OddJob Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'm a clay shooter but have been looking for ways to get some live shooting in. Now I have the possibility of getting some land over which to shoot some rabbits to control the population. The shotgun would naturally be overkill and ineffective. Just wondering what might be some of your recommendations on rifle and sight as well as any other tips you might have. Most likely to be lamped at present due to constraits on the land i.e. people around until gone 5pm. I'm thinking up to the legal 12ft/lb as I dont want to get a FAC just for an air rifle at the moment. Would this be potent enough? Or is it too limiting? Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taggy Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 my lightning does the job!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drivinfish Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 well it would be good enough but its hard. that might just be me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneshotkiller Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 HW77 BSA lightning AATX200 Webbley longbow all good rifles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 It certainly can be done with a 12ftlb'r - but it can be done better with an FAC one and you are more than half way towards getting an FAC with you SGC. My advice is hold on and get an FAC one. It only really adds perhaps 10~15 yards to your range in average shooting conditions but the extra down range clout is worth it. The other reason for the recomendation is that the FAC one will have a flatter trajectory calibre for calibre - so will be more tolerant in minor range estimation errors under the lamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anim al Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 if your a decent shot and you can get within range,,lets say up to 40 yards,then a standard air rifle will do the job, most modern guns will do the job,,get one that suits your budget and feels right. cheers al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 A shotgun is not overkill for rabbits! Just sit the bead at their feet, and they are dead up to 35ish yards. Just buy a box of 32gr 5s and your away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 It certainly can be done with a 12ftlb'r - but it can be done better with an FAC one and you are more than half way towards getting an FAC with you SGC. My advice is hold on and get an FAC one. It only really adds perhaps 10~15 yards to your range in average shooting conditions but the extra down range clout is worth it. The other reason for the recomendation is that the FAC one will have a flatter trajectory calibre for calibre - so will be more tolerant in minor range estimation errors under the lamp. Many thanks for the info on that, as I say I'm new to this form of shooting. I just don't fancy having to go through the visits, converstations and such I would need as well as the extra money for the license to be honest for something that will be relatively informal. Do you have any particular ideas on the rifles to look at as I've not got a clue even on the makes as of yet, let alone optics. Not looking to break the bank, around the £200 mark all in though I'm sure this is somewhat ambitious! My old man does have a BSA airsporter, but it's older than I am and struggles for a decent grouping, as well as being very loud! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezbear Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 Bsa lighting, bsa supersport, air arms tx200 will set you back about £200 with a scope. Webley have brought out a AGS model for £90 that is just under the limit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 If you are looking at shooting Rabbits to control them then I would suggest AA S200 or AA S410. For £200 you would be talking springer. There is nothing wrong with springers and plenty will tell you that they hunt well with them. I used to have a 12ftlb Webley Longbow that was deadly on them. The only reason I would suggest that you stretch to a PCP is that, having shot at your quarry, if you miss or there's others sat there then they may well stay for a second shot. However, once you have slapped the barrel open, reached for and loaded another pellet, then slapped the barrel closed again, every Rabbit nearby will have disappeared. When I first started out then I tried starting with minimal gear but I quickly found myself needing to trade up so I ended up spending twice so it was a false economy. I have an AA S200 .22 FAC 10 shot running at 18ftlb by the way. One of my permissions is a local Allotment and this is the perfect rifle for this. Good luck whatever you chose. KFC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 I agree a multishot would be a better choice but when you add up the cost of gun, bottle/pump etc you really would be better off getting your FAC and buying a .22LR and stick a SAK on the end of it (need to have both gun and silencer on your FAC). Rabbits out to 100yards, no recoil, no sound and will take 10 shot mags. Ammo is dearer than pellets but it's not exactly expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 I've been using a air arms s400 for a couple of years which is quite capable of a kill at 40yds.. New with a stirrup pump you are looking at over 500 quid for a decent precharged, so I would now go secondhand (guntrader have a few).. Saying that I have now joined the 17 Hmr club and bought a CZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 I'll back up the Air Arms S200 comment. I had one once and it was great. You wont get a pre charged gun this accurate for less money! You can fit a ten shot kit to it easily. The S410 is lovely, but would really be stretching your budget. If you could make the shooting slightly more formal and base a FAC on it, the cost of a small digital safe for the ammo and the application will be saved in the cost of the gun. A decent accurate air rifle costs a lot of money but you can pick up a .22lr for under £200! