Air Rifles
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About this time last month, I was seriously considering purchasing a PCP, but the night before I planned to order it, I had a revelation. I wasn't a serious enough shooter to need a PCP, they are either expensive or hard work to fill, They are generally heavier, they need more attention and they are expenive to buy. 
After I had these thoughts I have never looked twice at a PCP and thought, 'I want that.'
I'm not by any means saying that no-one should buy PCP's, and for many people they are a neccesity over spring guns. All I am saying is that I found that I could do without one, and before you rush into buying a PCP, have a think about how, when, where and why you would use it.
After I had these thoughts I have never looked twice at a PCP and thought, 'I want that.' I'm not by any means saying that no-one should buy PCP's, and for many people they are a neccesity over spring guns. All I am saying is that I found that I could do without one, and before you rush into buying a PCP, have a think about how, when, where and why you would use it.
Aye it's a custom stock by Paul Wilson, one of his earlier ones.
B&M Modifications are long gone but i think the M is still doing conversions on a smaller scale and trading as xbandm.
PCP's have advantages and disadvantages, for occasional use a PCP is probably not worth the hassle, if you use more and want better accuracy, quieter shooting, multi shots and full power shots then PCP's are the way to go.
I use both because both have their place.
PCP's are much easier to shoot but I'd still recommend that people start with spring gun's and open sights so they learn the basics before moving on.
B&M Modifications are long gone but i think the M is still doing conversions on a smaller scale and trading as xbandm.
PCP's have advantages and disadvantages, for occasional use a PCP is probably not worth the hassle, if you use more and want better accuracy, quieter shooting, multi shots and full power shots then PCP's are the way to go.
I use both because both have their place.
PCP's are much easier to shoot but I'd still recommend that people start with spring gun's and open sights so they learn the basics before moving on.
spamel said:What's your thoughts on a bullpupped r*fle RB? I am used to firing the A2 SA80 which is bullpupped, and quite like the short length, but obviously air r*fles could be a different matter and I've never had a go on one. I remember seeing bullpupped r*fles years ago when I had my Stutzens ( :AR15firin), but I never saw one in the flesh. I like the top r*fle, I have this thing for thumbhole stocks!
The Bull pup air gun has a few differences over a rifle these can cause problems if you dont realize and can be an advantage if you use them.
Like the SA80 they are Cr p for a bayonet due to being short
Bull pups are generally a normal airgun action that has had a custom stock made to convert it
This means the Trigger mech is at the back so is brought fwd by rods and levers, If this is done badly it makes a Spongy nasty trigger you will usually have a loss of trigger feel the best ones are almost unperceivable.
Moving actions to the rear can cause loading or mag indexing to be more difficult and less natural (see the pictures below)
Balance can be a bit odd as the SA80 but a good conversion should address this
The main changes are Due to the Scope (sight lineCenter) being a lot Higher above the BarrelCenter this
You have to be careful to ensure the Barrel is shooting over close obstacles that the sight sees over.
High mounted Scopes can magnify and CANT errors
High mountScopes make close range shooting more difficult. By this I mean you need to be more accurate in your range finding at the closer ranges. And make longer range shooting easier as you need to be less accurate at range finding.This is why some FT shooters use high mounted scopes. Also why open sights are very good for close range and very difficult for long range due to bieing so tight to the Barrel center
I have my Hunting scope mounted at 2 above barrel center so I can maximize my advantage for my Trajectory and Multi line reticule at my desired ranges.
Some can have the scope not mounted to the action so miss alignment can cause problems
The most beautiful bull pup made was the sportsmatch GC2 Scimitar I think only 12 where made. I was lucky to have a guy in our FT club own one the stock is a work of art.
The oddest was a TX200 SR
atb
Duncan
I have an s400 thumbhole in 177 it's a cracking bunny basher (desperately in need of a re zero) my other half has a 400k also 177 and an equally good rifle although the balance of the thumbhole is so good it feels lighter than the 400k.
That said, Rapidboy that is one fine pice of lumber you have bolted onto your RN10 (or is it a Pro T) action, the 400 TH is the first thumb through stock I've been happy with it's just so pointable when you have it in your shoulder (looks a wee bit odd out of the aim though.
Cheers Tim
PS. theres also an ev2 up the stair but thats going on the market fairly soon
That said, Rapidboy that is one fine pice of lumber you have bolted onto your RN10 (or is it a Pro T) action, the 400 TH is the first thumb through stock I've been happy with it's just so pointable when you have it in your shoulder (looks a wee bit odd out of the aim though.
