Half a chance, meaning put some decent optics on the rifle and do a little work to find a pellet the gun likes. Air guns are just like cartridge guns, by the way. They can be every bit as fussy about what you feed them.
Here are two great American made classics I shot, today.
First is a 1995 Benjamin 397PA in 177. Excellent condition and something of a rarity because it was a transition gun, made just after Crosman bought out Benjamin and started to Crosman-ize the 397.
Scope is an excellent Nikon Prostaff 3-9x EFR. It cost considerably more than the rifle, by the way.
And here is what any Benjamin pump can do with the right pellet and a little work. This one likes Crosman premier heavy domed pellets. Shot, today.
Next up is a 1977 made Sheridan Blue Streak that I rescued from a pawn shop. All steel parts had rusted, so took a lot of work to get it functional, but, hey, rescuing a neglected Sheridan is a sacred duty to an airgun nut like me.
Scope is a cheapo Nikon-Sterlling 4x airgun scope, but it's holding up just fine.
And here is why I love Sheridan Blue Streaks. Those old cylindrical 20 cal Sheridan pellets in the yellow carton shoot well enough for hunting, but feed any Sheridan JSB Exact pellets and look out. All of our Blue Streaks love them. Shot, today.
Here's some other goodies to tempt you with these classic pump up airguns.
Only paid $125 for the mint condition Benjamin. $100 for the Sheridan, but it was rough, like I said. Sheridans are going up in price, but shop around and you can still find them for well under $200.
I use only 4 pumps for target work, but you can go up to eight if you want to use these for hunting and they are excellent for small game hunting. Shot many squirrels, back in the day, with a Sheridan using only six pumps.
No special fancy airgun hold needed. Shoot these just like your Henry.
Triggers often need a little work, but, especially with a Sheridan, very easy mod. Sheridans are such a marvel of simplicity and ruggedness. It's no wonder so many are still going strong. (And no wonder we own six at last count.)
And, yes, you can shoot these at 50 yards. Both guns have done under an inch for 5 shots for me at 50 yards. Again, don't be fooled by their blue collar pedigree. They can compete with the high dollar European guns.
Total ammo cost, today, for an hour plus of shooting with two guns: less than a dollar.
