Benjamin® Trail NP™ XL 1500 .177

[maineultraclassic]

I'm considering buying a a new rifle, and the one I'm looking at is the Benjamin® Trail NP™ XL 1500 .177.

I really like the 1500fps rating............more power is always better.

What is the general thoughts on this gun?

Thanks,

Steve

[uncle paulie]

 Didn't know we had any "Generals" here!

My guess is that everyone who has one likes them, everyone else just wants one!

pv

[Nomadic Pirate]

Get it !!!... but buy the heavyest pellets you can, or get the .22, and as you order it put an order for the GRT III in at the same time, than you set 

[454 Big Block Chevy]

this looks like it would be a great choice for some Eun Jins.  anything lighter than 10+ grains in .177 would go supersonic, and likely cause accuracy issues.

[Jay]

Great power house gun's!! I enjoy the *(&^ out of mine, they do have a strong cocking force so be ready for that!?! I too think the gun is better suited to the .22 cal. over all.

[PA1911]

I was impressed with mine when I got it.  I did have issues with excessive smoking even after 300 or so rounds.  I also noticed that my scope would not mount in line with the bore.  I dont know if it was the weaver rail or the rings.  I mounted and unmounted the scope four times with the same result.  I shipped it back to Pyramyd and I am waiting for the replacement to get here.

As Jay mentioned, the cocking force is heavy but not crazy hard.  My only other experiences with break barrels was a Big Cat and a Whisper.  The cocking force was noticeably harder than those.

I think its a great rifle.  I ordered CPUM, JSB Exact Heavy, and H&N Barracuda Match for the heavier pellets (10.2-10.65 gr)  I also have H&N Crow Magnums and CPHPs on the lighter side.  It seemed to like the heavier pellets better.  As others have stated, stay with the heavier pellets and keep them under the sound barrier for better accuracy.

The only reason I went with .177 is thats what ive always had.  I'll probably branch out to a .22 when I get airgun #2.

And get the GRT-III trigger!  I ordered a GRT-III before I decided on the rifle it was going in .  I put about 50 rounds through my 1500 with the stock trigger before I switched just to compare them.  There is no comparison.  The GRT-III trigger makes a good gun a great gun.

Good luck in your decision.  I'll let everyone know how my replacement performs.

 

[ezman604]

Steve, they are sweet guns. I have both the XL1500 and the XL1100. Don't count on 1500fps from one though. They use PBA ammo to jack up the output as an advertising gimic but at that speed, you would not have any accuracy or knock-down power. For the .177, I've had good results from CPUM (10.5gr) and Beeman Kodiak Extra Heavy (10.6gr). For the .22 caliber, I've had great results with anything from 12.65gr to 18.21gr rounds. I stuck with 16gr Predators. They had the smallest spread with mine. Not all guns of the same brand and caliber shoot the same with the same ammo though.
Buy one, you'll enjoy it. If you are mainly paper punching and feather dusting, go with the .177 XL1500. For fur and also distance paper punching, go with the .22 cal XL1100. Just my recommendations.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[airiscool]

Got my XL in 22 for hunting power. It smoked and shot inconsistently until at about 500 shots I replaced the chewed up factory seal. Like Dave's, mine loves Predators - a devastating combo !!!

Paul

[shootstraight]

I just got the XL1500 and its awesome.  I can't get a .22 so the XL1500 is what I got.  It shoots straight, is creepy quiet and CRUSHES birds.  It holds its zero even way out. No joke.  The other guys are right; I don't think you'll find too many people who have any issues with the gun except that its heavy and has a terrible trigger. Also, if you get it, try the H&N Crow Magnum 8.8g pellets. I shoot most birds 10-50 yards. These pellets are cheaper than the predators and you'll get almost 24 ft/lbs of energy in the XL1500 with these and they shoot great on short to medium ranges.  Plus they just DESTROY small game and vermin.  As a side bonus they even cut a nice even hole in a target.  I haven't tried the predators. They cost a ton.  I also don't have a crono but DAVE posted 1095fps with the Crow Magnums.  Math says 23.4ft/lbs.  Almost 24ft/lbs.