GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Guns And Related Accessories Review Gates => Air Gun Review Gate => Topic started by: unionrdr on May 08, 2017, 04:21:53 PM
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Yup, here we go again, folks. Another American gun no longer made in America. Nice rifle just the same. And my first foray up the ladder of big bore air rifles...albeit the first rung of that ladder. Here's my Crosman Benjamin NP XL 725 .25cal gas ram rifle. No spring break barrel that uses nitrogen under pressure to push the ram piston. Rather dense hardwood stock, with nicely checkered pistol grip that feels solid when shouldering the rifle. A fancy "B" in the pistol grip checkering and " BENJAMIN" on the bottom in front of the trigger guard. I was also surprised when I read the add on Amazon that it did indeed come with a Centerpoint 3-9x40AO mildot scope. Mounted on a welded on Weaver/picaninny rail. I also like the smooth, blued barrel shroud that lends to that " magnum sporter" look. It's heavy, at 9.2lbs with scope. About the same weight as my Winchester 1400cs and only about 2" shorter.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/HdLiGn.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnHdLiGnj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/bAVivh.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnbAVivhj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/wztEzD.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnwztEzDj)
And my entire air rifle collection thus far;
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/oUsAYS.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnoUsAYSj)
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I didn't know the the Nitro II came in a .25! Just got a Trail in .22 for my son and I love my Regal, but will have to look into the .25. Thanks.
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not the nitro ll, that is the older nitro XL. based on the older benjamin superstreaks (remember those?)... Good guns, a little work and they are devastating.
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Yeah, it's not the nitro 2, just the Trail NP XL725 .25cal. And how come " modify" to edit posts is no longer there? Sorta funny, the name is so bloody long, I keep forgetting to put in the name " Trail"! ;) A heavy gun at 9.2lbs with the scope, it feels solid with the Cochise thumbhole and checkered pistol grip. Also interesting to me, being of German ancestry, that the reticle is a German-style mildot. I got this on amazon, sold by Amazon LLC for $225.98. And since I have Prime, free 2-day shipping. USPS delivered it Sunday Afternoon! How about that for service?! The first of four tins of .25cal pellets is coming today. But I bet not until I have to be at physical therapy for my new 6 weeks ago left hip? I'll be doing the first chronograph video on this rifle Thursday at the earliest it looks like atm?
And, for the record, they have three calibers of this same rifle; Trail NP XL1500 (.177), XL1100 (.22), and XL725 (.25)...
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Great, Looking forward to seeing the Chrony video!
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Great, Looking forward to seeing the Chrony video!
+1
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Workin' on it. Darn think shoots so hard, it knocked over the backstop, it fell forward and broke one of the chronograph's tripod legs. Need a new tripod to finish video.
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Okay, here's the chronograph video where I tested 4 different pellets. I retested the H&N FTT 19.91gr just to see if it backed up the first round of numbers. Here's round one FTT results and the video;
http://imageshack.com/a/img924/5291/17ieeR.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/5291/17ieeR.jpg) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYePkKCnug8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYePkKCnug8)
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I finally got a pic of the actual reticle in the Centerpoint 3-9x40AO mildot scope that came on the XL725. Kinda reminds of the artificial horizon gauge in an aircraft;
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/492/VZ9bL6.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/492/VZ9bL6.jpg)
Not as bold as the standard mildot used in the Hammers scopes;
http://imageshack.com/a/img924/74/ODUmzB.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/74/ODUmzB.jpg)
But I'm starting to like it...
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For those who missed the memo - you CAN go back and modify posts, but only within thirty minutes of creating them.
