Marauder Benjamin Gen3 - It Just Works and Works Well

[Billm]

I am really enjoying shooting the Marauder Gen 3. I have it tuned higher than what ever says it should be tuned. But, it works and as the title states it works well. It’s set at 1800psI and whatever hammer preload was required to push JTS/AEA 21-22gr pellets at 930ish fps. But, then I tried some 18.3gr JSB and some AEA 21.8gr without changing any settings. It’s shoots both really well around 965fps with just a change in elevation on the scope. Holdover at these speeds at 101yds was reduced by a little over 1 mil. The groups at 50yds are excellent. Then I rolled
The target stand to 76yds. That just happens to be where it ended up. I’ve been shooting some really nice groups there, with no change to the tune.
Funny thing is someone at PAC, told me the BSA barrels were a mistake - I don’t think so.

 

[Danman]

Sounds like its right in the middle power wise between my S510 and ghost....should shoot a wide range of pellets well! The M-lights may like more speed than my S510 could push em, now im wondering if you should try em out too
Try Mrds yet out of it?

 

[rayroz]

BSA barrels for the win !!!
Ray

 

[Pumacarl]

@Billm, in what context were you told that they were a mistake? Too good, wrong twist? What was the mistake?

 

[rayroz]

The proof is in the performance !!!! So far most any pellet , most any reasonable speed , dirty or clean oiled or not ,am i missing anything ?
Ray

 

[Billm]

The proof is in the performance !!!! So far most any pellet , most any reasonable speed , dirty or clean oiled or not ,am i missing anything ?
Ray

I’m finding the same. I’m going to try some random slugs this weekend with no changes to the tune and see what it does with them.

 

[Billm]

I guess I didn’t hit post on the one above. I may have found the first ammo that my Marauder doesn’t like. Or at least not with this tune. But, I’m more inclined to think it’s just not the right diameter. Unfortunately my first five shots with the NSA .22 20.1gr slugs from Walmart did not go well at 75yds. I could not even feel them chambering. There is zero resistance when I push the lever forward. But, I’ll try a few more. It is very windy.

 

[Billm]

Ok, I have a steady crosswind, of 10-11mph that is constantly switching between out of the East and ESE. In other words it’s a stiff wind that’s rapidly switching between a right to left crosswind and a quartering headwind. It maybe too windy to really collect any useful data at 75yds. I did try some Olympic and Rifle slugs. The Rifle slugs shot the smallest SD 5 shot group that I’m aware of ever shooting.

 

[Solo1]

You want to see a small sd?
25 cal ghost 33.9 aea shot 2 cards today with it

 

[Billm]

That really makes feel pleased getting a .8 SD with an $800 Marauder and some cheap unsorted slugs. I stated it was with Rifle brand slugs, but it was actually 21gr Apolo slugs off of Amazon.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

A friend of mine was just shooting the apolo slugs yesterday or if his Gen 3. He had great results inside 80 yards.

John

 

[Billm]

So far, it likes pellets better than slugs. That’s probably a little unfair, as I haven’t played with the tune at all, because it’s doing so well with 18.3s.

 

[Pumacarl]

So far, it likes pellets better than slugs. That’s probably a little unfair, as I haven’t played with the tune at all, because it’s doing so well with 18.3s.

If you've got the patience, just wait for someone else to find the slugs that work. Buying a dozen different slugs, that you're never going to use again, really sucks. I'd search BSA threads everywhere to see if there is any consensus on which brand and size works best. Admittedly, info is scarce, all of this is pretty new territory.

 

[Billm]

If you've got the patience, just wait for someone else to find the slugs that work. Buying a dozen different slugs, that you're never going to use again, really sucks. I'd search BSA threads everywhere to see if there is any consensus on which brand and size works best. Admittedly, info is scarce, all of this is pretty new territory.

You know I don’t really need to shoot slugs in my backyard. I just love the challenge, when everyone just says things won’t work. So many rifles have difficulty with slugs and until I bought the FX and the Sonoran none of my rifles handled slugs well. I did buy a tin of the Airmarksman 40gr slugs the day they were released. That’s the only reason I wanted a large plenum .22, I didn’t want to waste a tin of slugs . I actually have most weights of H&N .22 slugs from when I bought the 250z. That’s how I knew there was something wrong with my barrel, mine wouldn’t group any slugs.