I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.
Thanks,
eric

Eric R Snow wrote in
:

I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.

Why not buy another Sheridan?

http://www.crosman.com/site/listing/1094

I have a Crosman 1377 pellet pistol sitting by the door in the shop...
which shoots .177 pellets and takes from 1 to 10 pumps to "arm".
With it's 10" barrel it's surprisingly accurate for a cheap air pistol.
I have shot expensive Feinwerkbau air rifles, it's not quite the same... but
it's not bad for $50.
However, I just tried 10 pumps at point-blank range and it buried the
pellet about 0.29" below the surface of a 2" x 2" pine board.
There is an entertaining review of the 1377 about midway down this page:
http://home.att.net/~jjaxelrod/air.html
I think(?) the rifle counterpart to the 1377 pistol is the
2100B/2100Classic reviewed he
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review161400.html
David



"Eric R Snow" wrote in message
...
I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.
Thanks,
eric

On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:07:55 -0700, Eric R Snow
wrote:

I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.
Thanks,
eric

Google "blue streak"

Gunner

On 13 Apr 2006 03:42:08 GMT, D Murphy wrote:

Eric R Snow wrote in
:

I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.

Why not buy another Sheridan?

http://www.crosman.com/site/listing/1094


Personally,,,,I prefer the 5mm/.20 caliber...though pellets are a bit
harder to find

Gunner

Eric R Snow wrote:
I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.

Several multi-pump airguns out there. I have a Remington 77 (I think)
which is probably a Crosman. Available for under $50 reconditioned.
Cheapo, but it looks good, has a scope, and is surprisingly accurate
with a scope. I bought it to run off some crows that were harassing a
great horned owl in the neighbor's trees. One pellet at about 15 yards
dropped the crow like a rock, and the rest moved on.

Now it's a shop gun, as occasionally I step out into the dark and find
myself looking at a roaming pit bull. This gun won't stop one of those,
but it might dissuade one that is undecided.

"Rex B" wrote

Now it's a shop gun, as occasionally I step out into the dark and find
myself looking at a roaming pit bull. This gun won't stop one of those,
but it might dissuade one that is undecided.

It makes the owner take note, as it costs a pretty penny to have the pellet
removed from the pit bull. It usually takes only once, and if the dog is on
my property it's lucky it makes it home alive. I have no regard for pit
bulls although I like most other dogs.

Steve

Steve B wrote:
"Rex B" wrote

Now it's a shop gun, as occasionally I step out into the dark and find
myself looking at a roaming pit bull. This gun won't stop one of those,
but it might dissuade one that is undecided.

It makes the owner take note, as it costs a pretty penny to have the pellet
removed from the pit bull. It usually takes only once, and if the dog is on
my property it's lucky it makes it home alive. I have no regard for pit
bulls although I like most other dogs.

This particular specimen did not exhibit aggression, and just ambled off
when I shooed him. But it did make me think about other possibilities.
And I have a real firearm for more serious predators.

On 13 Apr 2006 03:42:08 GMT, D Murphy wrote:

Eric R Snow wrote in
:

I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.

Why not buy another Sheridan?

http://www.crosman.com/site/listing/1094
If it's the right rifle then I think I will. All the stores I've been
in don't have 'em. So it helps to see what is out there.
Thanks for the link. I didn't know that Crosman made Sheridan.
ERS

On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 10:57:31 GMT, Gunner
wrote:

On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:07:55 -0700, Eric R Snow
wrote:

I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.
Thanks,
eric

Google "blue streak"

Gunner
Thanks Gunner, Blue Streak is what the rifle was. It was stolen 27
years ago and the name had faded.
Eric

On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:00:30 -0500, "David Courtney"
wrote:

I have a Crosman 1377 pellet pistol sitting by the door in the shop...
which shoots .177 pellets and takes from 1 to 10 pumps to "arm".
With it's 10" barrel it's surprisingly accurate for a cheap air pistol.
I have shot expensive Feinwerkbau air rifles, it's not quite the same... but
it's not bad for $50.
However, I just tried 10 pumps at point-blank range and it buried the
pellet about 0.29" below the surface of a 2" x 2" pine board.
There is an entertaining review of the 1377 about midway down this page:
http://home.att.net/~jjaxelrod/air.html
I think(?) the rifle counterpart to the 1377 pistol is the
2100B/2100Classic reviewed he
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review161400.html
David

David,
Thanks for the links. I'll look at 'em.
ERS


"Eric R Snow" wrote in message
.. .
I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.
Thanks,
eric

Eric sez: "...Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough...."

