Benji Trail XL's - What kind of accuracy is obtainable

[PA1911]

Hey folks,

I hope nobody thinks Im beating this Benji XL stuff into the ground.  I am wondering what kind of accuracy can be expected from these rifles?  What are you all getting as far as accuracy and at what ranges?  I also know that a rifle is only as accurate as its shooter.

Ive been wanting to shoot in the 30 yard bench rest matches here on the forum but I dont think I would fare to well with it at the moment.

I realize that with only 500 pellets through my rifle that the rifle is still breaking in and Im still learning how to shoot it.  Also I know a tune should improve performance as well as continued pellet testing.

I guess Im just curious about the best accuracy obtainable with my XL1500.

I think sometimes I expect too much, just wondering what you all think about the accuracy of your XL.

Thanks for putting up with my questions  
PA1911

[longislandhunter]

My .22 XL is bone stock and is shooting ragged hole groups at my 30 yard sight in distance with several different pellets.  Right now I'm using the 18.1 gr JSB domes. I'm chomping at the bit for squirrel season to open so I can start whacking nutters

Jeff

[Jay]

DANG SHAWN COME ON DUDE GIVE US A BREAK !!! You know I'm just teasing ya Brother RIGHT !!! Mine at 20yd's is one large ragged hole 10 shot's(drill's thru a 1 1/2" board) from a solid rest. At the shoot saturday I shot a 10 string at 40yd's with just my hand resting on my saw horse an it was about 1 3/4"(really tight 1" with two that opened it up) an clay bird's hanging on tree limb's at like 45yd's didn't stand a chance off hand. In Gary's son Tracy's hand's he beat the SNOT out of every thing he pulled the trigger on with it down to clay chip's at 45yd's laying in the weed's ALL off hand. For a magnum class AG they really seem too shoot very well.

[PA1911]

Great shooting. I can't get ragged holes at 15 yards.

[longislandhunter]

Have you chrony tested it ??  If not then that should tell you quite a bit. 

Jeff

[PA1911]

Yes I have chrony tested it. I posted some numbers in my other thread. My most accuarate pellet so far is the H&N Baracuda Match.  They had a ten shot extreme spread of about 14fps and a standard deviation around 4. I'm still only getting at best one inch ten shot groups at 15 yards. 30 yards is about 2-2 1/2 inches.

[longislandhunter]

Well, sounds like it's shooting very consistent so it's gotta be something else....  I'm sure you'll get it sorted out as you spend more time with the gun. 

[PA1911]

So far with my limited pellet selection They are pretty low spreads and deviations.  My rifle does hate JSB exact heavies.  I did a ten shot string over the chrony yesterday with the JSB's with an extreme spread of 127 fps.  Im hoping it just needs more break-in time.  I'm sure i need practice as well.

I guess I just get nervous when I spend this much money on a rifle.  Its a lot of money for me.  I guess I worry that it wont ever group well.

I appreciate the help.  I look forward to hearing from others as well.

PA1911

[Jay]

Shawn alot has too do with the hold Bro.,I mean I have shot PB's for ever(like longer than I care to admit)an these AG's drove me crazy when I started,no powder has ever been so hold sensitive in my hand's? They require the EXACT same placement of grip,cheek wield,pressure an follow tru for each shot. I've found just moving my thumb on my firing hand from wrapped over to up then along side too change the POI by at least a 1/2" or more in all different direction's!?! Ask my son MichaelM on here I cussed these thing's for a month or more, swore they where useless piece's of junk fit for nothing but play an bad at THAT!!! But I'd say if anything NOW they have helped even my long range shooting of powder rifle's an even my pistol tech. because I have become so atuned to my grip an follow up with them. Just try an find your gun's sweet spot, use the exact hold each time an relax don't allow your self to become frustrated,an give your self at least a month to learn these crazy thing's. You did start with a beast there.

