GTA

PCP - HPA - C02 Gate => Crosman Discovery Forum => : Gene_SC November 16, 2009, 09:11:30 AM

: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Gene_SC November 16, 2009, 09:11:30 AM


The wait is finally over....:)



Where do I start? First of all it was packed in three boxes. Great job by Pyramid. First thing I did was clean the barrel and man was it dirty. Took over twenty patches and some GooGone to be able to pull a clean patch through. Then I inspected the crown and it looks great. I then proceed to mount a new Simmons White Tail Classic on her. 6.5-20X50 AO Mil Dot. Took her outside and set up to shoot. First fill was 2100 psi. I had set up some targets the day before for shooting and was using them. I started off with JSB .22 Exacts. Was getting a wild and wooly pattern around a 4" spread. Then I tried some RWS Super Points and the groups got a bit tighter but still not consistent. Then I tried some Beeman Silhouettes' and those were worse..:( I do not shoot .22 air guns much except my Cyclone and do not have a large selection of pellets. So I went out to the shop and found some Beeman Kodiak Extra Heavy. Those gave me a nice 1.5" patter but I am still not satisfied. This gun is supposed to have a choked barrel and normally a PCP shoot great with most any pellets. This is my first experience with a new PCP that is picky and shoots erratic. The Beeman Kodiak's held a decent group at 30 yards but I know I should be seeing some clover leaf patterns.



As far as the finish goes the Kantana has the same wood that is used on the Marauder with the exception of no checkering. I like the way the stock shoulders and my hands fit great. The trigger is exactly the same as the Maurader with the exception of the funky trigger guard..:( That has to go..:) I weighed her and she comes out just under 8 lbs with the Simmons scope mounted.



The metal work is exactly the same as the Disco and Marauder. Not allot of expense in the finish. But I feel that is ok because at the price of the Disco and the Kantan you get one heck of allot of gun for the buck..:)



Now for the chrony numbers. I did not do a string but did run the Beeman Kodiak Extra Heavies and the five shots averaged about770 fps. I ran some JSB's across and the numbers jumped up to the mid 800 fps range.



Remember that I have not done any adjustments at all to this gun yet. It was tested being completely stock. I feel that the numbers I am getting are right in line with the advertised fps. I am sure if I ran some Crosman CP's across the chrony she would of hit real close to 900 fps. Not bad for a .22 that cost less than $400.00..:) I used the 10% discount coupon and my total with shipping was under $380.00.



I wished the Kantana had shot clover leafs out of the box but I guess you cannot always get a winner out of the gate..:)



Here are some pictures that I took. I will try and put some up with the Marauder and Kantana together so you can geta better idea of the size and shape difference of stocks.





: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Crzyfrlss1 November 16, 2009, 09:27:40 AM
Nice pics.

I think you need try out some Crosman premier and benjamin HP's as well as some of crosmans cheaper offerings.

One of those choices oughta work at least.
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: HILMAN76 November 16, 2009, 09:28:39 AM
Shes definitely a looker, except the trigger guard.
keep us posted on any mods or tweaks ya' do :)
Thanks for sharing Gene :)
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: dk1677 November 16, 2009, 09:35:41 AM
Yes thanks for the pix and review! Looks nice!
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Gene_SC November 16, 2009, 10:31:40 AM


Well I forgot to mention that I tried the CP's and they were as bad as the Beeman Silhouettes. I was kinda put off by that because most of my high end springers love the CP's...:) In .177 though. Even my FX Cyclone .22 enjoys the CP's and I get very good groups with them as well.



I will keep trying different pellets until I find the ones that give me clover leaf or one holer's..:)

: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: shearload November 16, 2009, 10:39:06 AM
Gene, I'm pretty sure I have a barrel issue with my new .22 Marauder.  I hear rumors on other forums that Crosman is currently having issues with choked barrels.  I know removing the bolt on the Katana is more trouble than it is on the Marauder, but, if it doesn't get better, try pushing a pellet through the bore and see if you get the same result I did.

My other PCPs haven't been real particular about pellets; this one is a first for me.  I've never had one throw four-to-six inch groups with any pellets.

Dale
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Gene_SC November 16, 2009, 10:42:50 AM
My Marauder shoots very straight with most any of the pellets I mentioned. What is the issue with the barrels?
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: longislandhunter November 16, 2009, 10:46:23 AM
Sounds like something isn't right.........

Keep us posted on the upcoming tests buddy.......

