Wondering thoughts of a Darkside newbie and a .25 M-rod....

[bubba zanetti]

With the walk into the Darkside complete I was able to get the .25 M-rod sighted in at 35 yards this past Friday. Using JSB Exact 25 grain (or whatever the label says) I was getting under dime sized groups. Usually putting the pellet in the same hole!

Before I say more this thread is kind of an observations made and questions mixed in for other M-rod or PCP owners.

First, and as stated above the gun is very accurate and second it’s really powerful. I used my pellet trap and I broke it LOL! It dented the back of the trap up pretty badly and broke the plastic tabs on one side. I had an excellent back stop behind the trap but needed something to hold my shoot and see targets. I knew the .25 was powerful, but even more so than I realized.
I bought a Airmax EV Hawke 4-12X40 scope with the map 6 reticle. It’s a very nice scope but I think a Mil-Dot or Map8 reticle would have been better. Once I was sighted in at 35 yards I was shooting at a soup can at 60-70 yards and ran out of reticles so that was a bit disappointing. I have downloaded the BRC software and have been reading the directions and that will probably help with the reticles. I do know the gun is supposed to be shooting the JSB’s at 820 fps, so that will help in loading the information. I was just surprised at how much the pellet dropped after the 50 yard mark. Was still REALLY accurate, just seemed more drop than usual but I didn’t take measurements so I don’t know how much. Anyway, once I get the software figured out I am sure that will answer some of those questions.
First question, It seems the M-rods accuracy is largely based upon what speed the pellet is coming out of the gun. I shot some Beeman Kodiak Match 31 grain pellets and they stunk at 30 yards. 1.5 inch groups. But 820 is a bit slow and it seems the heavier pellets want launched at higher velocities correct?

Second question, I am more of a visual learner. Are there any good videos that SHOW how to adjust the power. I have read threads and the directions to do so but am a bit unsure. I learn best doing both. Oh, this is one reason why I want to go to the fun shoot! Tell me then show me  This is for down the road as right now I have enough power and the JSB’s shoot well but I would like to try adding some fps as I assume that will keep the pellets trajectory flatter longer. The BRC software seems to indicate this idea. I should say I am obsessed with accuracy THEN power.
The other nice thing is this M-rod is set up for 3 clips of the JSB’s before I have to get up and pump it up from a little over 2000 psi back to 3000psi. It is work to pump it to between these psi settings, don’t let anyone tell you different if you are a newbie looking to get into PCP’s. But I will add it was totally doable and just take your time. Also, have a cool drink nearby as you’ll want drink at some point and on a really hot day pumping will not so good! It made sighting in at the end a bit of a challenge as I would sit and make sure my heart was at the best rested pace it could be. I should add I was a bit surprised that the pump gauge would read about 2600 psi and the guns gauge said 3000 psi. I know the Benji pumps are not the best of the lot so I chalked it up that that gauge is off more. Hope so anyway.

Another thing with a PCP you burn through pellets fast! I only bought a couple tins of .25 to goof around with and now I need to place another order. This is going to get expensive! But it is so nice just to shoot, work the bolt, shoot, load clips, pump, then shoot some more. Oh, that big .25 pellet makes a unique whistling noise as it sails through the air too at a longer distance.
Anyway, I am hooked! PCP is just awesome but it has a unique learning curve. The gun itself is really impressive. It was Philidors .25 and he had a Discos R Us stock put on it and tuned by Paul b. The trigger is so light that it is perfect IMO. I am so pleased with the gun, now I just wish I had all the knowledge to go along with the thing!

Thanks for listening to my ramblings on the Darkside…

BZ

[mcc1961]

Just look on YouTube there are all kinds of mods and adjustments you can learn on there.

[Booger]

First: My advice is to first get a crony before you attempt any tuning.

Second: I just bought $150 in .25 pellets. I go through about a 1000 on the week ends.

Third: Get a back up pump or a small tank. My back up pump was a Hill & a Ninja Tank.

Fourth: I never had any problems with the pump and gun gauge, they matched up for me. You might have the gauges checked out at a paint ball shop.

Heavier pellets will shoot slower, but MIGHT have more energy.

I hope this helps.

[bubba zanetti]

I forgot about Youtube LOL! and even worse I forgot their is an actual Marauder forum!!! I only cruise the GTA for AG info so I didn't think to look around until I typed in Marauder on the computer and that forum popped up. Found a lot of good info.

I forgot to add I would not touch the settings UNTIL I had a crony and that is a ways off. My 40th birthday is in September and my lovely wife already knows I NEED a crony 

I guess I should have calmed down and cruised the internet a bit longer and I didn't want to keep calling you Jesse and burning up your time.

Well, looking forward to the next day when I can spend some more time with the .25  It is the most fun to shoot for sure!

BZ

[bubba zanetti]

Forgot to add…I figured out the Hawke ballistics software last night! "dang" that is an awesome program and it answered an awful lot on why I ran out of reticle aim points. The setting I had it on would not allow it to give me a aim point for 70 yards. Just needed to dial it back to say 6 to 8 on the zoom.

Good stuff!

BZ

[crosman999]

+1 on getting a chrony