Benjamin Sheridan Pump Pellet Gun?

[ABaker]

I was checking out the Benjamin Sheridan Pump Pellet Gun.177, Model 397. I am looking for a cost effective pellet gun.

http://airgunsbbguns.com/benjamin-sheridan-397.html

If these are junk let me know.

[Charles/NM]

It's a nice rifle.  Whether it will serve for what you want to use it for depends.  What are you expecting from it?

[Rustyinfla]

I have two air rifles. Both are .22 cal. One is a Benjamin, the other is a BSA Supersport. One is a spring piston (BSA) while the other is a pump up. I paid just about twice as much for the BSA as I did for the Benjamin. I did put a peep sight on the Benjamin while the BSA wears the stock sights. The only advantage I see over the two is that the BSA has a more secure method of mounting a scope if you want one. Not that the Benjamin won't take a scope because it will. It's just that the mounting system doesn't SEEM as secure. When fired thru a chronograph the Benjamin also show less shot to shot difference in velocity.
  I liked the Benjamin so much I bought a matching pistol.

                   Rusty <><

[Lawdog]

Used to be there were Benjamin pump air rifles and Sheridan pump air rifles.  Now both are owned by Crosman and are not the rifles they used to be.  I have a Sheridan Blue Streak .20 caliber that is a good rifle.  Mounted a scope on it but the main drawback is the inconsistent power you get.  Velocity can vary as much as 50 fps. if you are not careful when pumping up the air reservoir.  Make sure each pump stroke is the same and don’t over pump trying for more power.  Lawdog
 

[ABaker]

I need a good dependable pellet rifle for shooting pigeons. They keep pooping everywhere. I live in Surprise Az, which is a suburb of Phoenix. I pretty much have houses on all sides. The gun can't be too over powered, riccochets are not an option. Also I have a 8 foot high cement block privacy fence on all sides so the pellets can't hurt the blocks. What kind of pellets don't riccochet as much? Also would you recomend the .20 (5MM) instead of the .177?

[Charles/NM]

I have an old rocker safety .20 cal Sheridan that was made in 1971 and a current production .177 cal Benjamin 397.  The old Sheridan is a MUCH nicer rifle, more powerful, accurate and consistent.  The .20 cal pellets hit very hard compared to the punier .177 ones.  Hard round nose Crosman pellets more likely ricochet than flat and hollow point pellets.  All European pellets are softer than Crosman and are also less likely to ricochet.  Hit straight on pellets will stick on a cinder brick wall.  Be aware that pump up rifles are quite loud and may disturb you neighbors.  If possible you should shoot some sample rifles and decide based on that experience.  I know very little about .22 cal air rifles, but they come highly recommended by those who do.

[Rustyinfla]

I took the .22 for several reasons. First the bigger pellets are a little better for hunting, which was my intended purpose. I have tree rats that are a major nusance.
  When all else fails I can always find .22 cal pellets at Wally World. the .20 cal are a little bit harder to come by sometimes.
  The .20 is becoming more and more popular but it has a lot of ground to cover before it's up to the same level.
  If you ever need to clean the bore for some reason it will also be easier to just use the same cleaning equipment that you use for your .22 rimfires.
 
  If you do go with the Benjamin you might also want to order the peep sight for it as well. It will increase your success rate quite a bit.
   Rusty <><

[Charles/NM]

Whether you gor for a Sheridan or Benjamin rifle you will want to get rid of the barrel mounted rear sight.  It is wedged on real tight between the barrel and pump tube.  It may eventually cause the soldered joint between the barrel and pump tube to break.  If you decide to keep it you should reshape it a little bit to reduce it's clamping force.  I make a lot of custom sights for myself and a local friends.  A few years ago I made a short run of rear peep sights for the Benj/Sher rifles.  I have one on each of my Sheridan and Benj rifles.   The Williams sight will work nice for you.  You won't need a scope for close in pigeon shooting.

[Lawdog]

I need a good dependable pellet rifle for shooting pigeons. They keep pooping everywhere. I live in Surprise Az, which is a suburb of Phoenix. I pretty much have houses on all sides. The gun can't be too over powered, riccochets are not an option. Also I have a 8 foot high cement block privacy fence on all sides so the pellets can't hurt the blocks. What kind of pellets don't riccochet as much? Also would you recomend the .20 (5MM) instead of the .177?

I hear what you're talking about neighbor wise.  You also don't want birds flying off to die in their yards/pools/patios either.  This does not make for good neighbor relations.  I would go with the larger caliber, either the .20 or the .22 and I would only use wad cutter/target type pellets.  Reason is they tend top ricochet less and deliver more shock upon impact on birds than the other pellet types.  I shoot many crows each year and have found that using wad cutter type pellets I get way less fly-a ways then with even Beeman Crow Magnum hollow point pellets.  Lawdog
 

[ABaker]

I took the .22 for several reasons. First the bigger pellets are a little better for hunting, which was my intended purpose. I have tree rats that are a major nusance.

If you hate tree rats, check out this website..  

http://www.ratkill.com/test.html

[Rustyinfla]

Well of course when we refer to "tree rats" we are actually talking about gray squirrels. Not the same kind of rat that most people trap with Victor neck breaker traps. Now that you bring that up though I did talk to a representative from a major national pest control company who was trying to get a contract with the company who's warehouse I pull out of every day. I asked him what they do in a situation where they have a major rat infestation. He said that in some cases they bring in "shooters" to bring the levels down to a more managable level. He said they shoot .22 shorts to keep the noise level down.

              Rusty <><

[ABaker]

That would be a fun job.