Maximus help

[piddlin]

I had been looking at something to replace my rimfires for squirrels and family plinking. So, after much research, and reading about PCPs being more accurate than rimfires 50yds and in, I purchased a Maximus, pump and pellet combo from Pyramid last week for $305

 I received my Maximus and pump last Thurs. I ran a patch thru the barrel, pumped it up and let it sit til Sat. Good news, Sat morning it was still at 2k psi. I mounted a scope and sighted it in at 15yds. Backed it up to 25yds and did not get the groups I was expecting. We shot a 100 rounds or so and I never saw any consistency. So I ran inside to grab my CZ452 rimfire and it was what I thought. The Benji was double or more in group size. I backed up to 40 yds and had similar results. (pics below). All was shot from bench rest with sand bags. Used 2 different scopes on the Maximus with same results. Benjamin Discovery HP 22 pellets and the RWS that came with it.

Now my plea for help comes here. I've decided to return the combo, which looks like a pretty simple procedure from Pyramid. But, I've read that if they do not find a defect, there is a 20% restocking fee + shipping cost. Now, I've read enough comments to see the QC is not that great on the Maximums. So a barrel burr or crown could be causing the problem. Or, is there a better chance that the gun will be tested to be normal and cost me $70-80?

Should I take the chance on them finding it defective, or list it for sale for say $250 + shipping to someone who has more time to correct it?

[dcorvino]

Hi
Before getting rid of the Maximus you might want to try another pellet
I recommend JSB pellets.
Just a thought.

Dave

[Roadworthy]

I would start by calling Pyramyd and speaking with someone on the phone.  An exchange for a better gun should present no problem.

I think they have a no questions asked refund policy within the first thirty days as well.  Again, call them.

[piddlin]

I saw a lot of recommendations for the Crosman Premier pellets. Our Academy didn't have those, but they had the Benjamins (which are supposed to be mostly the same only slightly better). I also tried the RWS that came with the combo. Both patterned about the same, so I didn't see a need to spend money and time to order other tins.

I tried to call, but no answer. The website does list the 30 day money back, but that is if unopened or defective. If opened and returned without defect, there is a 20% restock and shipping charge.

The truth is, it is not as accurate as I thought it was supposed to be. But, I really did not like the way it is engineered either. The cocking was smooth one shot and difficult to hard the next 2. The bolt lever would jump up during a shot quite regularly, which I think may have something to do with the accuracy. I know about the rubber band trick, but I shouldn't have to do that on a new gun. Even with all of that, I would keep it if it was accurate. My boys loved it (probably because I was the one pumping).

I believe I'll just return it, take my chances on the 20% and stick with rimfires.

[Tater]

What did you use to clean the barrel with? 100 pellets might not be enough to break it in yet. If the barrel was well-cleaned, it may just need more pellets through it to settle in. The suggestion of trying JSB pellets is a good one too. They are the most accurate pellet in MANY guns and definitely worth a try.

[moorepower]

You never gave the gun a chance. Without trying to find the pellet or pellets it likes, you will never know if the gun will shoot.

[wll2506]

You never gave the gun a chance. Without trying to find the pellet or pellets it likes, you will never know if the gun will shoot.

I would at least try JSB Diabolos as a minimum. Those Benjamin's are OK for messing around, but for the kind of accuracy you want I don't think those pellets are  it.

I used CPHP's in a CO2 Condor this weekend, and the accuracy was OK for messing around and shooting stones and cans ...but I can tell you  the JSB Diabolos were much more accurate and held tighter groups...... Why did not I shoot them ? because all I was after was shooting on the cheap ..... out in the desert, hitting a stone or ? at 40-50 yards was all I was after.

If I was hunting with this gun I would use the JSB's a much better pellet.for sure ! In my Disco I shoot the JSB Diabolos (15.89gr) and they shoot very well !

wll2506

[56S]

First off, only a few PCPs are as accurate as your CZ out to fifty yards.  On a calm day. My Maximus will just about duplicate my 452 at 25 yards; but not quite.  Out to 50, not even close.  The pellet is too light and spends too much time in the air.  If you don't have a scope level, get one. 
Second, as many have said, the Crosman 14.3 pellet in the tin is good for plinking.  The JSB Exact Jumbo Diabolo in 15.89gr shoot much more consistant.  They should as they cost twice as much as the Crosmans you buy in Walmart.
Third, at what pressure are you shooting?  Are you using the gauge on the pump or the gun to indicate 2K?  Use the one on the pump.  Some of us have found the most accurate shots are the 10-15 after the gun hits 1,800 on the gun gauge.  Mine shoots best in this range.
Forth, the PCP requires a skill to shoot.  The time between hammer release and the pellet leaving the barrel is considerably longer than that from a .22LR.  Practice with it.
Finally, almost all inexpensive guns require a bit of tweaking to get the best out of them.  Mine shot very good out of the box but kept changing POI in windage.  I used .005" brass shims around the barrel and air tube under the barrel band.  Problem solved.

There is one fault that some Crosmans have.  I've read about it here on GTA.  When the crown on the muzzle is cut the reamer marks up the rifling.  Do a very good inspection of the rifling just inside the muzzle to see if there are any rings.

I do hope you keep your Maximus and if you have any questions shoot me a PM for my phone number for help.

