Hendrix's rifle Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Hello all, as some of you may know I am soon applying for my fac. I had a thought a few days ago to whether or not I get a rimfire. So the question is, do I get an fac air? A 17hmr or a 22? I was mainly going to use it for rabbits however I have spoke to a couple of people who recommended the. 17hmr. I have also spoke to the head keeper in my area who I have worked for before and he is allowing me to take any pests (squirrel,rabbits and fox) on his grouse land. I have between £400 and £600 to spend on a gun, i have a new hawke 4-16-50 ao ir scope with mounts so no need to worry about that. Any suggestions? Or is there a recommendation by anyone in terms of what to get? Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 A lot of police forces don't like 22LR for fox (though guidance says it CAN be suitable in experienced hands and at short range), and FAC air is listed as 'not suitable' for fox on the Home Office guidance. Apart from that, range is another critical point. I (and plenty of others on here) view 22LR as having an upper range of 70-80 yards - though there will probably be some walter posting who states it is good for 200 yards or more ! If I was going for a single rifle, for general pest control, I'd go 22LR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kody Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Both if you can afford it air for medium range and rim for longer shots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 I loved my 22, but the op states he would be using it on the moors, suggesting open ground, and longer range which the 22 isn't really up to. For a rimfire, for general vermin, on open fields/moorland surely the hmr would be a better bet? Definately not air if you are planning on shooting fox, but hopefully he already knew that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted December 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) A lot of police forces don't like 22LR for fox (though guidance says it CAN be suitable in experienced hands and at short range), and FAC air is listed as 'not suitable' for fox on the Home Office guidance. Apart from that, range is another critical point. I (and plenty of others on here) view 22LR as having an upper range of 70-80 yards - though there will probably be some walter posting who states it is good for 200 yards or more ! If I was going for a single rifle, for general pest control, I'd go 22LR. Thanks for the reply, I wouldnt use air for fox anyway, would a 17hmr be more suitable due to the velocity? I wouldn't be shooting past 100-120 yards regardless what I am using at present. Any recommendations for a fox rifle that would be granted on a first ticket? Edited December 15, 2015 by Hendrix's rifle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 for your budget £400--£600 you could get both .22lr and a .17hmr 2nd hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 any pests (squirrel,rabbits and fox) on his grouse land. this implies open spaces and ranges above what i would want for an air rifle (even FAC air) .22lr can be had for £100-150 as a first rifle I would stick to that and learn it well I am not an HMR buyer, I have one, but its a cabinet queen and the barrel hasnt been on for ages I use the .22 WMR, cheaper to feed, cheaper to buy and the ammo quality is significantly better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted December 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Can either of them been used for fox's though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 I use the hmr on fox, with federal ballistic tip I can happily chest shoot cubs at 100yds. Keep the 223/243 for adults when the ranges open up later in the year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 I use the LR and WMR on foxes all the time 33gr through a WMR is awesome fox medicine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Just out of interest, what sort of ranges can you push the wmr to? It's not a calibre I've ever had anything to do with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 for your budget £400--£600 you could get both .22lr and a .17hmr 2nd hand. +1..2 x czs .22 & .177.your feo will advise on fox calibre,some ok with .177 and at up to 100 yards works..22 much cheaper if big rabbit problem...although you will probably find .22 stays in cupboard if you get both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) 22lr and wmr. Hmr is for savage mice. And, my name is not Walter but LR will go out beyond 100yds in favourable conditions. Edited December 15, 2015 by Underdog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 22lr and wmr. Hmr is for savage mice. And, my name is not Walter but LR will go out beyond 100yds in favourable conditions. LR will go out beyond 100yds in favourable conditions. I am with you on that one UD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 after reading this post i have just printed off a variation form to be filled out this weekend for a wmr colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted December 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Thanks everyone, so to summarise, get a. 22wmr and a 17hmr? What are the odds for something a little bigger for fox use only? Anyone got and brands that are preferred? I've heard the cz are good but that's just on the Internet, thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted December 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Like a 223? Only because I've seen a nice one :L so for fox to 100 yards ish what would be the weapon of choice out of what's been suggested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drut Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 For my needs(mainly rabbit/crow/pigeon/fox/squirrel) 12ft/lb air rifle + 12ga shotgun + 22lr & .222 rifles covers all bases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Just out of interest, what sort of ranges can you push the wmr to? It's not a calibre I've ever had anything to do with I zero at 100yds Good for 120-130 point and shoot, never needed to stretch it any further to be honest Anything likely to be beyond that I use the .222 I used the wmr exclusively for fox on golf courses for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 Thanks everyone, so to summarise, get a. 22wmr and a 17hmr? What are the odds for something a little bigger for fox use only? Anyone got and brands that are preferred? I've heard the cz are good but that's just on the Internet, thanks again i have both i cz, have a 22lr cz452 and a cz 455 thumbhole, both deadly accurate , 22 out to 100 yards i favourable conditions and the 455 have shot out to 150 i again favarouble conditions, cheap ammo and will meet your needs. super reliable tried and tested rifles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 I zero at 100yds Good for 120-130 point and shoot, never needed to stretch it any further to be honest Same here but this rabbit was about 150yards. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 thats a big rabbit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 Have you considered a 17 hornet? Probably my next purchase to replace the hmr. A real centre fire varminter with legs out to 300 yards on a calm day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 That's one unlucky Rabbit-just about to slip onto a sharp knife when a Rifle goes and falls on him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted December 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 I've seen a nice 22wmr and had some good prices ammo wise for the federal 50g from my rfd, got my heart set now. Is there any reason I wouldnt be allowed one and from what I gather it's suitable for fox to 100yards or so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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