Air rifle

Quick question. Have a problem with pigeons in milking parlour. Was considering an air rifle. Prob is I know little about guns. How much do I need to spend and what do I need to look out for. Am going to a reputable gun shop but don’t want to look completely stupid. Thanks 🙏
 

Ffermer Bach

Member
Livestock Farmer
I got a spring operated air rifle (Weihrauch HW80K with a 3 to 9 x 40 scope)., really pleased with it, the only problem is my aim! Oh and it was .22

the 3 to 9 is the magnification of the sight, and the 40 is how wide it is (wider lets in more light and better in poor lighting conditions).

I am sure the air operated guns are better than the spring ones, and probably .177 is better than .22

All air rifles are limited to 12 ftLbs of energy, otherwise they are a firearm.
 

Gone Shooting

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
hereford
Pre-charge like an air arms are brilliant - only problem is you would really need a divers bottle to re-charge. But once bought you will have another hobby ! Personally i prefer the .177 along with youngest son but the other prefers his .22 If you only want one for odd stuff then a spring one will be fine.
 
Bit like how long is a piece of string but how much to spend? Don’t want a glorified cap gun but hard to justify spending a fortune. Is second hand an option?
 

Dry Rot

Member
Livestock Farmer
Have a problem with pigeons in milking parlour

Unless milking parlours have changed since my day, you don't want anything too powerful or you will be adding extra ventilation through the roof. Break barrel would surely suit your job and using a 'scope at short range (inside?) will add parallax. Tell the dealer what you want and plead poverty is what I'd do!:)
 

BBC

Member
Location
Gloucestershire
The Field has just done a feature on air guns with a guide on the various types and suggestions on what to buy.

 

Wilksy

Member
Location
East Riding
A 177 shoots flat meaning the lighter pellet will hit a zero at at any distance out to 25yrds a .22 pellet is heavier has a curve and drops quicker so it will hit zero at maybe 10yrds and 30yrds but in between you aim high of your target, both are sub 12 lbs and capable of killing pigeons but a flat headed 22 pellet is less likely to cause roof damage, but I prefer to shoot them on the i beams just to be sure
 

Wilksy

Member
Location
East Riding
Above is spot on, I'd add springer or under lever is noisy compared to a multi shot pcp but as also said above multi shot pcp is expensive and requires an air source, that said I can shoot five or six off a beam before the the rest know what is happening, you can even miss and get a second or third chance with daft ferals
 

TheTallGuy

Member
Location
Cambridgeshire
Also, you don’t need a divers bottle with a precharged, you can buy a stirrup pump type thing for circa £100. That makes you puffed out!
I have a .22 PCP with a double acting stirrup pump - only ever go down to 50% (~100 shots) before recharging & it's only a couple of minutes light to moderate effort to recharge. Only problem is it is a fair weight so takes practice to shoot free hand. I've busted bunnies, rats & winged vermin with no problem.
 

tr250

Member
Location
Northants
Quick question. Have a problem with pigeons in milking parlour. Was considering an air rifle. Prob is I know little about guns. How much do I need to spend and what do I need to look out for. Am going to a reputable gun shop but don’t want to look completely stupid. Thanks 🙏
Do you not know a neighbor or mate that’s got one job will be sorted in a few mins. They are bleddy expensive because any old Tom dick or Harry can buy them.
 

Lofty1984

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
South wales
If it’s only for knocking Stuff off in a shed don’t bother with telescopic sights just get one with tidy open sights shot plenty of stuff in my younger days with open sights
 

Dry Rot

Member
Livestock Farmer
When you see the dealer (or maybe someone on line can tell you) ask about the special pellets used by pest controllers, specially where toxic lead flying about could cause damage to livestock or your milk. I think there are pellets made out of sugar or other digestables for use in ware houses. Might be something more suitable for pigeons out there. There are plastic pellets as well. Someone will know!
 

kill

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South West
Quick question. Have a problem with pigeons in milking parlour. Was considering an air rifle. Prob is I know little about guns. How much do I need to spend and what do I need to look out for. Am going to a reputable gun shop but don’t want to look completely stupid. Thanks 🙏
Ever seen the film “The Karate Kid?” and remember the scene “Wax on and Wax off?
Ex neighbour use to do similar with the light switch when pigeons roasted in his milking parlour and it was very easy to get the ingredients for pigeon pie afterwards apparently 😂
 

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