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I just uploaded a new video on the .25 caliber pellets for this rifle in, Pigs, Pellets & Rifles- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLxxYTzbXj4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLxxYTzbXj4)
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Yup, here we go again, folks. Another American gun no longer made in America. Nice rifle just the same. And my first foray up the ladder of big bore air rifles...albeit the first rung of that ladder. Here's my Crosman Benjamin NP XL 725 .25cal gas ram rifle. No spring break barrel that uses nitrogen under pressure to push the ram piston. Rather dense hardwood stock, with nicely checkered pistol grip that feels solid when shouldering the rifle. A fancy "B" in the pistol grip checkering and " BENJAMIN" on the bottom in front of the trigger guard. I was also surprised when I read the add on Amazon that it did indeed come with a Centerpoint 3-9x40AO mildot scope. Mounted on a welded on Weaver/picaninny rail. I also like the smooth, blued barrel shroud that lends to that " magnum sporter" look. It's heavy, at 9.2lbs with scope. About the same weight as my Winchester 1400cs and only about 2" shorter.
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8004/mho1Az.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8004/mho1Az.jpg) http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6625/6EtoOC.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6625/6EtoOC.jpg) http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5902/9XfIEB.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5902/9XfIEB.jpg)
Powder burners on the right, air rifles on the left;
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5633/9XNS42.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5633/9XNS42.jpg)
Wonder why they don't make them in America anymore? Sure would be nice if even 1 single air rifle was manufactured and assembled in the U.S.
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Yup, here we go again, folks. Another American gun no longer made in America. Nice rifle just the same. And my first foray up the ladder of big bore air rifles...albeit the first rung of that ladder. Here's my Crosman Benjamin NP XL 725 .25cal gas ram rifle. No spring break barrel that uses nitrogen under pressure to push the ram piston. Rather dense hardwood stock, with nicely checkered pistol grip that feels solid when shouldering the rifle. A fancy "B" in the pistol grip checkering and " BENJAMIN" on the bottom in front of the trigger guard. I was also surprised when I read the add on Amazon that it did indeed come with a Centerpoint 3-9x40AO mildot scope. Mounted on a welded on Weaver/picaninny rail. I also like the smooth, blued barrel shroud that lends to that " magnum sporter" look. It's heavy, at 9.2lbs with scope. About the same weight as my Winchester 1400cs and only about 2" shorter.
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8004/mho1Az.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8004/mho1Az.jpg) http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6625/6EtoOC.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6625/6EtoOC.jpg) http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5902/9XfIEB.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5902/9XfIEB.jpg)
Powder burners on the right, air rifles on the left;
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5633/9XNS42.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5633/9XNS42.jpg)
Wonder why they don't make them in America anymore? Sure would be nice if even 1 single air rifle was manufactured and assembled in the U.S.
Double income tax and corporate tax on top of it.
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I guess? Just like Ford and the other car companies. Looking to spend less and keep more that we'll never get a part of. I destroyed my hips and back working for them. They could at least respect that and give me 80-85% of my pay, which was about $4,800/month. Now about half that. cheap ^(^^%$#^ take a lot more when they retire.
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Okay, last Monday, among other things I got a tin of .25cal H&N hornets @ 24.38gr. The same weight as their silver points. The older ones anyway, as the newer hornets are 23.16gr. I chambered one in the Benji NP XL725, and it fit snugly, but not too tight. Easily fit the skirt flush with the breech. Kicked harder than the other pellets. Just a thung, then smack at POI. These should be great for piggy head shots.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/eumORi.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poeumORij)
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And, in this latest Airgun Shooter video, I test the .22 and .25 caliber versions of the H&N Hornets above. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised, even though they were expensive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXKLJVHtpG0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXKLJVHtpG0)
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Nice looking rifle, Leonard! ;D
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Thanks. The .25 magnum is shooting straight and hard. Should be good for pigs of fair size? Here's a couple readouts from the Caldwell deluxe chronograph with IR lights and Android phone readouts. First is H&N Hornet 24.38gr;
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/lVI8jc.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnlVI8jcj)
And the H&N Field Target Trophy 19.91gr;
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/d42wnJ.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnd42wnJj)
As can be seen, both are quite comparable velocity-wise. But the hornet has more power at the muzzle. Here they are for clarity;
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/eumORi.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poeumORij)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/922/w8G0bE.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmw8G0bEj)
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I just shot a couple small strings with mine. The FTT is shooting 732-736 over 5 shots and with the 31gr barracuda it was 591-617 over 5 shots. So I'm solid 24-25 fpe. Even during break in I never got 30fpe. It is settling down still. It has a tin or crow mags and 2 of FTT through it. Bit the difference between new and now is pretty good.
