Sheridan Bluestreak

[257Robt]

I am wondering if this is plenty of gun for squirrel hunting? If not, does anyone have any suggestions. I am looking to try something different for hunting instead of my 20g I normally use.

[yottey]

It will work fine ! I have shot quite a few tree rats with them years ago!Where in Wis do you live?yottey

[dave]

Sure it is. I'd bet in the past 50 years, the Sheridan rifle has accounted for more squirrels and rabbits than any other airgun. Watch out for the new ones though. Lately the quality at Crosman has taken a nosedive in favor of profit margins. No more walnut stocks, the triggers are awful, accuracy is inconsistant from gun to gun,  overall finish is substandard compared to older models. Decent guns from the 60s, 70s and 80s are readily available used for under $100 if you look around.

[257Robt]

Stevens Point. I am a college kid again, so hopefully I will have a little more time to hunt again. I assume that head shots are preferred with an air rifle, but are chest shots ok. Also, I have a Bushnell Banner 4 * 32 Scope with the circle-x reticle. Will this scope hold up on an air rifle? If a person was to buy a better air rifle, what would you suggest. I shot a friends Gamo 440; pretty cool. But, I noticed that there is alot of negative feedback on the Gamo's.

[dave]

On a pumper, yes that scope is fine. On a spring gun, that depends on the gun.
 Gamos don't have a real good reputation, mostly due to the fact that the factory won't provide support for their guns. If it breaks, you can't fix it, you need to send it back to them for repairs. And if you've opened it up, or even taken the action out of the stock to lube it, you've voided the warranty, and it'll cost you $$$ to fix it. Lots of complaints about triggers and spring vibration too.
How much you looking to spend? For just a bit more than the  price of the 440 (mid $200 range with scope), you can get a real nice Webley (Stingray or Xocet, high $200-mid $300), RWS (92, 93, 94, or Diana 34, somewhere around $200) or BSA (Supersport or Lightning $300-350), or even a Beeman R-9 (a bit over $300). These prices are for new guns, nice used ones are easy to get for much less. All of them have excellent reputations, and come highly recommended by the guys that own them.

[Lawdog]

257Robt,

The Sheridan Bluestreak will work just fine for tree squirrels out to say 40 yards(+/-).  With today’s newer pellets even chest shots are OK.  I shoot for their chests all the time as squirrels tend to want to hide their heads.  As 'Dave' stated the newer Bluestreak’s are not as good as the older ones.  I see older Bluestreak’s for sale on the auction sites all the time.  Go to http://www.auctionarms.com/ or http://www.gunbroker.com/ and go through the air guns section.  But be prepared to pay almost as much for a top shape older one as you would for a new one.  Let us know what you decide.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog