Benjamin Akela project rifle part 2: Results of a reg and barrel polish

[@svrfx3573]

I don’t own this rifle, and was thinking about getting it, but I don’t have the setup to do these modifications, as I want the same level of accuracy and regulated. I’m not afraid to tinker, while I could prolly do it with hand tools I don’t trust these hands of mine, LOL. Great series of videos, thank you sir.

[@Tim_Bassett]

coming along nicely......cracking video.

[@sub12airgunners]

Glad you enjoyed it Tim, good buy on that Bi-pod as well, you beat me by about 30 mins. Thanks for watching.

[@tonyrebelo3038]

Excellent Jake, simply excellent, as always! You say towards the end that this project might not interest some, well it should, any true enthusiast anyway... It showcases, and evidences exactly what can be achieved with a little effort, and from something more modest than the top end marques. I think everyone should have a 'runt' in their collection, especially one that looks set to cause a bit of an upset. I've witnessed a very budget Artemis M16 with very little 'fettling' on the 50 yard range at Pete's almost match a Redwolf's groups on the day. Very much looking forward to the end result. Well done mate 👍

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks Tony, really appreciate that, the whole goal of this video series is to hopefully prove you don't have to spend tones of money to get a good rifle, with a little work and patience you can make almost anything shoot very nicely, also for me and dad its about the process, looking at the pieces and how they each play an important role in the end product, its always satisfying when we get down to the range and see if we have made it better or worse, the cause and effect. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@philbate5555]

It's great seeing it's progress week to week jake, well done mate.

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks Phil 👍, its coming along quite nicely now, little more work on the barrel and we should be seeing really good grouping. Thanks for watching.

[@Jknox]

I find all your videos interesting so thanks for the time and effort.

[@sub12airgunners]

Glad you like them! you are very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@dancarlisle7209]

Yes sir are you open to making some custom parts for me for my FX.Thanks Dan

[@jaytee8188]

Very interesting to see the development on this even though I don’t own one. And also great to hear of your future vids, can’t wait, thanks Jeff.

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks, got the bulk of the work done to the Akela now, so now it will just be a update video every now and again, more vids on the L2 and M3 too come though. Thanks for watching.

[@gallantone1535]

Always enjoy your videos you could help a lot of manufacture out as you really put a lot of effort good engineering 👍

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks 👍. I appreciate that, its the little things that turn a rifle like this into a really good one. thanks for watching.

[@andrewmcnulty0]

Looks and performs great well-done. Looking forwards to the ssg video and barrel polishing too. 👍 🇬🇧

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks, the ssg should be a fun project, Thanks for watching.

[@eoinwestman6222]

Awesome video. Always extremely interesting

[@bobpowers5]

Hello Jake, I really enjoy your videos, with so many hacks out there its refreshing to watch a true craftsmen at work. I am new to PCP with the Akela being my first, I do like to tinker and would like to start with the hammer spring, however none of my searches have produced any parts. Could you possibly direct me to a good source for the springs and any other parts I might need down the road. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and taking the time to post these fine videos. Bob

[@tonyrebelo3038]

Picked mine up in .177 from Big Dan last week and had a decent session with it at Pete's yesterday. Dad (yours 😉) had a go too and we were very impressed by the 'out of the box' results) Pity we can't post pics here, but we achieved a very respectable '5p' group at 50yds with JSB Heavy 4.52. I'll FWD dad a pic so he can show you 😊👍

[@alanmullock381]

What an improvement,and not finished yet!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@sub12airgunners]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@danny007boy123]

probably the most interesting and pragmatic pcp tuning guide here

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks, much appreciated. Thanks for watching.

[@jasonnewton3842]

Great video as always ,look forward to watching them. may well be my next toy.

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks Jason, I should be on commission, they are a nice rifle, my one needed a little work as you can see, but its turning into a nice little rifle. Thanks for watching.

[@jasonnewton3842]

@@sub12airgunners They all need a bit of work, I would get bored if they didnt.

[@adrianventer44]

Apart from the trigger linkages, how does tha Akela differ from the Cayden mechanicaly? Thinking of doing something similair to my Cayden😊

[@lisawood516]

great update 👍

[@chrisfigueroa3361]

Great job thanks for sharing bsafe buddy

[@OriginalMarkyBoy]

Wow 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 Very Cool Jake 👍🏽

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks Mark, looking a little better now, more work to do though. Thanks for watching.

[@OriginalMarkyBoy]

@@sub12airgunners it’s like a better looking Wildcat 😝 let’s hope it out performs them 👍🏽😊✌🏼 Good lad ✌🏼

[@chrisbarker1895]

Nice one Jake, when I did mine I couldn’t believe how much more efficient it was and Im now spitting out 300’s in .22, the ssg does help but no massive gains and I see a touch more spread which is expected I guess, do try a few spring types as some make cocking a bit to hard, another tip is to drive the rear of the hammer as ssg retainer can travel into hammer, one thing you must try is the hammer bearings as mine have definitely improved the action Makes you wonder why the manufacturers dont put a reg in and price up as they’d sell many more here in the uk.

[@SpawnSniper]

Looks great mate! It's awesome that you like our American gear!

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks, loads of great american gear out now, Thanks for watching.

