Benjamin Marauder .22 & .25 «60-Yard Accuracy & Energy Test»

[p61guy]

Did you clean the barrel during the test?

[KrisMinnear]

@p61guy

I typically did between different pellets or after 10 shots to make everything as fair as possible. From what I have seen so far, I can usually get about 40+ shots before any hint of accuracy starts to fall. I now have a replacement barrel for the .22 that I have been testing. The groups are much tighter now despite the fact the new barrel is bent. I have also found that it needs to be cleaned more frequently; maybe because it is not broke-in yet?

[p61guy]

@KrisMinnear Thanks for the reply. Knowing that you cleaned the barrel makes your data MUCH more reliable to me. I have a break barrel that has become worn out. I want to move up to a PCP rifle and my choice is between the TALON and the Marauder. I am also torn between what caliber to use. I will be using it for hunting and target practice. .25 seems to be the best for now. Thanks for posting your video

[xD1STURBED1x]

Best pellet test ive ever seen good jod

[daflozh]

May you tune up the 22 make some shots whit all pellets weight to see if the number goes close to the 25

[sniper20071986]

Good job mate! Nice presentation of the pellets :)

Nice Video! +++

Cheers!

[COOLBLUEGAZOO]

why didn't you test the Benjamin 20 cal pellet

[KrisMinnear]

@COOLBLUEGAZOO You mean .22, right? Benjamin Discovery 14.3 grain hollowpoint?

From the photos I have seen, and by it's weight, it appears to be identical to the Crosman Premier HP. I tried the hollowpoint Crosman Premiers in the past and they were no different accuracy-wise to the domed version which I tested in this video.

Was looking for a little variety when I went pellet shopping. Plus the Benji Discoverys were about a buck more per tin than the Crosman Premiers.

[COOLBLUEGAZOO]

"I need a scuba tank not for the gun but for myself" LOL!

[COOLBLUEGAZOO]

Wow, what a complete review, subscribed for sure, have the gun on the way next week!

[palmas5678]

Excellent work, thanks for helping to get information that would take us many months to achieve. I personally prefer marauder Beeman FTS .22, for me are better. Greetings from Lima-Perú.

Palmas.

[BrandonBAMF197]

did you ever get a new barrel for the .22, im getting a Lothar Wather barrel in mine

[KrisMinnear]

@BrandonBAMF197

Yea, it finally showed up about two weeks ago. I was taking a close look at it last weekend, and noticed that the ID chamfer (crown) was not concentric. Not only that, the POS was bent (might explain the bad chamfer). My plan is to try it as-is; and then later try to straighten it and fix the crown and try it again. Might make for an interesting video. Of course, if I do that and it still shoots like crap, I might not be able to return it to Crosman for a refund.

[enarrais]

that wood avoid all the ricochets?

[KrisMinnear]

@enarrais The pellets typically embed into the wood; often completely passing through it depending on the type of wood and the thickness. The biggest problem I had with using a wood backstop is after continued use, it starts blowing splinters back through the paper target. If you were using a very hard wood and/or a lower power gun, ricochet might be a problem. I was shooting a golf ball once at 40 yards--now there is some serious ricochet. Pellets were zinging in all sorts of directions.

[enarrais]

@KrisMinnear thanks for the answer..so i will try a soft wood of 2mm thick..to shot with my gamo delta..

since i will be shotting in a distance of 20years...the ricochet probably will not reach me,(at last i hope so,since gamo delta is only capable of 160ms)

[dudee001]

@KrisMinnear i use a cottonwood log and shoot into the grain. they go in abut and inch max and the very soft wood keeps them there

[brydrinksicewater]

Thank you for dedicating the time, money, and effort to create this video. And great job, by the way. Now i just wish someone would invest the time, effort, and money into a similar video with the trail XL 1100 & XL 725, for us lowly break-barrel shooters!

[TheReydel]

Bravo Kris! That was the most comprehensive test I've ever seen. You truly deserve a PhD from Airgun Academy! Are you going to do this again with Airforce Condors?

[KrisMinnear]

@TheReydel Probably not. If I get another PCP rifle, it will probably be a bigger gun like .357 or .45 or .50.

[beastlyepicness]

48 minutes dude???? Your a beast!!!:D

[KrisMinnear]

@beastlyepicness Luckily, multi-tetrabyte external hard drives are reasonably priced.

[GodsGreatOutdoors]

I also meant to complement the production value of this video. It could have easily been used for an Outdoor Television show.

[KrisMinnear]

@GodsGreatOutdoors Hummmm...

[GodsGreatOutdoors]

That being said, I am planning to purchase the .25 cal version of the Marauder because it is officially recommended by Crosman for the harvesting of Foxes and Coyotes (two animals that wreak havoc on my father's farm). Having owned one of these guns for a while now, at what range would feel comfortable taking an animal of that size given your observations of penetration and force?

[KrisMinnear]

@GodsGreatOutdoors I haven't done much small/medium game hunting in my life, so I am probably not the best source of info there. The coyotes where I live are not much smaller than my dog, I would feel much more confident with a .22LR if they were a cronic problem. If the Marauder was my only choice, I would keep it within 40 yards using a heavy pellet with good BC like the 43.2 Eun Jin or 31.02 Kodiak Match. If you can get closer, then maybe the Polymags could be the most effective.

