theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I know there are people out there with highly held views on this matter but im in between I allways go for a head shot when in a good shooting position and no that i cnat miss because lets face it. If the pellet hits a non kill zone say at the mouth it will cause the rabbit a slow agonising death. But is hit properly the rabbit wont feel a thing. On the contray if im standing (im probably the worst standing shot in the world) and im at close range then sometimes the body shot is the better choice. This is for a number of reasons: firstly i have the least soft mouthed lab in the world and any rabbit thats met her will vouch for that. This means an instant dispach of the target wether its dead allready or still trying to hang in there. At the moment i seem to be mercy killing (mixied rabbits) and as im allways at such close range to them the body shot often proves more effective. A body shot the other day resulted in the rabbit just toppling over without even any nervous spasms. I know this is rare but ive seen rabbits clearly head shot before that just run for it. In short i believe there are good times for body shots but only if you know that it will result in a relatively quick death for the quarry I would love to know peoples opinions but would stress that i occupy the middle ground and am not saying allways one or the other. Attachment: Body shot mixis (they were in the game bag a while if your wondering) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksdad Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I think this also brings up the old .177 or .22 arguement..... A .22 in the chest might be quicker than a low head shot that lets the rabbit run off and die: I can see a valid case but tend to only go for headshots meself, but I had one recently where I got bugs right through both eyes, and I was chasing it round for about 5 minutes before it stopped.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durbsguy Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 When learning to shoot I was always taught that when shooting an airgun go for head shots and when shooting rim fire go for heart and lung shots never strayed from this I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one shot drop Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I've always been told head shot but like you say not always the best choice I've had rabbits run off after a head shot others just drop i prefer to go for a head shot myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Good point jacksdad mines .22 Very impressed guys no ones been childish yet im sure there'll be one Ive had a lot of successful headshots too (like the sqz on my porfile page) but ive also made a pigs ear of some and completely missed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vengeance111 Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I find a good neck/upper chest stops them just as quick as a head shot In fact alot of the rabbits I get headshots on run off were as very few get very far with a chest shot I normally try for a head shot, but sometimes I would find i missed and hit the chest and it still killed them quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Yes i got a headshot wrond once on a young rabbit at 10m (how the heck did i manage that) insted the pellet went straight through his wind pipe. (i dont think he liked it ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Ive had a lot of successful headshots too (like the sqz on my porfile page) but ive also made a pigs ear of some and completely missed your statement above shows why a head shot is better in my opinion ,if you miss there is no damage done and if you hit then chances are that bugs is going down , if your missing a target the size of a rabbits head how can you be sure you will be accurate enough to hit a even smaller vital area in the body and if you do miss it your going to wound ?, I personally head shoot everything from pigeon to rats and rabbits ,not knocking, your choice at the end of the day but for me always the head shot with a airgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Ive had a lot of successful headshots too (like the sqz on my porfile page) but ive also made a pigs ear of some and completely missed your statement above shows why a head shot is better in my opinion ,if you miss there is no damage done and if you hit then chances are that bugs is going down , if your missing a target the size of a rabbits head how can you be sure you will be accurate enough to hit a even smaller vital area in the body and if you do miss it your going to wound ?, I personally head shoot everything from pigeon to rats and rabbits ,not knocking, your choice at the end of the day but for me always the head shot with a airgun. I agree and frequently go for the headshots but ive had less body shot rabbits run than ones that have been clearly shot in the head and somehow managed to firstly run and secondly evade the dog Otherwise i agree but feel that if the situations right a body shot works just as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Surprised not to have heard someone who swears by body shots either theres a whole lot less than i thought or for some reason they wont admit it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Ive had a lot of successful headshots too (like the sqz on my porfile page) but ive also made a pigs ear of some and completely missed your statement above shows why a head shot is better in my opinion ,if you miss there is no damage done and if you hit then chances are that bugs is going down , if your missing a target the size of a rabbits head how can you be sure you will be accurate enough to hit a even smaller vital area in the body and if you do miss it your going to wound ?, I personally head shoot everything from pigeon to rats and rabbits ,not knocking, your choice at the end of the day but for me always the head shot with a airgun. Sorry but only just re read it. Firstly my standing shooting isnt exactly world class and the head is not the kill zone as ive learnt painfully. The brain is the only real kill zone on the head and for me the body shot has more entrances than the head. Head shots are great if your in a good shooting position or an excellent standing shot and you can totally rely on your accuracy. My other key points like before are quick dispach and semingly larger target area. However ive just been up the garden practicing my standing shots and can now hit a milk bottle top at 20m 9/10 times. i might start going for more headshots but without sittig up im nearly allways in a standing firing position Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 A missed head is either a miss or a hit to the neck. Keep your aimimg point at the rear rather than the front of the head and