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

[GeneralBadLuck]

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!

I watched a video where they put a drinking straw at the end there so it will pull through no issues. 

 

[L.Leon]

Better than straw are the tubes you can get out of lotion or shampoo bottle with pumps. Much stiffer than soda straws.

 

[bandg]

Might work fine but I've had no issues using straws for this purpose.

 

[L.Leon]

Might work fine but I've had no issues using straws for this purpose.

Straws?, Tubes? Same difference? Holding the end of a collapsible soda straw was less certain. And after dozens of pull through the soft straw gets less and less stiff where the patch come through. The tubes are more rigid. I’ve use both and no longer use straws.

 

[EdCaffreyMS]

Well, took most of the afternoon to go over/through the compressor and check everything/get it setup. Then I turned my attention to the gun. Checked it all over, and cleaned it....WHEW!! What a mess! I've had .22 powder guns that were not that dirty after a brick of shells! Got it all cleaned up/out, waxed the bore, then onto setting everything up to sling some pellets. It arrived with 2000psi in the tank, so it was nothing for the compressor to push it up to 3,000psi, and then load up the magazines and get after it! Glad I purchased extra mags.... this thing is a blast to shoot, and you can go through pellets quickly!

I have a little 30 yard "range" setup in the backyard, with a shooting table on wheels just inside the overhead door of my Blacksmith shop.....

(you can see my Lab (Blade) in the background.....he's used to hearing a shotgun, and seeing ducks fall, so he was giving me that "side eye" look like "what ARE you doin!?")

After getting the feel for the gun, I found there is a lot to like about the Marauder. Ergonomics are good, trigger is pretty decent for a factory job, and overall for the money it seems to be a very nice gun. The one thing I DO NOT like is the scope that came with it. Horrible Optics! I will eventually dig through my scopes and change it out to something with better optic quality. For now, I decided to give the scope a fair chance though, and loaded up the mags with Crosman Premier, 14.3gr Hollow Points. (I'll try other pellets later).

Out of the box, it shoots pretty decent.....

After about 50 rounds, I got more comfortable with it, and was able to shoot this group..... and many others of very similar size. (might not need to try other pellets!) Hmmm.

Which is pretty awesome compared to most of the springer guns I'm used to shooting. Now I'm seeing the appeal of these PCP guns!

After the above, I started checking on the consistent shot count, and for lack of knowing any better, just started a 3000psi in the tank, and shot until accuracy started dropping off POA..... did that 3X, and twice it was 36 shots, and the other was 35 shots, which left that tank a just a tad under 2000psi. Frankly, with me having Lupus, and not being as steady as I once was, this little gun is more accurate than I am. OH!! And holy cow!! This thing is QUIET compared to any other air gun I've shot before.

I absolutely did not like the free space between the barrel band and the shroud! I played with it a bit and found it super easy to knock the POI off.... so I went to Home Depot, purchased a box of #30 O-rings, and filled that space with 4 of the O-rings, and did some more experimenting. Surprisingly I didn't have to re-sight the gun, but I also was not able to change the POI with hand pressure on the muzzle (after placing the O-rings). Think that's how it will stay for now, and as soon as we get some warm, and not so windy, go test it on some gophers! 

Well..... I've dipped a toe into the PCP ocean.... I very little doubt that the PCP monster is about to engulf me! Thanks to everyone who offered help/advice! It's very much appreciated! You can bet I'll have plenty more questions.