Have fun with that cannon!
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Yup, here we go again, folks. Another American gun no longer made in America. Nice rifle just the same. And my first foray up the ladder of big bore air rifles...albeit the first rung of that ladder. Here's my Crosman Benjamin NP XL 725 .25cal gas ram rifle. No spring break barrel that uses nitrogen under pressure to push the ram piston. Rather dense hardwood stock, with nicely checkered pistol grip that feels solid when shouldering the rifle. A fancy "B" in the pistol grip checkering and " BENJAMIN" on the bottom in front of the trigger guard. I was also surprised when I read the add on Amazon that it did indeed come with a Centerpoint 3-9x40AO mildot scope. Mounted on a welded on Weaver/picaninny rail. I also like the smooth, blued barrel shroud that lends to that " magnum sporter" look. It's heavy, at 9.2lbs with scope. About the same weight as my Winchester 1400cs and only about 2" shorter.
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8004/mho1Az.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8004/mho1Az.jpg) http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6625/6EtoOC.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6625/6EtoOC.jpg) http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5902/9XfIEB.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5902/9XfIEB.jpg)
Powder burners on the right, air rifles on the left;
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5633/9XNS42.jpg (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5633/9XNS42.jpg)
Wonder why they don't make them in America anymore? Sure would be nice if even 1 single air rifle was manufactured and assembled in the U.S.
They where never made in America.
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not the nitro ll, that is the older nitro XL. based on the older benjamin superstreaks (remember those?)... Good guns, a little work and they are devastating.
Yes, I used to have a SuperStreak .22,......bloody good gun indeed.
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I was speaking generically. More and more American products go to cheap labor elsewhere. But the Chinese have a factory or two that do high-quality work. These, a few other air rifles and scopes like the Hammers are very well made. Americans need good factory jobs too! Anyway, the gun is a new one, not NOS or anything, just to be clear. The three different calibers the Trail comes in are all magnum versions. NP XL1500 is .177, NP XL1100 is .22, and my NP XL725 .25. But, as you can see by my chronograph readouts, it's easily over 725FPS! They choked a little on that number.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/afuI6a.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poafuI6aj)
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And here's an example of choking on velocity numbers. I test the H&N hornet in .22 and .25 calibers in my Striker 1000x .22 and my Benjamin Trail NP XL725 .25 in this video. FPE is off the hook!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXKLJVHtpG0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXKLJVHtpG0)
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I finally got the newer, lighter H&N hornet pellets @ 23.16gr from Kenny Kormendy in a trade where I sent him some of my heavier, older version hornets @ 24.38gr. I'll be comparison testing them in the Trail NP XL725 soon.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/NPBpJ3.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnNPBpJ3j)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/ERRvN7.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnERRvN7j)
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A friend and moderator on the Facebook air gun pages Ken Steers sent me a new tin of Benjamin domed pellets in .25cal, 27.8gr that also came in yesterday with my meds, the Hatsan 95 stock a fellow mod on here sent me as well. y stains, Danish oil, mineral spirits and 9v lithium battery for the chrono got picked up today. So when they warm up a bit, I'll be ready for more video episodes on restomods. Clean the Trail NP XL725' barrel again, and I'll chrono these Benjamin domed pellets. I'm curious as to what FPE they'll give in testing? They look really well made, as can be seen;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/A0GIGd.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnA0GIGdj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/h8jNQC.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmh8jNQCj)
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And here is the video where I chrono test the Benjamin domed 27.8gr pellets;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUOeviBZmYo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUOeviBZmYo)
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I'm always interested in fps and fpe numbers and I'm sure a lot of other members may be as well, so any chance you could post the shot strings from that Caldwell and not just a video about it??
