It's more fun when you wack 'em with something you built....
Benjamin Marauder air rifle update
Greetings,
It's more fun when you wack 'em with something you built....
It's more fun when you wack 'em with something you built....
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
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Mitch Booth
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:23 am
- Location: Akron, OH
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 0
2013 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 2 fledged
2014 - 0
2015 - 1 pair, 5 died during week of rain
2016 - 0
2017 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2018 - 4 pair, 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2020 - 17 pair
Joe,
Very impressive.
Mitch
Very impressive.
Mitch
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Don~VA
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:01 am
- Location: Virginia/King George
- Martin Colony History: Had a colony many years ago which dwindled over a couple of years and then did not return. Kept trying each year for almost 20 years and finally had a small success in 2011 with two pairs nesting. Colony has grown slowly each year with 22 pairs in 2015. In 2016 my gourd rack of 18 gourds filled up so I added 4 more gourds and then put up a small rack of 6 gourds. All of those were claimed within a few days so I believe I have at least 25 pairs this year.
Hey All, I want to thank everyone for adding some great information to this thread and to Mitch for starting it. I will certainly start reading the forum that David recommended to try and decide what to do next. As Don Strickland said: "I blame poor accuracy on the quality of ammo. They fit poorly and some of them will drop completely through the barrel. I may try some Crossman ammo next" I too have spent to much money trying different ammo. The Gamo ammo seems to me to be a cheap product. I was told by a competitive shooter just last week that Crossman ammo fits better as it has a wider skirt. I bought both the Crossman Match Point and pointed Hunting pellet which are supposed to be the most accurate. Neither of these worked any better than the Gamo ammo. Also, I did not know about the holes on top of the rifle which are used as a scope stop. It would be easier on the wallet to try a new scope with the correct rings and stop but I am worried if that does not improve the accuracy then I will still have to purchase another rifle.
Don~Northern Neck of Virginia-PMCA Member
Sounds like the marauder fine airrifle for 700 bucks or more. I had few Benjamin airrifles and some have leaked as for any PCP don't store it charged. Only time will tell if the marauder has the same problems. IMO I wouldn't leave the rifle charged for long periods of time. When no in use remember to discharge it especially out of season. I have .177 RWS hammerlli 850. It also PCP powered off Co2 gas also has the walters barrel. It comes with scope, moderator, and is 8 shot bolt action. For less than $300 bucks with the same features as the marauder except you have to wrap the moderator with al. tape and foam to make it wisper quiet. Other than buying 88 gram bottles for air sorce rather than the pump or other sources to charge it similar in comparsion for less than half price. it also is just as Accurate and gets the same reviews. For some of us that don't need all the power and don't shoot at 30 yards and beyon this good quiet option. I really don't like air rifle with too much power for my situation. more power usually means more noise (not the marauder case cause it has silencer built into the barrel) and safety beyond target not the holes it pokes in housing even it you hit the sparrow or starling.
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Jeff Robinson
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
- Location: Rogersville, Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor
Mitch,
I sent you a PM. Thanks to you for posting, and others with followup.
I sent you a PM. Thanks to you for posting, and others with followup.
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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Guest
Mitch,
Witch pump did you get and how do you like it? Is it very hard to pump and the quality of the pump?
I orderer the Axsor pump with the Marauder from Pyramyd Air,have read good reviews on it.I would have liked to have gotten the Hill pump but they do not carry that pump. Can't wait till my new TOY gets here.
Witch pump did you get and how do you like it? Is it very hard to pump and the quality of the pump?
I orderer the Axsor pump with the Marauder from Pyramyd Air,have read good reviews on it.I would have liked to have gotten the Hill pump but they do not carry that pump. Can't wait till my new TOY gets here.
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GeneP
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:35 am
- Location: Kansas, Lawrence
- Martin Colony History: 1 gourd rack with 24 gourd capacity. 2018, my 11th year hosting martins.
18 pair in 2017.
The starling weren't none too smart neither. lolMitch Booth wrote:
I blew him right to the back of the nest box and then had to get the extension ladder out. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Mitch
PMCA Member, Single Gourd Rack, 2019 marks 12 years hosting martins.
Actually the marauders owners manual suggests to keep it charged when it is stored. It's on the last page under "reviewing safety". Your not compressing a spring like in the springers which you should never leave cocked overnight. Storing it charged keeps any dust from getting in to sensitive areas.
Actually the marauders owners manual suggests to keep it charged when it is stored. It's on the last page under "reviewing safety". Your not compressing a spring like in the springers which you should never leave cocked overnight. Storing it charged keeps any dust from getting in to sensitive areas.
I don't know how dust would get in air tight system? Maybe small charge 100psi or less.IMO would never leave it upwards 2000psi. IMO your asking for trouble. They probably get half as much as the rifle cost to repair if leaks, not to mention the months if may take to get it back?.
