nosmoking Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 Hi everyone. I would like to say ‘hello’ to you all as this is my first post although I have been a member since August 2008. I have a few questions for you experienced members and hope you don’t mind answering them. Over the past months I have been nipping on here to read your posts and look at ‘guns for sale’ etc. Here are my questions and a little about why I joined and why I want to shoot, pigeons in particular. Ok, I live in Southampton and over the years I got peed off with pigeons ruining the washing and causing a ‘no go’ area in parts of my garden because of the constant mess from the filthy pigeons. Having called the environmental officer I was informed I could shoot the pigeons, ‘Hurray’. Obviously there are certain rules etc that I had to and have abided by. The gun I have is a BSA Lightning .22, probably about 2 years old, I don’t know as I bought it unseen from a chap in Norwich. I spent a while zeroing the sights at about 50 feet and achieved quite a good result using RWS Super H Point .22 pellets (14.2g) (what I’m using at this time) and the same brand pointed pellets. (I know 50 feet isn’t a lot but that is my restricted length) Up until now I have a confirmed kill of 32 pigeons. A point I want to ask is, I know I am hitting the pigeons but they are not falling so, they are flying off injured which is not what I want. Where am I going wrong? I know it’s difficult to get a head shot so I go for the underside and wing joint area so that if they fall I can finish them off humanely. Another problem I have to contend with pretty soon is that an area behind me that was once open land (And I know I am law bound not to shoot over or on it) will soon be built on so what are my rights then? Can I still shoot pigeons in my garden? What if the bird/s fall in the new build area, how do is stand legally? Finally I, would like to know if there is anyone in the Southampton are who would ‘take me under their wing’ (I know it’s a lot to ask being a ‘Newbie’ but we all have to start somewhere) and maybe let me come on a pigeon shoot (Not me shooting, just looking and learning). I’ve checked the Yellow Pages and can only find 1 shooting club near to me and that’s Winchester so if anyone knows of a closer one then I would like to know. That’s about it really so, thanks for your time and I hope you don’t mind this long post and hope you can help. Thanks again and this is a great site. Richard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RemmySPS Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 Sounds as though the rifle isn't up to full power. Pigeons are tough bu66ers and you need to hit them in their vitals with a pellet that is powerful enough to penetrate and do some damage. Are you trying to shoot them through their wings? Because this could be stopping most of the power from going into the bird’s body. And finally, make sure you aren’t upsetting any of your neighbours, because one day you may hear the sound of a helicopter, and a man dressed in black will be shouting at you to “LIE DOWN ON THE FLOOR†whilst pointing a rifle at you. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 greetings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 I wouldn't want to spark a pre charged vs. springer debate but it sounds like your BSA is banged out. If the pigeons are a real and on going problem then I would get something like an air arms s410 from a dealer with a warranty. Years ago I got a S310 from the airgun centre to specifically deal with squirrels and rats when we first moved in. It saw a lot of action in the first 2 years and the problem has passed. I was very pleased with it and will never sell it - at least 50 shots on full power one after the other - no recoil, very accurate and no noise. Without getting into it, the gun would drop a squirrel without a twitch - the pellet would hit the head, expand and pass straight through. So, in summary and without touching on the other issues raised get a pcp air rifle. I would add that the service I got from the airgun centre was spot on - I got the gun serviced and a new valve after 6 months for nowt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Even with a pcp, you can only reckon on a head/neck-shot doing the business cleanly - unless you can get it under the wing. As far as despatching wounded birds on neighbours' land is concerned - well, you need to explain to them what you are doing. I have 2 neighbours, one supportive and happy that I am keeping pigeon-poop off his kids' play equipment, the other is rather anti - Sod's law dictates, of course that 2 pigeons, one dead and the other winged, landed in the anti's garden. I recovered both with her permission, but had a rather difficult debate with her!! As long as you are shooting on your land and under the rules of the general licence, then there is little that your neighbours can do - unless of course you are being a nuisance, and that is a matter of degree to be argued out if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Scanning through your initial post can I point out that zeroing at 50yds is a little excessive, 25 or 30 would be better. That would give you a better chance of predicting the pellet path at various distances. Bring it down and you will be better off. Secondly get BASC membership, this will ensure you are insured and will mean you are more likely to get an offer of someone taking you out. 54 nicker is a little steep but worth it really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 ..... I spent a while zeroing the sights at about 50 feet ...... Scanning through your initial post can I point out that zeroing at 50yds is a little excessive, 25 or 30 would be better. That would give you a better chance of predicting the pellet path at various distances. Bring it down and you will be better off. I think 50 feet is less than 50 yards!!! (about 33yards less) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Well I did say I scanned through it...................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Head or base of neck with an air rifle every time. