HELP PLEASE

[Guest HandleBar]

I've just bought a secondhand BSA Lightning .22 with Scope and wondered if anyone one had any reccommendations on Pellets (Just bought a couple of trial 100+ trial packs, Napier and Crossman).

 

Also what would be the best sort of range to test the sight zeroing?

 

All Help greatly received

[Zapp]

If you are a new shooter I would go for 20 yards. That should be far enough to reveal any brands not suited, but near enough to allow you to shoot with reasonable accuracy and confidence.

[Guest HandleBar]

I've shot .22 rim fires at school and have done some targets with an old BSA meteor many many years ago - but thought I'd tray something different other then the 12g

[Zapp]

I'd keep it close-ish until you are used to the gun. Then you can push the range out to hunting distances.

[Guest HandleBar]

Many thanks for all the advice - one final one if you know, what would the effective range for small mamals (ie rabbits, rats etc.) or pigeons, magpies be?

[hoTshoT-16]

40 yds is an effective killing range for me and my r-10

also my mate used air arms field pellets through his lightning and got good results

[brian28]

download chair gun have a play with that

[pabs]

Find a pellet that groups well at 20 yrds, then try it at 40. If it doesn't do well at 40, come back to 20 and repeat the process again with a different pellet.

[kent]

The lightning is quite a hard gun to come to terms with, it needs a very gentle hold allowing it to breathe or if you like sort of free recoil. once you get into it its fine at the begining this will be a bigger issue than pellets. Whatever range you can garantee a first shot hit without a sighter shot first on an extra strong mint is your own max range for quarry ( i doubt you will get further than 25 yds without plenty practice)

[UKPoacher]

Because of the trajectory of .22 pellets you'll find that zeroing around 20 yds doesn't maximise the kill zone for hunting distances. I'd try around 28 yds.

[FalconFN]

I'd say 25 yards zero with a .22.

 

As for hunting distance, it's any distance that you can hit a 2cm target - probably no more than 30 yards with a springer but with the right pellet you could push that a bit.

 

I've just got through testing 24 different pellets (.177 though) at 35 yards to find the most accurate and there is quite a bit of variation.

[UKPoacher]

I'd say 25 yards zero with a .22.

 

As for hunting distance, it's any distance that you can hit a 2cm target - probably no more than 30 yards with a springer but with the right pellet you could push that a bit.

 

I've just got through testing 24 different pellets (.177 though) at 35 yards to find the most accurate and there is quite a bit of variation.

 

And the winner is?

[FalconFN]

And the winner is?

 

In short JSB Exacts 4.51/Daystate select FT 4.51 top, followed by H+N FT Trophy 4.50 and Bisley Magnums second. Although Webley Mosquito Express were more accurate they tended to get stuck in my Rowan Multi shot magazine and Bisley Long Range Gold were as good but they only gave me 9.6 ft/lbs.

 

Anyway, as every rifle is different and the original question was about a .22 springer this info will probably be of little use.

[Zapp]

Just to clarify, I wasnt suggesting a 20 yard zero for hunting, I meant for finding a pellet brand that suited the rifle.

 

I agree that 40 yards is the upper end for live quarry.

[aaron airgunner]

with a springer your really pushing it at 35yrds. remember: gentle hold with your trigger hand, dont grip it, just enough to pull the trigger. dont pull it into your shoulder, just gently rest it against your shoulder. gently rest the gun on your open palm, dont grip it. if your going to shoot off a hard surface put your palm between the surface and the gun. set targets at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 yrds to find out your trajectory. your maximum range is the range your can group all your pellets in an area the size of a pound coin. remember that wind will mess with your pellets a lot, so try to zero your rifle on a windless day.

[UKPoacher]

In short JSB Exacts 4.51/Daystate select FT 4.51 top, followed by H+N FT Trophy 4.50 and Bisley Magnums second. Although Webley Mosquito Express were more accurate they tended to get stuck in my Rowan Multi shot magazine and Bisley Long Range Gold were as good but they only gave me 9.6 ft/lbs.

 

Anyway, as every rifle is different and the original question was about a .22 springer this info will probably be of little use.

 

I doubt it. I've not had a gun yet that wasn't more accurate with JSB manufactured pellets.

[Guest HandleBar]

Well thank you everyone who replied with advice on this, I went out today and grouping fairly well at 25 yards but haven't found the 'right' pellet yet and am awaiting delivery on some trial packs from Naiper and Crosman to see how they fair. I was hitting pretty consistently champagne corks (well sparkling wine, left over from New year) & some empty shotgun cartridges from 25 yards so was very pleased as a first attempt after many years break

[bakerboy]

Glad to know you are getting on with your new gun.

I am sure it is down to practise, practise,practise, and of course help and advice from Pigeon watch.

Edited January 3, 2011 by bakerboy

[Zapp]

It is all about practise.

 

As a teen I used to shoot hundreds of pellets a week from a variety of positions to hone my skills for hunting. In the end I was capable of serious accuracy even from a standing unsupported position... far better than I can manage nowadays