Air rifle

Andrew

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
Location
Huntingdon, UK
They're very good around sheds, just remember you can't shoot pigeons at the moment due to Packham.
They're all just about the same power, but it depends how much you want to spend, do you want pre charged, break barrel, underlever? New or 2nd hand?

BSA, Weihrauch, Air Arms are probably the most common, and probably a .22 but some use .177 as it has a flatter trajectory.
 

Longlowdog

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Aberdeenshire
Simply put, a spring powered air rifle will require a certain learning curve. Consistent hold and shooting form will be required. If your budget runs a wee bit more a pre charged pneumatic rifle will be rather more forgiving.
A 'springer' will generally shoot one pellet then require cocking and loading. A p.c.p may have a magazine and have a simple bolt feed from a magazine. If you elect to go p.c.p budget for a pump or a dive bottle filler unless you are close to a gunshop, dive center or a mate with a fill set up.
Even a legal limit air rifle can puncture tin sheet/fibre cement roofs, best shoot pest birds sat in H beams rather than on top of them.
 

Dr. Alkathene

Member
Livestock Farmer
If your budget will only stretch to a new spring gun, consider a second hand pre charged air rifle. I have had a few and think the air arms s410 has been the best. Anything from s200, s300, s310, s400 and s410 can be picked up at handy money second hand since the newer s510 model was released.

I find in sub 12ft/lb .177 the better calibre. The hold over and hold under is less than .22. So it is a bit easier to shoot accurately and slightly more forgiving of range estimating errors. Put the pellet in the right spot and you will kill any legal farmyard vermin.
 

tr250

Member
Location
Northants
I have an under lever well it's my mates on long term loan. I think it's brilliant is super accurate and kills rats a treat. I don't like the ones that break as I think the wear in the hinge adds in accuracy. And the pump ones are very dear and you seem to spend ages pumping them up
 
Pigeon shooting GL31 been released today apparently. I shoot a air arms s400 .177 very accurate and never messed with it in all the years I have it. Nice fun TBF but now days there are loads of pcp rifles that would be adequate but it all comes down to budget.
 

Man_in_black

Member
Livestock Farmer
Wholeheartedly agree with @Dr. Alkathene pcp every time and .177 Yes smaller but much more accurate, less drop in trajectory so you can achieve headshots regular. If you shooting ferals in shed, the twang of springer or additional movement of break barrel will give away your position. Moderated pcp is super quiet & if you get one with magazine you can stealthy get one after the other. I have a super 10, recommend.
 

Andrew

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
Location
Huntingdon, UK
Wholeheartedly agree with @Dr. Alkathene pcp every time and .177 Yes smaller but much more accurate, less drop in trajectory so you can achieve headshots regular. If you shooting ferals in shed, the twang of springer or additional movement of break barrel will give away your position. Moderated pcp is super quiet & if you get one with magazine you can stealthy get one after the other. I have a super 10, recommend.

I have a BSA Scorpion SE, its very good too
 

Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
Wholeheartedly agree with @Dr. Alkathene pcp every time and .177 Yes smaller but much more accurate, less drop in trajectory so you can achieve headshots regular. If you shooting ferals in shed, the twang of springer or additional movement of break barrel will give away your position. Moderated pcp is super quiet & if you get one with magazine you can stealthy get one after the other. I have a super 10, recommend.


You can shoot pigeons, in sheds, in the dark with a torch - legally. (Well, you could - you'll need to look into it in England with the NE carry on currently);)
The feckers don't go far. You can do some damage in a short period of time, very effective method of pest control :cool:

.22 BSA Airsporter MK4 underlever here. Had it since I was 11. Learned my shooting and field craft with it. Also my excuse why I'm not as accurate with the .22lr and HMR as I SHOULD be, because of that bloody springer :ROFLMAO:
 

Man_in_black

Member
Livestock Farmer
All the best things happen after the sun goes down ;)

@Nithsdale Farmer of an evening

1.jpg
 
Just out of interest, perhaps you serious shooters will know- what are the weights of respective .22 and .177 pellets? You would think the .22 would deliver more clout but I've always felt the .177 more 'shooty' and accurate from gut feel.

And what was the thinking behind flat, cup-nosed and pointed pellets? I've seen people shoot rats with all three with equal effectiveness.
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

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