Dazza9t9 Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 Good evening everyone, I'm after a little advice, maybe more reassurance than anything. I started my own (owning my own gun) a year ago when I got my 12g O/U. Since then I have got a fair bit of shooting under my belt. I live very close to my one and only permission and know the land owner fairly well. After a few pigeon outings the farmer hinted the rabbits where getting out of hand. I shot a few with the shot gun when I was having a walk around. Since then I as gifted a webley excel .22 the gun belonged to my great uncle who was a game keeper before he passed away. The gun is in great condition and feels great. It does have a scope, but it's not cracking (infact it's cracked and do not think it zeros in) Since reading on here PCP air rifles have got my attention. I really fancy getting on, silencer and gun mount light. However at this stage it all this a waste of money. Would I be better spending time with the springer? I would really like to have a go at lamping. Would a gun mounted lamp be ok on the springer. I know silencers are pointless on a springer, other than a new scope is there anything worth doing with the gun? Sorry for the amount of questions, I am brand new to air rifle hunting and very keen. Thank you in advance Further to this can anyone recommend and air rifle / rabbiting books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 Hey mate, it sounds like you have the ideal hobbyist's permission - nice and local with good shooting and a great relationship with the owner. As you have a springer already, I'd stick with that for a bit. There's no problem with mounting a lamp on a springer really, but I'd mount it on top of the scope, rather than the barrel. The great advantage of a springer is that it is free to shoot (except pellets!), so cost is really kept down once it's in a usable condition. I would STRONGLY recommend just checking the power of your Webley though. As it's an old gun, it could be wildly off the charts when it comes to power, either above or below the 12ft/lb limit. upgrade the scope (second hand one of reasonable quality, 3-9x40 will cost about £45-60). PCPs are awesome, and have a lot of field benefits over springers - quieter (to shoot and load), multishot, lighter etc. - but they cost more and you have to keep putting in air, which is an extra expense, but the second hand market is definitely the way to go. The guns always last longer than a lot of people do before getting tired of it, so you can always pick up a good deal. I'm a big fan of them, but everyone should learn to shoot air rifles with a springer. it's like driving a car. if you learn on a manual (springer), you can drive an automatic (PCP). but not necessarily vice versa! Where do you live mate btw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 Thank you for the prompt reply. That makes a lot of sense and I continue to use the webly. Best get looking for a lamp and new scope. I am in North Yorkshire, not far from ripon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 How much land?-a moderated .22lr would be cheaper and far more effective than any Airgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karpman Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 How much land?-a moderated .22lr would be cheaper and far more effective than any Airgun. Very true, but there's something about airgun hunting that I love... Not going into the whole 22lr airgun debate though lol. If I were you mate would get a new scope and play with the excel for a bit before moving onto something else. Get a decent scope and it can adorn your new purchase when the time is right be it a 22lr or another airgun Karpman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 i would say persivere with the springer but i totally agree with chrisjpainter about test the guns power with a barrel mounted chrono or something similar and check the consistancy of the power. try to get the grouping something like and your going in the right direction. becoming an efficient air rifle stalker will improve your fieldcraft no end and will benefit all of your shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Thank you for the replies, I did consider going for FAC however I felt I would be better learning with an air rifle first. I thought this would be the safest option and like you say get me to learn field craft. Scope wise I am looking at Hawke 3-9x40 hd sport I have been recommended these in the past and they seem fairly cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moorvale55 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Have a look at the Hawke 3 x 9 x 50, AO, IR scope. I have one on my HW80k, (springer), it's very clear and has never lost it's zero, also the larger objective lens will give you better light gathering as the light starts to fade. ATB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 (edited) Thank you for the replies, I did consider going for FAC however I felt I would be better learning with an air rifle first. I thought this would be the safest option and like you say get me to learn field craft. Scope wise I am looking at Hawke 3-9x40 hd sport I have been recommended these in the past and they seem fairly cheap. Have a look at the Hawke 3 x 9 x 50, AO, IR scope. I have one on my HW80k, (springer), it's very clear and has never lost it's zero, also the larger objective lens will give you better light gathering as the light starts to fade. ATB. You've been shooting a shotgun on permissions, so I imagine you're pretty safe anyway! But you're so right. if you get the stalking skills honed on an air rifle, it will enhance all your shooting - and it's a lot of fun! The glass in these is really very good for the money, it'd be my choice. Moorvale's right though, the 50 objective might be better, especially for this time of year. We're rapidly losing the light in both the evening and the morning, so that extra bit of light passing through the tube might prove useful. Edited October 19, 2013 by chrisjpainter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Brilliant thank you for all the useful advice. I will check out the 3-9x50 scopes Can you recommend a scope mounted light? I have found a fair few on fleabay. I don't want to spend a fortune at this stage, until I really start to get into it and then I will get a better one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 A silencer on a springer will muffle the report down range, not useless at all Buy a decent LED torch, LED Lenser or the like, and a cheap mount for it. In fact, I've got a brilliant torch that was only about £8 - no need to spend big bucks nowadays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 A silencer on a springer will muffle the report down range, not useless at all Buy a decent LED torch, LED Lenser or the like, and a cheap mount for it. In fact, I've got a brilliant torch that was only about £8 - no need to spend big bucks nowadays Oh right, that's great. I was always told they where useless on springer Where did you get your torch from? Is there anything specific I should look for? Power etc Again thank you all for the input it's been a great help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 The complete set I can recommend is the Led Lenser P7 gun kit. see below link. They're great for airgun lamping. And you end up with a bomb proof, incredible torch when not using it for lamping. Comes with the mount and pressure switch. