scotttomo Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 What is the maximum "clean kill" range a sub 12ftlbs air rifle? In .177 and .22! Or at what point does the pellet not carry enough kinetic energy to humanely kill quarry? Cheers in advance for any replies Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 If it's right up there at the legal limit I would say 35 yard maximum for both calibres, if you've got a clean shot and quality pellets. Try the gun out with a lump of softwood at different ranges. If the pellet embeds inside the wood you can be sure of doing enough damage. Best to find out that way rather than risk it and wound your target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Another good test would be an Orange at select distances, or take an Aluminum can.. Set that up at certain ranges.. You only need 4 k.e. to kill a bunny.. Four pounds is the minimum you need to puncture an aluminum can.. And its 90% shooter, and 10% gun.. Cheers.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatGun Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Air guns will cleanly kill out to fifty yards if you put the pellet in the right place. The reason why ranges are normally kept below this is that it is hard in most hunting situations to ensure such precise shot placement. On a still day shooting supported of say a bipod, with a non recoiling air rifle with a fully stationary quarry then such shots can be taken if you are totally confident on the accuracy of whatever gun you are using. The truth is that most hunting scenarios are less than ideal. You may have to shoot standing, in strong winds, at a rabbit that doesent want to stay still for long etc,etc. Most shots are taken confidentally at around 30/35 yards with a pcp and slightly less with a springer as they arent as accurate due to the recoil in most cases. ( although I myself much prefer the good old springer, and can shoot well with them as Im sure many others can ) It also boils down to how accurate YOU and your set up are. At the end of the day we have to respect whatever we are shooting in order to try and despatch them as QUICKLY and HUMANELY as possible. Everybodys shooting ranges will be different dependant on their ability. Shot placement is the crucial part of any shooting whether you are using .177, .22, .20, .25 etc. Get to know what distance you can constantly hit say for example an inch circle, and once you start to spread out further pace that distance out.That will be your maximum effective hunting range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03luffmb Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 like said above its the shooter not the gun most of the time. If u got a decent gun then its normally able to shoot further than the user can. Just see how far you can hit a tin can from 100% of the time, and happy huntin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim145 Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 GatGun's hit the nail on the head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Most shots are taken confidentally at around 30/35 yards with a pcp and slightly less with a springer as they arent as accurate due to the recoil in most cases. ( although I myself much prefer the good old springer, and can shoot well with them as Im sure many others can ) A common misconception. Springers are as accurate as a pcp's but harder to shoot. But everything else you said is spot on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty gunz Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 A pellet from a sub 12flb airgun will retain enough energy to kill rabbits etc cleanly out past 60yrds, that goes for .177 and .22. The main limiting factor is a persons ability to put the pellet in the right place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munst Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 The maximum range of your kit will be limited by you as others have said. I'd say specifically; Its at whatever range you can consistently put pellets inside of a 20p piece in the stances that you shoot from whilst hunting and the conditions weather wise. I.e you might be able to do this at 50yards every time whilst on a sheltered range and with a good rest whilst comfortable but that doesn't mean your capable of it out in the field leaning on a gatepost/fence in the rain and wind whilst cold and wet and fed up Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 about 35 yards. However remember that pointed pellets should be avoided when shooting vermin. Flat or dome head pellets are perfect for killing vermin, as they pack the punch necessary to cause a clean kill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Keep within 35 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted January 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks everyone, really good explanations and answers just what i was looking for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 A pellet from a sub 12flb airgun will retain enough energy to kill rabbits etc cleanly out past 60yrds, that goes for .177 and .22. The main limiting factor is a persons ability to put the pellet in the right place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticwar Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 a 12ftlb rifle will take rabbits at 55 yards .. but it depends on pellet , ie does it carry enough power to the target .. and how hard is your pellet ive done a few tests and found that some pellets might be good but at distance they just dont have the penetration .. , ive just switch my ammo to a bullet shaped brand and now find at 40 yards it will go straight through a rabbits head ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 start with 