Average Shooting distances??

[naddan28]

As you are all aware by now I am new to airgunning and brought a BSA Lightning and have a farm to shoot on but was wondering what sort of range should I zero my sights in and then what sort of range should I realisticly look to be shooting over?

 

I zeroed the scope at 30yds but was finding it hard to hit the 40mm ring (although my arms were killing me as spent the entire day in the field) the shots were all over the place so I know its not a scoping error. I am not sure whether I am meant to be shooting with my breathe held or in between breathes. I am also assuming a little bit of flex in the knees is a good idea? I was wondering what sort of reccomended range i should be shooting over as a beginner as I am hoping to spend xmas eve in the garden shooting to get my aim spot on before I go back out in the fields after xmas. I wish i could shoot sooner but at work 9-5:30 so no daylight hours to shoot in!!!

 

Basically if i get incredibly accurate at 20 yards (ie 20-30mm groupings) at that range can i realistically expect to hit quarry? Any basic shooting tips i.e. stance, breathing etc would be highly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance guys.

[rarms]

IMHO You should be expecting to kill at a range you can consistently put your pellets within a kill zone the size of a 20 pence piece.

[alanlee]

As you are all aware by now I am new to airgunning and brought a BSA Lightning and have a farm to shoot on but was wondering what sort of range should I zero my sights in and then what sort of range should I realisticly look to be shooting over?

 

For rabbits, I wouldnt go much over 30 yards, so that is an ideal distance to zero at. Magpies and Jackdaws can be taken at up to 45yards, but make sure it is a head shot only, as hitting them anywhere in the body is not guaranteed to kill.

For your accuracy, you just need to practice. It may be the pellets that are causing inaccuracy, All guns have 1 or 2 types of pellets that they shoot best with. When I get a new gun, I'd fire off maybe 200 shots, just to clear the barrel of any muck/oil, then I put out an A4 bit of paper, held to a box with clothes pegs at my zeroing distance (25-30yds), mark up around 6 or 8 crosses on the paper. Now get 'bench rested', ie, sit down, with something to lean the gun on, preferaby soft, to make sure the gun is very steady. Get 6 or 8 different pellet types, then fire off around 10 shots with the different pellets, 1 type of pellet for one cross, then another type for the next cross etc. It is doubtful that they will be hitting the cross on the paper - IME, all pellets land in a slightly differing place compared to another make, but aim for the cross every time.

What you are looking for is the best 'grouping', that is, the pellet that has landed on the target with the smallest spread.

When you first try this, you will be amazed at the difference between some pellets, I did it 1st with a BSA superten, and although H+N FT pellets are quality made, they spread like a shotgun when fired from that gun, yet Crosman Accupells, which dont really have a good name, grouped great.

When you have found the best pellet for the gun, rezero, and practice again.

For .22, Air Arms diablo field pellets are generally thought to be close to the best, Daystate FT are good too, and Accupells may be good in the BSA barrel.

Pointed or flat pellets are not best for accuracy.

HTH

Alan.

[deadeye ive]

(although my arms were killing me as spent the entire day in the field) the shots were all over the place so I know its not a scoping error.

 

I am also assuming a little bit of flex in the knees is a good idea?

 

Basically if i get incredibly accurate at 20 yards (ie 20-30mm groupings) at that range can i realistically expect to hit quarry? Any basic shooting tips i.e. stance, breathing etc would be highly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance guys.

There is'nt many that shoot standing up .......especially when there using the rifle on or near it's maximum limit's and your doing well to achieve the groups at the lesser ranges anyway ............Standing shots are IMO when a close range opportunity presents itself and there is sufficient energy and velocity in the pellet to kill if your slightly off target .

 

Invest in a Bi-pod ,cheap stud on leggings and wax coat and lie down in a prone posistion ,Squatting as well whereby you can rest one elbow on your knee ............As for breathing ,well I hold my breath and if you've been yomping to get in posistion or range then this'll be difficult .

 

30yd zero is fine but remember this is near the maximum limits of a 12ft lb set up and to push things further is where you'll get runners and squealers

[SNAKEBITE]

Basically push your limits on Targets. Not on quarry. As you get better on targets then your limits will grow and you will be able to take further shots on quarry. Just stat within you limits and you will be fine.