Benjamin Trail NP or the XL version??

[hayman]

I'm looking to purchase one of these next week for pest control on the farm etc.  I'm looking at the 2 Benjamen models the Trail NP @ 950 fps  or the XL model @ 1100 fps.  I suspected and now have read with  decent lead pellets they both don't do what's stated on the spec sheet.  But still not bad shooting a Crosman premier the 14.3 grain pellet around 700 for the trail np and 900 fps for the trail XL.

I've read now the XL version is a beast of a gun??  Quite heavy and requires heavy cocking effort compared to the standard trail model?   Has anyone used both of these guns a bit is the XL that much heavier?

I have an old GAMO .177 cal. Magnum 2000 that was rated @ 950 fps. back in 1994 when I bought and I don't find its requires too much effort to cock. It,s been a very good gun and has gotten a lot of use over the years.  I'm looking to get a new high power air rifle and want to go with a .22 cal this time around as the boys are now using the old Gamo now quite a bit.   

The new Benjamin will be used for gophers, birds and target shooting.

The price I was quoted was not much diff. so I figured I'd just go with the XL version.

[Rocker1]

if you are just going to target shoot  and the occasional hunt i would suggest the np its light  and the cocking effort is not bad, now the xl is  a bit heavy and it is a beast to cock  but it really has the power. to just target shoot with the xl is kinda tireing , but either way i am sure you will be happy with your purchase, and i would also like to welcome you to the gta. thanks david

[ezman604]

Welcome to GTA Forums. Glad you found us a joined up. There's a lot of good info available here and a bunch of very friendly and helpful folks.
I have the XL1100 & XL1500. They weigh in around 10lbs or so with scope. They are roughly 49" in length. So, it's a handfull for sure. I'm 5'10" and 220lb and it's not too much gun for me. I actually like a heavy and long gun. The cocking effort is rated at about 47-48lb and is heavier than a standard springer but not too bad, to me. Since it is a heavy, long and requires more effort to cock, it's not the ideal paper punching choice. And for some folks, it may be a bit much to tote around for an all day session of hunting. The sling helps in that regard. But there again, it is worth it to me. It has the power and accuracy I want in a hunter/plinker. I have 3 Benjamin airguns and would buy them again in a heartbeat. My XL1100 will shoot many different pellets accurately but after testing, I use Predator 16gr rounds in mine since these have the least spread in a 10 shot group of all ammo tested.
I would recommend the extra power you will get from the XL, but that's personal preference. Again welcome to GTA. Keep us posted on your decision and your airgun adventures. Be sure to post pictures and stories in the hunting section.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[Nathan]

Well, the previous 2 gentlemen are right on with their advice, so not much for me to add. I have no experience with the Trail NP but I do have the Trail XL. But you'll need to get the replacement trigger for either of the rifles. It's about $35, but it makes a world of difference.
Nathan

[uncle paulie]

I'm with the others on the XL. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot the NP but I have found that the more I shoot the XL, the easier it has become, but would not consider it as "easy". This, due to the fact that the more you use the muscles involved in cocking these things, the stronger they become. When I first got the XL, 50-60 at a sitting was enough for me and my body really liked it if I gave it a days rest between sessions. Now it doesn't mind a daily routine of 100+ rounds if I have the time. With the XL, I really like the extra power available for critter control when necessary, and it increases the pellet choices being able to handle some of the heavies. 

Welcome to the group. Good-Luck!

pv

[ezman604]

Ooops, sorry, can't believe I left that point off.
The GRT-III trigger is a MUST for any gun it fits. It's DEFINATELY the best $32 you can spend on an airgun. And it does fit both versions. It will increase your accuracy GREATLY and makes for a much smoother shooting cycle.

http://charliedatuna.com/GRT-III%20Trigger%20New.htm

[Nomadic Pirate]

I'm 5'6" 150 # and have no problem with the XL, once you develope the right tecnique, yes it's hard to cock in the beginning but you'll get it down pretty fast.

It's nice to be able to shoot a 18gr pellet if you hunting  and mine shoots the JSB just fantastic

[Jay]

All has been said Hayman? But working a farm I'm pretty darn sure the cocking effort will not bother you at all. An the XL's are a THUMPER on critter's!!! Also A Big WELCOME too the GTA!!!

[hayman]

Sounds like the xl would work ok as want the power for gophers and when we go out hunting gophers  we always are shooting from a pick up truck anyway so its not like I have to pack it around.  So as long as I can cock the think sitting in the truck it should be fine. I also like how I hear these guns are known to be more quiet.  Where I live the last 20 years urban sprawl has surrounded the home farm and traffic drives us nuts!!!   So fire arms are just not a good option any more for going out plinking or hunting for gophers..... besided pellet guns are more fun.  

Sounds like the trail version is sweet gun also. I''ll see how the xl works and maybe get my father the trail version.  As I know he wouldn't like trying to cock the XL!  Years ago he thought I was nuts for buying the Gamo .177 (thinking it was a toy) till he saw what it could do! It has since always impressed him over the years and now he has been hinting .... he sure wished he had the Gamo at his place as the pigeons drive him nuts. Being trapper back in his younger days as a kid  he is always trying to rig up something to catch them lol!  The Gamo is is really handy for pigeons in our sheds.  As a .22 rim fire even in a .22 short will put a hole in the shed roof or tin wall even at 30 ft!!!  Where as the old GAmo will knock down the pigeons and not damage the tin too bad if you miss.   This makes be wonder now I suppose the  benjamin .22 cal. XL or even the NP won't work in the sheds as they might make holes!    I may have to keep the gamo around for inside stuff.
Thanks for the welcome and info!

