Wolfy Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Hi all I have a .22 air rifle, the springer type with a scope, It's new and in excellent condition. This weekend I am planning to go and try to shoot a rabbit or two for the first time. I have permission from the land owner, its a private allotment and we are having problems with a number of rabbits finding their way on to the site and damaging crops. They are turning up each morning regular as clockwork. To my advantage, I know which direction the rabbits approach from, I know where they sit and play and I have a perfect spot to lay down and wait for them to arrive, well hidden. I plan to take up my position just before dawn, wait for them to get within range and hopefully take one or two home with me. One question- Because my air rifle needs to be 'cocked' before firing, how long is it safe to keep an air rifle spring cocked before pulling the trigger. Ideally I would prefer to make as little sound / movement as possible. Any advice on this or any other tips would be appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soreshoulder Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 i would cock it as soon as you get on site, it would probably be harmful to leave your air rifle cocked for 2 weeks but not an hour if your hunting. Also try and lie with the wind in your face, if the wind is blowing on your feet, they will smell you and be gone. I take it the scope is aligned and ready to go? Then just relax, take the shot as if you were shooting a paper target. Hit them in the head to make sure of a clean kill. If you cant get you pellets within aninch at 25 yards then you need to practise on paper more. If you draw a line (imaginary) from the ear to the eye hit them in the middle of this line. That way they should be down and kickin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfy Posted April 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Cheers soreshoulder, an hour? great, that's a lot more time than I thought I would have. I dont know why but I had an idea the gun should be discharged in five minutes or so to risk damage or loss of power. Even twenty minutes is a bonus. Yep, will try to stay downwind and keep my head down. Cant wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thumpersniper Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 i wouldnt worry about how long its cocked for, as soreshoulder says leaving it cocked for days or weeks might start to weaken the spring, but an hour or even a few hours wouldnt make a difference i dont think. I have air rifles that have fired thousands of pellets and been on hundreds of shoots out, and are no different in power as other newer ones i have. Use some decent pellets, stick to 30 yard shots and as allready said face the breeze you should bag some bunnies (you probably wont get a whole hour without a shot anyway!!) SP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfy Posted April 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 (edited) If its an allotment with lots of human activity they probably aren't that sensitive about smell but don't risk it unless you have to. If the allotment holders have been troubled with rabbits for a long time they have probably tried all the old tricks to deter them like pee-ing on the ground near the holes where they get in or soaking string in creosote and wrapping it around the holes. Edited April 16, 2009 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfy Posted April 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Vince, these particular bunnys are quite brazen, they are entering the site via the house drive, hopping across the lawn and treating the place like its Butlins. The site owner says he looks out the bedroom window most mornings to see them chewing on his lawn and digging up my broad beans Little ******* are in for a shock this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Dont even give it a second thought when you are out hunting even for 4 hours, Just dont store it cocked for days on end. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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