Benj Akela.... 177 or 22- Help me decide.

[BC81]

Here is a comparison of the kral vs benjamin trigger setups.

Kral on top, Benji on bottom.

That's the old kral trigger. All new Kral guns use the same trigger as the Benji guns. Kral guns switched triggers about the same time the Benji guns were developed.

Gotcha. I haven't opened up the trigger assembly in my new mega yet, but it does have the newer "trigger blade on a stick" style like the Benji.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Paul have you tried any of the jsb 16.2 gr in your 177 ?

Chris, not since I added the regulator.  I did when it was stock and after shortening the hammer spring.  Stock it was shooting the 16.2 grain Monsters at an average of 878 FPS, but it was a steady drop from 884 FPS to 875 FPS over a 5 shot string.  After shorting the hammer spring to 3", it averaged 789.2 FPS and that was more like the front end of a bell curve, starting at 777 FPS and climbing to 800 FPS over a 5 shot string.

For comparison, here are the average of 5 shots using 10.3 grain AA pellets (the only pellet I have actually shot in all 3 configurations):

Stock:  1049.8 FPS Average
3" HS:  998.2 FPS Average
3" HS/Reg:  954.8 FPS

The groups got consistantly tighter as the speed went down.

[BC81]

Paul have you tried any of the jsb 16.2 gr in your 177 ?

Chris, not since I added the regulator.  I did when it was stock and after shortening the hammer spring.  Stock it was shooting the 16.2 grain Monsters at an average of 878 FPS, but it was a steady drop from 884 FPS to 875 FPS over a 5 shot string.  After shorting the hammer spring to 3", it averaged 789.2 FPS and that was more like the front end of a bell curve, starting at 777 FPS and climbing to 800 FPS over a 5 shot string.

For comparison, here are the average of 5 shots using 10.3 grain AA pellets (the only pellet I have actually shot in all 3 configurations):

Stock:  1049.8 FPS Average
3" HS:  998.2 FPS Average
3" HS/Reg:  954.8 FPS

The groups got consistantly tighter as the speed went down.

I had similar experience with mine in 177. Was doing around 1070 fps with 10.65s and steady drop, only get 2 mags on a fill and they were obviously all over the place.

Clipped the spring to 2.75" and it brought them down to the low 900s for 5 mags and then was a very slow decline for 3 mags after that before it would fall off.

Mine absolutely hated anything JSB, wouldn't load them well and wasn't very accurate with them. On half transfer port it shot the cheap crosmans very well, and full open it was lights out with 10.65 match pellets. It just didn't do it for knockdown power even with 20 fpe. Would punch right through doves and grackles and they'd fly off and die. Same with a squirrel unless it was a perfect shot.

So I switched to 25 caliber, 43 fpe for 30 shots and nothing has walked away since!

[RocketMan58]

I appreciate the further discussion, Gents. It's all being watched closely. I've decided on the 22 Akela and will order tonight with intent on shortening the hammer spring. (I am going to hunt a spare spring up as soon as I can.)  I think the Akela will compliment my other rifles well. As mentioned, it's not compact but all I was really wanting was something more along the length of my Dynamix and shorter than my Marauder FT.

[BC81]

Replacement hammer spring directly from crosman: CR-017

Just call their customer support and ask for parts, give them that number and they'll get you taken care of. Probably a couple bucks for the spring and it's always $4 shipping.

[RocketMan58]

Thank You for the spring info. Very helpful. Anything else you recommend buying for parts/consumables for this rifle?

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Thank You for the spring info. Very helpful. Anything else you recommend buying for parts/consumables for this rifle?

Buck-Rail sells a really nice barrel band with Picatinny Rails and a great Scope Rail support.  He also sells a suppressor.  His prices are really reasonable. 

https://buck-rail.com/product/benjamin-akela-tri-rail/

https://buck-rail.com/product/akela-scope-rail-support/

https://buck-rail.com/product/benjamin-akela-suppressor/

[JimD]

I have no Akela experience but it is a very attractive gun.  Is it rear cocking?  I shoot from my left shoulder so a rear cocking lever on the right is in my face.  I recently purchased my second and third P35 which I think is similar in price to an Akela.  They are regulated guns with a cocking lever above the trigger.  They also have a flush fit magazine which is also important for lefties.  Stoeger has announced a bullpup that appears to be a rebranded P35 with a different stock.  I just talked to one guy who has one on order but I haven't heard anybody has one yet.  You have to order the P35 from Krale. 

My 177 gets about 100 shots from a 250 bar fill of it's 265 cc air chamber.  My 22 and 25 get about 70 shots.  That many shots at consistent velocity is the advantage of the regulator IMHO.  I enjoy shooting my 177 but my 22 is more accurate and I think it's a better choice in most circumstances.  The 177 seems to be the most influenced by even a slight breeze.  I've shot a couple 3 shot groups at 25 yards that were under 0.1 inches with the 177 but I've shot a couple with the 22 that were not visibly different from a single pellet hole.  The 25 is probably worse than the 177 but has whacked the most squirrels for me.  It's still an accurate gun.  But for plinking 25 pellets are a bit pricey.  There is also a lot more variety in the available 177 and 22 pellets.  22 probably has the most available but there are a LOT of 177s. 

To me a big advantage of the P35 is that with a simple hair curler/felt mod to it's shroud you can get the noise down to the mid to low 80 db level.  My 177 is about 82 db, my 22 about 85 and my 25 between the others.  Nice to avoid the expense and added length of a moderator.  Pellets hitting my trap are about 85 db so once I get the gun down to that level I am OK with them as "back yard friendly".

[RocketMan58]

Thank You for the spring info. Very helpful. Anything else you recommend buying for parts/consumables for this rifle?

Buck-Rail sells a really nice barrel band with Picatinny Rails and a great Scope Rail support.  He also sells a suppressor.  His prices are really reasonable. 

Perfect!

[RocketMan58]

Thanks for all the help, gents. I ordered a Akela package in .22 today directly from Benjamin during their 20% off promotion.   I also ordered the suite of  Akela add on's from Buck Rails. I'll order a replacement/spare hammer spring this week and then I should be set for a bit. Being a bullpup newbie, I'm really looking forward to tinkering with this thing.