Best $150 air rifle?

Man, getting an airgun to hunt crows sure is complicated!

MP-44,
Q#1: is the Benjamin Sheridan Blue Streak more accurate because it's pneumatic (vs. spring air piston), and therefore has no recoil?

That makes intuitive sense, however the web site: http://www.funsupply.com/airguns/moreguns.html claims that multi-pump pneumatic airguns are less accurate (and since the Blue Streak is listed at 675 fps, I'm guessing it takes more than one pump...?).

What am I missing here?

Q#2: you mentioned getting an older Blue Streak. Do the newer ones have lower quality? If not, I'd just as soon get a brand new one, since they're only $125 at this web site: http://www.compasseco.com/Products/Benjamin_Sheridan/benjamin_sheridan.html

Q#3: BTW, what's the difference b/n the Blue Streak and the Silver Streak? The above web site lists both, but doesn't say what the difference is...

Q#4: where is the Airgun Letter web page?
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freefinklemann,

Q#5: does your 220 have the power and accuracy to take birds out at 50 yards? (like MP-44 mentioned in his post about his Blue Streak)

Q#5: is your 220 a .20-caliber or a .177-caliber?

Q#6: is the 440 simply nicer packaging (better wood, etc), or does it have more accuracy too? Also, what do you think of the BSA scope that these guys offer w/their 220 and 440 packages:

http://www.compasseco.com/Products/Gamo/gamo.html

Thanks in advance!
 
Navaho, I'll try to answer some of your questions.

Check out this link for a good Benjamin/Sheridan Review .

Blue Streak, Silver Streak, 397, 392, Benjamin, Sheridan.... it gets confusing. Basically they're all the same gun, Crossman owns them both. The difference has to do with the caliber, the finish, and minor stock details. They're available in .177, .20, and .22, and they come in a black/blue finish or a nickel plated silver finish - either way the barrel and air cylinder are made of brass. Details have changed over the last 100yrs they've been in production and IMO the older ones aren't any better.... but they're no worse either.

I heard about 10 or 15 years ago Crossman did redesign the pump linkage. The older linkage was beefier. The newer linkage is lighter gage but they changed the pivot point slightly making the guns easier to pump. The new guns also have a (IMO) better trigger guard and a beefier receiver bridge that can be machined to accept .22 style scope rings or a William's target style aperture sight (different from the sight shown in the review above). There are a couple of Smiths who make aftermarket parts for Bennys, MAC-1 being the best known. Check out Farm & Fleet stores if they have them in your area they sell the Streak for $99, and the 397/392 for $110. Wal-Mart also sells the Streak for around $99.

Pneumatic guns aren't inherently more accurate.... they're just easier to shoot. They're more like a "real" gun - hold them fairly tight, aim, pull trigger, and they kick back a little. Spring-piston guns are not like real guns at all, you have to hold them very loosely because of the way they recoil in both directions. For this reason springers are not a good choice as a training rifle for cartridge firearms (especially for new shooters or children) because the techniques are so different.

Keep in mind that in all air guns the pellet travel so slow (even the 1000fps magnums) muzzle control is critical because the rifle is in full recoiling while the pellet is still traveling down the barrel. The problem with springers is the second (forward) recoil impulse tends to hit right as the pellet is leaving the barrel. For this reason some people think the short barrel carbines (12" - 14") are easier to shoot because the pellet has left the barrel before the second recoil hits. Bottom line is springers can be shot extremely accurately, you just gotta have the right technique. -- Kernel
 
navaho- I have read that the barrels on the older Sheridans are better. This is from a airgun smith(he also does a valve mod. on the sheridan that will push a .20 cal. 14gr. pellet at over 800fps) with many years of experience. I only have used older models and have found them to be very accurate by air rifle standards. I can hit milk jug tops regularly at 50yds. The new guns have plastic in them while the older model uses wood and metal.
Just type in "THE AIRGUN LETTER" and do a search. At one time they had a really nice forum but ended it a while back so I don't go there much.
 
220 Gamo and 440 Gamo

The 440 Gamo is a 220 with a raised comb and nicer wood stock than the 220. Also depending on where you get it a different scope. It is very accurate, but you have to do your part in shooting it due to the bi-directional recoil. If you don't have too much wind, head shots on grouse is not a problem out to 40 yrds with something to steady yourself. The 220 and above all are getting the advertised 1000 fps at the muzzle. I guess the animals didn't read the article in Guns and Ammo that said that a .177 at 1000 fps doesn't have enough penetration or killing power. One shot kills on every squirrel and grouse, with full penetration on squirrel heart shots. The fixed power 4x32 BSA scope that came on it doesn't look pretty but the glass is good and it holds its zero.
 
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