30-35yrds and then you will find you can buildon that. i have been shooting air for a long long time and even though i have shotguns and that i still love going for a snipe with my AirArms S410 .177. I have taken rabbits cleanly at a measured 67yrds but i wouldnt suggest this to anyone unless there 100% with there gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airssassin Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 It is supposed to take only 4 ft/lb of energy to kill a rabbit according to some research carried out by crosman but considerably more for other species. Remember that if you are using the minimum power you will have to be even more accurate. Squirrels and crows are notoriously tough and for all creatures, the more power the better the chance of a clean kill. So, stick to the recommended 30-35 yards and swat up on your stalking skills! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 a few years ago i tested a range of pellets in my AA S410. Big differences, Gun in workmate so very fixed in position. Coke can at 50yrds exactly. Tried air arms domed, bisley flat headed, bisley practise hollow, bulldog domed, webley stingray pointed. Now If going out for the kill only aa or bisley flat heads will be in my gun. the pointed ones even missed the can 2 out of 10 times and only penetrated one side. I still generally try to get within 40yrds for the kill as then it should always be a humane one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbonrocket Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I use domed pellets as I find that the pointed pellets rotate at a larger radius. Do others find this the same? The pointers hit and pass through with less accuracy where as the rounded pellets have a better accuracy and spread and cause more internal damage. Carbon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim145 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Domed pellets are the most efficient shape, so arrive at the target with the most energy. You'll find that at anything other than close range the domes will penetrate further than pointed due to this extra energy. I've tried every shape of pellet going over the years, but 99% of the time now I use domes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airssassin Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I always used domed pellets. Which ones? The ones which are most accurate in your gun. Only exception is rats at close range where a hollowpoint or flat head is useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Sam Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Don't put too much faith in the coke can test. My 0.5 FPE BB gun will put a plastic ball through a coke can..... I try to stick within about 30 yards for pigeons, not sure about rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted January 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Thanks for all the replies everyone thanks. I know, as a few of you have stated , that the main factor of a humane kill at range,is the person shooting the gun not the gun itself. I was just interested in the max range of sub 12ft rifles, only because I'm trying to determine what scope to get for my s10 and what mag range to pick when getting my scope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 scotttomo, you best bet before getting a scope is to first decide how much you can spend, once that decision has been made then have a look on the market. I would suggest a scope with a variable mag 3-9x40 for example, simmons £100 aprox hawk pretty good too, and dont forget you will no doubt go into the lamping game aswell so bare that in mind. not too fine a reticule. if you get the practise in there should be no reason why you cant in time (again with practice) do regular kills at 50yards. Another thing is have your targets set out every 10 yard, from 10 to 50 and make a mental note where you pellets impact the target. And remember head shots only :wacko: a must there :blink: I have i must say been shooting for over 30years using air rifles and put a few pound of lead down the barrels, just before any one starts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airssassin Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 I took a chance with my last scope, I wanted something small, light and cheap. I bought a JSR 6x32 AO mildot and it's great! 6x in my opinion is perfect for most hunting situations. You should see the scopes that some people in the US use on centrefire rifles.. a lot of UK air rifle shooters would turn their noses up in disgust but they seem to do the job perfectly well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted February 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 Hey dougy, the main reason for posting this thread was that I have the oppurtunity to get an mtc viper 6-24x56 2nd hand. But I got to thinking if it would be too much mag for an air rifle? Given that the mag is quite high I thought that the max mag would be of no use to me on my sub 12lb s10. I then got to thinking bout the max range of my rifle,hence the original post. And thinking about it now, from most of the kind and informative replies, I'm starting to think this scope would be the one for me. I know it would take alot of practice for me to consistently hit decent groups at 50yrds but practice makes perfect and the rave reviews this scope has got I think it would help to have a decent scope to get these groups? Hope this all made sense? As I know I'm not that good at explaining things but please tell me your views as I'm still learning every day. Thanks again everyone your a great bunch Atb, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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