Packable Air Rifle

dave89

Nomad
Dec 30, 2012
436
7
Sheffield
I was just wondering if there was any small lightweight (ideal to carry around when hiking) air rifles that could be used on squirrel or rabbit?
 

Silverback 1

Native
Jun 27, 2009
1,216
0
65
WEST YORKSHIRE
Keep an eye out for a colchester gamekeeper.

Very few of those about now, like rocking horse poo, and the early ones were plagued with problems.

Air arms TDR might be worth a look, but things like this are a bit 'specialist' and always seem a bit pricey

airarms-tdr-1.jpg


Edit:- Sorry Mark, missed the last bit of your post :eek:
 
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HillBill

Bushcrafter through and through
Oct 1, 2008
8,166
159
W. Yorkshire
Id have the Skan.... 200 shots per fill... 32 round mag.( gotta flip it after 16)... almost semi auto.....Accurate as they come..

Verminators are nice though..... but I've not had a play.

Skans are just sexy. Mine had a custom silencer, twice the length of the standard one.
 
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Johnnyboy1971

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Dec 24, 2010
4,155
26
53
Yorkshire
I liked my Verminator but would have preferred the TDR as it can be shot in the broken down mode as a long pistol if needed.
 

peaks

Settler
May 16, 2009
722
5
Derbys
Crosman Backpacker is very useful short range tool if you can get hold of one - or make one from a 1377 or a 1322 with the various parts available from over here or from the States. Very discrete, very quiet. However, as I understand it, you can't legally in the UK convert a pistol into a rifle - the power of the converted pistol shouldn't go over 6 ft lb as the law still sees it as a pistol. The Backpacker can be legally modded to go above its standard power of around 8ft lb as it is designed and designated as a rifle.

Theres lots of info on the web about American users of 1377 or 1322 in standard trim using them for hunting. That is frowned on over here due to their lack of power.

Another alternative is to convert a 2250 Ratcatcher to compressed air- lots of info on the web for this - and use the Backpacker detachable stock. Considerably cheaper than other take down pneumatics, albeit not of the same quality. 2250 in CO2 is not consistent in power output in cold weather - although it is easily possible to mod them to get 10ft lb. OK for summer work, unreliable in winter.

You can detach the stock from the Benjamin Sheridan Blue Streak with just one bolt which makes it very discrete, fitting into a rucksack- but you can't easily fit a silencer and its not worth trying to fit a telescopic sight. Go for a peep sight instead. If you can live with these limitations and the pumping and that its .20, its a good tool putting out 10+ ft lb

Pump ups (in my opinion) help you become a better shot 'cos you know that a follow up shot is going to take a minute or so of pumping, so you make the first shot count! :)
Just remember that you need the land owners permission to shoot when out and about - firearms offences can be really expensive and liberty threatening
 
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peaks

Settler
May 16, 2009
722
5
Derbys
Pieinthe Sky - not sure if your comment is for me or the OP?
I hope that I have made it clear in my post that there are legal issues to be considered, not least obtaining the landowners permission for any kind of shooting. I'm not condoning poaching or any other illegal activity.
Not looking to start a long debate or an argument here.
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,893
2,145
Mercia
You make a good point peaks - the "when hiking" scenario would need Landowners permission for the length of the hike - even just carrying an airgun onto private land is likely to be seen as "armed trespass" (a criminal matter) - shooting (for example) a pigeon without permission would also be a criminal offence. As you say, potentially very serious.
 
You make a good point peaks - the "when hiking" scenario would need Landowners permission for the length of the hike - even just carrying an airgun onto private land is likely to be seen as "armed trespass" (a criminal matter) - shooting (for example) a pigeon without permission would also be a criminal offence. As you say, potentially very serious.


as long as you are on public rights of way and the rifle is correctly packed and you are moving to a location you have permission (Ie Good reason) to use your fine

It is an offence to have an airgun in a public place "without good reason", the proof being the responsibility of the possessor.
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,893
2,145
Mercia
as long as you are on public rights of way and the rifle is correctly packed and you are moving to a location you have permission (Ie Good reason) to use your fine

Quite right Duncan - provided you didn't set foot off a footpath and all your hikes end up at locations where you have lawful authority to shoot, you would be fine.

I am probably misinterpreting what the OP meant when he said
(ideal to carry around when hiking)
. Walking to a permission would indeed be fine. Just carrying it around on a hike (without the purpose of that hike to be walking to a permission) would not be.

I'm sure the OP wants and intends to be legal - hence my post.
 

dave89

Nomad
Dec 30, 2012
436
7
Sheffield
Just to clear things up, I'm taking about something to put away while im travelling around on foot. It might not even be between permissions could just be walking around one big permission.
 

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