of pumps. Then I performed computer simulations to calculate their ballistic coeffi cients and trajectories. For Kodiak pellets with my mini-
mum recommended power level of fi ve pumps, the rifl e is best sighted in at 20 yards. The pellets will then rise to about half an inch higher than the aiming point at 12.5 yards and land less than one inch low at a distance of 25 yards. For more power and range, one can pump the rifl e up more times and the pellets will hit “dead on” farther out. For example, with eight pumps and the same sight setting, the rifl e will hit “dead on” at 30 yards and, with ten pumps, it will hit “dead on” at about 35 yards. Even with ten pumps, the pellets will rise no more than 1 inch above the line of sight at intermediate distances. For fi ve to ten pumps, the same sight setting will work for hunting birds and small animals. However, with fourteen pumps, the pellets will rise to about 1.5 inches above the line of sight which I think is too much for hunting birds and small animals. See Trajectory Chart No. 1. The lighter Field Target pellets
come out of the barrel faster with the same number of pumps and, with only four pumps and the same sight setting, they hit “dead on” at 20 yards, the same as the Kodiaks with fi ve pumps. The Field Target pellets can be used with as few as three pumps or as many as seven pumps and still work satisfactorily with the same sight adjustment used for the Kodiak pellets. For example, the rifl e with Field Target pellets and three pumps will hit “dead-on” at 15 yards and, with seven pumps, it will hit “dead-on” at about 34 yards. Even with seven pumps, that pellet will not rise more than an inch above the line of sight. See Trajectory Chart No. 2. SUMMARY
I think the only real disadvantage
of a pump air rifl e compared to today’s springers is the noise. The springers make a noise somewhat like a car door slamming shut while the pump pneu- matics make a fi rearm-like crack. That may be a problem for some city dwell- ers but it will not be a problem on the large acreage where my grandsons live. High-powered springers have the
potential to be very accurate but they require considerably more skill to shoot accurately. We did some shooting off
www.varminthunter.org Page 149
the bench in my backyard before turn- ing the Sheridan over to my grandsons. Ian was putting most of the pellets into small groups at 20 yards. And that was with a rifl e unfamiliar to him. Plus, it was the fi rst time that he ever used a peep sight. Jett, being younger, was not able to pump up the Sheridan but he was able to shoot it fairly well. He could have hit a rabbit in the vitals more often than not. What happens if one inadvertent-
ly pulls the trigger on a cocked springer without a pellet in the barrel? A pellet needs to be in the barrel to slow down the piston enough to keep it from slam- ming into the front of the piston cham- ber with too much speed. After owning my FWB 124 springer for over 25 years, I once shot it without realizing that I had forgotten to load a pellet into the barrel. The seal and piston were ruined and an
expensive rebuild was required. In a less valuable air rifl e, the repair would not have been worth the cost. Springers may be quick to cock
and load but that is not a big advan- tage for hunting. It’s the first shot that counts. It’s more work pumping up a pump pneumatic than cocking a springer of the same power. That may be a disadvantage for target shooting but that’s not important for hunting. What is much more important is that springers cannot be carried cocked and loaded while hunting as their metal springs will weaken if left cocked for a long time. Pumps can be carried ready to shoot with the safety on. I think the 50-year-old Sheridan, either as it was bought new or in its “fi xed up” condi- tion, is a better air rifl e for hunting than today’s springers.
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