Is a 177 gonna cut it

[Jackw04_123]

Hi all is like to collect some thoughts from you all in regards to a 177 air rifle. Last winter I got my self a r10 mk2 in 22 calibre for Lamping rabbits and rats. I struggled getting close enough with the lamp and tried various alteration including different filters and even night vision. The night vision did lead to a few more kills. My question is will a 177 give me that little more range? Or isit time to fill out my fac application

[Underdog]

sounds like your rabbits are switched on to night hunting and it won't get any easier by shooting them at greater range....we calls it lamp shy!

 

Rabbits that don't squat readily are hard work no matter what your using in the dark.

 

U.

[GingerCat]

Wont add any range but might be easier to shoot at range given its a bit flatter shooting.

Go over your kit and make it as noiseless as possible, walk into the wind and avoid bright moon lit nights.

[chrisjpainter]

as GingerCat said, the trajectory is flatter, but it doesn't really add anything significant to the range, because what you gain in velocity, you lose in impact as the pellet is significantly smaller. If you're struggling with even NV to get at the bunnies, then perhaps it's time to think about FAC. the problem with trying .177 is the expense. UNless you can borrow one off someone to try and see if you get an advantage, you risk buying one, finding it's no good still and then needing to buy yet another rifle when you go up to FAC anyway (either FAC-Air or .22lr/hmr). Your .22 R10 will convert up to FAC nicely and you'd get a good 30ft/lb out of it, but there's no point in going FAC with a .177 as you don't get much of a bump up in power as the pellets are so small they can't take it.

 

If I was in your shoes? I'd stick with the .22, work on the stalking skills and then if you can't get anywhere, then think about FAC

 

p.s. Do you like your gun aside from that?

[bruno22rf]

Get yourself a .22lr with a mod-you should get a nice Brno with all the bits for around the £250 mark-far quieter than a puff gun and as good as you want it to be out to 100 yards-some guys can go to 120 yds.

[Jackw04_123]

as GingerCat said, the trajectory is flatter, but it doesn't really add anything significant to the range, because what you gain in velocity, you lose in impact as the pellet is significantly smaller. If you're struggling with even NV to get at the bunnies, then perhaps it's time to think about FAC. the problem with trying .177 is the expense. UNless you can borrow one off someone to try and see if you get an advantage, you risk buying one, finding it's no good still and then needing to buy yet another rifle when you go up to FAC anyway (either FAC-Air or .22lr/hmr). Your .22 R10 will convert up to FAC nicely and you'd get a good 30ft/lb out of it, but there's no point in going FAC with a .177 as you don't get much of a bump up in power as the pellets are so small they can't take it.

 

If I was in your shoes? I'd stick with the .22, work on the stalking skills and then if you can't get anywhere, then think about FAC

 

p.s. Do you like your gun aside from that?

The r10 is ok it's ideal for ratting and is great fun, just abit heavy in the field.

[Jackw04_123]

Get yourself a .22lr with a mod-you should get a nice Brno with all the bits for around the £250 mark-far quieter than a puff gun and as good as you want it to be out to 100 yards-some guys can go to 120 yds.

It's just the hassle with the fac that I want to avoid. I have my sgc but I understand fac isn't so straight forward

[FalconFN]

Judging range at night is hard so a .177 will give you another 5-6 yards margin of error but in your situation I would say you may have to change tactics. I have one farm where I shoot at night where the rabbits are very wary and they don't go much further than 10 yards from the hedges and scarper at the slightest sound. I keep low, move slowly and most importantly I only shoot when there is a stiff breeze and no moon at all.

 

The alternative is FAC or not shooting it for a couple of months.

[kent]

It's just the hassle with the fac that I want to avoid. I have my sgc but I understand fac isn't so straight forward

Nothing to difficult about it other than having the land / permission confirmed. I tend to think you issue is too much lamp work in too small an area. like others have said pick your nights and only shoot the darkest with a fair wind. .22 lr moderated makes economic and practical logic

[Underdog]

The hassel will soon be forgotten once that licence appears

 

U.

[Merlin64]

I find rotating your shooting to different fields works so you give the rabbits a break from one area to another . I also use a NV spotting scope without infra red works as they get used to the red glow I have found .

[David M]

I have heard a lot of people recommend never going out on a moonlit night, but I do go out during a full moon to good success. I already have an area in mind that a few rabbits regularly show and lay up in shadows using a bipod. I wind the magnifcation back to x6 and with a 40-50mm objective lens can see them emerge clear enough without a lamp of any kind. I keep my range within 35 yards and with the aid of an illuminated reticule on it's lowest setting, take very accurate shots with my AA 400. If absolutely necessary though, I use a cheap (under £3) mounted cree light with a strong red filter fitted and that lights up their eye and stops them running (usually..!).

