Benjamin Model 392

   Having described a bit yesterday of my choice, I’m going to show what it can do.  I spend a few minutes just making some test shots and tinkering with the sights (of which, is a bit odd on it’s windage adjustment), until I finally got them centered at 10 yards.  Later, I’ll take it to a local range and find it’s capabilities at 25 and 50 yards.

The elevation screw is simple enough, but it needs more locktite for low elevation. The windage adjusts by loosening one screw and tightening the other side.

   I used two different pellets for sighting in my rifle.  Crosman Premier Hollow Point and RWS Super H Point.  The RWS pellets come in a tin of 250 and they cost me as much as the tin of 500 Crosman, but it’s still cheap compared to your average firearm ammo.

   I had better results in groups using the RWS over the Crosman, but that’s not what impresses me as much.  The Crosman Hollows are shaped like a dome-top pellet with a hollow point.  The RWS are almost that of a wadcutter with just enough bevel-point to provide the cup shaped hollow point.  Although the RWS are listed as .1 grain less weight as the Crosman, they seem to transfer more energy to the target in my first tests.

   I filled a soda can in water and suspended it from a string in front of my target box.  Despite the open tab, both cans still split open at the front side where the pellet struck.

RWS Super H on the left can, Crosman Premier Hollow Point on the right.

   The RWS pellet appeared to have caused more damage with it’s energy transfer, however, the crosman hit higher on the target and that may have limited how much the can may have split on that can.  Water from both cans was thrown back toward me as far as 10 feet.  Another test I did was using an empty refridgerant can that is made of steel.

Crosman struck toward the right side and penetrated both sides. The RWS hit more center, and didn't penetrate the back of the can.

The RWS pellet didn’t make it out the backside, but the Crosman bullied it’s way through.  Considering this is a steel can, I find this impressive.  Despite the lower listed velocity on the Benjamin 392 compared to other rifles on the market, I believe this still packs a wallup.  I also believe it will be an excellent small game gun because I also recall BB mentioning you don’t always want over-penetration on your target.  Having gotten my local license, it’s time to range-sight my rifle and set off to invite some small game to dinner.                  Jp

My new groove

   I’ve been down for a long time.  The main reason is due the nature of my work, but things have quieted recently enough I was able to not only make a couple of signifigant purchases, but to put them to use as well.  First and foremost, I’ve begun following through in my plan to introduce my children to the proper use of firearms.  This consisted of a Daisy Buck Model 105.  More will follow on that.

   My second purchase was something I’ve thought over for awhile: Benjamin Sheridan Model 392.  This is so far promising to be 22 calibers of useful.   “But what about the first and foremost….Daisy…Kids gun…?” you ask?  That’s simple: I know how to use a gun and how to ask questions if I don’t know a certain model.  My kids don’t, so Priority 1 is training them.  Another time on it’s progress though.

This is my new target practice and small game gun, and a handy muscle enhancer.

   I’ve done several shot groups with this already using two different type of pellets.  I’ll save the results for the next blog, because I’ll first go into my choice of weapon and observations of it.  (By the way, I happened to get this one on impulse at the local Bass Pro: it’s one of the places I would just back a large truck up to the door for shopping if ever I won the lottery).

   While shopping around, I tried a couple of Benjamin and Beeman rifles they had on the rack.  I really like the quality Ben puts in thier rifles, and I almost went with one of them with the Nitro Piston.  It fit my frame well, but I wasn’t ready for a nitro.  I worry about maintenance on things, like the mandatory service center required if ever the nitrogen leaks out.  Next to it was the 392.  I pulled it off the shelf and gave it a test-pump.  It was like pumping a 10 ton hydraulic jack that had 10 tons on it.

   I’ve read BB’s Pyramydair Blog about all the similar models of the 392, and how they’re notorious for being hard to pump and not so good for a regular plinker due to that.  However, I also remember BB mentioning that if he had one choice for a low-maintenance, reliable, lost-in-the-woods air rifle, his choice was one of the Ben-Sheridan multipumps (I believe he chose the .20 cal Silver Streak though).  Also, a friend of mine has an old .20 cal Model C that was new in the 60’s and spent 15 years in the closet.  His was just as hard to pump as my new 392 is off the shelf, so that tells me a lot as well.

   Anyway, I’ve made my choice, and despite the effort to reload, I love it.  More follows next blog, which should be more frequent.          Jp

Back in Black

A low-quality pun on an AC/DC song and target shooting. I’m back from my job, and perhaps I’ll be able to get back to target shooting, or just shooting the breeze at any rate. Let you know when you see my postings… Jp

Walther Talon Magnum

Recently got a chance to throw lead downrange with Walther’s Talon Magnum. I have to say it’s a sweet rifle, just takes a bit getting used to the recoil of a springer. Considering the power and price, I definitely plan to purchase one when I get home. As for right now, business requires I carry something packing a bit more whammy than air power can supply, so my posts are going to be few and far between. The chance with the Talon was a blast of fresh air (led by a pellet of course.

Quote: comic

   To quote a comic I recently saw,

“…and I saw the lizard leap out of his pocket as his hamburger exploded”