[Nomadic Pirate]

The  NP XL is really, really quite, the pellet hitting the target is far more noisy then the gun

The Super Streak, is just as accurate (mine is more) and powerfull, but is really, really easy to cock

[Perry]

I have the Trail NP and it requires about 30 lbs. of effort to cock. It shoots 14.3 grain pellets around 800 FPS and is very accurate. Well worth looking at.

[Nightstalker]

The Boy's all covered it.Personally,I LOVE my XL 1100 and now since I got my GRT lll trigger from Bob,,she's my go to gun for the Bandit's! As far as cocking i'm 5,11 192 lbs and it's really not much to cock once you do it 25 or 30 times and besides,I'm finding my left arms overpowering my right pretty much these day's,lol.Perry's right the NP is a nice rifle so either way,the NP or the XL you'll like,,,but that Extra Power is hard not to take, for what extra it costs.JMHO,

Troy

[hayman]

The Boy's all covered it.Personally,I LOVE my XL 1100 and now since I got my GRT lll trigger from Bob,,she's my go to gun for the Bandit's! As far as cocking i'm 5,11 192 lbs and it's really not much to cock once you do it 25 or 30 times and besides,I'm finding my left arms overpowering my right pretty much these day's,lol.Perry's right the NP is a nice rifle so either way,the NP or the XL you'll like,,,but that Extra Power is hard not to take, for what extra it costs.JMHO,

Troy

Hey Troy I see you have a Diana 350 Magnum .22 Cal, Diana 34 Panther .22 Cal and the Trail NP XL 1100 .22 Cal

How does the NP XL match up against the  Diana Magnum 350?  I looked at one of them also.  I can't remember is the Dana Magnum about 900 fps too with a 14.3 grain pellet?

[Rocker1]

i would say your sheds in trouble i have shot a 2x6 from 10 feet and it went through it now it was just a pine 2x 6 but still thats a lot of power lol!! so be for warned it will shoot a hole through your shed. and also i have found mine likes the crossman 10.5 ultra mags. thanks david

[Nightstalker]

Hey Hayman,Sorry I'm just getting back to you but we have had company since yesterday and I just got to sneak away for a bit,lol. Well I love my 350 and now that she's broke in,tuned and I figured out my Best hold,she's smooth and real nice to shoot.With CPHP's she's about 20 fps slower than the Trail XL (But a bit Closer with RWS Super H points) but she's my favorite gun just because of her styling and comfort to tote around in the woods.I can't say I don't Love my XL because I do and 99.9 as much as the 350,but I'm a bit of an Diana fan for the fine styling.When I'm waiting for bandit's,well the XL's always on duty as my lights on the trail is about 32 yards from the Hide and when you launch a predator with the XL,it always handles the job quite nicely.Mind you,the 350 has taken her's too,but I love the quiet the Trail has as the 350 has a bit of a bark when the SHP leaves the barrel,lol.All in all,since getting my GRT lll,,well that's totally changed my opinion of the Benji for the positive.Oh btw my Trail drives the 14.3 CPHP's at an Average of 889.2 fps,(but I hate to post Chrony results) due to a big fuss on the forum I thought my 350 & 34P results were welcome,(As well as asked for)but I'll never do that again. Anyway,Sorry again for the delay in my response,,but I guess better a bit late than never.  I hope you like what you decide on and either way,they're both Nice rifles but the XL is less money for More power and I love her for that,lol. This is the Best Place to be so you've asked the right people when you ask all the guys here! Happy Shooting,

Troy

[Jay]

Troy your chrony #'s are dead on to what my XL is shooting with the 14.3 CPHP's,even with a brand new seal an tune on her. They do take a spinner target for a ride don't they . I'm looking forward to the fall season on small game .

[Nightstalker]

Yep they do so Jay,and it's gonna be fun this Season.Sorry I'm late getting back but our company finally left and I just got back to my room to check on the GTA!I had to move my spinner out to 52 yards as mine was taking a beating and still are getting hit pretty hard,lol.These guns seem to be popular and it's no trouble to see why once ya get a trigger on them from CDT.Anyway guys,I just noticed I forgot to log off the last time in (As I was hurrying due to our company being here)so I wasn't being rude and not answering you,,just couldn't sneak away.No one understands but my wife what an Addiction this is to us all except those who are all into this,lol.OK guys ,TTya all later and Happy Shooting.


Troy

[hayman]

Well the Trial 22 cal XL riffle is out of stock right now so I guess I wait till they get more in ....

[Nightstalker]

It'll be worth the wait hayman.

[Jay]

Or just order the 1500 an then get you a .22 Super Streak barrel from Crosman to mount up? Two for the price of one!?! Well plus the cost of the new barrel an all the little part's,I really don't remember the exact price but something like $35?