I think that head shots are more humane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 A missed head is either a miss or a hit to the neck. Keep your aimimg point at the rear rather than the front of the head and I think that head shots are more humane. Yes allways rear of head ie where the brain is otherwise a pellet through the front of the face is very unhumane. I would say that a pellet in the chest that goes wrong has more stoping power and therefore a chance for my killer lap dog to dispach the quarry. As i said there are arguments for both however as far as i can see im the only person willing to admit using them. Just to make it really clear i believe in headshots but when they go wrong the concequences for the rabbit can sometimes be worse than a chest shot. I was very annoyed the other day when a rabbit at 15m was hit on the shoulder and ran. I sent the dog but as i was reloading i spotted the pellet i had just fired on the floor with no damage. Clearly angle of attack is of importance. Another argument for body shots is head on. Ok you can wait but it may be too late. A front on head shot normally works but could deflect. A body shot would be a large target area however the ribs are the main complication Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 If it is directly head on then I would agree. With only 12ft-lb, you have a lot of hard stuff to get through before reaching the brain; chest shot may be the way to go if the grass length etc allows. I do use them occasionally, but go for the head much much more. It is often more humane to go for a headshot where I shoot. I certainly wouldn't criticise anyone for going for the heart/lungs. Purely out of interest, what kind of dog do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 You can get drummed off some airgun forums for even suggesting that a body shot will kill, but it does, in the right area. A pellet into the chest imparts tremendous trauma and also punctures the cavity meaning that the lungs don't work. No lungs, no life. With woodies its a no brainer (sorry). The head is small and moving too eratically to guarantee a head shot whereas a chest shot usually drops them dead. Rabbits are different. The head is much larger and more steady. No reason not to go for a head shot. Squizzers can be tricky. I'd rather take a chest shot than a frontal head shot, but sideways on its the head every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottoj18 Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 If your ready to shoot a rabbit, then you should have 100% belief that your Rifle and ability will place the bullet for a humane death. Onces the trigger is pulled there's no taking it back Head shot for me.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 (edited) When learning to shoot I was always taught that when shooting an airgun go for head shots and when shooting rim fire go for heart and lung shots never strayed from this I'm afraid. WHY? And where would you aim with a centrefire then? Edited October 25, 2011 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Shoot wherever you like that stops the quarry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 A body shot at a rabbit with an airgun often means it is able to make it back to its warren before it dies. A brain shot will stop it in its tracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vengeance111 Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 A body shot at a rabbit with an airgun often means it is able to make it back to its warren before it dies. A brain shot will stop it in its tracks. but the problem is it has to hit exactly the right part of the brain to do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Good point jacksdad mines .22 Very impressed guys no ones been childish yet im sure there'll be one Ive had a lot of successful headshots too (like the sqz on my porfile page) but ive also made a pigs ear of some and completely missed What, you mean someone who dissagrees with you. A body shot has more chance of letting them run. If they manage to evade your wonder dog, and get back into their burrow, it just means a slow painful death. Why not go for a head shot every time? This way you stand a better chance of killing them on the spot. If your going to try and kill something, try and do it the right way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 If you struggle with free standing shots like me try shooting off sticks, head shots become a whole lot easier. At air rifle ranges you have to see for yourself what you can achieve. atvb Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Firstly for whomever asked its a labrador A body shot dosen't normally knock things over outright however several headshots ive taken haven't. Like one sensible person says do what works for you but i find that occasionaly a body shot is a better option and all the body shots ive taken (i think) have resulted in fast humane deaths (thanks to the dog ). If at short range why not take the larger killing area especially when in a bad shooting position and as is the case with my current mercy killing of the mixied rabbits the death is a lot better than dying with no senses. As i said in the first one some people will only do one however i was expecting at least one body shotter. Lets not make things personal and just keep the dicsusion to pros and cons and what works for people instead of opinions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 but the problem is it has to hit exactly the right part of the brain to do that Really ? Should I be aiming for the cerebral cortex or the frontal lobes ? In reality, a pellet through any part of the brain will stop the rabbit from running home. It might do some acrobatics for a few seconds, but it won't be bolting for the hedgerow and smelling the way back to the hole. Don't confuse "brain" with "head". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Really ? Should I be aiming for the cerebral cortex or the frontal lobes ? In reality, a pellet through any part of the brain will stop the rabbit from running home. It might do some acrobatics for a few seconds, but it won't be bolting for the hedgerow and smelling the way back to the hole. Don't confuse "brain" with "head". Like you say it has to hit the brain but a miss that hits the mouth which might kill in heart lung would mean a possibly very slow agonising death and it wont have the same stopping potential as a pellet in the chest cavity. Also i suppose you know this but a rabbit can still get back to its burrow on nerves even if its stone dead. If its close enough to the burry but this is rare. Im not saying not to go for headshots but just saying that in some cases there are differnt options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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