timmy1806 Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 Hi all. I am thinking about changing from my air rifle to a .22 rifle. Not sure about the difference between centre fire and rimfire. Will be using the gun for a bit of target practice , also rabbit and crows. Need advise on type and makes of rifle for a good starter gun. Thanks in advance. Timmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 cz 452 .22 cant go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 22 rimfire (also called 22LR) is what you're looking for. BUT .... I'm assuming your current air rifle is a 'sub 12' one (i.e. not a FAC, just normal, off-the-shelf) To get a FAC, you need to show 'good reason' to possess. For live shooting, you need to show you have permission to shoot over land. Land you own, permission letter, etc. For live shooting you also will be granted expanding ammo. For target shooting condition, you have to show full membership of a Home Office approved gun club. Ever let membership lapse, and the club is obliged to inform the police that you are no longer a member, and you may lose 'good reason' and your FAC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmy1806 Posted May 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 Sorry didn't mention.that I already have fac for my shotgun and air rifle. Will look into 22 rimfire. Thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 You won't go wrong with a .22lr there a great little gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moorvale55 Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 CZ 452 .22lr with a moderator, really quiet and almost bomb proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 (edited) Because of crows being mentioned, I'm not so sure about the LR. If you're shooting rabbit like shelling peas, then, yep, LR. If the numbers are down on that and shooting one is not going to ruin your activity for the rest of the day/night and unless you can get the crows within a sensible range for the LR without them being spooked, an HMR may just be worth consideration. Failing that, on the grounds of horses for courses, get both. Edit: Oops, didn't see your second post about the FAC air. Why not keep that for the time being for rabbit and go for the HMR for longer range rabbit and crow use and then review the need for the LR for rabbit at leisure. Edited May 25, 2014 by wymberley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 Its hard getting crows on the ground with a .22 lr. My experience with the HMR on crows was less than good, unpredictable terminals (one flew nearly half a mile before dropping into my neighbour yard with its liver hanging out, a few times I actually knocked the wind out of them as the bullet fragmented on the primaries, I had some 20s zip clean through) In all honesty I should take another step up and get a small cf rifle for crows when even 200 yards can bee seen as close, that sort of range is well beyond truly effective with HMR btw I realise its obvious to many but once you get over FAC air shooting crows from trees is out of bounds in practically all the UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berettacocker Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 I'd go for the .17 hmr if your going to be shooting targets as well as vermin up to 200 yards. But on application I would put down use of gun as vermin control/ zeroing and not mention target practice as I think it would go against you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 Its hard getting crows on the ground with a .22 lr. My experience with the HMR on crows was less than good, unpredictable terminals (one flew nearly half a mile before dropping into my neighbour yard with its liver hanging out, a few times I actually knocked the wind out of them as the bullet fragmented on the primaries, I had some 20s zip clean through) In all honesty I should take another step up and get a small cf rifle for crows when even 200 yards can bee seen as close, that sort of range is well beyond truly effective with HMR btw I realise its obvious to many but once you get over FAC air shooting crows from trees is out of bounds in practically all the UK I'm quite new to HMR and so far it's doing what it says on the tin. It may just be that my preference for head on shots for corvids avoids the problem Just because I've not experienced it yet, it doesn't mean to say that kent is wrong. The problem is, though, that there's very few people on this planet that can consistently KILL crows at 200 odd yards. There's even fewer that can do so from scratch with any calibre powder burner at any where near that distance. Learning to walk before attempting to run is never a bad option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmy1806 Posted May 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 Thanks for all the info.Think i am going to do a bit more research and put a bit more thought in before i make a call. Will update when i make a decision. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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