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My .25 Mrod really likes those Benji Domed pellets! I have had my eye on the Trail XL725 for quite a while. I almost got one when they were on sale for under $200 at Christmas, but procrastinated too long and missed the sale! I'm enjoying your videos!
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Yup, here we go again, folks. Another American gun no longer made in America. Nice rifle just the same. And my first foray up the ladder of big bore air rifles...albeit the first rung of that ladder. Here's my Crosman Benjamin NP XL 725 .25cal gas ram rifle. No spring break barrel that uses nitrogen under pressure to push the ram piston. Rather dense hardwood stock, with nicely checkered pistol grip that feels solid when shouldering the rifle. A fancy "B" in the pistol grip checkering and " BENJAMIN" on the bottom in front of the trigger guard. I was also surprised when I read the add on Amazon that it did indeed come with a Centerpoint 3-9x40AO mildot scope. Mounted on a welded on Weaver/picaninny rail. I also like the smooth, blued barrel shroud that lends to that " magnum sporter" look. It's heavy, at 9.2lbs with scope. About the same weight as my Winchester 1400cs and only about 2" shorter.
Abracken a fellow GTA'er put together three bottled SPA M16's that he ordered from the China factory in parts. I know you can't order barrels at all unless you're a wholesaler though. Anyway before I make a long story short that he had to do some airgun smithing when building all three guns. It makes me wonder if Crosman gets their guns assembled or in parts ??? I've been real lucky with the Chinese guns myself but I'm not talking about break barrels either but I do have a Crosman NitroVenom that's bone stock and works.
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Okay Steve, here we go. This is also with a new lithium 9v battery after leaving it shut down and no power for a couple minutes, fiddling with battery packaging. Seems to have given the unit time to reset itself? No more error 2 & 3, or high numbers anymore!;
H&N hornet, 24.38gr, older;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/Hl1nVc.png) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnHl1nVcp)
H&N hornet, 23.16gr, newer;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/lYhmes.png) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnlYhmesp)
Benjamin domed, 27.8gr, group 1;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/kywi2E.png) (https://imageshack.com/i/pokywi2Ep)
Benjamin domed, 27.8gr, group 2;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/WnG0Iw.png) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnWnG0Iwp)
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Definitely respectable numbers for an Ultra Magnum class rifle and yes I said Ultra because if memory serves, once you cross the 20 fpe mark, it goes from Magnum to Ultra Magnum, although if I'm off by a couple on the fpe, someone by all means correct me.
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Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's 20FPE and over for the ultra magnum classification? and the rifle is rated for 900/30, so it exceeds it's numbers, just like the Winchester 1400cs did for Kenny Kormendy. He got a high of 1413 with 5.2gr pellets in the 1400cs. I posted the readouts for the1400cs, 160 Pellgun, and Striker 1000x too. I was kind of let down by the Benjamin domed pellet's numbers. Since the hornets did so well, I hoped these would exceed my expectations. Oh well, had to hit the ceiling sooner or later?!
Forgot to include the JSB King .25, 25.39gr, .25cal for comparison to the above chronograph readouts;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/GL19of.png) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmGL19ofp)
Looks to me like it'd be better for the rifle's innards and velocity/power to just use the lighter, yet comparable JSB King .25's instead of the heavier Benjamin domed that seem to have no redeeming qualities?
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I also need a good place to get seal kits for these Trail NP XL rifles. I'm repairing an NP XL1100 and need seals and such. I also find that my newer NPXL725 is less bulky looking and feels lighter than the at least 4 year old Trail NPXL1100 I'm repairing.