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 If you could make the shooting slightly more formal and base a FAC on it, the cost of a small digital safe for the ammo and the application will be saved in the cost of the gun. A decent accurate air rifle costs a lot of money but you can pick up a .22lr for under £200! I see what you are saying here, a .22 FAC firing live ammo does seem cheaper despite all the hassles and gubbins. I might have to have a think about it and see where I go from there. I know my father in law has an old .22 FAC rifle that he's not overtly fussed on keeping, might be a plan to take that off his hands and get the certificate instead. Many thanks for all your comments, I shall have a think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Sounds like a good plan OddJob - unless you have a bowler hat with a razor sharp rim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 I see what you are saying here, a .22 FAC firing live ammo does seem cheaper despite all the hassles and gubbins. I might have to have a think about it and see where I go from there. I know my father in law has an old .22 FAC rifle that he's not overtly fussed on keeping, might be a plan to take that off his hands and get the certificate instead. Many thanks for all your comments, I shall have a think. The other thing is that, generally, it's not that onerous to get an FAC. I know there must be FEO's out there who like to ensure that everything is absolutely watertight but they're usually possessed of a quota of common sense and if you go .22lr then you'll be glad that you did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 The other thing is that, generally, it's not that onerous to get an FAC. I know there must be FEO's out there who like to ensure that everything is absolutely watertight but they're usually possessed of a quota of common sense and if you go .22lr then you'll be glad that you did. I have a cabinet for my shotgun, is this good enough for a firearm or would I need a replacement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 I have a cabinet for my shotgun, is this good enough for a firearm or would I need a replacement? Depends really, if you have say 2 guns in a 3 or 4 gun standard depth safe you can probably put the rifle in sideways so the scope doesn't need to be removed. Legally it's fine but they do prefer you keep the ammo separately, you can buy a small suitable safe in B&Q fairly cheaply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 Depends really, if you have say 2 guns in a 3 or 4 gun standard depth safe you can probably put the rifle in sideways so the scope doesn't need to be removed. Legally it's fine but they do prefer you keep the ammo separately, you can buy a small suitable safe in B&Q fairly cheaply. Agreed, and just an extra security measure is that I remove the bolt from my rifle and store it in the ammo safe. The ammo safe is is also stored in a different cupboard from the gun cabinet. Just makes life a bit more awkward for any ne'er do wells. You can get the ammo safe for £15-£20 from most DIY outlets and you could pick up a second-hand gun cabinet from one of these forums, shooting mag small ads or an auction site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubshot Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 (edited) Check out your Local Air Gun Club/s and See what is about And what would suit you I shoot land with a Air Gun and Shotgun Static with Air Rifle - Moving with Shotgun But had more Rabbits with a Air Gun than Shotgun As in most fields Rabbits seem to hit the Burrows on Hearing a Shotgun going off ................ Best one is a Farm which used to be used for Cattle Rearing Lot's of Walled Fields - Can walk around Wall potting them off all Day before they work out how Close you are - Try Sub 12FP before looking @ a FAC Modern Sub 12FP - PCP Air rifles can fire .177 pellets out to 60 Metres and Stop Rabbits and pigeons BOB/R http://www.lvagc.com Edited November 9, 2009 by Clubshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoughton Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) I use shotgun and air rifle depending upon where the land is and where the rabbits are. The airgun is an excellent choice when you need to keep noise down and when there is good opportunity for multiple shots. I've used many different guns - but the ultimate for me remains the Rapid 7 in .22. Fantastic! Silent, accurate and fantastic to use. Makes me smile everytime I use it. Steve (P.S. I note that you're in Essex. You're welcome to come and try my guns if you wish? We're in Mayland (near Maldon) and fairly easy to find. PM me if you want to) Edited November 12, 2009 by shoughton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 (P.S. I note that you're in Essex. You're welcome to come and try my guns if you wish? We're in Mayland (near Maldon) and fairly easy to find. PM me if you want to) Steve, that is immensely kind, thank you very much. I'm up near Stansted. I may do that but I'm thinking, for the money, that a FAC might be the way forward with regards power and cost at the moment. I'll see if the land actually materialises but liking the idea of a FAC rifle more at the moment. Thanks again though! Might come and say hi to talk it over some day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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