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RemmySPS Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Secondly get BASC membership, this will ensure you are insured and will mean you are more likely to get an offer of someone taking you out. 54 nicker is a little steep but worth it really. £54 You mean £64 surely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingercharlie Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 £54 You mean £64 surely £54.00 gets you airgun insurance i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RemmySPS Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Be better off going the whole hog and getting full cover. SACS are doing the same deal for £30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Be better off going the whole hog and getting full cover. That'll be good won't it? I can spend 10 pounds on something I'm not going to use. I get airgun only cover because that is all I use. I did actually think it through first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nosmoking Posted May 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Thanks for all your replies, they have certainly been helpful. So my BSA might be rubbish then? Does anyone think it is worth spending money on or, go for a Air Arms s410 (will look it up shortly, most of this is very new to me) funds permitting of course. I do know I'm hitting the darn things by the amount of feathers that come down. (I may try the Yellow Pages target test this week end, see how far the pellets penetrate) I have bagged about 32 pigeons now and most were 'clean' shots, the rest being done once on the ground. Just to reiterate, I have about 50 FEET to work in, just wish I did have the 50 Yards as previously mentioned, lol. I may also look at the BASC membership, once again, funds permitting. Dear old game this! Thanks again and all comments are welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nosmoking Posted May 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Just looked at the prices for the AA s410, frightening! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RemmySPS Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 That'll be good won't it? I can spend 10 pounds on something I'm not going to use. I get airgun only cover because that is all I use. I did actually think it through first Pity you didn't read it through as well because you would have seen that I did say that you can get the same deal from SACS for £30, and then you could spend the other £24 on something you can use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 s410-expensive , yes but you get what you pay for, besides the 410 there are plenty of other models available-try the s200 in 4.5mm on pigeons-job done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 Pity you didn't read it through as well because you would have seen that I did say that you can get the same deal from SACS for £30, and then you could spend the other £24 on something you can use. I know the money is steep but when you become serious about shooting you are better off belonging to BASC. They do a lot of political pushing to keep the sport going. Do SACS have a dedicated legal team, just incase you do come unstuck, or need help? Because of all the other benefits I think I can correctly say you do not have the same cover as you do with BASC. Never mind the quality feel the width. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcliff Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Bad workmen and all that... getting a new gun / joining BASC will not ensure a clean kill. At 50 feet you should be able to put a pellet through a pigeon's head all day long. Work on accuracy and go for the head. BTW - do you have a 'scope? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Bad workmen and all that... getting a new gun / joining BASC will not ensure a clean kill. At 50 feet you should be able to put a pellet through a pigeon's head all day long. Work on accuracy and go for the head. BTW - do you have a 'scope? Even with a pcp and regular target practice, and swearing that it was a clean head shot, you will still have the occasional blighter flying off in a cloud of feathers. They are tough and their heads do keep moving - but they usually come back for another go later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbo Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 why the hell does he need a pcp to take out a few pigeons they are around 500, thats pathetic i dont mean to start a debate but have people forgotten what springers are ? there no reason why he cannot update his bsa or a weichrauch or a even an airarms springer to keep you happy. but i think its mad he has a problem with some pigeons and a s410 imediately gets suggested bearing in mind 450 or around that is just the gun, charging equipment scope mounts and the added pain in the **** of trajectory an filling it up to a certain pressure, bring springers back guys your loosing your roots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Power ranger Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 :( " There all good " springers, pcp, co2, gas ram, every one has a different budget and needs to suit a purpose. Just keep shooting em ! Keep trying ! Take lots of advice then draw your own conclusions ! Head shots or inbetween the shoulder blades should always do the job but you will always get a flyer (or runner) just keep focused, follow through after shot and mentaly block out any feelings of guilt ! On my pest control shoot i get a lot of rats and have seen many do back flips 2 feet high and then run of . Others just roll over and die without even a twitch on a clean head shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RemmySPS Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) I know the money is steep but when you become serious about shooting you are better off belonging to BASC. They do a lot of political pushing to keep the sport going. Do SACS have a dedicated legal team, just incase you do come unstuck, or need help? Because of all the other benefits I think I can correctly say you do not have the same cover as you do with BASC. Never mind the quality feel the width. I can assure you that SACS do have a dedicated team and WILL fight your corner for you, unlike BASC who will try to wriggle out of most claims by using any argument they can. And please don’t tell me that BASC do loads for shooting, because they didn’t simply roll over on the lead ban…….they actively encouraged it. :( Edited May 20, 2009 by RemmySPS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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