Dan

[Monkeydad1969]

OK...so I got the Euro .177 version from Crosman.  I was getting good groups with the Benji and Crosman pellets.  Then I cleaned the barrel and the accuracy went to pot.  I started to use my JSB offerings, including the Skenco pellets.  They all shot great.  The Skenco Ultra Shocks shoot very nicely.  So you may want to try other offerings.  The rifle shoots really well.  Let it break in and let the barrel lead up, then make up your mind.  It will not be an overnight thing, just give it a little time.

Joe

[jus Tom]

The general feeling here seems to be to keep and give the Maximus a chance, I concur. In reality it's a $200 entry level pcp gun. I'm sure your CZ also has a favorite ammo, (and better trigger) I know my Remington 541 .22 rifles do.
I'm new to the pcp scene also but have found,, as in the break barrels,, the larger head sized ammo shoots better, H&N FTT 5.53/5.54/5.55.

[moorepower]

Try some Remington Golden bullets in the CZ. The price between a good pellet such as a JSB or H&N in a long day of shooting will not buy a 50 round box of .22lr. IF you want a PCP that shoots most pellets try a BSA, FX, Daystate.......Even they won't always like Walmart pellets.

[wll2506]

Try some Remington Golden bullets in the CZ. The price between a good pellet such as a JSB or H&N in a long day of shooting will not buy a 50 round box of .22lr. IF you want a PCP that shoots most pellets try a BSA, FX, Daystate.......Even they won't always like Walmart pellets.

LOL, LOL IMHO, the next best thing to owning a shotgun is a semi auto .22 with Rem Golden bullets ;-  )

wll2506

[Doug Wall]

"and reading about PCPs being more accurate than rimfires 50yds and in"   That would be for a very good PCP, and a not so good RF. Airguns, and rimfires are both a bit picky about ammunition. You need to find the best pellet for your gun. I find that JSB are very good, but there are several types and weights of JSB. Even at 25 yards and less, pellets are far more susceptible to wind effects than RF bullets. That includes wind of all directions (headwinds will shoot low, tailwinds shoot high).

You purchased the cheapest entry level PCP on the market. Should you expect it to match the quality and accuracy of a gun costing 2,3, or 4 times as much? I don't think so. The 20% restocking fee is more than generous. They now have to sell that gun as a used, customer return. Do you think that they can still sell that at the original price?

As far as tweaking the Maximus goes, there are several mods that are being used to optimize it. I have one that I got in July. I've replaced and lightened the trigger, changed the hammer spring to lighten the cocking effort and get a better shot curve, and added a SSG to get more shots per fill. I'm still optimizing it, so the jury is still out on final accuracy.

[anti-squirrel]

Given the recent drop in perceived quality for a lot of Crosman's pellets, the first thing I'd do is go buy some H&N FTTs, Polymags, JSBs in both 15 and 18 grain.  Shoot another 100 or so Crosmans down the barrel, then once you get the more pricey pellets, start over and see what it can do.  Or skip the stockpiling of pellets your Maximus may not like, go to Straightshooter's and get the sampler.

CP domes and HPs have always shot well in my airguns, but after buying my first PCP, I found even the brown-box CP domes were lacking compared to the better-quality pellets.  Beeman Silver Arrows are spot on, as are the H&N Crow Mags.  My pistol isn't putting out the same power level as your Maximus, but experimenting with 10 different pellets helped and I got 4 more coming.  Given how much tweaking you can do to the Maximus, I'd look at doing a 4-for-3 at PA on the pellets or go to Straightshooters for their sampler.  Also, don't focus on one weight range.  I'm discovering with my PP700 it really likes heavy pellets.

The Maximus is, simply stated, a good basic PCP, but that's just it- basic.  It is one of the cheapest out there, and though it is $200, it is on the extreme low end of PCP shooting.  Give the gun a chance, check your crown, and try some other pellets.  Chances are it's a shooter- ya just gotta find what it likes to eat.

[maraudinglizard]

I have the maximus in .177 which I am in the process of breaking in. It will probably take about 500 rounds to start seeing the pattern tighten up. I use pellets that my other guns don't like for break in, after that I find a pellet that will stay consistent in the rifle and go from there. Things are going to be tight on a rifle as well but will loosen up and smooth out over time. Yes, you will have to buy different tins of pellets or go to the pellet exchange on GTA and see what other members have to offer in exchange or sell. Accuracy of a new gun will not happen over night.  At least give the rifle a chance before returning it. Good Luck!

Update:

I have about 60 to 70 rounds through my gun and here are the results. The left target has the 10, 20, and 30yd groups. The right target is the 50yd groups. The pellet is the crosman CPUM 10.5gr. This the first time I have been able to shoot the rifle. With the right pellet this gun will be a sweet shooter along with my Disco and Mrod.

[moorepower]

Try some Remington Golden bullets in the CZ. The price between a good pellet such as a JSB or H&N in a long day of shooting will not buy a 50 round box of .22lr. IF you want a PCP that shoots most pellets try a BSA, FX, Daystate.......Even they won't always like Walmart pellets.

LOL, LOL IMHO, the next best thing to owning a shotgun is a semi auto .22 with Rem Golden bullets ;-  )

wll2506

That's my point! He is shooting the equivalent of the Golden Bullet in the Max and expecting it to shoot like a CZ with good ammo! Alot of guns really like Crosman domes, but not all.