[PA1911]

Shawn alot has too do with the hold Bro.,I mean I have shot PB's for ever(like longer than I care to admit)an these AG's drove me crazy when I started,no powder has ever been so hold sensitive in my hand's? They require the EXACT same placement of grip,cheek wield,pressure an follow tru for each shot. I've found just moving my thumb on my firing hand from wrapped over to up then along side too change the POI by at least a 1/2" or more in all different direction's!?! Ask my son MichaelM on here I cussed these thing's for a month or more, swore they where useless piece's of junk fit for nothing but play an bad at THAT!!! But I'd say if anything NOW they have helped even my long range shooting of powder rifle's an even my pistol tech. because I have become so atuned to my grip an follow up with them. Just try an find your gun's sweet spot, use the exact hold each time an relax don't allow your self to become frustrated,an give your self at least a month to learn these crazy thing's. You did start with a beast there.

I know you're right.  I think I get a little impatient at times.  I guess Im used to making standing shots on 8 inch plates at 100 yards with my AR-15.  Makes it hard to accept 1"+ groups at 15 yards...from a bench!   I will agree that this gun is harder to get the hang of than the Big Cat and Whisper I had years ago.  I have no doubt that I am a lot of the problem.
Im just trying to make sure the Benji is as good as she can get.  I have a good bit of money invested (for me), I just worry about getting a dud.

I'm gonna keep at it, I've been through way worse

Thanks again for the help

Shawn

[adrian]

do you have the stock trigger?IF SO THAT COULD BE YOUR PROBLEM

[crowkilla]

I am tack driving at 30yrds with beeman 14.66 double golds. Dime groops from a rice filled caldwell front shooting rest. I have made plenty of 60+yrd kills on dove,lark etc. This rifles accuracy depends more on the shooter than most. Not at all forgiving. however if you like a challenge, this rifle can be as accurate as any varmit hunter needs to be.

[Nomadic Pirate]

My .22 XL is bone stock and is shooting ragged hole groups at my 30 yard sight in distance with several different pellets.  Right now I'm using the 18.1 gr JSB domes. I'm chomping at the bit for squirrel season to open so I can start whacking nutters

Jeff

Same here, with the same pellets,..funny thing I tryed the JSB in the early days and didn't shoot worth a "dang", this rifle needs time both for you and for it to get it right, but it will be one day

[airiscool]

With the factory trigger, seal and mystery oil in it, my XL1100 sprayed pellets and smoke.

I put in a Tuna trigger, a Maccari seal, cleaned and re-lubed, now it puts Predators into one ragged hole at 30 yards shooting from a bench.

Paul.

[ezman604]

Lollipops at 30 yards, one shot each.
 

[PA1911]

What kind of hold are you all using?  Ive been using a sandbag up front.  Maybe I need to try something else?

[longislandhunter]

My XL likes a nice firm hold with my left hand grasping the forearm stock right in the middle and the butt pulled tight into my shoulder.  If I use a light hold on my XL the groups start to open up.

Jeff

[airiscool]

Like Jeff's, my XL needs a firm hold like riding a magnum powder burner. Trigger hand pulling the butt into the shoulder, fore hand gripping right at the checkering, cheek tight on the cheek pad. 

Loosen up either hand and the groups loosen up too.

Paul.

[PA1911]

I've noticed that a very light hold makes mine open up as well.

I just need to keep experimenting.  I would imagine that shooting of a bag may cause some issues when I try a freehand hold, huh?

[ezman604]

Leave it to me to be contrary to others.
Most of my shooting has been one of two ways. Sitting to do paper punching, I rest my left elbow on a folded towel placed on the rail of my deck. I let the foregrip of the gun just rest in my palm. I place the butt snuggly but not tightly to my shoulder and a loose pistol grip. I try to relax as much as possible and concentrate on slow breathing. So, mine likes a loose, calm and relaxed shooting cycle.
The other shooting I do is usually standing while stalking critters. I try to keep the same loose and relaxed approach but it's harder to do with live prey and a moving target. But these are what my XL's respond best to.