Air Rifle questions from a newbie.

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Air Rifle questions from a newbie.
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Hammer Man

Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Rutland

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 6:29 pm Post subject:

Off to the gunshop this week then. I doubt very much that it is over the 12ft lb limit as it was bought from a friend that I would trust with my life. If however, he has made a mistake or was ill advised himself then I would be happy for it to be confiscated and I would buy one that is below this limit. As for prosecution, I would have to cross that bridge when it comes - will find out this week won't I!!??

vegplot

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

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 6:53 pm Post subject:

Hammer Man wrote:

You're acting in good faith and that's good. Have you ever thought of applying for a firearms certificate? Bunny tastes good.

Hammer Man

Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Rutland

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 7:00 pm Post subject:

vegplot wrote:

Hammer Man wrote:

You're acting in good faith and that's good. Have you ever thought of applying for a firearms certificate? Bunny tastes good.

Well, I wouldn't want it falling into the wrong hands so there is no way I would sell it on without knowing myself for sure. Would rather get a beasting from the gunshop owner and then try to convince a court that I was trying to do the right thing!

As for a firearms certificate, no I've never thought about it really. I'd like to own a .22 rifle like I used to fire on the rifle ranges as a cadet but don't really know whats involved in getting a certificate - cost, requirements to be met etc. I will start off with an air rifle (provided I get permission to shot on someones land that is) and possibly look into getting a certificate later on as I get into it. As I said, since leaving the forces I've only shot paper targets with an air rifle!!

Brownbear

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

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 8:04 pm Post subject:

Spring air rifles can sometimes 'creep up' in power after they're set up with no criminality involved. A decent gun shop will check it for you and make any adjustments.

Try the PigeonWatch forums to make contact with local pigeon shooters - you'll need a shotgun to shoot pigeon, but �50 for the certificate, another �50 for a cabinet and then �250+ for the gun will get you a reasonable setup. Where are you based?

Hammer Man

Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Rutland

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 8:22 pm Post subject:

Brownbear wrote:

Do the majority of people shoot shotgun then? If so is there a reason for this? I think I would prefer a rifle to a shotgun if I were going to get anything more powerful than an air rifle. My step father owns a shotgun though (he only shoots clays) so I might ask him if I can go along and have a go with him on the clays. I am based in Rutland (UK not USA)

Thanks for the help so far guys

vegplot

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

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 8:35 pm Post subject:

If rifle is your game then you'll do no worse than joining your local club. If it's home office approved, which most are, then you'll be able to use this to justify getting a rifle.

If you don't join a club then the process can be more difficult as you'll need to get permission to shoot on land and have that land registered for the calibre you want to use over it. You'd need to do this anyway but joining a club is the quicker route. A club also offers the advantage of being in close contact with other shooters who''l be able to offer advice etc. It will also give you the opportunity to try different guns and judge whether shooting is for you.

There are a few threads on this topic on this forum please use the search facility to see what's been said before. There are a few shooters here and Brownbear is your man if you're interested in field shooting but others here will have something valuable to say as well.

Personally, I don't shoot for the pot, I would if I had land to shoot over and the time to do it.

Hammer Man

Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Rutland

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 8:47 pm Post subject:

vegplot wrote:

Hi again vegplot,

I will indeed use the search facility, thanks for the advice. I have already ben having a good look around and am amazed at some of the pictures!! If using a shotgun though, does the same permission and land registration not apply?

Thanks again for your help.

vegplot

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

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 8:52 pm Post subject:

Hammer Man wrote:

If using a shotgun though, does the same permission and land registration not apply?

You just need permission from the owner or an authorised person, the land doesn't have to be registered with the police. Safe shooting.

Hammer Man

Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Rutland

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 08 10:06 pm Post subject:
Looks like I have some decisions to make then! In the meantime I will get the air rifle looked at and have a word with the farmer near me and then go from there. Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it.

Hammer Man

Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Rutland

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 08 5:06 pm Post subject:
That was a wasted journey! The gunshop has gone!! No idea how long ago as I've never been in it before anyway but a little bit frustrating!! Oh well, looks like I will have to head over to Liecester or something... Do you suppose someone at the gun club where my stepdad shoots his shotgun will be able to check it for me?

vegplot

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

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 08 5:09 pm Post subject:
Some gun clubs have a chronograph. While not expensive they only tend to be bought by those who do a lot of reloading and like to know how their loads are performing. You can only ask.

Hammer Man

Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Rutland

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 08 5:13 pm Post subject:
Thanks, I'll give him a call and ask him to ask around when he goes down there next..

Hammer Man

Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Rutland

Posted: Sat Dec 06, 08 7:14 pm Post subject:

Finally had the Air rifle checked. Its just over 10.5ft lb so I need to go and collect it back from my stepdad. I was a little nervous about the result but am pleased to hear its legal! My stepdad is going to take me clay shooting with him so I can see what I think. Can't wait!

Do you guys think 10.5ft lb is powerful enough to give a clean kill or should I be looking for a new one closer to the 12ft lb limit?

Old-Chads-Orchard

Joined: 07 Dec 2005
Posts: 394
Location: Malpas, Cheshire

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 08 2:06 pm Post subject:
That will be fine out to 35yrds, google "chairgun" good program on balistics, interesting to see how much energy a pellet has out to certain distances. You will find most new guns are set to around 10.5-11 lb/ft to keep the makers safe, as most rifles increase slightly in power as the barrel gets leaded in.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46211
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 08 2:30 pm Post subject:
avoid bunnies who live in blackthorn

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