OddJob Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 After my post in the airgun section, it would seem, as well as desired, that a FAC rifle of some variety would be best for some rabbit/squirel shooting that I am likely to get permissions for. Now, thus far i've got no experience of any form of FAC rifle and so would really apprecaite some pointers on what to look for in order to take small game/vermin. I'm assuming a rimfire .22 would be best but this is just what I have picked up here and there. It would be great to hear from those experienced before I go about applying for the license. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmiller Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 .22 rimfire is a great tool. Will do the trick out to 80+ yards very accurately. If you have had FAC air rifle, i would see the fao looking favourably on you to be reliable and safe, if you have the permissions to support having one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 .22 rimfire is a great tool. Will do the trick out to 80+ yards very accurately. If you have had FAC air rifle, i would see the fao looking favourably on you to be reliable and safe, if you have the permissions to support having one. I don't have an FAC air rifle. I have been offered some land to shoot over and initially thought an air rifle might do it, but it seems with all the kit a .22 rimfire is a similar cost but more effective. Any particular makes/models is a more pertinant question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 You won't go wrong with a CZ452, there are few models just pick the one you like. I would go 16" barrel synthetic/nickel but it is a personal thing only you can decide. Some need trigger 'kits' some don't they are about £12 or so. Do you have a FAC with a slot for a rifle and sound mod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosa Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 i have a slot and have had a fac air rifle in the past but they are to expensive and although they have their uses a .22lr is much more effective and will cost you a hell of a lot less. FAC air rifles are hard to shift also. I prefer the hmr myself but thats just me. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Do you have a FAC with a slot for a rifle and sound mod? I dont have a FAC yet, hence first looking at rifles before I start exploring the application process. I'll check your recommendation, thank you! I prefer the hmr myself but thats just me. Hope this helps What is HMR? Sorry, I'm new to all this, shotguns are my thing at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyB Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 its a 17 hmr,,( honrady magnum rifle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 rimfire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 After my post in the airgun section, it would seem, as well as desired, that a FAC rifle of some variety would be best for some rabbit/squirel shooting that I am likely to get permissions for. I wouldn`t use the .22lr for squirrel unless they are all on the ground ! Shooting into tree branches with a rimfire is a bit of a no-no ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 its a 17 hmr,,( honrady magnum rifle) Excuse the ignorance, as I say i'm new to the rifle scene. What's the difference between this and a .22 rimfire? I shall Wiki it to read up but something from the horses mouth is more effective. I wouldn`t use the .22lr for squirrel unless they are all on the ground ! Shooting into tree branches with a rimfire is a bit of a no-no ! Would that be in case one missed and so leaving a bullet to hit something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev 1 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Would that be in case one missed and so leaving a bullet to hit something else? Yes. Apparently the bullet will travel for upto 3 mile if shot into the air, So is def a NO.No... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdog Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 i would go for a 17 hmr any day. They are smaller bullets traveling faster. This means that you will have a quicker flater round than the .22. Your reasonabel range is upped to about 150 yards, but 100 yards is average. They are more accurate than the .22 as speed is a diciding factor in accuracy and they will kill better as they virtually explode with balistic tips on impact. Little chance of a richocet compared to a .22, only down side is the nosie but i that wont matter too much for squirles ( on the ground). Never shoot a rifle up into the air. 17 hmr will travel for about 1.5 miles before returning to earth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 If your after a FAC Air-rifle then for me theres no better one than the Theoben Rapid.Good amount of shots per charge,very accurate and very fast rifle.For me this is the Ultimate FAC Air-Rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 If your after a FAC Air-rifle then for me theres no better one than the Theoben Rapid.Good amount of shots per charge,very accurate and very fast rifle.For me this is the Ultimate FAC Air-Rifle. I agree - get one in .22 doing around 36ft/lbs -Mk1 or Mk2 excellent bunny basher- I had one for years then discovered 17 HMR Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I wouldn`t use the .22lr for squirrel unless they are all on the ground ! Shooting into tree branches with a rimfire is a