Benjamin Steroid Modified pellet gun?

[Rusty R.]

Hello all. I think I might have found the rifle I want. I want to buy a Benjamin 392 Steroid Modified. Has anyone had any hunting experiences with this rifle? I want an air rifle that can clean the clock of Magpies and Starlings at around 30 yards. Will the Steroid Modified 392 do this with authority? Thanks  

[Airsporter]

Yes, as long as you do your part - pumping and squeezing!

[Lawdog]

Rusty R.,

I do know a couple of guys that have purchased steroid rifles from Mac-1.  Top velocity is only in the 800 fps range in .22 caliber.  While this will certainly do for any pest bird you may come across at 30 yards I just though you shouldn't be expecting to get a 1,000 fps. rifle with one.  Lawdog
 

[Deaf Smith]

for the same or close money you can get a springer rifle that will give aprocx the same velecity with 1 stroke vs the 14 or more pumps required for the steriod. If you don't mind pumping them Thats just fine. go for it the steriod will give you years of excellent service. Me I prefer the single cocking of a break barrel springer for aproxamately the same power.

[Airsporter]

The value of the 392 steroid is the capability of 20 ft/lbs in a 5.5lb self-contained rifle.  Great pack rifle. The negatives are that it isn't scope friendly, has a POS trigger, and 14 pumps is a lot of effort, especially the last few.  There are no quick follow-up shots.

At around $250 or so (current cost of a steroid?) you can certainly get rifles with more velocity (in .177) but you'll have to go to something like a RWS48 or better to match the power.

Then again, given your criteria (whacking birds at 30 yards), I do that with the humble little R7 (a .177 at a bit over 600fps).  Hope you gave the Beeman R9 a hard look.

[thedeester1]

As some people have comented above pump up guns are slow to reload and are not ideal for hunting. Another reason they are not ideal is that most require the charge handle to be fully depressed for the charge to be stored, this can be a noisey exercise. By the time you get your gun pumped and loaded you frightened the bejesus out of anything you were gonna shoot and its long gone. Id go with a decent springer in your price range. I dont know whats available to you but here in the uk the best springers are BSA and Webley (approx price range). The downside with springers is recoil so if your going to fit a scope you better fit one designed for a springer.