Benjamin Trail NP XL Question

[Bama69]

I have my first air rifle - A Benjamin Trail NP XL with the CenterPoint 3-9x40 scope that came with it . I cleaned the barrel as suggested in post here , made sure all stock screws were tight ( couldn't find torque recommendations so just firm without cranking down on them ) , changed to Hawke rings and used blue Loctite at 16 ring and 30 base inch pounds , and have ordered GRT-lll trigger but not yet installed . I am shooting off a bench with padded forearm rest and loose pressure at shoulder - as close as I can approximate an "artillery" hold . Cheek weld , right hand grip , and trigger squeeze are as consistent as I can make them . Shooting H&N ammo - 200-300 rounds so far . I finally got a 5 shot group to all land in about a 2 inch oval at 25 yards about 1 inch high of X . Simply adjusted elevation to lower point of impact - NO other changes . The next 5 shot group opened up to 5-6 inches and to right of X . What am I doing wrong   Thanks for any suggestions .

[Roadworthy]

Welcome to the wonderful world of airgunning!!  You asked what you may be doing wrong but I've not seen you shoot.  I'll start with the gun.  The XL is not the best choice for a beginning shooter.  It really takes some practice to get consistent accuracy from a gun with that amount of power.  The GRT trigger should be installed, not just ordered.  Trigger pull is critical for accuracy.  You will be AMAZED at the difference.  When holding the gun it is permissible to use the hand holding the forearm to apply pressure to the shoulder.  The trigger hand ONLY operated the trigger.  You use a gentle pull straight back.  Oh, right, original trigger - gentle pull is not an option.  You did not mention the pellets you are using, or if you did I didn't notice.  Pellets can make a significant difference in accuracy.  Attempt to hold the gun PRECISELY the same way with each shot.  An airgun does not hit where you have it aimed when you pull the trigger.  It hits where it's aimed when the pellet leaves the barrel.  The recoil sets the gun in motion well before the pellet leaves the barrel.

[Bama69]

Thanks Roadworthy . I have to say that I really like the photo of your ride . Is that a circa 1970s Triumph ?
I sent a priority mail packet for the GRT trigger on Dec. 12th - all the tracking info states is that it is still in transit . If I am capable , I will install it the day I receive it - sometime next year . I have tried two types of pellets - H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 and H&N Baracuda 21.14 - I have two other types with grain in between those two but not tried them yet . I'm mildly OCD and , to the best of my ability , have tried to replicate every aspect of each shot as precisely as I can . With all that I could do , what I didn't understand was how a simple change in elevation on the scope dial could alter the grouping as though I had changed the windage dial . I do appreciate your help and will put in the trigger time needed to learn after I get the GRT installed . Thanks again.

[Ronno6]

RTR !!

[Bama69]

Rammer Jammer brother 

[wolverine]

i have an older NP2 Trail and just this fall installed the GRT trigger.  WOW what a difference!  with that said, i've found mine actually likes a firmer grip than most springers.  accuracy greatly improved after several thousand rounds to the point my farthest squirrel kill with any of my guns is 56 yards with the NP2.  each rifle will have it's own way it likes to be held.  some loose, some tight into the shoulder.  accuracy will change on where you place your off hand too.  if your rifle shoots best with your supporting hand just in front of the trigger guard when shooting while standing, place your hand there when shooting from the bench, them rest that hand on the front bag.  experiment with different holds and pellets.  mine for some reason shoots the Crosman Piranhas best.


good luck and have fun shooting your new rifle!

[Bama69]

Thanks Wolverine . I'm looking forward to trying the GRT trigger . I didn't mean to sound too impatient - I understand that I have a great deal of experimentation in front of me . I was just amazed when the scope change I mentioned gave me totally unexpected results . Thanks again.

