show me your air rifle

[MAXTHEROTTI]

no i dont think i need a licence http://www.theairguncentre.com/AirgunLaw1.html

so thats a bonus

rob

 

[cherrybomb]

whats the advantages/disadvantages of co2 rifles to break barrel ones??

Right. This is just a personal thing, but with spring guns I always go for an underlever rather than break barrel (There is a lever to compress the spring and the barrel is fixed with an underlever) Break barrel guns will get play in the pivot on the barrel eventually and accuracy will fall off. Having said that, most spring guns are of this type so it can't be too much of an issue. when it comes to none spring guns basically three options:
Gas ram- which works like a spring gun but has a gas cylinder instead of a spring. These are quieter than spring guns, generally more consistent and can be left cocked for long periods which can help when hunting.
CO2. These use a little bottle (which can't be refilled) a bit like the ones you used to use on soda syphons. They generally aren't up to hunting vermin because they are generally less powerful than the other types (we'll come to power in a bit).
Pre-Charged.- These are the ones with a long cylinder (generally under the barrel). They're quiet, have no recoil are consistent and will fire between 40-100 shots on a full charge (for .22) Most also have multi shot magazine holding around 8 pellets too which makes fast follow-on shots a breeze.

with regards to cost second hand would be best for my pocket (now im unemployed lol) :

Second hand will be cheaper, but don't expect many bargains. Air rifles worth having (like most fire arms) hold their values well. Expect to pay around the price of a new gun for second hand with a reasonable scope.

whats the rules on carrying a air rifle up the road??:

You'll have to have it in a gun slip (bag) so that it cannot be fired.

do i need a licence (hope not):

Yes and no. Most air rifles don't require a fire arms certificate, but FAC versions are available, so if looking at second hand check the details in the advert. It's all about power. The legal limit (Before needing a firearms certificate) for air rifles is: 12ft/lbs you want to be looking for a rifle which performs as close to this as possible (and consistently).

also is .22 the best choice or do they do bigger??

.22 is about as big as you want to go for hunting rabbits and other vermin. This used to be the most popular caliber for field shooting until precharged guns became more popular. .22 has the weight to take your target down with a chest shot (nice big target) at medium ranges (20-30m) where .177 would struggle as the range increases. With the increased accuracy and consistency of pre charged guns .177 has become more commonly used because it is easier to take head shots at longer range with the newer guns.

As for links try these for starters.....

http://www.guntrader.co.uk

http://www.theairguncentre.com/mainframe.asp

and go buy a copy of one of the magazines like Airgun World.

 

[mtbfix]

And as a word of sense, please get plenty of practice on targets prior to pointing at living things. There's nowt big and clever about seriously wounding something that can then crawl away to die in pain. If you are going to shoot it you have to kill it.

 

[MAXTHEROTTI]

And as a word of sense, please get plenty of practice on targets prior to pointing at living things. There's nowt big and clever about seriously wounding something that can then crawl away to die in pain. If you are going to shoot it you have to kill it.

common sense chap but i agree 100% and as someones sig says
'common sense was never common'

rob

 

[Roger_P]

And as a word of sense, please get plenty of practice on targets prior to pointing at living things. There's nowt big and clever about seriously wounding something that can then crawl away to die in pain. If you are going to shoot it you have to kill it.

Further to this post, you might want to have a look at this link, it describes the marksmanship principles, which if applied correctly can make a great deal of difference to shooting at something.

http://www.dcs.gov.uk/BestPractice/downloads/firearms_marksman.pdf

Cheers,

Roger

 

[cherrybomb]

And as a word of sense, please get plenty of practice on targets prior to pointing at living things. There's nowt big and clever about seriously wounding something that can then crawl away to die in pain. If you are going to shoot it you have to kill it.

Couldn't agree more. Get lots of practice shooting from various positions. (standing, kneeling etc.) and make sure your sights are dialled in every time you go out.
If you're not 100% sure of a clean shot; don't take it.

 

[elite504]

Defo defo defo. .
You must finish the job. Personally, I'm not all that with killing pigeons and rabbits unless you're going to eat them. Would a nice 410 shotgun be better for the job. Bit of spread, but won't blow your dinner to bits.
Legally, 'airs' are all the same effective evergy output, and actually killing bigger stuff might be tricky. The muzzle velocity isn't very much.
And going further in to it, you can shotgun deer either, you have to use a rifle. It comes back to the point of finishing the job. Don't want to smash bambi up with pellets only for it to take weeks for him to die.

Personally, Dinner comes out the microwave, the airpistol is for rats, and the big guns are for clay. Full stop.

 

[tintin40]

Also make sure the 'Back ground' of your target is not some bodys livingroom or their is a busy road. As if you miss then no problems if a tree gets some lead. But a passing car or some body walking by.... :shock:

 

[MAXTHEROTTI]

right 98% of my shooting will be taget practise in a big field (that i have permission to use)
farmer has said he has no prob with vermin clearing too (rats/rabbits/etc etc)
wont be popping dear/foxes/badgers etc etc its a air rifle and im not rambo!!! (much better looking tho!!)
and i have no problem in finishing off the animal manualy if i dont get a clean kill
i wont be using the gun in my garden (as big as it is lol)
i appreciate the comments tho chaps( yes i have no doubt there are people out there who would need to be told this!!!) but im more looking for info on what makes a good starter gun and why?
what to look for etc??

rob

 

[daj]

im not rambo!!! (much better looking tho!!)

Who told you that???