Bussta Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 I currently own numerous shotguns, and an old spring cocking BSA Meteor .22, I regularly go vermin shooting on the shoot I belong to, but am looking to get a rifle to save scaring away any pigeons, rabbits that I shoot at, the main problem being with a shotgun the whole county hears you firing let along the poor bunny you are aiming at. So to cut a long question short: what would be the best, most resonable priced airgun to buy for Rabbit and pigeon shooting? I have heard a bit about PCP guns, but am not sure if you need a seperate licence for them, I basically need something that will be accurate at 50 yards, kill a rabbit stone dead and is quiter than a nat farting! Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanlee Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 what would be the best, most resonable priced airgun to buy for Rabbit and pigeon shooting? I have heard a bit about PCP guns, but am not sure if you need a seperate licence for them, I basically need something that will be accurate at 50 yards, kill a rabbit stone dead and is quiter than a nat farting!Any ideas? All air rifles are legal to buy for anyone over 18 (with some exemptions) up to a power limit of 12lbs/ft.Almost every one on sale will be at,or below this limit, unless specifically stated. Any gun that is more powerful than 12lbs/ft is classed as a firearm, and will need a Firearms Certificate,issued by your local Police force.Please note that a Firearms Certifictae is harder to get than a Shotgun Certificate/Licence, and you have to show that you have a real reason to acquire such a gun. Pneumatic guns are the same power as spring guns, so are not classed differently.PCP guns are better for quietness, but whenever a pellet hits something, it makes a good slap, so any pigeons in the area will still be scared off, but obviously nowhere near as much as when a shotgun is fired. To kill a rabbit from 50 yards is pretty much beyond the range for a legal(12lbs) gun.People will say they have killed at 60yds+, maybe they have once, but it isnt something that can be done regularly, and most importantly, reliably. The kill range for a legal air rifle is only about 35 yards.Over that, and you really have to be a good shot, with a stood-still target.If you can hit a 10pence piece target 10 times out of 10 at 45 yards, then you may be ok shooting a rabbit at that range, but it isnt recommended - if you only wound it, the rabbit will run to its burrow and have a long lingering death. A good PCP gun is the Air Arms s200.Available for £250+.It is quite small,well built and holds around 60 shots worth of air. Secondhand wont be a great deal cheaper. Spring guns are still good, but they are noisier, and less accurate (again, some will say springs are as accurate as PCP guns,but generally, they are not). Another good one is the BSA Superten, which has up to 150 shots in its air tank, and has a 10 shot cartridge.This'll be £500ish new with a scope. There really is a large range of guns, so it's best to try a few to see how they feel. Next you have the choice between .22 and .177 calibre.The argument here is that the .177 is more accurate and travels faster, but the .22 gives more 'clout' to the target. My thought on this is if you can hit the target in the right spot, then the target will be dead straightaway,whether it has been hit by a 22 or 177, with the .177 being more accurate,so more likely to hit the target, I bought a .177 myself. HTH Alan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 with a .177 churning out 12ftlbs it will drop a rabbit every time at 50m if you have the ability to place a shot in its head Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shootist Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 with a .177 churning out 12ftlbs it will drop a rabbit every time at 50m if you have the ability to place a shot in its head Dave Trouble is no one can hit a rabbit brain box every time at 50 metres with a 12 ft lb gun. 30~35 metres is a much more realistic max range that you have a very high chance of a 1 shot 1 kill ratio on rabbits. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Practice makes perfect keep at it! PS if you cant hit a 10p every time at 25M have a think whether you should be shooting live game or not!! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 of 5 Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 You'll need to be an expert shot to be shooting 50 yards at live targets with a 12 ft/lb gun. It can be done but not by most shooters. IF you are accurate enough then it'll do the job. If looking for a pcp then the Hornet or S400 would be top of my list and at 50 yards I'd go for the more forgiving .177. No way would I attempt to shoot 50 yds at live targets in .22 under field conditions. The trajectory is just too loopy unless you use a rangefinding device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bussta Posted December 29, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Cheers guys, I think i'll be going for a PCP .177 Then!, many thanks fior your help (although I should'nt think the bunnies will be too pleased! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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