[unionrdr]

I've found with any break barrel air rifle that you hold it steady, but not firmly. In other words, employ the spirit of the artillery hold, but not the exact hold. Too uncomfortable for my arthritic arms & hands. And since it is a .22 magnum, pellet weight between 16-17 grains should work well. You might even try the Gamo Hunter domed .22's @ 15.42gr. Several of mine love those.

[Deerstalker]

I had a Benjamin Trail NP and was never able to get it to shoot accurately.  I tried all of the suggested fixes/methods but none worked for me.  I finally gave the rifle to my son and got a HW95L.  I am able to get groups that are what I considered acceptable with the Weihrauch shooting the same way as the Benjamin.  Both were/are .22 cal and using H&N FTT 14.66 gr gave the best groups.  My wife is also able to shoot the HW95 BUT she did not try the Benjamin.  We are shooting out to 25 yards from our back deck using pads.  Merry Christmas to all and stay safe.

 

[Jshooter71]

It is also possible that your scope has failed. Seen it happen. A couple times.

[Bama69]

That's what I was concerned about Jshooter . I have read that CenterPoint made a fairly descent scope but maybe I lucked into an exception ? If I can't correct the problem with better shooting technique and a new trigger , I have a UTG Bug Buster I can try . Thanks

[Jshooter71]

I’d turn the elevation 1 complete revolution “Down” and see what happens. It might do something & then start climbing again. Or it might do nothing to move the impact. Either way it should tell you if it’s the scope. If it moves POI reasonably & holds, after 20 - 30 shots or more, it might not be the scope.

[Tncsse]

I’m a newbie but I have a Benjamin vaporizer that is similar in that it uses the nitro 2 power plant. I too have fought the inaccuracy problem. I have finally got it to hold to quarter size groups at 20 yards.  Not great but better. Following advice from multiple forum reads, I put in a lighter spring, and polished the contacting surfaces of the trigger. A very little bit of moly lube rubbed in then whiped off. Trigger much better. I also removed/replaced the plastic washers at the barrel pivot. I use brass washers. Again very little moly. Do not overtighten the pivot screw. Well, imho, over tightening the screw caused ‘latching’ issues with the barrel. The brass washers seemed to make huge difference. tried 7 different pellets. Mine seems to like the JSB express 14.3gr. I tried JSB Jumbo Heavy 18.1 gr, JSB Jumbo 15.9gr, H&N Barracudas, H&N FTT 14.6 gr and finally Crosman Premiers and hollow points. Crosmans actually did pretty good with a few flyers

[Bama69]

Thanks Jshooter and Tncsse . I will try the scope adjustment as you suggest - you're right it should at least tell me if there's a problem with the scope .   Also , I have read about changing out the pivot washers and using brass replacements but , and I'm not sure about this , I thought I read that you have to chuck up the brass washers in a drill press and grind them down to the correct diameter ?? If so , I'm out of luck cause a drill press isn't in the Christmas budget this year Thanks again .

[Tncsse]

I used a standard drill with a file. I sandwiched the washers on a bolt/nut put in the chuck and ran against the file. The real trick is to be able to center the washers on bolt. I had some small washers that fit into 5/16 hole of the brass and centered them. Another issue was thickness of the brass washers. The first ones were thinner than the plastic and wouldn’t tighten. I did find others that were slightly thicker. Cut them down and sanded smooth with 240 then 600 grit sandpaper. This fix really tightened up my group. Also I’ve struggled with different holds. At one point I believed holding tight worked, and sometimes it did. Now am back to a modified artillery hold, using trigger hand holding fairly tight against shoulder.  Works for me. Overall for me has been a difficult gun to shoot accurately.   But I am a newbie so...... still learning

[Tncsse]

Another thing that ran into with the brass washers was that if I tightened too tight the barrel wouldn’t also latch up properly and I would end up with a poi way low. In my case I tightened barrel pivot screws so barrel almost will flop down once broke open. I’m still not enthralled with the accuracy but much better. It was like a scatter shot.  Also now I have the marauder......  no comparison.