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/181114869512?lpid=83&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=83&ff19=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Does it matter how many lumens the touch is? Is there a minimum? The child in my quiet fancies one of the hawke light / laser combos? Are they worth a look? There is also a bsa Vermint version too. I have also been reading about Cree torches too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-Q5-LED-Flashlight-7W-300LM-Torch-Adjustable-Focus-Zoom-Light-Waterproof-UK-/251313762786 Similar to what I bought but doesn't have pressure switch or mount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 The complete set I can recommend is the Led Lenser P7 gun kit. see below link. They're great for airgun lamping. And you end up with a bomb proof, incredible torch when not using it for lamping. Comes with the mount and pressure switch. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/181114869512?lpid=83&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=83&ff19=0 This is what I use and it is perfect for the job. Light weight, you have filters and easy to use and not that expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 (edited) If you have enough land and rabbits are a real problem then I would still urge you to go for a .22lr. Cutting your teeth, so to speak, on an Airgun will not really help much if you eventually get a .22lr-In my experience it works against you as you become accustomed to the trajectory of an Airgun if you use one long enough-instinct can then take over when you move on to a .22lr and you find yourself applying entirely the wrong holdover/under -I still do sometimes and that's after 15 years of using the lr . As for putting a moderator on a springer-try standing near a can, but protected from being shot, and have a mate shoot the can with and without a mod fitted-very little difference IMHO . No such worries with a moderated .22lr-less noise that a trout f a r t. Edited October 20, 2013 by bruno22rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Thank you, it certainly gives me food for thought. I think at this stage I am going to get myself a 3-9x50 scope and a lamp (as cheap as possible) get out and give lamping a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David M Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Here is my lamping set up for my Springer and pcp, The same as Spandit's above I think but I fitted my own pressure switch to it and mount it on a carved piece of painted polystyrene, held on with a velcro strap. I knocked up some coloured filters from tinted plastic sheet and photo card wrapped in black insulation tape. The lamp has a focus collar on it and goes from being a floodlight when unfocused to a great square spotlight out to 70-80 yards. I use the red filter most and it doesn't spook the rabbits at all but does bring the range down to about 35 yards. It runs on one AA Duracell battery or a rechargeable lithion 18650 running at a higher 3.7v for greater range. I recently ordered a different mount for a measely £3.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006ZGEMFM/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380684060186?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_4257wt_986 http://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGITAL-BATTERY-CHARGER-ULTRAFIRE-PROTECTED/dp/B007VMTVZK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382303603&sr=8-2&keywords=18650 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 I will check out those links thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 I dunno if you're on it, but the airgunforum as a couple of scope options you might want to take a look at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 I'm not Chris but I will sign up and take a look. Thanks for the heads up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 In regards to scopes, am I missing something The gun shop I use sells hawke scopes for the following 3-9x50 hd sport ir or for £60 3-9x40 hd sport £40 These prices seem to be cheaper or the same than what I seeing the scopes for second hand. Do they hold their value or is it the shop I use just sells them rock bottom? (I know they are very cheap for cartridges) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 I should mount a scope as low as you can on this gun, 50mm might mean higher mounts hence a high peak trajectory. The fact is a 4x32 scope gathers the same light as an 8x56mm of the same quality. As 12ft lb ranges should be restricted to 35-40 yds tops if you can shoot well enough you don't need high mag levels. I have a 1.5x5-20mm scope on the Top of my Lazerglide HW80 and its been there for 15 yrs or so and killed a total stack of stuff. The gun you mention was never set up for a high mounted 50mm objective and cheek weld will also be compromised. Keep the springer (get it checked and serviced), don't bother with PCP then add a .22 lr when you feel you should and you will have all you need in the cabinet. .22 lr is cheaper to buy and maintain but also more accurate and more versatile and reliable than a high power PCP and moderated with subsonic ammo also as quiet or even quieter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza9t9 Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 This is so confusing for a newbie. Initially I was told 3-9x40 scope would be best, then a 3-9x50 and now neither Presume it's a personal thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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