Making the step to PCP.... and seeking knowledge

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You are in Montana and that means you MUST have a generator?

Bring a generator and the Yong Heng. I use the Honda EU 2200i to power a Hill EC 3000 compressor out in the field chasing ground squirrel. Maybe skip the tank altogether?

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I recently got another 22 Field and Target Marauder with Crosman barrel and it's not as accurate as my 2018 twin with Crosman barrel thats exactly why I urged the OP get the Lothar Walther option since I suspect their tooling are worn out.

Then again I bought (my buddy Rick's) Shooter 1721's review gun that actually had a hand picked Crosman barrel for him to do the video review on. Been bugging him to sell it to me till he caved.

I didn't expect the new one I just got to be as accurate because it wasn't a hand picked barrel for a video review but it's not even close to the first one I have in accuracy.

Here's what a hand picked for video review gun looks like-

https://youtu.be/8Jd7J0zEh3c




 
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This thread was exceptionally helpful, especially as someone who is about to jump into the PCP world as well. What's interesting about the barrel comments to me is they echo exactly what I was told by some local shooters as well as the advice from AirGunDepot. Most of the early posts about the barrels were true, they were junk when they first came out. Now that they have taken them inhouse they are exceptional. Good luck with the gun. Cant wait to get mine.
 
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Thanks again folks! I've learned a great deal so far, and am sure that when the gun, compressor, and other goodies arrive (most are scheduled to be delivered on Friday, March 26) I'll have many more questions. A special THANKS to Bigragu for taking the time to contact me/answer some things via PM!

In fact..... Something he brought up, which interests me greatly is an upgraded barrel band for the Synrod. I have extensive background in powder guns from my military career..... so I understand full well that you can sink a ton of modifications/money into a given platform, but unless that platform is inherently accurate, you're only going to improve it so much. That being said, after research, it seems to me that an upgraded barrel band would indeed be a significant "bang for the buck" for a Synrod. Thoughts? I've also been looking around, and seen how wildly the prices seem to vary on this item, for seemingly little to no difference. Some I've found listed for as little as $20 + shipping..... and others as high as $89.95 + shipping. Am I correct in assuming that in most cases the extreme higher end have to do with the name recognition/popularity of the brand?
 
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Thanks again folks! I've learned a great deal so far, and am sure that when the gun, compressor, and other goodies arrive (most are scheduled to be delivered on Friday, March 26) I'll have many more questions. A special THANKS to Bigragu for taking the time to contact me/answer some things via PM!

In fact..... Something he brought up, which interests me greatly is an upgraded barrel band for the Synrod. I have extensive background in powder guns from my military career..... so I understand full well that you can sink a ton of modifications/money into a given platform, but unless that platform is inherently accurate, you're only going to improve it so much. That being said, after research, it seems to me that an upgraded barrel band would indeed be a significant "bang for the buck" for a Synrod. Thoughts? I've also been looking around, and seen how wildly the prices seem to vary on this item, for seemingly little to no difference. Some I've found listed for as little as $20 + shipping..... and others as high as $89.95 + shipping. Am I correct in assuming that in most cases the extreme higher end have to do with the name recognition/popularity of the brand?
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Barrel bands... Ed I haven't owned a Marauder and don't know how the barrel band is on them or if it has one, but I've had enough pcp's over the last 23 years to find out the hard way that when a barrel band touches a barrel it can cause POI shifts with temperature which has been my absolute #1 frustration with airguns. On some airguns the barrel band doesn't touch the barrel so it's a moot point.

So for especially precision and accuracy in airgun matches I try my best to get rifles with "free floating barrels". Some airguns with barrel bands and shrouds I'm not overly concerned with retaining a perfect zero and can adjust the scope back to zero when plinking, so I'm not so concerned about their slight shifts from day to day, but on other airguns that I depend on for steadfast reliability this is a different matter. 

Just some things to ponder.








 
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Ed that’s a lot of great advice they’re giving you. I am fairly new to pcp also and have gone the route with the Yong heng compressor and so for have had great results. I know it’s not for everyone but I bought the out of date fireman tanks on eBay for $71.00 including shipping. I believe they are MSA not the Scott brand, they are the 4500 size and were in nice shape. I’m also in agreement with one of the other guys that the Yong heng could never blow one of these tanks. I feel much better about these tanks than the ones from China or from Ali express. 
 
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I had the opportunity to speak with Steven Archer, of Archer Air Guns today..... what a great guy, with an obvious TON of knowledge. I learned more about PCPs from him in 10 mins on the phone, than I did days of researching the net!
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Anything you would be willing to share with us?
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I asked him about the barrel bands, and asked if the aftermarket ones being offered do anything in maintaining the POI if/when the barrel is leaned against something or gets bumped. At first he seems a bit confused, and said he did put much stock in them, and basically said.... don't bump the barre or lean it against anything. :) That might be great if your a target shooter only..... but I can't help but think that in a hunting scenario, when a gun is always moving and hitting/tapping bushes, brush, limbs, etc. that IF those "upgraded" barrel bands might just be worth a go.

We also talked about the "kit" he offers for the Marauder .... and for the $28 (including shipping) I just went ahead and ordered it. If you go to the page on his store, he also has links, and the bottom of the description, to articles about the tune and how it works. https://www.archerairguns.com/Tune-Kit-for-Benjamin-Marauder-p/maraudertunekit.htm

He really stressed how much pellet choice and pellet uniformity impacts air guns. 