[@OCDfish]

Looking forward to your Leshiy 2 content coming up Jeff. As well as the Leshiy 2 I also have an M3 but I think they are much harder to work on (for me anyway!). As much as I like the Akela video, I was you had bought a Kral NP-02 instead as I have one of those and would be interested to see how that comes apart and could be potentially made even better for a budget pcp. 👍🏻

[@sub12airgunners]

It was a coin toss between the NP-02 and this rifle but the stock swayed me, however most of the information about this rifle can be transferred across. The more I look at the Leshiy 2 and how its made the more I like it, its a masterpiece, I like the M3 but for the flagship model I wish FX had done a few more improvements over the Mk2, but its still a cracking rifle. Full disassembly on the L2 coming soon, got some projects that I want to make for it. Thanks for watching.

[@OCDfish]

@@sub12airgunners thanks for your reply. Excellent videos as well. If you ever wanted to sell any of your rifles I’d gladly take one off your hands with all the improvements you make to them! I’ve added the new(ish) REPR adjustable reg to my Leshiy 2 as I can tweak the reg pressure easily now when I swap barrels between .177 and .22. When I’ve chronographed it, it appears slightly more consistent too. Will you cover what nozzle jet and puck sizes you use with your Leshiy 2 video?

[@sub12airgunners]

@@OCDfish Thansk will do, the leshiy 2 puck size is a little tough as I have a plenum plug fitted to my rifle, but I use 2 1.4mm jets and a 3.4mm puck size for a 350mm .177 barrel, I don't like the plenum plug though and I am currently designing something that will do away with it, but more information will come when its ready. Thanks for watching.

[@OCDfish]

@@sub12airgunners I’ve got the plenum plug fitted too but I know people say it’s best to remove it and use bigger jets and a smaller puck to help keep it sub 12. I’ll awaited your video with interest!

[@grezza112]

Just picked up an Akela in .177, just waiting on a chance to go test. After watching this series I think I need to immediately invest in a reg if you’re tripling or more the shot count.

[@sub12airgunners]

A reg transforms this little gun when we finished our one it was a fantastic gun

[@vansantsam]

I do my stocks in Shellac.. First wipe the wood with denatured alcohol to clean it.. Then apply a few very light coats with a spray can of Shellac to seal the wood (spray can is optional). Then work with Shellac from a can and do a "French Polish" (several videos on KZbin as to how to French polish).. Shellac dries as soon as the alcohol evaporates (just a few minutes - not hours or days).. Can be touched up at any time with ease.. You can touch up a small area without having to do a complete refinishing job.. French polish is what you find on expensive fine violins, pianos, and fine furniture.. Good stuff and easy to work with.. All you need is a can of Shellac, denatured alcohol, olive oil, and some cotton cloth (cheese cloth or an old cotton T-shirt will do fine).. You can do a little at a time while watching TV, no special area needed nor any ventilation area needed.. You can do a complete stock in about an hour..

[@sub12airgunners]

Good tips, still figuring out what finish I want to be honest, its a nice piece of wood and it deserves a little attention to bring it to life. Definatly looking into the Shellac though. Thanks for watching.

[@numizaairguns1373]

well done.

[@sub12airgunners]

Thanks, its getting there now. Thanks for watching.

[@ezrabrook3993]

Beeman 1358???

[@keithrush4168]

Great series on the Akela! I’m thinking of getting one of these to shoot Hunter class FT here in the US. You can shoot up to 20ft/lbs in that class. What kind of shot count would you guess one could achieve regulated to shoot 18-20 ft/ lbs? Your numbers are astonishing now! I’m excited to see how tight your groups end up when you’re completely done with the barrel. Would a re-crown help at all you think or is it more so on the inside just needing refinement? Keith

[@sub12airgunners]

Hi Keith, thanks, a rough guesstimate would be around 150 shots for 18-20 ft/lb, but it depends on your caliber, they are nice rifles and the more I shoot it the more I like it, the crown on my rifle was quite tidy, I may end up re crowning it but my one came nice and concentric and with no burrs on the inside edge and it passed the cotton bud test no problems, the inside was rough but its cheap rifle so I wasn't expecting a match grade barrel, and a little care and a polish seems to have really helped, more to do and the results will follow. Thanks for watching.

[@keithrush4168]

Thank you Jake. I would super happy with 100-125 @ 18-20ft/lb. You think a Sightron iii 10-50 x 60 would fit on there? That’s the one I’m wanting to use. Also looking at put a PRS Butt Pad or similar on there. For my first real PCP, looks like a great gun to tinker and learn with. Like you said, nothing you have done is hard to do with some patience. If I could get lucky and get it to shoot dime size groups at 55 yds, I will be extremely happy. I suppose you could always get another barrel as well. Keith

[@user045-key77]

LW barrel should be better bet to take it beyond 50, one hole would not be too difficult.the shot count is fantastic may be with a stiff and short spring would improve it further.

[@jeffhello1444]

nice one 👍👍👌👌

[@sub12airgunners]

👍

[@robertszweda5787]

Robert S

[@robertszweda5787]

Really like your videos, are you going to do any videos on the Benjamin Kratos?

[@airgunsharpshooter4889]

Iv just fitted a lane reg to mine........ with the standard 85bar, it gave me 15ftlbs. So I turned the reg pressure down to 70bar, which gave me 11.8ftlbs. On a 200bar fill, it drops off reg at about 80 shots...... nowhere near the 200 you are getting

[@denniscampbell8240]

I,just got mine in ,,,,,I don't care much for this rifle ,,,,,1. Even with high mounts the cheek piece is to,high and my eye to scope view is bad ,,,,the scope rail moves if the scope is at the end of the rail ,,,bad design ,,,im sending this one back ,,,,and tradeing it out for a air max ,,,,,,I hope is more comfortable to shot

[@daleweller5193]

Less talk more work please.

[@JuanLopez-dz1ri]

Mi

[@sub12airgunners]

thank you