Toombsy Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 I would really appreciate your unbiased help with this... The farm where I shoot has rabbit problems. It's a wide open farm (only low hawthorn hedges) therefore the rabbits are ripping the hell out of his crops at night. I am looking to get my firearms licence and a silenced .22 and hand held lamping kit - that should do the trick. I have never even picked up a rifle, I don't even know what's good, bad or indifferent between rifles. And I've never been lamping, so absolutely any help anyone can offer me regarding what to look out for/reliable rifles for the job/what sort of lamping equipment you'd recommend... would be massively appreciated. Thank-you very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steyrman Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 a cz .22 with a light force 170 scope mount will certainly do the job both robust and reliable imho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 (edited) I use a Ruger 10/22,SAK mod,Lightforce 170 lamp and Subsonic ammunition. Edited January 5, 2009 by bullet boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootingman Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 As you've never held a rifle or never been lamping & you've asked for unbiased advise, my advise at this time would be to forget about buying any kit whatsoever, find someone to go out with, learn to walk the fields at night safely,learn how to lamp,etc, then in a few months start looking for kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 As you've never held a rifle or never been lamping & you've asked for unbiased advise, my advise at this time would be to forget about buying any kit whatsoever, find someone to go out with, learn to walk the fields at night safely,learn how to lamp,etc, then in a few months start looking for kit. Brilliant advice Mike! :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 (edited) CZ American .22lr with a SAK moderator and Harris Swivel bipod (most use 9-13" height, I prefer 6-9") and a decent sling plus either a rigid rifle case or a well padded rifle slip. Plenty other makes of rifle out there too, I've got a Sako Quad myself which I find very good but it's more expensive. The scope and mounts will depend on your budget, I've an MTC Viper 4-16x50 but there are numerous choices out there. I've cheap enough Sportsmatch/Bisley mounts which do the job. Important things to look for in a scope would be decent glass that transmits the available well, and a reticle that gives you multiple hold points or range estimation such as mildot or the ret on the Viper. Reason being the .22lr has what's referred to as a "loopy" trajectory, meaning the bullet travels in more of an arc than other calibres, so will strike at different heights at different ranges (very badly explained there). If you're flush, invest in a laser rangefiner with an LED display (that's the one that lights up) not an LCD display (which doesn't, so is hard to read at night). I think unless you intend to eventually buy a centrefire rifle for foxing that a Lightforce 170 is too big for your needs (if you will be buying a centrefire rifle later on then by all means buy the 170 now). I would suggest looking at a Lightforce 140 instead. Being a believer in, but not a practicioner of, buying the right item only once I do think you should buy a scope mounted lamp. Because you'll be able to go lamping on your own on those nights your lamping buddy can't be *****/isn't able to go (those, by the way, will be the nights you most want/have to go on - trust me). I find using the scope mounted model off the rifle as a hand held lamp is more comfortable than using the actual hand held Lightforces. If whatever rifle you buy had iron sights, remeber to remove the front sights before going lamping with a scope mounted lamp, light will reflect back into the scope and you won't be able to see a thing. You're also going to need a battery, battery charger, and something to carry it in. I use 18amp batteries but I run a higher Wattage bulb that you'll need for rabbiting. You'll see all sorts of fancy and expensive batteries advertised. Forget them. You can buy a sealed lead acid rechargeable battery in most places that sell motorbikes/quads etc. I know from what I hear some security companies get rid of perfectly good batteries so if you know of any it may be worth the ask. Deben sell a decent charger, I use two of their 800ma models. They work well, red light tells you it's plugged in, green light goes out when the battery is charged up. I find a backpack is easiest to carry my battery, it distributes the weight nicely on both shoulders. Other people use over the shoulder bags, belt pouches or DIY backpacks made of wood and seatbelts. All work, it's just personal preference. I don't know if you'll be walking around the land or driving. If you're driving you could go for a heavier barreled rifle like a CZ Varmint. People say the extra weight helps keep the steadier for the shot, I do a lot of walking so I find a heavy barrel a pain in the ****. Also if driving you won't need a big battery, as you'll likely have the lamp plugged into