other threads I was asked what I wanted to do with the Armada. I had to contemplate that more that I thought I would. I realized that I really didn't know exactly what I wanted. I soon began to realize that I didn't have one single use. I want to do some target shooting out to 50+ yards. Some varmint control around our property. Mainly coons and possums nosing around my wife's pet chickens. Perhaps some squirrel hunting. Some walking through the woods plinking. Maybe even some range shooting with my powderburning buddies from time to time so what I finally realized that I needed was efficiency and adjustability to suit several different conditions and power levels. We'll see how all of that works out. 

Along the way I found Hill Air Guns. I loved the look and obvious quality of Tim's parts. I emailed Tim and got a very quick response. He walked me through what I would need and I bought his Regulated matched Parts Kit. I also ordered the regulator that Tim recommended for his parts. Link to the kit...

http://hillairgun.com/products/regulated-parts-kit-benjamin-rifle/

I also bought a Caldwell Premium Chrony and an assortment of pellets along with some other items which I'll post as soon as they arrive. I will begin the journey with a few hundred break in pellets and baseline chrony strings with the different pellets to determine which pellet or pellets this gun likes.  I'm making this thread to document my experiences both good and bad along the way. I know that I'm bound to make mistakes and look stupid probably multiple times along the way and that's ok. Hopefully the thread will be of some value to some newby like me in the future. I'll start the break in process tomorrow. The Hill parts will be here tomorrow as well so I'll post some pics of those parts. For now, here's a pic of the new addiction...



Of course I'm depending on you guys to help me. Thanks to all of you that already have. More to come.....

[Old Corps]

Terry-I've been eyeballing that kit as well for my MRod. What regulator did Tim recommend? I'll be following you're Armada modding, best of luck with it! Looks durned nice just sittin' on the coffee table!

Ed

[TerryH]

Terry-I've been eyeballing that kit as well for my MRod. What regulator did Tim recommend? I'll be following you're Armada modding, best of luck with it! Looks durned nice just sittin' on the coffee table!

Ed

Hi Ed. Sorry. Should have inked it in the original post. It's a regulator out of Lithuania. Available on Ebay for $69.00 shipped. Tim says he's used them many times before and likes how the work with his parts. Here's the link...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162104913497?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Old Corps]

Thanks Terry. I'm gonna let you report back on your modding adventure before I jump off the bridge. I'll be keeping my eyes glued to my monitor!

Ed

[TerryH]

Thanks Terry. I'm gonna let you report back on your modding adventure before I jump off the bridge. I'll be keeping my eyes glued to my monitor!

Ed

Thanks Ed.

[triggertreat]

I have seen that regulator in my searches before, but know nothing about them.  I know it may be awhile before you get to try it.  Can't wait to see how it performs and your experience with it.  Everyone always talks about the HUMA.   Glad to hear Tim recommended it.  Subscribed!

[Rallyshark]

I tuned a Galatian with one of those regs, and it looked to be built very well, and worked great fwiw  

[TerryH]

I have seen that regulator in my searches before, but know nothing about them.  I know it may be awhile before you get to try it.  Can't wait to see how it performs and your experience with it.  Everyone always talks about the HUMA.   Glad to hear Tim recommended it.  Subscribed!

Thanks! Right now tracking says between 1/17 and 1/31.    I'm in no hurry for it. Per Tim's instructions, the last thing that I'm going to do is install/tune the reg.

[TerryH]

I tuned a Galatian with one of those regs, and it looked to be built very well, and worked great fwiw

Thanks! That's good to hear. 

[FuzzyGrub]

I have two of those regs in mrods.  Work fine. 

Are you using Tim's hogged out gauge block?   

[TerryH]

I have two of those regs in mrods.  Work fine. 

Are you using Tim's hogged out gauge block?

Thanks John! Doesn't hurt that they are almost half of the price of a Huma. I have all of Tim's stuff for the Armada.

[TerryH]

Had a fun day today with a few challenges. I've never owned or even seen a chronograph in person before so some what of a learning curve with it. Had a hard time getting strings without errors but finally got a little better with it as the afternoon went along. Sent 400 rounds thru the Armada today. That's a lot of pumping!!! Really not too bad though. The G6 performed well. Only took about 5 or 6 shots to get the scope zeroed @ 30. I found the HNFTT 14.66 gr to be ridiculously accurate at 30 yards as long as I paid attention. I realize that accuracy at 30 yards is not much of a challenge for the Marauder/Armada platform. I'll stretch it out next weekend when I have a better assortment of pellets. I also sent a few through the NP2 just for comparison.

Interesting to me how the Armada is tuned from Crosman. The NP2 shoots almost identical numbers. Here's a some strings. Pardon the errors. I think I understand how to get the chrony to function correctly now. 

The NP2....