Other than that, just general stuff, that I mostly knew, but I think it's always important to hear what others' views on various aspects of pretty much anything is..... sometime people (like me) get so "boxed in" their own little worlds/thought patterns, that it's good to get another's view/opinion. ;)
 
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Consider a smaller "guppy" style tank if you are considering backpacking. Roughly half the size of the 30 cu ft tank. Should still fill the Mrod 6 or 7 times from 1500-3000psi(well over 200 shots)i. Would also be easier on the compressor. I do like the size of the 30 cu ft, just not for walking around with. I would recommend Airhog. If you choose the 30, post some pics of it next to gun, or of you ho!ding it.



Another nugget: Be careful opening the valve on the tank when filling, and fill slowly. My Benjamin small tank has a very sensitive valve, and the reason I recommend the Airhog tank.




 
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I don’t know that I’d spend the money on an “upgraded” barrel band. You can line the inside of the barrel band with hobby foam to keep it from rattling around. This has been a recommendation from Motorhead in the past so it comes from a trusted source.



I like that idea. I saw somewhere online/forums that other recommended a #30 O-ring, or multiples.... looked online and Home Depot stocks those, for about $3 for 10.

The more I think about my intended scenarios for the Marauder, which is going to be mostly hunting, I definitely want first shot accuracy/dependability, which makes me thing that those who say not to worry about it.... you can take a couple of shots to ensure the POI is accurate, are likely target shooters, and those who encourage the mod are like mind with me.... wanting to ensure the POI isn't affected if the barrel/gun get bumped a bit. This barrel/band thing is just another example of something I would not have knows, had it not been for these forums! MANY THANKS!!
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Consider a smaller "guppy" style tank if you are considering backpacking. Roughly half the size of the 30 cu ft tank. Should still fill the Mrod 6 or 7 times from 1500-3000psi(well over 200 shots)i. Would also be easier on the compressor. I do like the size of the 30 cu ft, just not for walking around with. I would recommend Airhog. If you choose the 30, post some pics of it next to gun, or of you ho!ding it.



Another nugget: Be careful opening the valve on the tank when filling, and fill slowly. My Benjamin small tank has a very sensitive valve, and the reason I recommend the Airhog tank.



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I won't be backpacking.... I have Lupus, which in my case, attacked my lungs and caused interstitial lung disease.... it's tough enough to walk a mile on flat ground...let along lug anything with me! :) I'll either be stationary, in the truck, or on the ATV,

And once again.... those "nuggets" are priceless pieces of information for a newbie like me! I very much appreciate those! I do a lot of teaching of Bladesmithing, and have learned that what is common knowledge to many who are "experienced" in a given area, are major revelations to those who are beginners. ;) Thank you!
 
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Ah, ok. I do like the idea of the 30 cu ft tank then. It's a good compromise between capacity, portability, and less work for compressor. 



Another one: Once you have all the ancillary equipment, you won't need to buy it again for your next gun, so it will seem like a no brainer to get one(or two etc). This may be the rabbit hole you find yourself in 🙂
 
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 I'm already discovering "the rabbit hole" :) I've looking at ever scrap of info I could find on the Yong Heng compressors, and am already considering buying the stuff to build a small radiator for cooling it. I do know that with any machinery, the better you can keep it lubed, and the cooler you can keep it.... the better!

Hoses, fittings, compressors, tanks..... lions and tigers and bears.... OH MY!! :)

I told myself that I would NOT get crazy trying to my the Marauder something it will never be.... by buying/installing all the aftermarket goodies....but I confess, I already ordered the "tune kit" from Archer Airguns, and have been looking at other things... I'm so ashamed! NOT!! :)



Keep the info and tips coming!
 
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It occurred to me.... with the springers that I have used/shot, I tried something that I've done for years with powder guns..... waxing the bores. 



After cleaning the bores, I used a bore mop, slathered with Mother's Carnauba Cleaner Wax (I use it on all my knives, and like it, so that's what I first tried on bores.. likely any good quality wax would work) and run it through the barrels a couple of times, followed up by a tight/clean patch. In powder guns is helps to keep the bores much cleaner then without it, and on the SIG ASP20, I felt it helped the accuracy. I did find it difficult sometimes in the SIG...because when pulling the mop or patch through, it would tend to snag on the baffles. Makes me wonder with the full shroud on the Marauder.... would that "snagging" maybe be worse? Or, is the Marauder baffle(s) just at the muzzle like the SIG?

So much to learn! ;)
 
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 WOOT! FedX just delivered the Synrod and the compressor! Pyramid Air did a super job of setting it up and shipping. I think they are very wise to make a case mandatory for shipping any gun you pay either the "10 for 10" or "20 for 20" to have them accomplish. Even it it just proves the gun has no leaks, I think it worth it! The target they provided with the "20 for 20" that I purchased, is nearly a single hole at 10 yards, which is even more exciting for me.... to find just what this gun is capable of doing. They filled it to 3000psi for the 20 shots, and it came showing abut 2,200-2,300psi! So no leaks!



Now to get familiar with both the gun and compressor....get the compressor set up and see if it runs. :)



More to come!
 
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Welcome to the addiction Ed! It was mentioned earlier....do you have a chronograph? It will let you know where your gun prefers to be filled and when you need to refill. It will tell you where your sweet spot is at and eventually tune it to a different spot when you decide to tune it differently than you received it. Heres a little article that will help explain how the valve works in an unregulated pcp and what your looking for. A chrony is a must when it comes to the addiction. 



https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2008/12/understanding-the-performancepower-curve-of-a-pcp/
 
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