[GodsGreatOutdoors]

Kris, This video is simply amazing and I want to thank you for investing the time to make it. Anyone who criticizes what you've done here in any way has no clue about what it means to share ideas and information, and likely have not hit puberty yet either.

[KrisMinnear]

@GodsGreatOutdoors Thanks. I think the majority of the critics were trying to be honest and helpfull, but it appears that some may not have grasped the purpose of the video.

[EdgunUSA]

Holy Cow, Kris. You did that entire test using a hand pump?!? You are a saint! That was the most thorough Marauder data I have seen on Youtube (or anywhere). Thank much for putting this together. And FWIW, I really like the comic relief. My wife thinks you are nuts, however :D (she overheard while she was on her own laptop). ted

[KrisMinnear]

@EdgunUSA Thanks, Ted. I believe all the pumping is what turned me nuts when making the video. Notice that I remained somewhat sane until after I started testing the .25 caliber airhog?

[melvinvswaldo]

Makes sense.  Thanks.

[melvinvswaldo]

So how about a Co2 tank with the compressor hose fitting? I will probably need a super big regulator? Any advice??? Thanks alot!

Ken

[KrisMinnear]

@melvinvswaldo So far I have only used the hand pump, but I have been thinking about building a compressor using a log splitter (but that's another story).

According to the box, using CO2 will have less velocity, but give more shots per charge and be a little quieter. A popular alternative to hand pumping is using SCUBA tanks. Some use them to just charge the gun, others leave the hose connected to the gun and shoot to maintain a more consistant pressure between shots.

[melvinvswaldo]

Very well done!

[melvinvswaldo]

could I fill this with an air compressor?

[KrisMinnear]

@melvinvswaldo Yes, but not the ones you will find at Sears or Home Depot. They only pump up to about 150 PSI. You need at least 3000 PSI to fully charge a Marauder. Pyramid Air has 4500 PSI compressors, but expect to pay about $3500.

[weldrene]

Great vid thanks. you should do a vid on pellet drop at say 40 or 50 yards starting at full psi down to what ever psi is useless, how many shots to how much drop say 50 shots. I am looking to buy an air rifle and the Marauder is top of the list, I like the idea of the nitro piston break barrel but it doesn't sound like they lock up very well. Great job I appreciate the time and effort.

[ecoster]

Nice video! very informative.

One thing is very clear here, I'm never getting a Marauder!

I like the video but not the rifle, at 60yards from A rest this is not so great.

Thanks for the video.

Gr

[nathoi]

@KrisMinnear you should have used both rifles with a scope each.zeroed it at 20m then test.not transferring the scope in each turn.this will probably affects sighting and hitting the target.not unless you put the rifle in a grip and test.

[rydillon]

Thank you so much for the helpful information. Although the computer voice bit was total cheese :)

[KrisMinnear]

@rydillon Yes, I did that bit for our younger audiences to enjoy.

[MrTylerDuvall572]

Ive always shot a 177 cal but now im starting to wonder about a 22 cal but ive heard that they arent accurate at all do you know how accurate the 177 cal marauder is?

[KrisMinnear]

@MrTylerDuvall572 I've heard things like they are more accurate at closer range, but less accurate farther away. But honestly, I haven't done much reasearch with that caliber Marauder. I've always thought it would be cool to have the whole fleet, but there are so many different .177 guns out there, I would probably end up getting a different brand that had a good reputation for accuracy.

[netmangaffer]

With a circle that large, I can't imagine you are holding at the same point every time, tr putting a small dot in the center of your circles

[KrisMinnear]

@netmangaffer Yes, someone mentioned that earlier. I made the change in my JSB Diabolo Exact ***Pellet Modification*** video (which should be uploaded by now).

I am now tracing my targets out of a DVD/CD which gives me a 5" outer circle and a ½" inner circle to aim at.

It does seem to help a little in accuracy and also gives a more familiar perspective to compare the pellet group to.

[feroni3]

sorry but i think you don't know how to shoot. I've seen .177 marauder make less then 1 inch group in 50 meters.

Sorry again :(( no offense

[KrisMinnear]

@feroni3 No doubt that is part of my problem as I have only had the guns for less than a year, and I really don't get out and shoot much anyway. But the purpose of the video was to show the difference in accuracy, velocity, and energy between the two guns and 15 different pellets. Even if I did know how to shoot, I believe that those differences, in most cases, would probably remain the same--just a wee bit tighter on all the groups.

[RnRJB]

@feroni3 i agree, this guy has no clue about shooting... Marauder can make 1" groups in 50 meters in all three calibers.

[LASERMAX73]

The rifles are in stock form? not modifications?.

[KrisMinnear]

@LASERMAX73 While making the Noise Output Video, I noticed that the .22 didn't seem as accurate as the .25, so I decided to try this mod to the .22's barrel to see if I could at least get less fliers.

*** Sorry, can't post a link--Google "The Marauder Barrel Fix" ***

I noticed no change in accuracy afterward. I may eventually get a new barrel for it and give that a try.