Created: 01/07/17 03:31 PM
Description: NP2
Notes 1: HNFTT
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 15.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 14.66
Temp: 32 °F
BP: 28.80 inHg
Altitude: 1120.00
#          FPS  FT-LBS      PF
21    795      20.58    11.65 
20    793      20.47    11.63 
19    789      20.27    11.57 
18    796      20.63    11.67 
17    792      20.42    11.61 
16    792      20.42    11.61 
15    767      19.15    11.24 
14    784      20.01    11.49 
13    796      20.63    11.67 
12    781      19.86    11.45 
11    794      20.53    11.64 
10    771      19.35    11.30 
9    779      19.76    11.42 
8    782      19.91    11.46 
7    782      19.91    11.46 
6    783      19.96    11.48 
5    ERROR 3
4    784      20.01    11.49 
3    787      20.17    11.54 
2    772      19.40    11.32 
1    786      20.11    11.52 
Average: 785.2 FPS
SD: 8.5 FPS
Min: 767 FPS
Max: 796 FPS
Spread: 29 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 786 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

Here are some strings from the Armada bone stock exactly the way it came from Crosman.

43 shots from 3000psi to 2000psi. Very odd shot #39 @ 596fps?

Created: 01/07/17 01:30 PM
Description: Armada stock HNFTT
Notes 1: test
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 10.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 14.66
Temp: 29 °F
BP: 28.80 inHg
Altitude: 1120.00
#          FPS  FT-LBS      PF
43    789      20.27    11.57 
42    789      20.27    11.57 
41    785      20.06    11.51 
40    788      20.22    11.55 
39    596      11.56    8.74   
38    792      20.42    11.61 
37    792      20.42    11.61 
36    794      20.53    11.64 
35    796      20.63    11.67 
34    799      20.78    11.71 
33    794      20.53    11.64 
32    796      20.63    11.67 
31    794      20.53    11.64 
30    795      20.58    11.65 
29    798      20.73    11.70 
28    799      20.78    11.71 
27    794      20.53    11.64 
26    796      20.63    11.67 
25    801      20.89    11.74 
24    799      20.78    11.71 
23    797      20.68    11.68 
22    796      20.63    11.67 
21    795      20.58    11.65 
20    792      20.42    11.61 
19    790      20.32    11.58 
18    793      20.47    11.63 
17    796      20.63    11.67 
16    795      20.58    11.65 
15    791      20.37    11.60 
14    791      20.37    11.60 
13    792      20.42    11.61 
12    795      20.58    11.65 
11    792      20.42    11.61 
10    786      20.11    11.52 
9    789      20.27    11.57 
8    783      19.96    11.48 
7    784      20.01    11.49 
6    788      20.22    11.55 
5    787      20.17    11.54 
4    786      20.11    11.52 
3    782      19.91    11.46 
2    790      20.32    11.58 
1    780      19.81    11.43 
Average: 787.3 FPS
SD: 30.3 FPS
Min: 596 FPS
Max: 801 FPS
Spread: 205 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 788 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

Same as the above. 45 shots from 3000psi to 2000psi. Couple weird ones in this string as well. Shot#22 @ 845. Shot#19 @ 601.

Created: 01/07/17 03:17 PM
Description: A stock
Notes 1: HNFTT
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 15.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 14.66
Temp: 32 °F
BP: 28.80 inHg
Altitude: 1120.00


45    777      19.66    11.39 
44    779      19.76    11.42 
43    781      19.86    11.45 
42    782      19.91    11.46 
41    782      19.91    11.46 
40    782      19.91    11.46 
39    781      19.86    11.45 
38    789      20.27    11.57 
37    ERROR 3
36    786      20.11    11.52 
35    785      20.06    11.51 
34    786      20.11    11.52 
33    789      20.27    11.57 
32    785      20.06    11.51 
31    786      20.11    11.52 
30    791      20.37    11.60 
29    786      20.11    11.52 
28    790      20.32    11.58 
27    ERROR 3
26    789      20.27    11.57 
25    787      20.17    11.54 
24    790      20.32    11.58 
23    790      20.32    11.58 
22    845      23.25    12.39 
21    790      20.32    11.58 
20    789      20.27    11.57 
19    601      11.76    8.81   
18    791      20.37    11.60 
17    784      20.01    11.49 
16    787      20.17    11.54 
15    786      20.11    11.52 
14    786      20.11    11.52 
13    786      20.11    11.52 
12    778      19.71    11.41 
11    786      20.11    11.52 
10    786      20.11    11.52 
9    781      19.86    11.45 
8    785      20.06    11.51 
7    778      19.71    11.41 
6    776      19.61    11.38 
5    778      19.71    11.41 
4    779      19.76    11.42 
3    776      19.61    11.38 
2    778      19.71    11.41 
1    768      19.20    11.26 
Average: 781.1 FPS
SD: 30.0 FPS
Min: 601 FPS
Max: 845 FPS
Spread: 244 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 782 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00


I decided that I would shoot until I saw the first sub 770fps shot. 50 shots from 3000psi to 1800psi. 3 strange ones here. Shot #36 @ 594. shot #21 @ 594 and shot#16 @ 827.