I've owned several "pellet guns" myself and have never pumped one enough to
pierce a 2x4, although that is (maybe) theoretically possible. As my old
boss used to say, " A word to the wise is superfluous"; and that would be
don't damage a fine air rifle by overcharging it. The limiting factor in
air rifles is not how much pressure they can be charged with but how they
are able to retain and release that pressure. Velocity is limited by the
valve which releases the "pumped" charge to propel the pellet. That valve
is actuated by a hammer/spring arrangement and accounts for vibration sharp
enough to damage scopes. Special scopes are made for air rifles that can
withstand the hammer effect. IOW, you may be strong enough to impart
tremendous pressure into an air rifle but only so much energy can be
delivered to propel the pellet. Larger valves are possible, of course, but
they adversely effect other things such as trigger pull and internal
sealing. That tremendous pressure has to be pushed by a piston and retained
by a seal.

Trivia: Air guns aren't new. Some went along on the Lewis and Clark
expedition 200 years ago.

Bob Swinney

Robert Swinney wrote:
Eric sez: "...Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough...."

is actuated by a hammer/spring arrangement and accounts for vibration sharp
enough to damage scopes. Special scopes are made for air rifles that can
withstand the hammer effect.

The multi-pump guns like the Sheridan are not at all hard on scopes, so
require nothing special. It's the barrel-cock spring guns that kill
scopes that aren't made for it. I know you know that, just trying to
clarify for others.

Trivia: Air guns aren't new. Some went along on the Lewis and Clark
expedition 200 years ago.

Someone just tooled up to reproduce that gun as a limited edition.
Very nice, pricey.

Eric R Snow wrote:
I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.
Thanks,
eric

As others have pointed out, Sheridans are still made, although probably
not as well as the old ones. By today's standards, they're not
particularly powerful. The ones you've see that use the barrel for
cocking are spring-air rifles and probably get more velocity from that
one cocking movement than 10 pumps on the Sheridan. Most will be more
accurate as well. There's also sidelever cockers and underlever
cockers in spring-air guns, those will have fixed barrels, tend to be
more accurate and handle scoping better. For real power, precharged
pneumatics that use scuba tanks for air pressure are top of the heap
for power and cost.

One site that has a lot of info is www.airgunexpress.com, there's also
www.beeman.com.

In my experience, you need pellet velocities of at least 650-700 fps to
reliably kill vermin like pigeons, the pump-ups generally land on the
lower edge of this. You can get some lucky shots that will take them
out with lesser velocities, but anything below this isn't going to be
that reliable. There's some import spring air guns that will exceed
this velocity and don't cost and arm and a leg to own. You just don't
leave them cocked.

Stan

wrote:
Eric R Snow wrote:
I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.
Thanks,
eric

As others have pointed out, Sheridans are still made, although probably
not as well as the old ones. By today's standards, they're not
particularly powerful.

And I can tell you those 10 pumps are a lot more work than they were
when I was a kid!

The ones you've see that use the barrel for
cocking are spring-air rifles and probably get more velocity from that
one cocking movement than 10 pumps on the Sheridan. Most will be more
accurate as well.

Yep, lots of good choices in the $100 - $200 range.
Even the $40 Chinese stuff seems to be a good starting point if you want
to try tuning (metalwork related)

There's also sidelever cockers and underlever
cockers in spring-air guns, those will have fixed barrels, tend to be
more accurate and handle scoping better. For real power, precharged
pneumatics that use scuba tanks for air pressure are top of the heap
for power and cost.

Up to 50 caliber and bigger!
Pricey too. The Lewis and Clark rifle was a PCB as were most airguns
before the 20th century.

In my experience, you need pellet velocities of at least 650-700 fps to
reliably kill vermin like pigeons, the pump-ups generally land on the
lower edge of this. You can get some lucky shots that will take them
out with lesser velocities, but anything below this isn't going to be
that reliable. There's some import spring air guns that will exceed
this velocity and don't cost and arm and a leg to own. You just don't
leave them cocked.

And a few U.S.made ones. Benjamin is one, may be the only 100% U.S. gun
- if that matters to you. Did for me.

"Eric R Snow" wrote in message
...
On 13 Apr 2006 03:42:08 GMT, D Murphy wrote:

Eric R Snow wrote in
m:

I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.