 

Shooting under a full moon requires the same caution as when in daylight except I use a face veil as moonlight lights up your skin like a beacon. I wouldn't recommend walking about in moonlight as you'll be seen a mile off, they're not silly and you do need to lay up in the shadows to the side of a bush or brambles etc..

[Underdog]

I have heard a lot of people recommend never going out on a moonlit night, but I do go out during a full moon to good success. I already have an area in mind that a few rabbits regularly show and lay up in shadows using a bipod. I wind the magnifcation back to x6 and with a 40-50mm objective lens can see them emerge clear enough without a lamp of any kind. I keep my range within 35 yards and with the aid of an illuminated reticule on it's lowest setting, take very accurate shots with my AA 400. If absolutely necessary though, I use a cheap (under £3) mounted cree light with a strong red filter fitted and that lights up their eye and stops them running (usually..!).

 

Shooting under a full moon requires the same caution as when in daylight except I use a face veil as moonlight lights up your skin like a beacon. I wouldn't recommend walking about in moonlight as you'll be seen a mile off, they're not silly and you do need to lay up in the shadows to the side of a bush or brambles etc..

Excellent....a moon lit night has never stopped me also....in fact I like it

 

U.

[bullet boy]

I do most of my Rabbit shooting with my 12 ft/lbs Daystate Huntsman in .177 as opposed to using my FAC Rapid!

I like the flat shooting of the .177 pellet and its great for in and around Farm building where an FAC Airgun would be too much.

[Michael170874]

Fac 17 hmr I shoot em at 250 yds takes all the work out of it

[chrisjpainter]

Fac 17 hmr I shoot em at 250 yds takes all the work out of it

and 90% of the fun. No patient stalk, no reading of the land, no slow foot movement when their heads are down feeding, no crouching behind bushes or disguising your outline.

If you need to kill a lot very quickly, I'm sure the HMR is very good, but nothing beats an air rifle for the pleasure of the hunt

Edited October 14, 2013 by chrisjpainter

[evo]

and 90% of the fun. No patient stalk, no reading of the land, no slow foot movement when their heads are down feeding, no crouching behind bushes or disguising your outline.

If you need to kill a lot very quickly, I'm sure the HMR is very good, but nothing beats an air rifle for the pleasure of the hunt

+ 1,, nothing better than hunting clever rabbits with a sub 12 air rifle, imo , improve your stalking skills, you don't need fac . stay low wear dark clothing,a dark face mask and most importantly don't forget dark gloves,

 

sub 12ftlb rabbit hunting,,nothing better in my eyes be it day or night

 

good luck Evo

[Underdog]

+ 1,, nothing better than hunting clever rabbits with a sub 12 air rifle, imo , improve your stalking skills, you don't need fac . stay low wear dark clothing,a dark face mask and most importantly don't forget dark gloves,

 

sub 12ftlb rabbit hunting,,nothing better in my eyes be it day or night

 

good luck Evo

absolutly :-)

 

U.

[dadioles]

Fac 17 hmr I shoot em at 250 yds takes all the work out of it

 

With a 20" drop and falling like a stone I doubt too many shooters would think shooting rabbits at 250 yards with the .17hmr is something to be recommended although I don't doubt that it is possible in the right conditions.

 

To the OP it sounds as though you would benefit from getting a Firearms Certificate and when you make up your mind to do it there is not too much hassle, it is worth it.

 

In your circumstances a .22lr sounds ideal. It will extend your range, comfortably to about 60 yards at night, with much greater hitting power and consequently a cleaner kill than an air rifle and it is really fairly quiet, although not "nearly silent" as some like to make out.

 

As others have said, judging distance at night is the greatest challenge. The .17hmr is a brilliant flat shooting round but at night I find it too noisy. If you are away from any populated areas the hmr with night vision is unbeatable for rabbits.

[arjimlad]

If you have SGC you presumably have a cabinet, if you have permission on the land your farmer will presumably sign a permission slip for FAC air or .22RF or whatever.. form and application fee and job's a good'un.. it really is that simple. .22 FAC air is a decisive bunny stopper out to very respectable ranges in my experience.

[David M]

I went from my trusty .22 springer to a .177 12ftlb pcp this year and haven't looked back. I stop any birds and rabbits in their tracks just the same with it and can aim practically smack on from 15 to 40 yards with only a 1/4" deviation up or down on calm days when zero'd around 33 yards.