Author Topic: Observations on new Benji Trail NP (Read 6230 times))

atvkilla1 · « **on:** March 04, 2012, 10:19:01 PM »

So, after asking around and getting much good advice, I decided to replace my 2 failed Crosman Phantom's with a Benjamin Trail NP .22. It was kind've hard going from paying $59 for the Phantoms all the way up to $218 for the Trail, but I was hoping for better results. I also will be using this for chipmunk control and want to be as quiet as possible in my suburban neighborhood.

First impressions of this rifle was that it seemed like a well made piece and everything looked straight and well fitted. The breech seal seemed a little questionable to me and looks like it doesn't protrude enough, but it appears to be doing it's job.

I now have 500 CPHP pellets through it and this thing still doesn't have me convinced. It's very frustrating to have 1/2" groups one hour then the next they are flying all over a 2" group. I did find that the barrel pivot was loose and tightened it up. After that, it was nice again. That is, until the next day, when groups started opening up again. Everything else is lock-tightened and the horrible trigger doesn't help, but I'm really not in love with this thing.

It does seem to like a clean barrel, as everytime accuracy goes south, I put a patch or two with goo gone down the barrel and then several more to dry, it then starts grouping again. I've also noticed a continuous trigger pull without any stops seems to help too. Not sure if I'm going to keep this thing or not. Maybe try another few hundred pellets of a different brand/style. I do like the feel of it and the noise level is very nice.

skid9832004 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2012, 10:39:42 PM »

A tune and a cdt trigger is all you need and it will shoot sweet after. i did that i have never had a problem. (2000 shots no problem so far)

atvkilla1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2012, 10:59:39 PM »

I know I need that GRTIII. I had previously bought the CBR trigger for the Phantom which made it great, but I sent the rifle back. Now I have a CBR collecting dust so I am just a little trigger shy on getting, well, a new trigger.

Wanted to be sure this thing absolutely has potential before sinking in any more $. I think it does.

Charles Outdoors · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2012, 11:50:32 PM »

Love my Benji Trail. Sweet shooting. Love popping beer cans at 75 yards consistently. I did have to put a gold trigger on it.

mcc1961 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2012, 12:26:07 AM »

I have a Trail NP and the CDT trigger at it helps with accuracy greatly.I have made 50 yard shots with mine

mtsheron70 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2012, 08:01:48 AM »

A CDT trigger is in order and like I was told to help the barrel for tightness do the brass washer mod on it.

kmiJ · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2012, 09:18:10 AM »

My trail acted the same way yours is...had to clean the barrel every 15 to 20 shots. Was shooting CPHP's and it would group great for the first ten shots after cleaning and then all over the place. I even had the gold trigger and did everything short of tearing it apart. After I used up my two tins of CPHP's I got some H&N FTT's and all I can say is...I'm a believer. End of fliers...period! So don't give up till you have tried some different pellets.
Jim

Bryan Heimann · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2012, 09:45:57 AM »

I'd do the GRTIII and get a GRS kit with the brass bushings for the barrel. That should keep the lockup nice, tight, and consistent

BigErn · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2012, 10:32:18 AM »

Those H&N FTT pellets shot the very best in my Trail.

Ernesto

atvkilla1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2012, 11:52:41 AM »

Okay, I am sending for the GRTIII today and I'll try the H&N's too. I was getting the CPHP from walmart out of convenience and price, but it's good to hear that the H&N's seem to work well in this.

Does anyone have a link on the brass washers and how to do that? I'm new to doing any airgun work but am not a total mechanical idiot and have some basic firearm gunsmithing knowledge.

rut · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2012, 12:07:27 PM »

Quote from: atvkilla1 on March 05, 2012, 11:52:41 AM

Okay, I am sending for the GRTIII today and I'll try the H&N's too. I was getting the CPHP from walmart out of convenience and price, but it's good to hear that the H&N's seem to work well in this.

Does anyone have a link on the brass washers and how to do that? I'm new to doing any airgun work but am not a total mechanical idiot and have some basic firearm gunsmithing knowledge.

I'm like you are;new to this airgun stuff.I did the barrel breech washers yesterday and it was quite easy.First,take the action out of the stock.Once you have that done,brake open your barrel and you will see a flat head screw.Just remove the screw and you will see two nylon washers recessed into both sides of the barrel.Pop out the nylon ones and replace them with the brass washers.I also got the plastic bushings,but have no clue as to where they go or how to do it.I'm waiting on an answer.You can get the washers and bushing from http://www.airguntoys.com/

Bryan Heimann · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2012, 12:29:39 PM »

the plastic bushing slips over the front end of the nitro piston (the end that is inside the steel piston when cocked). protects the nitro piston from wear and also keeps it centered in the actual piston

edit- btw, what was wrong with your phantoms?

Petey · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2012, 08:13:31 PM »

FTT's and go GOLD!

atvkilla1 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2012, 11:35:05 PM »

BTW, those of you who shoot the H&N FTT's...are those the 5.53mm diameter?

Magman116 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2012, 08:08:15 AM »

the 5.53mm heads shoot better in mine than the 5.54. The 5.54 have about 30fps less than the 5.53mm.

atvkilla1 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2012, 09:14:51 AM »

Quote from: Bryan on March 05, 2012, 12:29:39 PM

edit- btw, what was wrong with your phantoms?

First Phantom looked like it had something wrong with it out of the box. When you looked down the barrel, the barrel was noticeably crooked to the left and I had a hard time sighting it in. Eventually, I got it sighted but accuracy was extremely poor, even after a lengthy breakin. The 2nd one I picked up at WM appeared to be better made with a straight barrel and nice fitting parts. It's accuracy was decent too. Then, after only 200 or so shots, I could not cock it. About halfway through the cycle, something was binding and couldn't complete the stroke. Instead of fooling around, I returned that one too.

Stitches · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2012, 11:13:07 AM »

My trail .22 wasn't shooting so hot until I had around 500 pellets through it. I clean my barrel every 250 shots or so, but I only use a brass brush and then a few dry patches. H&N FFTs are my next purchase. I'm still using the CPHPs from walmart. The trigger makes a huge difference. It's like another gun. I also completely disassembled the gun to clean up the stock and the burred metal the Chinese left behind. That made the gun cock much smoother and it sits a little tighter in the stock now.

microsalmo · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2012, 02:55:43 PM »

If you have intermittent accuracy then pellets are likely to blame. Cphp are not a consistently made pellet, and WILL give you 3 good ones in every 5. I hate to say it but part of being an air gun owner is to have in your possession 10-15 types of pellets. Your trail is bound to like one of them. When you find it, you can expect sub .50 groups at 25 yards with that gun rested.

Check the obvious first... stock screws, scope, hold, pivot screw.

Good luck.

mcc1961 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 07, 2012, 01:54:20 AM »

Mine likes RWS Superdomes and you can get them site to store at WW no S/H.

Wild Onion · « **Reply #19 on:** March 07, 2012, 12:52:41 PM »

Check out this post on NP XL pellet accuracy. http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,25294.msg229543.html#msg229543

I just ordered some FTTs yesterday. If you must use CPs, go for the cardboard box, they are sorted and from the same die cast.

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Observations on new Benji Trail NP

Author Topic: Observations on new Benji Trail NP (Read 6230 times))

skid9832004

Stitches