Cheers Tim
PS. theres also an ev2 up the stair but thats going on the market fairly soon
or for thos with rubbish stalking skills just walk near the rabbits and they will sit and hide not much further 10 meters away thats how i used to do it with my caterpult then i learnt to stalk but if your useing primitve game getting tools then the walk and point blank shoot works well
O
Old Timer
Guest
I teach air rifle use on Saturday mornings. Before shooting rabbits I would advise finding a local club where you can get some tuition and test your abilities. The rule of the responsible hunter is: If you are not 100% sure of a clean kill with your first shot. Don't take the shot. :AR15firin
When the revolution comes....and there is scant water and no electricity..and we go into survival mode and we all wish we had shotguns and heavy weapons...the compressed air enthusiasts will have a few shots to use wisely...( unless they have a pump )..whereas the springer brigade who were prepared with a few tins of .22s
will inherit the earth and lots of bunnies. At that time a springer will still be a weapon for as long as you have pellets , but after a couple of days a compressed air gun will be a length of metal tube with a lump of wood at one end. ( good for kindling )
think on it
Barry
will inherit the earth and lots of bunnies. At that time a springer will still be a weapon for as long as you have pellets , but after a couple of days a compressed air gun will be a length of metal tube with a lump of wood at one end. ( good for kindling )
think on it
Barry
beachcaster said:When the revolution comes....and there is scant water and no electricity..and we go into survival mode and we all wish we had shotguns and heavy weapons...the compressed air enthusiasts will have a few shots to use wisely...( unless they have a pump )..whereas the springer brigade who were prepared with a few tins of .22s
will inherit the earth and lots of bunnies. At that time a springer will still be a weapon for as long as you have pellets , but after a couple of days a compressed air gun will be a length of metal tube with a lump of wood at one end. ( good for kindling )
think on it
Barry
When the revolution comes my airguns (PCP's or springers) will be the last thing i reach for
Before i made the move to PCP i was worried about running out of air and filling dive bottles etc. etc. but it's really not a big hassle and i consider it well worth the effort when you see what PCP's can do.
Starting out i recommend a spring gun but PCP's are great gun's and worth the extra effort and money involved for the end result.
Old Timer said:
I've been hunting with rifles for most of my life. Shot just about everything, one can legally shooting in the UK and I'm never 100% sure of a clean kill.
John
Old Timer said:
thats pretty much the bottom line well said .
had a friend of mine laugh at me all day working on a squirell problem he was having when i brought in the first kill and he saw the shot he understood.
tbh a few years ago i gave the rifle away as increasingly it is becoming a problem finding genuine places to hunt ( i do not think hunting is a sport you are either shooting to keep populations down,conservation, or you are shooting for food anything else i think yu got personality problems)i find taget shooting though essential to keep the eye in extremely boring very quickly i enjoy the stalking watching patterens in behavour and eventually of course getting into good positoin for the shot . and in the end finding that meant i was only using the rifle for hunting a few times a year .
do like the idea of the co2 and gas guns as repeat shot would probably make target shooting more interesting though i have never tried this with any air gun and as i have moved back into town now havnt got anywhere to practice any how so sadly think shooting is now in the past for me .
point of comment being if new to guns question why you really want one how much real use you going to get from it and as quoted if new to shooting join club and learn how to shoot before going for kills .
Hmmn all well and good but I can't find a club in County Durham/Derwentside so I spose i'm stuffed lol.
Kev
There are rifle model specific points covered which may be of little use, but the general principles to the subject of airrifle shooting is well covered in this Canadian Cadet manual.
Or at least I found it of some help.
theres a range in sunderland, one near middlesborough
http://pic6.piczo.com/bdfirearms/?g=11960453&cr=6
and one near the newcastle airport
hth
any of the AA 400 / 410 family will make a great hunting gun
on scopes you get what you pay for and any feature costs so cheap scopes with lots of twiddles and bits are a false economy if on a budget go for simple. Dont get a Twiddle unless you understand it and know how to use it AND
Twiddles include
Large Zoom (more than say 3-9power)
Parallax Ajustment PA adj however many fixed PA scopes are set to Centerfire ranges so can cause problems at airgun ranges. Simple test - hold the scope so it cannot move and point it at a target 30-40 yrds away (on highest Zoom) now while looking at through it move your head slightly like a small nodding while watching the cross hair if the PA setting is a problem the cross hair will move of the target . Some fixed PA scopes can be reset ( some cannot) The problem is that you can be aiming at different places depending on the position of your eye even minute changes mean you miss or injure i hade one that had 2" of wobble at 40 yrds till i re set it .
Illuminated Reticule they do have used but not for most people.
Target Turrets mean you can easily change the zero used by the military and Target shooters can be used by hunters but takes a while to understand and utalise.
Large objective lenses ie 56mm - yes they will let more light in but so will turning down the magnification and if you buy a cheap one you lose on the lens quality any way plus they usually mean High mounts to get the scope on (this can be an advantage at onger ranges but not at closer ones.
30mm Bodys again bigger lenses mean better light transmission But as with large Obj Lens cheap ones dont
Mil Dot reticule. claimed to give extra aim points yes they do but not really usfull untill you get to 10 mag plus and best at 50mag in .177cal
Sidewheel Paralaxx adj - nice and can be helpfull in rangfinding in very high mag scopes But takes a lot of practice and skill to use well mainly for Target shooting.
So what do i use well all the twiddles
a 10-50x56mm 30mm Sidewheel PA Illum Mill DotReticule was £650 6 yrs ago
yes i did hunt with it now the scope is on a AAS200
or this 8-32x56 30mm Sidewheel PA Illum Multi line Reticule was £500 6 yrs ago
I use both for Competition and Hunting but I like and can use a very high mag for hunting
a good basic spec is a 3-12x50 30mm tube fixed (but reset) PA in the £120-£150 range
and yes you will find you spend 95% of the time on probably 6x and the rest on either 3 or 12
oh Rabbit cut it into cubes cover in batte and deep fry Rabbit Mc nuggets mmmmmmm with dips ( nice with pigeon to )
ATB
Duncan
pS i would have the 410 TDR if they did it in 0.177cal :swordfigh
I love the bottom rifle in your pictures, what is it?
