Hey guys, new to air rifles so please forgive me for dumb or rookie questions. I recently picked up a Benjamin Prowler .22 made by Crosman. I purchased this with the intent to kill a large number of groundhogs (roughly 9) that are on my property. I own regular rifles from .22 LR to .50 BMG but I live in town so those aren't an option until I get approved for my .22 suppressor. I tried to sight in the Prowler yesterday at 10 yards, since the groundhogs in my yard are anywhere from 10-20 yards max from my window. The rifle came with a 4 power center point scope. Let me tell you that it has been one of the most unpredictable shooting rifles I have ever used. The scope rings are tight. I'm using Gamo Rocket pellets and they are 16.2 grain I believe. I'm looking for any help at all on getting this rifle sighted in and shooting consistently. Again, sorry for what might be rookie questions but that's what I am after all. Thank you in advanced for any and all help you guys give!
New to air rifles need help!!!!
- Thread starter Ragingred54
- Start date
perfectly understandable. for starters , your pellets and scope are not very good. the benjamin prowler ? is that a springer? if so pick up a UTG scope for it . as for pellets try JSB 15.9 or Air Arms 16g pellets. Another is Crosman premiers as well. change the scope and pellets and you should see marked improvement.
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Hello Ragingred54, the Prowler has quite a few reviews on youtube I suggest you fill your free time studying those, they may instil some belief in you for the gun (for me watching is better that reading, when it comes to learning),and you may learn what pellets it tends* to like without spending to much money/time testing, then you could read/watch some info on "hold" for a springer/gas piston rifle, as it differs from a Powderburners.
Are you using a rest for your shooting or are you shooting free hand, if free hand try resting on a bag (again hold)
tends*, your barrel/rifle may differ, and the pellets rangur1 suggests (if you can get a hold of them easily enough) are good quality.
lastly hang around here AGN, lots of folk that know lots more than I will coach you,
Good luck
Are you using a rest for your shooting or are you shooting free hand, if free hand try resting on a bag (again hold)
tends*, your barrel/rifle may differ, and the pellets rangur1 suggests (if you can get a hold of them easily enough) are good quality.
lastly hang around here AGN, lots of folk that know lots more than I will coach you,
Good luck
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Harrymoreland I appreciate the advice. I will be checking out some videos today to see what others are having luck with as well as ordering a UTG scope to replace the Center Point. As far as how I was shooting it, I was sitting at a bench with the fore area of the stock resting on a sandbag, just how i usually zero my powder burners.
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From having owned one, they're Nitro pistons: clean the barrel, make sure you check and tighten as needed all the stock screws (Blue Loctite or Vibra-Tite VC-3 will stop that), included scopes are usually junk but you're already replacing that. Better pellets have also already been suggested. Mine shot well with H&N Baracuda Hunter Extremes and Predator Polymags and the new owner says it shoots the JSB Hades pretty well. Your mileage may vary but some to consider.
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I've owned and given away to the kids many many prowlers. They're my go too gift rifle to start young hunters/marksman. Its an entry level rifle from crosman that use some of their more upper end nitro piston parts. At under $100 they're a great deal for a .22 that shoots 14.3g crosman domes well up to 30 yards or so.
Even with the centerpoint scope they shoot well. After I set them up right, and zero at 20 yards they all shoot a quarter size group at 750+ fps at 25 yards. Some would even get into the 800fps range. For 10-20 yards, really no reason to spend any more cash on a scope that cost as much as the rifle. Also, the cheap crosman 14.3 domes, not hollow point, have shot the best for me.
Not saying the centerpoint is a great scope,no, just that as long as its not broken or defective, it does work consistently good enough on the prowler for exactly what you're trying to do.
More than likely its not the scope, pellets, or the rifle thats giving you problems, its the way you hold the gas spring piston rifle. Experienced it myself when first starting to shoot springers, as has every kid I've taught how to shoot them. Gas spring piston rifles need an artillery hold. And until you get that hold downpat, no scope, pellet or anything will help. But once you get the right hold figured out, will be uncanny how well it shoots. Even with the center point scope, head shots at 10-20 yards will be easy and consistent... I never shot a groundhog with a prowler but can't even start to count how many (100's..?)grey nutters I've and the kids have taken, mostly all with head shots.