I was thinking about ordering one but now I'm thinking perhaps I should just order that TX instead  :)

Jeff


: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Gene_SC November 16, 2009, 10:52:51 AM
Hmmm Jeff, you are looking for a TX-200?...:)
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: shadow November 16, 2009, 10:54:46 AM
She is a LOOKER! bro and from what I see on the stock it has some nice grain to it.:) I love the lines but agree on the trigger guard, they give the stock some nice lines the put a boxy trigger guard on it, doesn't flow.:( Have you tried the FTS's bro I've had great success with them in most of my shooters and plan on trying em out on some "live" target's. I'm sure you have some plan's for her, CONGRAT'S! on the new shooter and know you'll work out the accuracy issues.:) Ed
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: chuckster750800 November 16, 2009, 10:55:22 AM
That's a good looking shooter Gene. Keep us posted.

Chuck,
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: longislandhunter November 16, 2009, 11:15:11 AM
Yeah Gene,,,,, for the past 2 weeks I've been eyeing a   tx ,,,, I'm "this" close to hitting the order button on a walnut stocked .177

Jeff
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Gene_SC November 16, 2009, 11:25:24 AM


Take a look at this Jeff. Maybe it will push you over the edge..:)



http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22850&posts=1#M181529

: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: longislandhunter November 16, 2009, 01:52:32 PM
Gene,,,,, if I was any closer to "the edge"  I'd already be falling     :)

Jeff
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: jake November 18, 2009, 04:55:35 AM
Thanks for the pics and review! is it as loud as the disco?
: RE: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: man00 November 18, 2009, 05:38:12 AM
Nice setup, which scope mount is that?
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Gene_SC November 18, 2009, 05:59:21 AM
That is a BKL Cantilever mount and yes the Kantana is just as loud as the Disco..
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: man00 November 18, 2009, 06:05:06 AM
thanks
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: gamo2hammerli November 18, 2009, 12:43:08 PM
Great looking PCP....hope you find the answer to the accuracy prob.  Hey, if you're lucky.....maybe some cheapy pellets would work great for it.  :o)
: RE: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Crimson Sky November 22, 2009, 03:56:39 AM
Gene, congrats oin the Katana!

Here is the 5th group I shot out of the box, no cleaning of the barrel. Probably the best .22 cal group of 5 shots I've ever did with a Benjamin.

(http://www.airgunreporter.com/misc/katana-group.jpg)
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Mark5043 November 22, 2009, 07:29:34 AM
Very nice group there Paul.Looking forward to a video review on the Katana!
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Gene_SC November 22, 2009, 09:07:33 AM
I know Paul that the Kantana can shoot straight...:) When I get back from holiday, I may have a chance to work on her some more. Gonna try changing the mount then the scope if necessary. As you can seen from above I did not have nearly the groups that you come up with. My groups from my Marauder and Disco when I first mounted scopes and shot out to 30 yards look like your Kantan group you have shown us. I know the potential of the Kantana has to be better than what I come up with on my initial report.
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Jaymo November 22, 2009, 04:10:44 PM
Well, Paul, there's no arguing with results like that. That thing will shoot.
How loud is the Disco/Katana compared to the B50?
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: Crimson Sky November 23, 2009, 12:25:16 AM


Jaymo - 11/23/2009 12:10 AM Well, Paul, there's no arguing with results like that. That thing will shoot. How loud is the Disco/Katana compared to the B50?





LoL...No clue, I don't shoot Chinese airguns ;)

: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: longislandhunter November 23, 2009, 02:40:38 AM
Looking forward to your further grouping tests Gene.   Seems like the Katana is just like the disco and the marauder in that some guns shoot great out of the box and some don't.  Seems like the majority of the complaints one hears about the Crosmans usually has to do with barrel issues.  At least Crosman is great about either fixing such problems or exchanging rifles/barrels.   In the long run though it might be more cost effective if they would simply tighten up on the Q.A. when is comes to their barrels.  

At any rate... looking forward to your further tests Gene.... and enjoy your Holiday  :)

Jeff
: Re: Benjamin Katana Arrived Today
: shearload November 24, 2009, 11:35:22 AM
Gene, I gave up on my new .22 Marauder and sent it back to Crosman today.  I think I eliminated all possible causes of its inaccuracy except the barrel.  If your barrel was made using the same tools and process, at approximately the same time as mine was, then yours may have the same problem mine had.

If Crosman is out of good barrels and can't fix mine, I'm leaning toward buying a Lothar Walther barrel for it.

Dale