Air Rifles

Just so everyone is clear; 'runners' when describing rabbits, are what you get when you wound the animal and it runs off sharpish to die slowly somewhere.

Or alternatively, when you've shot the little blighter in the head and it somersaults into the air, or sprints off for several yards before it falls down dead. Speculation with this last is that autonomic function triggers at the last moment so whilst bunny is fini he hasn't quite realised it yet.
 
Well said

jumpy said:
Just so everyone is clear; 'runners' when describing rabbits, are what you get when you wound the animal and it runs off sharpish to die slowly somewhere.

Or alternatively, when you've shot the little blighter in the head and it somersaults into the air, or sprints off for several yards before it falls down dead. Speculation with this last is that autonomic function triggers at the last moment so whilst bunny is fini he hasn't quite realised it yet.
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Jumpy well put and so right.:)
 
I do a lot of shooting and if you ask anyone they will batter you to death if you say you are going to shoot rabbits at 300 yards with an air rifle.

I own a .17hmr rimfire rifle (rimfire bullets) and these have an effective killing range for rabbits at a max of 180yards if you are a good shot.

12ft lbs air rifle if a good one will get you 35-40 yards max. And im afraid thats all you are going to get unless you apply for a FAC (Which took me 6 months) and again with an air rifle you are looking at around 30ft lbs max, which will get you to about 50-70 yards. An FAC Rated air rifle will cost you around £400

If you want more info i would suggest signing upto the airgunbbs forums and they will give you accurate information rather that from someone who "knows someone who goes shooting". As respect for the quarry, in your case rabbits should be number 1 priority.

Just to inform people who think a 12ft lbs air rifle will not kill a rabbit, yes it would otherwise they wouldnt make it as a hunting tool! aslong as you hit a vital killspot it will be humanely dispatched (aslong as its within killing range).
 
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.177 = Penetration, range, accuracy
.22 = Hitting power

At over a hundred yards you're definitely looking into getting a rifle put up over the legal limit or i'd recommend a rimfire. Either way you'll need a firearms certificate.
 
[Sniper][Wolf];10066350 said:
Good Spring powered air rifle, but as mentioned before it will be around 10-11.5 ft/lbs of power and will be effective to about 30-40 yards max.
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and? its illegal in britain to have anything over 12ft/lb...
 
a decent 12lb rifle should be fine, just make sure you dont just clip them though as its really not nice for the animal.

Hell i killed one instantly with a co2 powered air pistol at about 5 meters, its only about 450fps, firing steel 177 BB's so, lodged into the back of the rabbits head, put it down instantly, amazing it didnt run off.
 
tomanders91 said:
a decent 12lb rifle should be fine, just make sure you dont just clip them though as its really not nice for the animal.

Hell i killed one instantly with a co2 powered air pistol at about 5 meters, its only about 450fps, firing steel 177 BB's so, lodged into the back of the rabbits head, put it down instantly, amazing it didnt run off.
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so true, nothing worse than having to put an animal out of its misery due to taking a "risky" shot. Ive never had to... but :(

better safe than sorry!
 
[Sniper][Wolf];10066443 said:
No....its illegal in the UK to have anything over 12ft/lbs WITHOUT a FAC.
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oh ye course!

but does this OP have a FAC? I assumed he was just looking a rifle to hunt with, without having the hassle of getting one. Sorry if I was mistaken! :)
 
Tom0 said:
oh ye course!

but does this OP have a FAC? I assumed he was just looking a rifle to hunt with, without having the hassle of getting one. Sorry if I was mistaken! :)
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Exactly, my posts in this thread was to clearly highlight what can and can't be done with a 12ft/lbs air rifle, Seeing as the OP had stated that he was prepared to attempt at shooting at live quarry at a range of upto 300 yards with a weapon that is suitable at killing at 30.

Not even the most powerful air rifle on the market could make 300 yards. You would be looking at a centrefire for that type of range.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I took a trip to the gun shop today and was informed that in NI, pretty much every air rifle needs a FAC. It's going to be a lot of hassle for the sake of an air gun, we'll probably just use a shotgun if the dogs and ferrets aren't effective enough.
 
Scuzi said:
Thanks for the advice everyone. I took a trip to the gun shop today and was informed that in NI, pretty much every air rifle needs a FAC. It's going to be a lot of hassle for the sake of an air gun, we'll probably just use a shotgun if the dogs and ferrets aren't effective enough.
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Whos shotgun are you using? sorry to put a dampner on things but in NI a shotgun will need an FAC aswel unlike the rest of Britain where they have there own seperate licence (Shotgun Certificate) :p

unless of course you are using a friends shotgun in his company.
 
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[Sniper][Wolf];10066533 said:
Whos shotgun are you using? sorry to put a dampner on things but in NI a shotgun will need an FAC aswel unlike the rest of Britain where they have there own seperate licence (Shotgun Certificate) :p

unless of course you are using a friends shotgun in his company.
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My da has a couple. I'm well aware that the shotgun needs a certificate too but as far as I know, as long as my da is with me I'm ok to use it. Hasn't stopped me before ;)

I prefer to use a ferret and the dogs though, it's much more fun.
 
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