I have noticed few mentions of the great Benjamin Multi Pump rifles here and I too am a fan of this powerful,. accurate rifle!
I bought one of the early Cartrige Valve models when my old Sheridan started leaking and the new Benjie's came out.
A whole $89 back then and biy have prices risen!
I chose the ,22 caliber 492 because it was to replace the Sheridan but I soon found that the etra power of the heavy, large diameter ,22 seemed to hit harder than the old 5mm used to but most of that was the increased frontal area and the fact I was shooting Wadcutters. It really smacks inatament objects like metal soup cans and the penetration with Domes or Points is impressive! Water filled Soup Cans literally explode when hit with a 8 pump charged Point!
At first, I used the tock sights but soon ordered a set of Scope Mounts. The Scope ended up sitting WAY too high and you couldn't make a good cheek weld with it. I then decided it was time to just spring or the Williams sight and though a little expensive, it worked out perfectly! You get cheek weld and the target even becomes a bit cleared and crisper when viewed through the apreature!
Depending on the air charge, long range hits became quick and often!
I gotta admit long shooting sessions find new muscles or at leasr get old ones sore, but charging even to full power isn't that hard...
I normally shoot t 6 pumps because the velocity is good there and the time to get to the charge is fast. For 10m I just charge to 3 pumps because of the quicker time between shots and besides there's plenty of velocity there for paper.
I gave up hunting some years back but I would advise full 8 pump charges for
that!
The Muzzle Report of these Pump Pneumatics is quite a bit louder than a Springer but not eben near a .22 short. the total noise getting the gun charged and loaded IS considerably louder but I can remember from my Sherdian days, not a problem. It;s definately not a backyrd shooter if you have "squirrely" neighbors
At full power. the 392 closely equals my .22 Webly Stingray Carbine and the Webly is quicker and quieter but the Benjamin is a lot lighter to lug around the woods all day! Those who have opted to have Tim at Mac-1 Airguns do a "Steroid" tune to their Benjamins really have a powerhouse on their hands!
Lower pump counts make more power and full charges are awssome! As a sidenote, I had Tim do my Crosman 180 CP2 and WOW it's a cannon! His worl is first rate with many hand made and fitted components. You get one heck of a Hunter from Tim's Shop!
I haven't ever shot a .177 caliber model but velocitys look good and the availability of good pellets is endless.
Overall, even at todays inflated prices the 397/392 is a good value ready to give a lifetime of shooting fun!
BPDave
I bought one of the early Cartrige Valve models when my old Sheridan started leaking and the new Benjie's came out.
A whole $89 back then and biy have prices risen!
I chose the ,22 caliber 492 because it was to replace the Sheridan but I soon found that the etra power of the heavy, large diameter ,22 seemed to hit harder than the old 5mm used to but most of that was the increased frontal area and the fact I was shooting Wadcutters. It really smacks inatament objects like metal soup cans and the penetration with Domes or Points is impressive! Water filled Soup Cans literally explode when hit with a 8 pump charged Point!
At first, I used the tock sights but soon ordered a set of Scope Mounts. The Scope ended up sitting WAY too high and you couldn't make a good cheek weld with it. I then decided it was time to just spring or the Williams sight and though a little expensive, it worked out perfectly! You get cheek weld and the target even becomes a bit cleared and crisper when viewed through the apreature!
Depending on the air charge, long range hits became quick and often!
I gotta admit long shooting sessions find new muscles or at leasr get old ones sore, but charging even to full power isn't that hard...
I normally shoot t 6 pumps because the velocity is good there and the time to get to the charge is fast. For 10m I just charge to 3 pumps because of the quicker time between shots and besides there's plenty of velocity there for paper.
I gave up hunting some years back but I would advise full 8 pump charges for
that!
The Muzzle Report of these Pump Pneumatics is quite a bit louder than a Springer but not eben near a .22 short. the total noise getting the gun charged and loaded IS considerably louder but I can remember from my Sherdian days, not a problem. It;s definately not a backyrd shooter if you have "squirrely" neighbors
At full power. the 392 closely equals my .22 Webly Stingray Carbine and the Webly is quicker and quieter but the Benjamin is a lot lighter to lug around the woods all day! Those who have opted to have Tim at Mac-1 Airguns do a "Steroid" tune to their Benjamins really have a powerhouse on their hands!
Lower pump counts make more power and full charges are awssome! As a sidenote, I had Tim do my Crosman 180 CP2 and WOW it's a cannon! His worl is first rate with many hand made and fitted components. You get one heck of a Hunter from Tim's Shop!
I haven't ever shot a .177 caliber model but velocitys look good and the availability of good pellets is endless.
Overall, even at todays inflated prices the 397/392 is a good value ready to give a lifetime of shooting fun!
BPDave