bit of a no-no ! Would that be in case one missed and so leaving a bullet to hit something else? Kind of. A .22lr will easily pass through a Squirrel and keep going for some distance. It's not unusual to shoot Rabbits with them on a wet day and see the water spray off of the wet grass behind the bunny! If you want to shoot into trees then stick to your shotgun. For Rabbits and Squirrels on the ground the .22lr is good. The .17 HMR is worth a look too! If you apply for your FAC don't forget to ask for a moderator for each gun, and that if you're not sure you could ask for both a HMR and a .22lr to keep your options open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyme Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 What's best to use depends on the land you shoot. Every job has the best tool for the job. Hmr is handy at night when walking blasting bunnys if you just want rid of them as it can damage the meat if hit in the body. .22lr is a silent lil beasty that will ricochet like a ******. Fac air is handy as if the land is there it can be used up trees. I find I always reach for the hmr nowadays. Allows me to shoot to 200 yards on a still windless day with comparative ease combined with a laser range finder. The lr is effective up to just about 100 yards if your good judging distance at night. Of which I'm not :-). What I'd reccomend is a shotgun for the squirels. And for a first rifle an hmr. If noise isn't an issue. If noise is an issue maybe a seconhand hushpower shotgun and a .22 lr. But beware the ricochets with the lr. Have a bloody good read on as many forums as possible and ask as many questions as you need to pal the more unbiased knowledge the better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vole Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 I think a shotgun is hard to beat for squirrels. Most of the ones I see are in trees or running toward trees too fast to put cross hairs on. Great to send them flying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 I have both .22LR (Semi Auto) and .17HMR on my ticket, both with moderators. I justified the two calibers by asking for the 17HMR for long range daytime vermin use and the .22LR for night-time use with a lamp. Out of the two I have to say that I prefer the 17HMR. Whichever you decide on (They are both rimfire) the CZ 452 Varmint is a brilliant rifle, well made, extremely accurate and great value for money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albob Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 (edited) i would apply for ..fac air..22lr and .17hmr..that way you can decide which you prefer and then drop any later that you decide does not suit you or you shooting ground..saves having to pay for a variation if you ask for say just..fac air and 22lr and then decide to get the .17hmr and cost is £26 for a variation..(or to put it another way..to add another rifle to your fac) my cz 22lr with parker hale moderator using subsonics is as quiet as an air rifle,so you can use it where sound needs to be at a minimun,which the .17hmr is a bit noisy for that type of area.. the .17hmr is superb for distance and you can shoot rabbts in the head and save the meat but,no head left for ferrets. al ps,good site here for the .17hmr http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm Edited November 19, 2009 by albob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 This is all awesome advice and guidance thank you all so very much. Great to know about the different calibres and how/why they are used and also applying for them all on the same license. The moderator is to act as a silencer correct? Is the HMR not a little excessive in shooting bunnies/ground squirrels unless they are 100yds or more? I'd like to use the meat on both after shooting rather than being overtly wasteful of life. Yes there is the pest control side which is why the land is coming up, but also the side benefit would be of using/selling the meat afterwards. The shooting environment would mainly be open grassland of a formal garden nature though with many hedges and trees around. The HMR might also have a bit too much power for the setting after having a look at what each one 'does'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyme Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 the hmr is fine pal and isnt overkill for bunnies if you shoot for the head , which is pretty easy in most conditions, i had a 120 yarder in this wind tonight ! gave it 3 1/2 " to the right though. ive shot them down to 20 yards with the hmr , if you hit them with the lr in the body the meat damage can be substancial too. head shots all the way. the hmr doesnt moderate to inconspicious levels unfortunately , the only downside that i find with the hmr over the lr is the bunnys dont do somersaults as much 5 ft of the ground when hit . with the hmr they normally just lay down or fall over slowly . if your a newbie to fac, id put in for both , but buy the one you think is most suitable to your land, the biggest difference for most people who shoot hmr and lr is the cost difference between ammo. my hmr likes remington premiers and there 110 quid for 500 , or 13.25 for 50 . the lr likes eleys or winchester and are about 3.50 to 3.85 for 50 massive price difference . i tend to plink a lot with my lr in the fields practicing more nowadays . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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