When zeroing in at 10 yards try resting the rifles front stock at its balance point on something solid but not something that grips the rifle not allowing it to move. A shooting stick works good, but even the top back of a chair will work. Hold the trigger/stock very lightly not preventing the rifle from moving when shot. See if the rifle performs better with this type rest/hold. See if you can zero in like that and get a good group at 10 yards. If you try and hold on tight/rigid to a prowler like a 22lr, unpredictable will not even begin to describe your frustration...
jmo
Even with the centerpoint scope they shoot well. After I set them up right, and zero at 20 yards they all shoot a quarter size group at 750+ fps at 25 yards. Some would even get into the 800fps range. For 10-20 yards, really no reason to spend any more cash on a scope that cost as much as the rifle. Also, the cheap crosman 14.3 domes, not hollow point, have shot the best for me.
Not saying the centerpoint is a great scope,no, just that as long as its not broken or defective, it does work consistently good enough on the prowler for exactly what you're trying to do.
More than likely its not the scope, pellets, or the rifle thats giving you problems, its the way you hold the gas spring piston rifle. Experienced it myself when first starting to shoot springers, as has every kid I've taught how to shoot them. Gas spring piston rifles need an artillery hold. And until you get that hold downpat, no scope, pellet or anything will help. But once you get the right hold figured out, will be uncanny how well it shoots. Even with the center point scope, head shots at 10-20 yards will be easy and consistent... I never shot a groundhog with a prowler but can't even start to count how many (100's..?)grey nutters I've and the kids have taken, mostly all with head shots.
When zeroing in at 10 yards try resting the rifles front stock at its balance point on something solid but not something that grips the rifle not allowing it to move. A shooting stick works good, but even the top back of a chair will work. Hold the trigger/stock very lightly not preventing the rifle from moving when shot. See if the rifle performs better with this type rest/hold. See if you can zero in like that and get a good group at 10 yards. If you try and hold on tight/rigid to a prowler like a 22lr, unpredictable will not even begin to describe your frustration...
jmo
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Sounds like acs has considerable experience with the Prowler package, I would take his advice. The only thing I would add is that the rest should be somewhat padded. Some suggest a bag of rice or a rolled up towel. Either should be fine. Practice your technique until you can get the crosshairs to hang on the aim point through the shot. Resting at the balance point or a little forward often works best.
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I haven't pulled the trigger on ordering a new scope yet so I will give the artillery hold a try. Thanks for all the info! It's very appreciated. I will keep you posted on my results.
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Just my experience here. I never shoot springers or gas pistons directly off of a rest. I always lay the stock in the palm of an open hand even when shooting from the bench with the Caldwell rest. Now just in case you don't get proficient enough to take care of the groundhogs you can always consider CCI 22 quiets. They produce 40 fpe with a 40 grain bullet at 710 fps. No ear protection needed. The are available in the segmented version as well.
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profsrgary, I am assuming you are referring to an actual bullet for a rifle correct? What does it sounds like compared to an air rifle? Just curious because the last thing I want to do is get the neighbors snooping around wondering what that noise was lol. I purchased a suppressor for my .22 rifle and unfortunately the government really really likes taking their time on approvals so i still have about 4-6 months of waiting.
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Keep in mind that the Prowler is known to need 600 to 700 pellets to break-in the barrel. A few guys have given up at 100 shots, only to find out the person they sold the gun to had good groups after break-in. Nobody I know has liked the Gamo Red Fires in this gun. I recommend buying some cheap Crossman Premier Hollowpoints (CPHP) from Wallyworld and shoot a lot. After break-in the try Crossman 14.3 gr domes, JSB 15.89 gr or H&N 21 gr Barracuda pellets. The UTG scope was a good upgrade, as most of us have found the original $10 scope reticle moving around. Some have even had the reticle rotate 30 degrees. The Prowler also shoots well and breaks-in faster with the GTO alloy pellets, but they are very expensive, so most just shoot the CPHP. Also make sure the OEM trigger adjustment screw is tightened all the way in. (it's too short to be dangerous).
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