Discussion
No idea where on the forum this should go so I thought I would plop it here.
I want to buy an air rifle. Own a small holding so want something powerful enough to pick off magpies and rats at a bit of a range. Don't want the agro of actual guns.
Read a bit and you can buy gas powered or spring loaded but not really sure what is best for reliability, accuracy, power, range. Do gas powered always need you to buy new canisters so cost loads?
Any help advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks
I want to buy an air rifle. Own a small holding so want something powerful enough to pick off magpies and rats at a bit of a range. Don't want the agro of actual guns.
Read a bit and you can buy gas powered or spring loaded but not really sure what is best for reliability, accuracy, power, range. Do gas powered always need you to buy new canisters so cost loads?
Any help advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Legal limit without a ticket is 12ftlbs and altho PCP stuff and even a good springer ar accurate, I would only shoot to about 30 yards max at live quarry.
FAC pcp rifles are awesome but pricey, but do give you a much harder hit and more range.
http://www.airgunshooting.co.uk/expert-advice/airg...
FAC pcp rifles are awesome but pricey, but do give you a much harder hit and more range.
http://www.airgunshooting.co.uk/expert-advice/airg...
Gas powered do need canisters and some people report the range and accuracy drops off as the canister is depleted.
The best alternative to a spring rifle is a pre charged Pneumatic. Charge it up from a foot pump (hard work) or a divers air bottle (expensive to buy but cheap to refill) and you get 20 odd shots before needing to recharge. They are more accurate, to be precise, easier to shoot accurately, than a spring rifle. But to tend to be more expensive.
Range is in practice limited by your marksmanship. Pest brains are pretty small and that's where you want your shots to hit.
The best alternative to a spring rifle is a pre charged Pneumatic. Charge it up from a foot pump (hard work) or a divers air bottle (expensive to buy but cheap to refill) and you get 20 odd shots before needing to recharge. They are more accurate, to be precise, easier to shoot accurately, than a spring rifle. But to tend to be more expensive.
Range is in practice limited by your marksmanship. Pest brains are pretty small and that's where you want your shots to hit.
WEIHRAUCH HW 97 K or similar is what you need.
HW 90 has a gas ram instead of a spring, and when you get your eye in they are accurate enough for any task.
Word to the wise though, avoid chinese rubbish, and most turkish rubbish as well tbh.
I have a Daystate Mk4 is with electronic trigger and Valve system, totally superb but way over a grand for a set up.
A good springer at £400 will do the job.
HW 90 has a gas ram instead of a spring, and when you get your eye in they are accurate enough for any task.
Word to the wise though, avoid chinese rubbish, and most turkish rubbish as well tbh.
I have a Daystate Mk4 is with electronic trigger and Valve system, totally superb but way over a grand for a set up.
A good springer at £400 will do the job.
Dr Jekyll said:
Gas powered do need canisters and some people report the range and accuracy drops off as the canister is depleted.
The best alternative to a spring rifle is a pre charged Pneumatic. Charge it up from a foot pump (hard work) or a divers air bottle (expensive to buy but cheap to refill) and you get 20 odd shots before needing to recharge. They are more accurate, to be precise, easier to shoot accurately, than a spring rifle. But to tend to be more expensive.
Range is in practice limited by your marksmanship. Pest brains are pretty small and that's where you want your shots to hit.
At non FAC levels you'll 80 shots minimum from most PCP rifles with the bigger rifles such as a BSA R10 into the hundreds. Even micro PCPs like the Air Arms S-200 will give you 30 minimum. The best alternative to a spring rifle is a pre charged Pneumatic. Charge it up from a foot pump (hard work) or a divers air bottle (expensive to buy but cheap to refill) and you get 20 odd shots before needing to recharge. They are more accurate, to be precise, easier to shoot accurately, than a spring rifle. But to tend to be more expensive.
Range is in practice limited by your marksmanship. Pest brains are pretty small and that's where you want your shots to hit.
Rest is spot on though 👍
Practice will be key to your success though as hitting a magpie or rat is easy but getting that one shot instant kill in the heart or head is a little more difficult. No one wants to see the target only injured with a poor shot.
Whatever route you chose you'll need to practice first. I used to set out some pennies at various ranges and focus on nailing them with every shot. Once your confident with pennies you should be fine for almost anything.
As for calibre go for a .177 over a .22 or .25. The .177 generally has a much flatter trajectory which makes taking shots over various ranges easier.
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