Why not buy another Sheridan?

http://www.crosman.com/site/listing/1094
If it's the right rifle then I think I will. All the stores I've been
in don't have 'em. So it helps to see what is out there.
Thanks for the link. I didn't know that Crosman made Sheridan.
ERS

Crosman is the only survivor of the old American air-gun triumvirate:
Crosman, Benjamin, Sheridan. Crosman bought up the remains of Benjamin
after it absorbed Sheridan, IIRC. The present day Sheridans are really a
mixture of the old Benjamins with a dose of Sheridan cosmetics. You can
still get an old time Sheridan, but collectors want a lot of money for a
nice one, and repair parts are problematic.

Randy

"Rex B" wrote in message
...

Robert Swinney wrote:
Eric sez: "...Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough...."

is actuated by a hammer/spring arrangement and accounts for vibration
sharp enough to damage scopes. Special scopes are made for air rifles
that can withstand the hammer effect.

The multi-pump guns like the Sheridan are not at all hard on scopes, so
require nothing special. It's the barrel-cock spring guns that kill scopes
that aren't made for it. I know you know that, just trying to clarify
for others.

Trivia: Air guns aren't new. Some went along on the Lewis and Clark
expedition 200 years ago.

Someone just tooled up to reproduce that gun as a limited edition.

Very nice, pricey.

Thanx, Rex. No, I didn't know that, for sure. I always assumed all kinds
were hard on scopes; but it certainly makes sense the barrel-cock types with
their very powerful springs would be the worst.

Bob Swinney

Rex wrote:

"...The Lewis and Clark rifle was a PCB as were most airguns
before the 20th century...."

Coupla questions:

Are you sure the "Lewis and Clark" model was a rifle? Smooth-bores were
pretty much the norm in the very early 1800's.

What is a "PCB"?

Bob Swinney

Robert Swinney wrote:
Rex wrote:

"...The Lewis and Clark rifle was a PCB as were most airguns
before the 20th century...."

Coupla questions:

Are you sure the "Lewis and Clark" model was a rifle? Smooth-bores were
pretty much the norm in the very early 1800's.

"The air rifle apparently was accurate, thus it probably was rifled."

http://www.beemans.net/Lewis%20&%20Clark%20Airgun.htm

interesting accounts of accidental discharges in this write-up.
The first was before they left, an admirer was examining the rifle and
acidentally shot a woman 40 yards away, put a furrow in her scalp.

2nd time one of the members of the expedition accidentally shot Lewis in
the buttock. He though he'd taken an arrow and was readying himself to
fight redskins to the death. From the way that reads, he may have had 2
airguns in the expedition.

What is a "PCB"?

A typo, actually
PCP = Pre-Charged Pneumatic.
Stores compressed air in a reservoir.

Gunner wrote:
On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:07:55 -0700, Eric R Snow
wrote:

I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.
Thanks,
eric

Google "blue streak"

Or "silver streak". They came in nickle (?) plate as well as blue.

The Sheridans were 5mm/20 caliber. Think they were the only air guns
that were.

I've had a Silver Streak for over 40 years now, and it's still fun to
shoot. Pretty powerful, too. Used it to kill a rabid coon a couple of
years ago, and it did the job.

John Martin

Gunner

On 13 Apr 2006 12:33:40 -0700, John Martin wrote:

Gunner wrote:

Google "blue streak"

Or "silver streak". They came in nickle (?) plate as well as blue.
The Sheridans were 5mm/20 caliber. Think they were the only air guns
that were.

My father in law just bought a new sheridan, maybe even at Wal-mart, and
externally at least it looks like my 40 year old one.

I've had a Silver Streak for over 40 years now, and it's still fun to
shoot. Pretty powerful, too. Used it to kill a rabid coon a couple of
years ago, and it did the job.

I use a more energetic method for the various critter control jobs, but
yes, it's sure accurate.

Is it just my recollection (been a while), or would it be safe to say
that the pumps are also lot quieter than the springs?

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by

Ecnerwal wrote:

Is it just my recollection (been a while), or would it be safe to say
that the pumps are also lot quieter than the springs?

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by

Not usually. The pumpers usually have a fairly sharp snap to the report
compared to a springer.

Cheers
Trevor Jones

Rex B wrote:

Robert Swinney wrote:
Rex wrote:

"...The Lewis and Clark rifle was a PCB as were most airguns
before the 20th century...."

Coupla questions:

Are you sure the "Lewis and Clark" model was a rifle? Smooth-bores were
pretty much the norm in the very early 1800's.