Other high charged PCP's over few years have this problem no matter how much they cost. IMO just don't make since to leave 500 psi or more on the rifle if stored for month or more. cocked or not. Alternative when storage when not in cases in Plastic slip bag and seal the ends by folding over and rubber band wrap to keep dust off the gun.
I have friend that has $1400 FX that's 9 years old after 5 years it won't hold over 800 PSI charge over night. It will hold 3000 for about hour, but it slowly bleeds off IMO from leaving it charged. the air chamber still has to hold the charge even though it's not cocked.
Other high charged PCP's over few years have this problem no matter how much they cost. IMO just don't make since to leave 500 psi or more on the rifle if stored for month or more. cocked or not. Alternative when storage when not in cases in Plastic slip bag and seal the ends by folding over and rubber band wrap to keep dust off the gun.
I have friend that has $1400 FX that's 9 years old after 5 years it won't hold over 800 PSI charge over night. It will hold 3000 for about hour, but it slowly bleeds off IMO from leaving it charged. the air chamber still has to hold the charge even though it's not cocked.
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Mitch Booth
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:23 am
- Location: Akron, OH
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 0
2013 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 2 fledged
2014 - 0
2015 - 1 pair, 5 died during week of rain
2016 - 0
2017 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2018 - 4 pair, 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2020 - 17 pair
Bobby,
I got the green Axsor pump as well. Let me know how you like it when you get it. I did buy an extra clip for the gun. It's a good thing I did because the one clip failed on me. The spring slipped out the back and instead of sending it back I simply took the appropriate allen wrench to disassemble the clip and positioned the spring back in it's orginal hole. Just an FYI in case you have the same problem.
Mitch
I got the green Axsor pump as well. Let me know how you like it when you get it. I did buy an extra clip for the gun. It's a good thing I did because the one clip failed on me. The spring slipped out the back and instead of sending it back I simply took the appropriate allen wrench to disassemble the clip and positioned the spring back in it's orginal hole. Just an FYI in case you have the same problem.
Mitch
Greetings,
Most PCPs use poppet valves.
The older poppet guns used a soft urethane valve seat that would take a set over time and with lots of time, would deteriorate and turn to yellow mush from exposure to the ozone in regular air.
The newer PCPs use a harder delrin, Ertalyte or nylon for the seat material on the poppet.
They are happier staying charged and are built to hold the pressure safely.
The harder material is also a result of higher pressures, the softer urethane would simply deform and blow out when the pressures go over 1K for very long.
CO2 is a poor gas for consistency as it changes pressure with temperature and can blow out a 3K burst disks if a tank or filled PCP is left in the sun.
An older PCP on CO2 with urethane valve seat is asking for leaks.
Actually, any gun on CO2 will be less reliable and leak more.
Standard BaunaN and urethane o-rings used in airguns deteriorate over time and turn to mush and blow out - I rebuild them for local folks regularly and see lots of mush that was once an o-ring....
O-rings usually will outlast a urethane seat as the o-rings are captured and the valve seal is a flat washer shape usually held in by the center and outside edge so it can move a little (they can deform due to pressure and they can flex) and blow out easier.
PCP type airguns have came a long way in the last few years but the are still only as good as the o-rings sealing them and the oil you use to lube them - some mineral based oil will attack the o-rings if you don't have what the manufacturer recommends, air tool oil will do.
Finally, what good is a PCP if you have to pump it up or fill it EVERY time a starling or EHS shows up?
Benjamin. Sheridan and Crosman are all one company located in the US and are very good AND fast at warranty work - usually very reasonable on their charges, too.
One final warning: DO NOT PUT OIL IN THE FILL NIPPLE on PCP if you use high pressure air. Here, CO2 has the advantage as there are a lot of CO2 fire extinguishers. If you get oil inside the pressure chamber, the pressure can cause the oil to ignite just like a diesel engine.
There have been a few injuries and a death or two in the Paintball Industry from this and all paintball tank manufacturers caution against this.
Most PCPs use poppet valves.
The older poppet guns used a soft urethane valve seat that would take a set over time and with lots of time, would deteriorate and turn to yellow mush from exposure to the ozone in regular air.
The newer PCPs use a harder delrin, Ertalyte or nylon for the seat material on the poppet.
They are happier staying charged and are built to hold the pressure safely.
The harder material is also a result of higher pressures, the softer urethane would simply deform and blow out when the pressures go over 1K for very long.
CO2 is a poor gas for consistency as it changes pressure with temperature and can blow out a 3K burst disks if a tank or filled PCP is left in the sun.
An older PCP on CO2 with urethane valve seat is asking for leaks.
