naddan28 Posted December 2, 2006 Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 Hi guys, I have just got my first air rifle BSA lightning .22 with scope and have permission to shoot on a farmer's land. He seems to think i wont have much success due to lack of power but i was hoping to prove him wrong eventually. I wont go straight to shooting live quarry i am going to ensure my groupings at 30yds are 1" or so before i aim at any quarry! So i wondered whether you guys have any wisedom you could impart upon me for shooting corvids, pigeons and rabbits with a .22 air rifle? Thanks guys, all help is greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted December 2, 2006 Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 Nice gun, good choice. With it being a .22, you're looking at mainly head shots at longer range (25m+). That's really the best way to go anyway with an air rifle, so just get at those targets and work on your groups. Another thing to bear in mind, is that fieldcraft is a very important part of getting good bags. If you have time, work on your stalking when you're at the farm target shooting. Take a walk around and get to know the places you see the most rabbits etc, and note any roost trees at dusk. Once you have that sorted, start looking for good hiding places that are within 40m of these areas. If you find stalking hard at first, the way I started was to get well hidden and wait for them to re-appear after you've scared them (normally about 10 mins). Make sure you are down wind of the warrens in the case of rabbits, it doesn't matter for birds. Keep very still and quiet. Rabbits have a very keen sense for vibration. When the are alarmed, they stamp their feet to warn their friends of danger. If they can feel their mate stamping, you can imagine how gently you have to tread on the approach for them to be unaware of you! No wellies! Crows are very smart, you'll do well to get any until you are a good stalker. Their eyesight is so keen, they will probably spot you from miles away. A good trick if you are keen to hit some sooner is to bait them with a rabbit. Slit the belly open and spill out the guts, then lay it down on it's back with the guts and belly fur in good view. Again, do this within shooting range of a (very) good hide. Crows can't resist this type of bait, so you should get some. Good luck, and let us know how you get on. Don't be put off if you don't get in range of much at first, just keep trying and you'll improve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted December 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 thanks, the farmer seems to think i wont be getting anything as its "only an air rifle". However i also will soon have a second shoot, a friend of mine holds land on trust. On this land is a grade 1 listed barn with 40 or so roosting woodies that are damaging it! He has applied in writing for permission for a series of shoots as he cant use his rimfire due to huge potential of major structural damage to the barn. Are decoys good for pigeons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooky Posted December 2, 2006 Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 ideal time to go im for your SGC thanks, the farmer seems to think i wont be getting anything as its "only an air rifle". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted December 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 ideal time to go im for your SGC sorry cooky can u explain that? just being noobish i know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted December 2, 2006 Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 He means apply for your shotgun certificate. That's a good reason for needing one, shoot them before they land on the barn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted December 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 I did wonder if thats what cooky meant but the wording confused me, so i was not entirely sure that i was right when i thought SGC stood for shotgun Cert lol, no i think i will stick at the air rifle hunting for a while! Plus it still doesnt solve the fact they are all over the barn. I dont think the land would be usable for shotgunning either. We are much more likely to get approval for my BSA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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