New permission-what type of gun?

[Grazy]

Hi,

 

So I have been shooting my Beretta SP at clays and pigeons for a year now but have recently got permission to shoot the field behind my house which is crawling with rabbits. I can apply for my FAC through the permission but don't think I will get the opportunity to shoot enough to keep it. Would an air gun be OK for rabbits? I just wanted a cheap one and was looking at this http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/BSA_Air-Rifle_Ultra_For-Sale_130825095452784

 

Any thoughts. I am also unsure on the calibre sizing. What is bigger and what is best for rabbits?

 

Many thanks.

[kyska]

Hi,

 

So I have been shooting my Beretta SP at clays and pigeons for a year now but have recently got permission to shoot the field behind my house which is crawling with rabbits. I can apply for my FAC through the permission but don't think I will get the opportunity to shoot enough to keep it. Would an air gun be OK for rabbits? I just wanted a cheap one and was looking at this http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/BSA_Air-Rifle_Ultra_For-Sale_130825095452784

 

Any thoughts. I am also unsure on the calibre sizing. What is bigger and what is best for rabbits?

 

Many thanks.

 

If that is running over 10ft/lb its a perfect bunny gun, as for calibre....can of worms, but put simply, if you shoot them in the head with any calibre they will die.

 

.177 is smallest (but very flat and accurate) .20-.22-.25 are all bigger calibres.

[Grazy]

Many thanks Kyska.

[steve_b_wales]

Take a look at the Hatsan Striker 1000. Ideal for rabbit shooting and no need to worry about re-charging etc. My mate bought one and has shot rabbits up to 35 yards.

[Rexcernui]

Second hand tx or hw. Pcp guns can be money pits. Good luck.

[dadioles]

It depends a bit on the size of the field and how close you think you can get to the rabbits.

 

An air rifle has its limitations and I was pleased to see steve_b_wales mention 35 yards which is a very sensible maximum distance for a sub 12ftlb air rifle. Too many people quote ridiculous ranges and clearly have little concern for clean kills.

 

Personally, and given that you already have a shotgun licence, I would suggest that you apply for a firearms certificate and get a .22lr. It will extend your range, certainly to 50 or 60 yards and maybe quite a bit more with practice. It has far more hitting power than any air rifle and is simple to maintain and fairly cheap to buy and feed.

 

Don't worry too much about not shooting enough to keep it. As long as you have a permission to shoot rabbits, you have "good reason". You will possibly get more permissions as you progress and don't forget that you will also use ammunition for target shooting. The certificate is valid for 5 years before renewal and as long as you have made a few purchases of ammunition and still have somewhere to shoot, it should not be a problem.

[Grazy]

Thanks dadioles, I incorrectly presumed it got revoked if you didn't use a certain amount of ammo to justify having it.

[Ben W.]

I had a AA tx 200HC .177 before moving to pcp rifles. Absolutely fantastic rifle with the only downside being the weight which didn't matter so much in the HC version, personally the balance was better with the shorter barrel.

 

My advice is stick with either weirauch or air arms, underlever for the fixed barrel and for me .177 for the flatter tragector. Heads shots only up to 40 yards max, .22 is also fine (had a daystate huntsman classic in .22....drool) but in my opinion you have a job to do and you want to make that job as easy and immediately effective as possible. If you have the time and patience to master the trajectory of a .22 then it is just as effective and very satisfying.

 

Do not compromise on quality.

[Mentalmac]

Second hand tx or hw. Pcp guns can be money pits. Good luck.

In honesty, I shoot with both a springer and a FAC PCP.

 

If I’m popping out to ‘bag some dinner’ and to have a cheeky look around the pig sheds on one of my perms where rabbits are mainly at, I use the springer as it’s a great 35 yard gun maybe 40 if theres no wind and i’m able to get into prone. I just have a Stoeger X20 Suppressor ... 80-100 quids! then a second hand scope and job's a goodun cheapo gun!

 

If i’m looking to get more than 1 I’ll take PCP. The cocking of a springer relies on me sitting up and the noise etc... and the springer is louder. Whereas my PCP will happily ping one off, and follow another running toward the hedge, but they often stop and if they do.... there dinner.

 

I’ll happily lay down in a good position behind a sandbag with some rolled up netting infront on my nice wimpy wax groundsheet thing and spend a good 3-4 hours in an evening pinging loads off.

 

Then again I also have a 17 HMR rifle which I use as a perfect lazy rabbit shooter sitting 150 yards back in my camping chair awaiting their arrival.

[Livefast123]

I suppose it all depends if you want to go down the FAC route or not and whether the land is safe for it. Second-hand .22LR rifles can be picked up for reasonable money, often around £150 for a combo but then you have to factor in getting the licence and cabinet which could add as little as £100 to the cost if you find a cheap second-hand cabinet. My CZ 511 likes American Eagle ammunition which works out at £3.00 for 50 when you buy a brick of 500. As long as you show that you have permission and use some ammunition then there will be no issues. You can then pick up a cheap SAC moderator (remember to ask for the slot!) and it'll be as quiet as an air rifle with subsonic ammunition.

 

Then again, if ranges are sensible and you don't wish to go the above route then a .177 or .22 airgun will do the job perfectly well. I have a cheap Gamo Shadow 1000 an it does the job.

Edited August 30, 2013 by Livefast123