Hello all,
I recently rekindled my interest in airgunning. Years ago, I had a modded 1377 (flat top valve & piston-with internal mods, 14" barrel, rifle stock & scope) and was the scourge of the chipmunks that were destroying my mom's garden at her house. Long story short, the 1377 finally called it quits and life got in the way.
After me being out of commission for several years, my dad took over the chipmunk duties, but he has Parkinson's and the chipmunks, etc are in no danger. He has a 1955-era Sheridan Blue Streak in .20 cal with the odd, thumb safety on the hand grip of the stock. It is exceptionally accurate (I've shot sub 3/4" groups with it at 15-20 yards using the old-style Sheridan cylindrical pellets... it's scoped). This was HIS airgun from his youth. His dad had to get it for him - he was too young to buy it at the time - and it cost (back then) a whopping $40. I love this rifle, but needless to say, he ain't giving it up!!
Back to my story. I had a lot of fun with the 1377, but now I want a rifle. I was hoping to get in touch with someone who has a farm, and has an issue with mice/rats & other farm pests and I'd need something with more punch that the 1377 could deliver. Even though it was a tack-driver at 15 yards, I wouldn't have trusted it to humanely take out something bigger than a chipmunk or Grackles/starlings.
My budget (but mainly my wife) demands I stay around $200 for the rifle - I'm going to have to be creative in order to get the scope/mount and other necessities. I'm seriously looking at the Benjamin 392s/397s because #1 the cost is right there with my needs, #2 they are SO CLOSE in construction & design to the Sheridan, which I love, and #3 the pellet selection in .22/.177 is outrageously more diverse than in the .20 cal.
I guess what I'm looking for a short-range (say, 30 yards) rifle with the accuracy and punch to take out small to medium sized vermin and to just enjoy shooting in general. From what I've seen on YouTube, the Benjamins seem to check all the boxes. My only "if" is caliber, my 1377 was excellent at <20 yards, its small .177 pellets (CPHP) were like the finger of death to the chippies, and I like the penetration of the .177 through feathers, which is like avian body armor, but most of what I see posted is about the .22. The Benji twins are the same price for the .177/.22 so that doesn't matter.
Could I get some opinions to help me with my decision?
Tanks a bunch - Don
I recently rekindled my interest in airgunning. Years ago, I had a modded 1377 (flat top valve & piston-with internal mods, 14" barrel, rifle stock & scope) and was the scourge of the chipmunks that were destroying my mom's garden at her house. Long story short, the 1377 finally called it quits and life got in the way.
After me being out of commission for several years, my dad took over the chipmunk duties, but he has Parkinson's and the chipmunks, etc are in no danger. He has a 1955-era Sheridan Blue Streak in .20 cal with the odd, thumb safety on the hand grip of the stock. It is exceptionally accurate (I've shot sub 3/4" groups with it at 15-20 yards using the old-style Sheridan cylindrical pellets... it's scoped). This was HIS airgun from his youth. His dad had to get it for him - he was too young to buy it at the time - and it cost (back then) a whopping $40. I love this rifle, but needless to say, he ain't giving it up!!
Back to my story. I had a lot of fun with the 1377, but now I want a rifle. I was hoping to get in touch with someone who has a farm, and has an issue with mice/rats & other farm pests and I'd need something with more punch that the 1377 could deliver. Even though it was a tack-driver at 15 yards, I wouldn't have trusted it to humanely take out something bigger than a chipmunk or Grackles/starlings.
My budget (but mainly my wife) demands I stay around $200 for the rifle - I'm going to have to be creative in order to get the scope/mount and other necessities. I'm seriously looking at the Benjamin 392s/397s because #1 the cost is right there with my needs, #2 they are SO CLOSE in construction & design to the Sheridan, which I love, and #3 the pellet selection in .22/.177 is outrageously more diverse than in the .20 cal.
I guess what I'm looking for a short-range (say, 30 yards) rifle with the accuracy and punch to take out small to medium sized vermin and to just enjoy shooting in general. From what I've seen on YouTube, the Benjamins seem to check all the boxes. My only "if" is caliber, my 1377 was excellent at <20 yards, its small .177 pellets (CPHP) were like the finger of death to the chippies, and I like the penetration of the .177 through feathers, which is like avian body armor, but most of what I see posted is about the .22. The Benji twins are the same price for the .177/.22 so that doesn't matter.
Could I get some opinions to help me with my decision?
Tanks a bunch - Don
