Benjamin EB22 Vs. Crossman 2240 for Grouse

oneskilledshooter

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So I am looking for a pellet pistol to take the odd grouse that I stumble across while deer hunting. One of my pet peeves is watching them scurry around while I am sitting waiting for deer.

So it looks like the 2240 is a good bet and you can't beat the price. Question is how about the Benjamin EB22 for comparison? It is another $100 and I have read mixed reviews and so am wondering if it's worth the extra coin or not.

If you have a suggestion for a .22 pellet pistol I am open to other options too. I am leaning towards CO2 powered as they are lighter and faster handling and so probably more suitable to the task at hand. I know I will have to keep it warm and wondering if my 1911 leather holster doesn't work if you guys have found a cheap shoulder holster that does.
 
Good pistol, I used to have the .177 version. Solidly-built, somewhat loud though. They run a little hot on first few shots (mine did) then calm down. Only down side is keeping the CO2 warm, and the sights on those EBs are very poor.

Honestly, I'd go for the 2240 if I were you. You can buy a cheap accessory stock for it (1399) that to me, really helps with getting accurate shots off-hand. Easily up-graded down the road too, steel breech and some optics to be specific.

A relatively new pistol on the market is the new Webley Alecto http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Webley_Alecto/2238 Boasting 490+ fps in .22 and if that's true, allot of punch for a non-pal .22 air pistol. On the CAF, there is a dealer selling these for $250 new. Single-stroke pneumatic, no CO2 to worry about!
 
My fave pistol of this type is the original Crossman Pelgun 150. Very accurate and hard hitting in .22. I have to say though, that I've found any air pistol on grouse a very marginal proposition, head shots are a MUST. Given that, an accurate .177 with decent muzzle velocity would do you just as well, seems to me.
 
I picked up a 2240 last year,put a steel breach on it and a small red dot,with the thought of also takin the odd grouse while deer hunting .I gave up on the idea. The pistol is just to loud.I did use it to 'remove' some pigions from a friends horse riding arena, I used beeman silver bear pellets and they were very effective.
 
Thanks for the tips gentleman. I went and grabbed a 2240 yesterday. It appears to be the very similar to the original pelgun 150 that vega mentioned. I agree with vega too that hunting grouse with a low power pellet gun is a little dicey and I will do head shots or will pass on the shot. I went .22 over .177 as I have heard of guys losing (ie:flying away) grouse after they are head shot with a .177.

It is true that the 2240 is louder than I would like, but it is fine for my purposes. It is only for the odd bird or perhaps small rabbit that may present me with a perfect shot. I am very surprised how accurate the gun is. I am hunting bottle caps at 15 yards (two handed, but unsupported) and soup cans at 25 yards. All of that .22 bullseye shooting has made me a half decent pistol shooter and has taught me what I can and can't do with a pistol. I wouldn't recommend this to hunt with unless the hunter is prepared to practice enough to get really good with it (or already has lots of pistol practice). I will report back if I get some shots on birds this fall.
 
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If you think the 2240 is loud, you definitely would not like the report of the EB22 in a residential setting. It is louder.:eek:

You made the right decision, as the EB22 is tougher to shoot accurately due to the sights and the trigger. The EB22 is a better built gun, but not a better gun to shoot. Lots of mods available for the 2240 as well.:rolleyes:
 
The 2240 should look like the 150, as it shares several of the same parts. Crosman was fond of building new products from the parts bins it already had.

Take a look around at the larger caliber conversions of the 2240, if you wish to pound some energy downrange at the birds.

In real simple terms, compare a baseball an a ping-pong ball, moving at the same velocity. Heavier=more energy on target. Best reason to get .22 over .177, right there. At least for the intended purpose.

There have been conversion done right up to .68 caliber(paintball size), but something like a 30 cal roundball or 9mm would lay down some whump.

Cheers
Trev
 
If you think the 2240 is loud, you definitely would not like the report of the EB22 in a residential setting. It is louder.:eek:

You made the right decision, as the EB22 is tougher to shoot accurately due to the sights and the trigger. The EB22 is a better built gun, but not a better gun to shoot. Lots of mods available for the 2240 as well.:rolleyes:

If you put the 14 inch barrel on the 2240 it is a very quiet gun..It is a lot more powerful as well.
 
If you put the 14 inch barrel on the 2240 it is a very quiet gun..It is a lot more powerful as well.

That is something that is worth considering. Anyone have a suggestion for a dealer for such a barrel? An extra 3" is probably manageable for my purposes.

The caliber conversion is interesting too. I will look in to it over the winter. Going away for a 10 day deer trip this weekend so I will try it out in stock form. I have done phone book penetration tests and this pistol in .22 does twice the penetration of a .177 pistol with a similar barrel and a pellet moving around the same speed. I was surprised that pellets pass through soup cans too. I think that it will take down grouse pretty easily if the shots are kept within reasonable range.
 
For lots of aftermarket parts to modify your 2240(barrels etc.) try Eric at www.scopesandammo.com. Great selection and very helpful.
 
For lots of aftermarket parts to modify your 2240(barrels etc.) try Eric at www.scopesandammo.com. Great selection and very helpful.

I used to buy my Breeches and barrels etc. at Crosman Canada.They used to be in Quebec but I think they moved since ...Prices were darn good for Misc. parts..Try going to the Canadian arigun forum for the latest on where they are located.
 
Try the Canadian Airgun Forum. Airguns are a sideline act here, it's what everyone does, there. Some good guys with lots of knowledge in the field there, too.

Cheers
Trev
 
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