Older NPXL1100;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/9u1NrD.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pn9u1NrDj)
My NPXL725 I bought last May;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/5mYLGv.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po5mYLGvj)
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Good Review Leonard. I've got Gen. 1 22cal Benjamin Trail 1100 XL that has had extensive tuning done to it. I got the gun on a trade with another GTA Member. My gun weighs a little more than yours and it hits like a sledge hammer. I got a little better day to day accuracy with it by removing the shroud and going with an unencumbered barrel. Must have been something to do with the barrel harmonics and temperature fluctuations. I don't really know for sure but that is what I am thinking. The temperatures here in Minnesota are subject to big shifts from day to day. It can be 30 degrees F one day and -10F the next then +40 F a few days later. The end result was that very slight shifts in poi disappeared and accuracy improved. It was very noticeable at longer ranges of 50 yards or more. The trade off was a little louder shot report. I live out in the boonies so that wasn't a problem for me. I have a Birchwood Casey 44 Mag spinner set out at 50 yards that I shoot at with this gun. I don't remember the exact dimensions of the two spinner discs and I can't go out and measure them right now because the spinner is buried deep in snow & ice but it was something close to 3 inches on the top and 4 1/2 on the bottom. The gun will slam either one all day long and do it with authority too. That spinner is real thick and heavy duty and it takes a hard hit to move it. Thank You for this review Leonard, Good Job !
Best Wishes - Tom
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Thanks, I really appreciate it! I love these Trail XL's! They may kick hard for an air rifle, but they sling lead like heavy metal bricks! Besides, I was taught to shoot with spoils of war, which were all pretty heavy, being war rifles. So the weight thing is okay buy me. Been working on the XL1100 all week as well. I already have some 22 minutes of video done for part 3. I want to get the rifle all buttoned up in this episode. Then some chronograph testing will be next with the rebuilt XL1100.
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Okay, looks like I'll have to post the numbers from the NPXL1100 soon? Although I did do a video of that one after rebuilding it. Ken still loves it all over again! That was gratifying. Anyway, I have a new video with some quicker action this time! I test the Gamo Hunters in my Striker 1000x .22. Ans re-test the H&N FTT's in the Trail NPXL725. Then my modular backstop results...all on Airgun Fan!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC3-xFXLWjc&lc=z22tg1kxjx3iijwwx04t1aokgy1hpg30vzqoasi3kvk1rk0h00410.1527242368911124 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC3-xFXLWjc&lc=z22tg1kxjx3iijwwx04t1aokgy1hpg30vzqoasi3kvk1rk0h00410.1527242368911124)
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Okay, here's the chrono video I did awhile back testing the newly rebuilt Trail NPXL1100. It's about 7 years old, and looks a hair different here and there. Besides the stock color.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-JssKdyIeI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-JssKdyIeI)
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And the Striker 1000x & Trail NPXL725 chrono test recently where the Trail's breech seal blew. Just ordered a few more this morning. I also thought y'all might like the Cinemascope number I did on the thumbnail?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC3-xFXLWjc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC3-xFXLWjc)
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Well, I finally get both the Trail NPXL725 and the trail-based Remington 725VTR, both .25 magnum's ready to test and the Chrono's quit working in the southern-facing man cave? Anyway, here they are side by side for your edification...
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/jeohf1.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnjeohf1j)
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Leonard....now that is a pair of .....ACES ! Nice Guns.
Best Wishes - Tom
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Leonard...do you know if that Remington 725VTR stock will fit on your Benjamin Trail NPXL725 ?
If it does I may order the 725 VTR stock for my Benjamin Trail NPXL 1100 to use on it for hunting.
I like the plastic stocks for hunting applications in harsh conditions.
I have thought of coating my Benjamin Trail NPXL stock with truck bedliner but a plastic stock like that one would be a better idea if it will fit.
Best Wishes - Tom
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Sorry about the time lag! Nobody ever posts in this thread anymore, so I neglected to look. Sorry. It should indeed fit, since the Remington 725VTR is based on the Trail NPXL725 barreled action. It cost me $128.xx to have it hydro dipped Realtree EDGE over in Mansfield. Look at the pics again and you'll see what I mean;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/Wt06Ww.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poWt06Wwj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/921/AiZcqX.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plAiZcqXj)
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And here's a side-by-side pic of them both to make comparisons between the two easier;
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/921/bEsBBa.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plbEsBBaj)