Created: 01/07/17 03:47 PM
Description: A stock
Notes 1: HNFTT
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 15.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 15.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 14.66
Temp: 32 °F
BP: 28.80 inHg
Altitude: 1120.00
#          FPS  FT-LBS      PF
50    767      19.15    11.24 
49    770      19.30    11.29 
48    775      19.55    11.36 
47    775      19.55    11.36 
46    776      19.61    11.38 
45    775      19.55    11.36 
44    776      19.61    11.38 
43    780      19.81    11.43 
42    ERROR 3
41    781      19.86    11.45 
40    783      19.96    11.48 
39    784      20.01    11.49 
38    790      20.32    11.58 
37    ERROR 3
36    594      11.49    8.71   
35    ERROR 3
34    787      20.17    11.54 
33    791      20.37    11.60 
32    789      20.27    11.57 
31    ERROR 3
30    ERROR 3
29    790      20.32    11.58 
28    790      20.32    11.58 
27    785      20.06    11.51 
26    791      20.37    11.60 
25    788      20.22    11.55 
24    784      20.01    11.49 
23    786      20.11    11.52 
22    789      20.27    11.57 
21    594      11.49    8.71   
20    790      20.32    11.58 
19    788      20.22    11.55 
18    789      20.27    11.57 
17    791      20.37    11.60 
16    827      22.27    12.12 
15    787      20.17    11.54 
14    785      20.06    11.51 
13    ERROR 2
12    835      22.70    12.24 
11    783      19.96    11.48 
10    781      19.86    11.45 
9    778      19.71    11.41 
8    781      19.86    11.45 
7    780      19.81    11.43 
6    777      19.66    11.39 
5    779      19.76    11.42 
4    780      19.81    11.43 
3    774      19.50    11.35 
2    774      19.50    11.35 
1    768      19.20    11.26 
Average: 775.8 FPS
SD: 41.9 FPS
Min: 594 FPS
Max: 835 FPS
Spread: 241 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 776 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

Thoughts on these strings are welcome.

[TerryH]

Also a few goodies in the mail today. The plastic butt stock was not super shoulder friendly so I ordered up a AR15 butt pad. Fits perfectly on the Armada and is much nicer.



Also got a plug for the grip. A little detail but I didn't like the open hole in the bottom of the grip.



UTG side wheel for the scope is cool and functional. The AO was ridiculously stiff on this scope and the bigger wheel really helps. There was some question whether it would fit on the CP scope and the answer to that question is no and yes. The shape of the rubber insert in the side wheel is not exactly the same as the CP scope turret but both pieces are soft so they can be made to like one another if one is determined to do so. lol... The markings do not agree but you can still see the factory marks on the CP turret so no issue there.







Yet another use for my trusty Hyskore Sight and Clean vise. Holds the Armada up side down perfectly for airing it up!!



Got to share some shooting with our foster kid that has boomeranged back home with us. We both had a great time!! 



Couldn't resist getting a glamor shot of it all dressed up and ready to rock. 

[robertr]

 Looking good TerryH, once the gun is broken in more it should smooth out for you. Then you may want to dive in to smooth out the hammer travel a bit which will help with your strings.

[TerryH]

Looking good TerryH, once the gun is broken in more it should smooth out for you. Then you may want to dive in to smooth out the hammer travel a bit which will help with your strings.

Thanks Robert!! I plan to do some polishing when I have it apart to install the Hill parts.

[ShawninIL]

I just installed the Hill kit in my .25 Mrod a couple weeks ago. You will be very pleased with it. I'm getting around 47 shots at or near 40fpe with the first 40 at around 1.62 efficiency.  

[TerryH]

I just installed the Hill kit in my .25 Mrod a couple weeks ago. You will be very pleased with it. I'm getting around 47 shots at or near 40fpe with the first 40 at around 1.62 efficiency.

Thanks for that info Shawn! That's an awesome outcome! Are you using a regulator?

[ShawninIL]

Yes, I have the Audruis regulator that came in the kit from hillair. I just looked on his site and the kit isn't showing the reg included anymore and the price is lower.

[TerryH]

Yes, I have the Audruis regulator that came in the kit from hillair. I just looked on his site and the kit isn't showing the reg included anymore and the price is lower.

I see. Tim gave me an Ebay link to that reg. I posted the link a few posts up. Waiting on the slow boat from Lithuania now. 

[ShawninIL]

I'm sure you will be impressed with it. With your rifle being a .22, you should get a ton of good shots out of it! I'm not sure how to post links, if you look on page 9 of the "calling all 25 caliber marauder regulated guns" thread, I have the very first string after installing the kit.