the vehicles battery. Another good investment, if you're driving, would be one of the window bags that Bazooka Joe has advertised on here, got one for a friend, good bit of kit. A red filter for whatever lamp you get may be of benefit, also a dimmer on the lamp I think is a good idea, usually indicated when the lamp is described as "variable". Oh yes, I'd put money on either Eley or Winchester subsonics shooting the best out of that rifle. There is a third I hear good reports about but the name of the brand escapes me as it's not available locally to me. When you do get your rifle you'll worry over which cartridge you should use, there is only one way to find out. You go to the gunshop and buy one box of each brand of subsonic cartridges he's got, then you go out and shoot them at paper targets after you've zeroed your rifle What shoots well in one rifle may not shoot well in another. Those are my incoherent and incomplete ramblings on the subject. Edited to add; I also agree with Shootingman in that going out with someone more expierenced is a good idea. Edited January 5, 2009 by JohnGalway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 I would really appreciate your unbiased help with this... The farm where I shoot has rabbit problems. It's a wide open farm (only low hawthorn hedges) therefore the rabbits are ripping the hell out of his crops at night. I am looking to get my firearms licence and a silenced .22 and hand held lamping kit - that should do the trick. I have never even picked up a rifle, I don't even know what's good, bad or indifferent between rifles. And I've never been lamping, so absolutely any help anyone can offer me regarding what to look out for/reliable rifles for the job/what sort of lamping equipment you'd recommend... would be massively appreciated. Thank-you very much make your mind up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curly87 Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 martinmoreton - shotgun?:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 and has never picked up a rifle, not even an airifle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted January 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Thanks loads for your advice - it's really appreciated. To clear up a previous question, I use a shotgun, and I do own an air rifle, but I have never dealt with, used or even picked up anything that fires bullets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1979 Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 av you tried bolting them with ferrets to nets..or your trusty shotty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Have a few months with the air rifle mate and get to learn some stealth with camo on. Daytime stalking for starters then laying up in hot spots then lamping come next winter. Maybe then get an FAC one but apply for rimfire too as it don't cost any more. Grow with it and you'll be much better experienced to safely and effectively use the .22 rimfire. Grow with that too and at some later time get a HMR. You'll have bags more fun if you don't shoot em all up too quick. Trust me it's all too easy to overshoot somewhere - even with a low power air rifle. All the best mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Thanks loads for your advice - it's really appreciated. To clear up a previous question, I use a shotgun, and I do own an air rifle, but I have never dealt with, used or even picked up anything that fires bullets. My advice is firstly buy an air-rifle.Then practice with that as much as possible before going down the Firearms road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 My advice is follow Shootingman's sage advice. And then join the CZ 452-owning master race. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted January 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Yes, I have taken a good look at the CZ range of rifles and they seem pretty reasonably priced, and from what I've picked up on this and other forums, they seem to be reliable weapons. I best try to find someone who would be happy to take me out lamping to get a feel for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Get a 17hmr instead of the .22 or get both,gives you a lot more range and puts a smile on your face when you shoot it.If you are only after rabbits dont bother with LF170 as it will shine miles further than you can shoot,especially with the .22.I would go for a scope mounted LF140 or a deben max 400 scope mounted,or even a smaller deben if your fields are small.Get a few filters and see what works best.Even though you say you havent picked up a rifle,you have used an air rifle so when you get the rimfire go and shoot lots of paper at different ranges and get accustomed to what the gun is capable of.If its the .22lr you opt for and your fields are flat be aware that .22 bullets can go zinging off into the distance even off wet grass and the like,so always be carefull of your backstop to account for this.The 17hmr has a lot less chance of flying about the place and like i said they make you smile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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