Monsters for my 397S

[Ron B]

Hi.
Just thought it would be nice to contribute to the group about my experience with my 397S. Love this gun but have been frustated at times. Also wish it had a lower cheek weld but somehow I've gotten used to it.
Bought it in Dec 2019 after lots of research. Picked a synthetic stock even though at the time I could have picked up a wood model. Liked the idea of a rifle that could stand a bit of weather. Also checking Amazon reviews indicated that the top complaint for the 397 was poor quality wood. Wanted something good for cheap target practice and occasional squirrel control. It hasn't worked out well cost wise as I've spent more than a little bit since buying the rifle on pellets and sights.
Have had problems finding ammo that works well with this rifle. Tried lots of different pellets and found that it seemed to like light wadcutter pellets best but always had problems with consistency. I found out early that it also shot JSB Beast pretty good also. Lately I have tried JSB Monster and think I have finally found the best pellet for this rifle. I can consistently shoot groups at 8 yards that are easily covered by a dime. Not that great compared to some of you out there but probably the best me and my rifle can do. I set it up with a Williams peep with a fairly large aperature that helps me focus with my older eyes. Anyhow if I was to shoot squirrels I would not attempt anything more than about 10 yards. Also a Pine Marten moved into the area Squirrels are much less of a problem. The Monster has a pretty flat trajectory at higher pump rates and works really well for target practice even at 4 pumps. The Monsters leave the gun at 610 fps at 10 pumps and 475 at 4 pumps. Would likely use 8 pumps for hunting at 580 fps. The Monster is kind of expensive but for me the accuracy and the consistency is worth it. I am a bit nervous as there is a new Redesigned Monster out now that I haven't tried yet. Hopefully it shoots as well or doesn't replace the older Monster?  Hope my experiences will help someone else.
Thank you all for the info I gained on this site!

[35 shooter]

I’ve been wanting a 392s... thanks for the chrony no’s. on the monsters. That’s some serious ft. lbs. for a stock pumper! Nice!

[rsterne]

11 FPE at 10 pumps, right?.... it's a .177 cal?....

Bob

[35 shooter]

I’ve been wanting a 392s... thanks for the chrony no’s. on the monsters. That’s some serious ft. lbs. for a stock pumper! Nice!

Oops , OP clearly said 397s, but I had 392 on the brain lol... thought that was a bit high no. for a monster in 22 cal.
Not bad for the 397s though.

[Ron B]

Last night I was doing a little plinking with cans at 15 yards. I was surprised to find that only 4 pumps puts the Monsters through to the inside of fairly heavy coffee cans.

[wll2506]

Hi.
Just thought it would be nice to contribute to the group about my experience with my 397S. Love this gun but have been frustated at times. Also wish it had a lower cheek weld but somehow I've gotten used to it.
Bought it in Dec 2019 after lots of research. Picked a synthetic stock even though at the time I could have picked up a wood model. Liked the idea of a rifle that could stand a bit of weather. Also checking Amazon reviews indicated that the top complaint for the 397 was poor quality wood. Wanted something good for cheap target practice and occasional squirrel control. It hasn't worked out well cost wise as I've spent more than a little bit since buying the rifle on pellets and sights.
Have had problems finding ammo that works well with this rifle. Tried lots of different pellets and found that it seemed to like light wadcutter pellets best but always had problems with consistency. I found out early that it also shot JSB Beast pretty good also. Lately I have tried JSB Monster and think I have finally found the best pellet for this rifle. I can consistently shoot groups at 8 yards that are easily covered by a dime. Not that great compared to some of you out there but probably the best me and my rifle can do. I set it up with a Williams peep with a fairly large aperature that helps me focus with my older eyes. Anyhow if I was to shoot squirrels I would not attempt anything more than about 10 yards. Also a Pine Marten moved into the area Squirrels are much less of a problem. The Monster has a pretty flat trajectory at higher pump rates and works really well for target practice even at 4 pumps. The Monsters leave the gun at 610 fps at 10 pumps and 475 at 4 pumps. Would likely use 8 pumps for hunting at 580 fps. The Monster is kind of expensive but for me the accuracy and the consistency is worth it. I am a bit nervous as there is a new Redesigned Monster out now that I haven't tried yet. Hopefully it shoots as well or doesn't replace the older Monster?  Hope my experiences will help someone else.
Thank you all for the info I gained on this site!

The old style Moster in 177 shoot well in my CHIEF II Plus, the old style 22 cal Monsters shot horribly in my Nova Liberty, but shoot great in my Bengi 392s --- may be rate of twist or ? Who knows.

After my many tins of old style Monsters are gone in 22 cal  I will probably by the redesigned as I have heard of no issues with those, but who knows, buying pellets many times is a &^^& game !

wll