What can I shoot with an air rifle?

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What can I shoot with an air rifle?
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Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 10:58 am Post subject:

vegplot wrote:

12 bore shotgun
.410 shotgun
.223
6.5x55 rifle (or similar)
.17 HMR
.22 LR

Plus a large gun cabinet, a few scopes and plenty of land to shoot over.

What would happen if you have wild boar about?

I know a fair bit will depend on what and where you're shooting but what would be the minimum? Although overkill, literally, but would a .223 be a suitable long range bunny gun for pest control? An idea of the cost of ammunition would be useful as well.

I personally like the idea of a .22 spring air rifle as it can sit around, is very cheap to run and I've often had bunnies, grey squirrels and pigeons within 10m or so when out walking so it could be useful to get something for the pot once in a while.

Brownbear

Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 11:13 am Post subject:

vegplot wrote:

12 bore shotgun
.410 shotgun
.223
6.5x55 rifle (or similar)
.17 HMR
.22 LR

plus .308 Win. for Red deer and boar.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 11:20 am Post subject:

[quote="Treacodactyl"]Plus a large gun cabinet, a few scopes and plenty of land to shoot over.

Quote:

Of course.

[quote="Treacodactyl"]What would happen if you have wild boar about?

A larger calibre might be required such as a .308 or 7x57(?) for instance.

Treacodactyl wrote:

but would a .223 be a suitable long range bunny gun for pest control?

I doubt very much whether you'd get a .223 on the basis of rabbit shooting alone. Be wary of shooting anything at long range as you are less aware of what is behind the target (never shoot at something unless it has a good backstop) and you're less accurate the further away you are. .223 bullets can travel a long way.

Treacodactyl wrote:

I personally like the idea of a .22 spring air rifle as it can sit around, is very cheap to run and I've often had bunnies, grey squirrels and pigeons within 10m or so when out walking so it could be useful to get something for the pot once in a while.

Be wary of shooting birds they are covered by general licences. Quoting BASC "By definition you do not need to apply for a general licence but you are required by law to abide by the terms and conditions of each licence. Thus, it is extremely important to be aware of the terms and conditions relevant to your situation."

If you plan to do any sort of field shooting consult the BASC site first and better still become a member.

Brownbear

Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 11:29 am Post subject:

The Police would not give you authorisation for a .223 if you only had rabbits but no fox. They wouldn't give you a .17HMR if you said it was for fox and not rabbits. These rules were laid down by some bod in the Home Office who'd never fired a rifle in his or her life. If you have bunnies and the odd fox, get a .17; if you have swarms of fox, get a .223 or even a .22-250.

The cost of .223 ammunition would make it a most unsuitable weapon for rabbit control.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 1:02 pm Post subject:

Brownbear wrote:

I wouldn't be after a .223 just for bunnies, I would want to eat them after all, and I doubt I would have a real need for one. I was also under the impression that it would be easier to get hold a .22LR than a .17HMR and that can depend on your local police?

What I have thought about is would you be able to apply for a .243 FAC for fox control and then once you have your rifle take a DSC1 and use it for deer?

VP, I'm reasonably aware of the open licences and I've been a member of BASC for a few years now. Personally I'll be shooting over my small holding once I get it so it'll mainly be for pest control anyway and anything that can be eaten will be. Magpie fritters anyone?

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 1:03 pm Post subject:
Just to clarify, for those who may be confused by the terminology. Ammunition is often quoted by just by it's calibre (bullet diameter in inches or mm) e.g. .223, .17 .22 etc. For instance the .223 round has the same calibre as the .22 LR(actually .223 inches) but dramatically different 'performance'. .22LR energy 104-141 ft.lb .223 energy 1,080-2,750 ft.lb (source: wikipedia)

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 1:04 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Magpie fritters anyone?

Glorious

Brownbear

Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 1:10 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Well, it would depend on the police, but they'd have to be operating on some pretty odd criteria to allow .22 and not .17HMR, which is in some ways a less risky calibre - more accurate and far less likely to ricochet. If they took such a line, BASCs legal and firearms depts should be able to sort them out.

Treacodactyl wrote:

What I have thought about is would you be able to apply for a .243 FAC for fox control and then once you have your rifle take a DSC1 and use it for deer?

Yes, if you have 'need' for a fox rifle you could get it. You could also have it conditioned for deer. Not sure you actually need a DSC1 - I've seen what they do and I don't rate it very highly. The marksmanship requirement is very low, though the safety is good. Apart from that, you learn to memorise closed season dates - useful if they don't change and you're unable, for some strange reason, to look things up before going out stalking.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 1:17 pm Post subject:

Brownbear wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

What I have thought about is would you be able to apply for a .243 FAC for fox control and then once you have your rifle take a DSC1 and use it for deer?

Interesting, thanks. I'll give that some more thought nearer the time. What training would you suggest of someone wanted to shoot the odd deer for forestry protection and the table? Or would you suggest getting a professional in?

Brownbear

Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 1:27 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Brownbear wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

What I have thought about is would you be able to apply for a .243 FAC for fox control and then once you have your rifle take a DSC1 and use it for deer?

I'd suggest doing the safe weapons handling course, or going to Budleigh Farm (where the Forestry Commission people are trained), and getting a stalking qualification, that mostly has to do with the important bits - marksmanship and safe handling/choosing backstops - for far less money. Of course, you can always call in a pro if you don't want the hassle. I'd suggest not getting 'someone you know' to do it as unless you know them very well and that they are safe, all sorts of things can go wrong.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 1:43 pm Post subject:

Brownbear wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

What I have thought about is would you be able to apply for a .243 FAC for fox control and then once you have your rifle take a DSC1 and use it for deer?

I put down my reason for the 7x57 as booking for a paid stalking shoot and included the invoice as evidence. The Firearms Officer checked the booking and the land just to make sure and granted the variation on my FAC. I went on to do my DSC1 which was a another valid reason I could have used. However, I have been warned that if I don't use said rifle for intended purpose I could have it removed from my FAC, but that is a condition applied to club shooting as well.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 08 1:50 pm Post subject:
I thought you needed your DSC1 to supply deer meat to people? Justme

Woodburner

Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 2904
Location: Essex

Posted: Sat May 23, 09 11:34 am Post subject:
Looking up this thread for some info, I realised I never said thanks for all the contirbutions. It's rather belated I know but thanks all the same. Oh, and I was never considering eating magpies!

batman4435

Joined: 06 Aug 2009
Posts: 10

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 09 5:20 pm Post subject: 22
i have a air rifle i was wonderin can u shoot it in ur bacg garden with out be in done as my garden is big it 20m long and 10m wide thanks

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 09 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: 22

batman4435 wrote:

i have a air rifle i was wonderin can u shoot it in ur bacg garden with out be in done as my garden is big it 20m long and 10m wide thanks

As long as the air rifle is within legal limits (12ft.lbs muzzle energy) and the pellets do not travel outside your boundary then it's not a problem.

Make sure there is a suitable backstop and a supervising adult if youngsters are shooting then you shouldn't have a problem.

Be safe and a good neighbour.

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