Titan NP long range accuracy

[jcisne]

I have a Benjamin Titan NP .177 and a Daisy Powerline 901, both are completely stock, the only mods are a Tasco 3-7x20 scope on the Daisy and a 4-16x40 Centerpoint on the Titan.

The Titan suffered from inaccuracy during the break-in period, but after about 2,000 pellets, a clean barrel, and blue locktite in the screws, I'm finally pretty happy with it. I normally shoot both rifles in my backyard, both have similar accuracy with quarter size groups at 15-20 yards.

Last weekend I took both rifles outdoors and used a tape measure to set up targets at exactly 35 yards and 60 yards. At 35 yards both rifles shot very well, I was able to hit targets consistently.

At 60 yards I expected some pellet drop, so to figure out how much it was I taped an 8 inch bullseye in a big cardboard, and after firing the pellets I measured the drop in the cardboard. With the Daisy there was a 20 inch drop at 60 yards, but there was very little horizontal displacement. So I started aiming approximately 20 inches higher, and I was able to consistently hit 2 liter plastic Pepsi bottles. And at 60 yards the little Daisy even had enough punch left to sometimes go completely throught the plastic bottles, and other times the pellets penetrated and ended up inside the bottle.

Then I tried the same exercise with the Titan. As expected, pellet drop was less, about 10 inches at 60 yards, but horizontally the pellets where all over the place. Then tried to hit the 2 liter plastic Pepsi bottle by aiming 10 inches high, but I couldn't. Vertically the pellets were hitting the same height as the bottle, but some pellets were going as much as 12 inches to the left, others the same distance to the right.

What do you think can be causing this? Do I have to practice my hold? Or is there someting wrong with my Titan NP? I've searched the forum and read about the brass washer mod...can this mod fix this problem?

[BobbyHumphrey]

    It sure could

[Stickstoff]

Pivot washers would be my first suspect but I'd also check the crown of the barrel.

[cdd1983]

did you have to scoped zoomed all the way in on the titan? 16x is a lot of magnification and it could be a zero issue. That is assuming that they were always to the left. Zeroing at close range may seem perfect but discrepancies in the zero will show a lot more the farther you shoot. If they were all over the place I would check the barrel crown and barrel play as they are the most likely culprits.   

[Muppit]

pinch the butt of the stock between your feet and the for are section between your knees and hold the end of the barrel in your hand snd gently move the barrel side to side and watch the pivot section were the barrel mounts to the compression tube, if you see any side to side movement you may need  new washers or the pivot bolt is not tight. I have the same rifle and its super accurate out past 60 yards but the rifle needs to be right as well as your hold                dave

[Stickstoff]

Don't forget to check the pivot bolt tension before you go replacing parts. I'd recommend the brass/bronze washer upgrade anyway but if you didn't set the tension on the pivot and locktite that too it's not helping you any for sure.

[jcisne]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't think its a scope zeroing problem, because the pellets were hitting up to 12 inches from the target on both the left and right side, but at about the same height.

I also tried to move the barrel from side to side to see if the pivot bolt is loose, but I didn't notice any side movement. However, I removed the stock to further check the pivot bolt, and I was able to give it half a turn before it felt tight...so maybe it was the pivot bolt that had gotten loose. I haven't had time to take the rifle outdoors to test it again, maybe this weekend I will have time. I'll keep you posted on the result.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[56S]

Did I miss the pellet type?

[jcisne]

I hadn't mentioned that I was using Crosman hunting pellets, pointed, 7.4 grains
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-hunting-177-cal-7-4-grains-pointed-250ct?p=108

[PIPERMAN]

Try the 10.5 premier domed 

[cdd1983]

Try the 10.5 premier domed 

 +1 for the 10.5 Crosman premier domes. I recently tried those after using the Crosman Premier hollow point (7.9gr). My Benjamin loves them. Good flat trajectory, very accurate and they hit hard.

[jcisne]

Try the 10.5 premier domed 

I will !

[ZigZagMan1949]

Same here on the heavy pellets. I just started using H&N Baracuda Match 10.65gr and improved accuracy a lot, also domed pellets seem to be a lot more accurate than the wad cutters.