Other than that, yes, both guns are unchanged from factory.

[LASERMAX73]

Another precise pellet is a JSB 16gr in 5.5, but the .25 win hands down.

[chickenfarmer296]

waaa coment gone o well sorry bout all the comments but this is a big investment also how many shots 22 vs 25 ..crazy ranges like 200 yard accuracy for target only...i herd 15 shots for 25 before refill that wont work for me.

[KrisMinnear]

@chickenfarmer296 15 shots is about right for the .25. I begin to notice a decrease in muzzle velocity at about 10 shots. The .22 is about doubled that, maybe a little more. You can keep shooting either gun down to around 500 PSI, but the performance becomes more and more like a Red Ryder BB gun.

[chickenfarmer296]

wut do you think has mor range the 22 or 25. i like the 25 but i wont to do crazy 200 yard shots at 4 foot targets wut do u think the dif is message me back im only going to ask on this vid

[KrisMinnear]

@chickenfarmer296 I haven't done enough long range shooting with these guns to give you a fair answer. My biggest problem is that the scope I have runs out of adjustment at about 75 yards depending on the pellet. Another concern I have is that although both guns are still at their factory settings, the .22 seems to be shooting a little slower than avertised. Typically, a bigger gun will shoot further, but the ballistic coefficient of various pellets can often play a much bigger role.

[moto9ll]

glad I bought my AA s400 over the .22 m-rod...it will group much better than both of these guns did in this video at 60 yrds with cps and jsb's..

[ChristosTm300]

Nice video !

[KrisMinnear]

@armynova1 The Baracuda Match (.22) pellets in the test were supposedly 5.53. Or at least that is what it said when I ordered them from Pyramid Air. But nowhere is this listed on the tin. The label looks exactly the same as the 5.51 and 5.52.

[Lyecdevf]

I thought for a long time that the Benjamin Maurader is the most accurate gun out there. My gamo C02 extreme would beat this gun by a long shot in accuracy. I can get head shots of small game from 30 yards. According to this video I would be lucky to hit a pidgon from 30 yards using the best pellet. Are you sure you are doing every thing right. Some times it seems like you are getting a good grouping but a bit to the left or right of the circle. Maybe there was some wind after all?!

[KrisMinnear]

@Lyecdevf I was shooting the .22 at 40 yards the other day and was gettng sub-1" groups (.8-.9 CTC) with the Beeman FTS. I haven't tried 30 yards yet, but I would have to guess it would be about .7" CTC with that pellet. I was going more for group size rather than hitting the bullseye. I was running low on some pellets and sighting-in for each type would have required more. Just removing and reinstalling the shroud to clean the barrel caused a change in where the pellets were landing.

[Lyecdevf]

@KrisMinnear I hear that some people are having huge issues with the gun but some seem to do very well with it. This video does show that this gun is very picky in regards to pellets. I am willing to accept that but that the .25 some how seems to outperform the .22 in velocity is new to me. According to your tests it would be better to get the .25 if you do not mind that it is a bit louder. I am going to look a bit more into this and I am sure to come by again to tell you what I found out.

[KrisMinnear]

@Lyecdevf Both guns are adjustable in that regard, but neither has been changed from the factory settings since they were new. I should look-up those settings and check the guns to see if that is where they are at--especially the .22 since it is shooting about 150 ft/s slower than it's advertised velocity with 14.3 grain pellets.  The question is what's the pellet weight that the factory uses to achieve the velocity figures.

[Lyecdevf]

@KrisMinnear Well I have learned that the .25 barrel is manufactured by green mountain. It is suggested that it is thus more accurate. Accuracy is very important to me. Any way the .25 caries better in wind than the .22. Now I think I can get a 9.5 inch long silencer for the .25 and it would sound just like the .22 I am sure of it. If I use some of those gold/platinum plated pellets I could achieve speeds similar to .22. So right now the .25 does not seem too far fetched.

[Bezemkast33]

Wow, the Marauders have awful accuracy. With my BSA Lonestar .22 Im getting .25'' groups from that range.

Very good and professional video though

[KrisMinnear]

@Bezemkast33 At this point, a group like that would only be a dream for me and these Marauders; probably a scope upgrade also.

[whackemstackem89]

ya need a smaller aiming point that will help alot of your groups unless the mrod just hates the pellet all together

[KrisMinnear]

@whackemstackem89 Good advice, I will try that next time. I actually thought about that halfway through the test, but it was a little too late--wanted to keep everything the same between pellets & guns for fairness, so continued on with the 2" circle. The Marauder does hate some pellets and likes others; now I just need to find one the gun(s) loves.

[SHOOTER3258]

youst bla bla bla, then puffff, end bla bla bla...........

[KrisMinnear]

@SHOOTER3258 I haven't been able to translate you comment to understand what you are saying, but thanks anyway.

[airgunman971]

wow your .22 marauder is super unaccurate

[KrisMinnear]

@airgunman971 Yes, and extremely pellet pickey. If the .22 wasn't my dad's gun, I would be looking for an aftermarket barrel for it.