"The air rifle apparently was accurate, thus it probably was rifled."

http://www.beemans.net/Lewis%20&%20Clark%20Airgun.htm

interesting accounts of accidental discharges in this write-up.
The first was before they left, an admirer was examining the rifle and
acidentally shot a woman 40 yards away, put a furrow in her scalp.

2nd time one of the members of the expedition accidentally shot Lewis in
the buttock. He though he'd taken an arrow and was readying himself to
fight redskins to the death. From the way that reads, he may have had 2
airguns in the expedition.

What is a "PCB"?

A typo, actually
PCP = Pre-Charged Pneumatic.
Stores compressed air in a reservoir.

You guys really have to take a look at Dennis Quackenbush's site
http://www.quackenbushairguns.com/

Cheers
Trevor Jones

I still have an old Benjamin BB gun that I had when I was a kid. No longer
pumps up, and I'm sure the barrel is now really worn. I bet I put 2000 BB's
down that barrel. When I was in high school I took it down to the 50' rifle
range and found that I couldn't keep a group on the paper, never mind the
target in the center. I think BB's roll in the barrel and then curve like a
baseball. I always wished that it had a rifled barrel and was the .177 cal
pellet version. I've thought about taking it apart and seeing what's wrong,
but I probably never will. It's just not worth it. Nicely made, though.
All brass, including (I think) the barrel.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"R. O'Brian" wrote in message
news:MRv%f.485$pi6.35@dukeread12...

"Eric R Snow" wrote in message
...
On 13 Apr 2006 03:42:08 GMT, D Murphy wrote:

Eric R Snow wrote in
:

I usta have a nice, accurate pump pellet rifle. I can't be sure, but I
think it was a Sheridan. Anyway, it took several pumps for full
velocity and fired .177 cal pellets (I think). It was quite accurate
and would put pellets right through a 2x4 when pumped enough. On the
other hand, just a couple pumps would send pellets out slow enough
that they wouldn't go through heavy paper at about 40 feet away. Is
there a pellet rifle available today that matches my old one? I have
looked and can only find the ones that take just one pump and it's the
barrel that's the pump lever, not the fore stock like my old one. I
want the variable velocity.

Why not buy another Sheridan?

http://www.crosman.com/site/listing/1094
If it's the right rifle then I think I will. All the stores I've been
in don't have 'em. So it helps to see what is out there.
Thanks for the link. I didn't know that Crosman made Sheridan.
ERS

Crosman is the only survivor of the old American air-gun triumvirate:
Crosman, Benjamin, Sheridan. Crosman bought up the remains of Benjamin
after it absorbed Sheridan, IIRC. The present day Sheridans are really a
mixture of the old Benjamins with a dose of Sheridan cosmetics. You can
still get an old time Sheridan, but collectors want a lot of money for a
nice one, and repair parts are problematic.

Randy

On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:19:24 -0500, "Robert Swinney"
wrote:

Rex wrote:

"...The Lewis and Clark rifle was a PCB as were most airguns
before the 20th century...."

Coupla questions:

Are you sure the "Lewis and Clark" model was a rifle? Smooth-bores were
pretty much the norm in the very early 1800's.

What is a "PCB"?

Bob Swinney


The Austrian army had a brigade of pneumatic riflemen. As I understand
it, they were considered quite unsporting as they could kill you very
well at considerable distance from hiding, never leaving that pesky
cloud of smoke to show your position

Gunner

Gunner wrote:

On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:19:24 -0500, "Robert Swinney"
wrote:

Rex wrote:

"...The Lewis and Clark rifle was a PCB as were most airguns
before the 20th century...."

Coupla questions:

Are you sure the "Lewis and Clark" model was a rifle? Smooth-bores were
pretty much the norm in the very early 1800's.

What is a "PCB"?

Bob Swinney


The Austrian army had a brigade of pneumatic riflemen. As I understand
it, they were considered quite unsporting as they could kill you very
well at considerable distance from hiding, never leaving that pesky
cloud of smoke to show your position

Gunner

Those would have been the Girandoni repeaters. For those interested,
there are a couple books around that detail the making of a working
replica. Not sure if it's still in print but a search would find it for
the interested.

They were not extremely high powered,in the scheme of things, though
powerful enough, but were capable of several shots in very quick (for
the time) succession, and did not leave a great honking cloud of white
smoke to mark the shooters location.

Much info here http://www.beemans.net/Austrian%20airguns.htm and a good
read. There's actual metalworking content! :-)

Cheers
Trevor Jones