Will a break barrel air rifle be kill a rabbit?

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Will a break barrel air rifle be kill a rabbit?
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RichardW

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

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 5:31 pm Post subject:
I am going to assume that you are in the UK. So then a pistol is a no no for shooting animals at anything over point blank range. They have a max of 6ftlb (at the muzzel) which is the min for a clean kill of a rabbit (rats ok'ish at very (5 yards) short ranges). Richard

matt mavin

Joined: 17 Aug 2008
Posts: 23

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 5:36 pm Post subject:
I definetly would not use a pistol to kill it but i wouldnt want the animal to suffer if i shot it and it didnt die

vegplot

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

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 5:42 pm Post subject:

RichardW wrote:

I would say that that is more power not less using the same weight of pellet (assuming the claims are accurate). Energy is speed x speed x weight div 450240 = ftlb
Richard

They measured 745fps with lead for a rifle with a claimed 1000 fps so a rifle with a claimed 850 fps would give less than 745fps.

vegplot

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

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 5:49 pm Post subject:

matt mavin wrote:

Good idea but id prefer to use a air rifel and avoid the hassel if it where to make the animal suffer i would definetly not use it. but would a clean shot to the head kill the rabit ? i also have a air pistol incease it where to run away injured as i would not want it too suffer at all .

To be honest ive only ever shot at targets and metal rabits.

If you can get your rifle to a range where they have a chronograph and measure the muzzle velocity using the pellets you intend to shoot with. From that you can get a good idea of how the rifle will perform and you can calculate its muzzle energy.

A pellet weighing 10.6 grains traveling at 700 fps yields 11.54 foot pounds. Just under the legal limit, you should be able to kill first shot if you're accurate at 25 metres. I wouldn't want to shoot further than that as energy drops off quickly.

matt mavin

Joined: 17 Aug 2008
Posts: 23

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 5:51 pm Post subject:
i would be shooting from 15-20 yards away from a ditch. i went over the farmers field today and he told me where all their tunnels are and where he thought i should shoot from

vegplot

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

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 5:56 pm Post subject:

matt mavin wrote:

i would be shooting from 25-20 yards away from a ditch. i went over the farmers field today and he told me where all their tunnels are and where he thought i should shoot from

Give it a go. Be prepared to wield the priest. If you find you're getting clean kills then fine if not refine your shooting to get better groups or re-asses the killing potential of your rifle.

matt mavin

Joined: 17 Aug 2008
Posts: 23

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 5:59 pm Post subject:
Good call Thanks for all the help:D

vegplot

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

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 6:00 pm Post subject:
Is there a reason you won't shoot .22LR? You have the field and the permission. You'll need to get the land cleared with the police if it's not already on their register. A .22LR rifle is often quite a bit cheaper than a decent air rifle. CZ 452 Varmint 16" barrel �310 for example.

matt mavin

Joined: 17 Aug 2008
Posts: 23

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 6:02 pm Post subject:
As i dont want to get a gun licence etc im happy with my small air rifle and if it is no good for hunting then i wont hunt

RichardW

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

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 6:24 pm Post subject:

vegplot wrote:

They measured 745fps with lead for a rifle with a claimed 1000 fps so a rifle with a claimed 850 fps would give less than 745fps.

Ah but the 1000fps was not with lead

matt mavin wrote:

Im not to sure of the answers but i went on their webstie and got this, its has.....

Velocity: 1000 feet per second (fps) with PBA, 850 fps with Lead

Richard

Pilsbury

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 5645
Location: East london/Essex

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 10:01 pm Post subject:

If you are really unsure take it to your local gun smith and ask him to check the power, its a simple, quick test for him and you will have a good idea of it is up to the job, you want it as close to the 12ft/lb limit as it can be without the risk of it going over if you use slightly lighter pellets.
If you are still unsure post its power in this thread and those in the know will tell you if its a good idea to try it on the bunnies.

RichardW

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

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 10:14 pm Post subject:

Or heavier pellets too. I cant remember which is which but some get more power with light pellets & some with heavier ones. I think its springers with light & PCP with heavy. That said the most I can get out of mine (PCP) is not with the heaviest pellets avaliable. To stay legal your rifle must not go over 12ftlb with any avaliable pellet. So you need to be about 11.5 ish to be safe. The police will test with a selection of pellets not just the ones you use. Oh & if you do take it to the local RFD & it tests over the legal limit he can n ot let you have it back & you can not ask him to de tune it & have it back. ODD but true. However I would guess that most would do the work for a fee & give back.

Richard

Pilsbury

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 5645
Location: East london/Essex

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 10:18 pm Post subject:
Just to add i have taken rabbits with my old BSA Meateor break barrel.

RichardW

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

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 08 10:53 pm Post subject:

Pilsbury wrote:

Just to add i have taken rabbits with my old BSA Meateor break barrel.

Lol

Pilsbury

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 5645
Location: East london/Essex

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 08 8:14 am Post subject:
Ahh well it almost looked right last night

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