Actually, any gun on CO2 will be less reliable and leak more.
Standard BaunaN and urethane o-rings used in airguns deteriorate over time and turn to mush and blow out - I rebuild them for local folks regularly and see lots of mush that was once an o-ring....
O-rings usually will outlast a urethane seat as the o-rings are captured and the valve seal is a flat washer shape usually held in by the center and outside edge so it can move a little (they can deform due to pressure and they can flex) and blow out easier.
PCP type airguns have came a long way in the last few years but the are still only as good as the o-rings sealing them and the oil you use to lube them - some mineral based oil will attack the o-rings if you don't have what the manufacturer recommends, air tool oil will do.
Finally, what good is a PCP if you have to pump it up or fill it EVERY time a starling or EHS shows up?
Benjamin. Sheridan and Crosman are all one company located in the US and are very good AND fast at warranty work - usually very reasonable on their charges, too.
One final warning: DO NOT PUT OIL IN THE FILL NIPPLE on PCP if you use high pressure air. Here, CO2 has the advantage as there are a lot of CO2 fire extinguishers. If you get oil inside the pressure chamber, the pressure can cause the oil to ignite just like a diesel engine.
There have been a few injuries and a death or two in the Paintball Industry from this and all paintball tank manufacturers caution against this.
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
-
Mitch Booth
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:23 am
- Location: Akron, OH
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 0
2013 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 2 fledged
2014 - 0
2015 - 1 pair, 5 died during week of rain
2016 - 0
2017 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2018 - 4 pair, 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2020 - 17 pair
Joe,
Do you know if the Marauder uses poppet valves or spool valves?
Mitch
Do you know if the Marauder uses poppet valves or spool valves?
Mitch
Greetings Mitch,Mitch Booth wrote:Joe,
Do you know if the Marauder uses poppet valves or spool valves?
Mitch
It uses a poppet valve.
Looks like a white nylon cup seal in a somewhat standard design cartridge valve.
I want to buy one so bad just to take it apart!!!
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
-
Mitch Booth
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:23 am
- Location: Akron, OH
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 0
2013 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 2 fledged
2014 - 0
2015 - 1 pair, 5 died during week of rain
2016 - 0
2017 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2018 - 4 pair, 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2020 - 17 pair
Joe,
Do you know if the Benjamin Marauder uses the harder delrin, Ertalyte or nylon for the seat material on the poppet.
Mitch
Do you know if the Benjamin Marauder uses the harder delrin, Ertalyte or nylon for the seat material on the poppet.
Mitch
I have the pistol .22 version with a stock and it is deadly accurate. You can buy a steel scuba tank and adaptor for about the same price as a the pump. If you have a local scuba shop it cost about 5 bucks to fill it. I do not know how many gun fills you can get off one tank. After I fill the gun I can get the 8 shot clip and fire it about 7-8 times. About 50-60 shots. I bought several more clips where I have one in the gun and 3 more ready to go. One good thing is that you can use any regular scope because it does not get out of line as the spring loaders do. I have the Gamo but had the same problem as everyone else with it getting out of line.
John
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
There is a way to determine the abount of refills you can get out of a scuba tank. I had googled the information before, and received a couple of good links to airgun forums. My friend has the setup, and I know he gets about 20 topoffs at least.
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MichaelH
- Posts: 586
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:10 am
- Location: IL/Gillespie
- Martin Colony History: 2015 28 cavities 2 pairs
2016 big upgrade 56cavities 16 pairs great year
2017. 76 cavities 36 pairs
2018. 146 cavities
Yes a great thread I am looking for a better rifle too that's is vey quite My Neighbour called the police on me last year so being very quite would be great a long with accuracy of course thanks again for the posts
Mick
Mick
2018 146 cavities.
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BobbyG
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 11:13 am
- Location: LA/Laplace
- Martin Colony History: 10 years
I bought a Marauder last year 33 yards I can keep it in a dime and I have killed 137 sparrows and 42 starlings my colony of martins is pretty healthy at one point I had 164 eggs. This year so far 8 starlings and 2 sparrows they avoid my houses like the plague so far as of this evening I have 3 males and 1 female residing at my condominiums Louisiana.
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MichaelH
- Posts: 586
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:10 am
- Location: IL/Gillespie
- Martin Colony History: 2015 28 cavities 2 pairs
2016 big upgrade 56cavities 16 pairs great year
2017. 76 cavities 36 pairs
2018. 146 cavities
Great to read this post ,after a few days deliberating I ordered one of these comes with scope ,pellets and air pump it will be here tomorrow just in time as I have opened up some gourds and houses and the s n s are already trying to nest damn things ,it's ok there fun won't last lol,hoping this gun is as good as the comments given and that it is very quite we will see
Mick
Mick
2018 146 cavities.