Air Rifle for bunnies

[jthyttin]

Dont buy a Hatsan then, a grand is still dumb for plinking rabbits when you can get a good used rifle, like a s200 or s400.

Actually your comment was dumb, if buying blindly you get what you pay for, most of the time. My FX was around 500 Euro mark, years ago. Please suggest specific models and price ranges if you want to help the OP, along with what to check when buying.

 

[jthyttin]

What size air reservoir is that?

Maybe 185cc? It's the original 5.5mm FX Typhoon, and like said I get more than 12rds w/o velocity / POI dropping, but since I have the choice I try to refill at 12rds. From UK POV this is more recreational use. I don't get any benefit from extra shots, and if needed I know I have few of those. I've also upped the velocity a bit from factory figures.

 

[Morkai]

Actually your comment was dumb, if buying blindly you get what you pay for, most of the time. My FX was around 500 Euro mark, years ago. Please suggest specific models and price ranges if you want to help the OP, along with what to check when buying.

Jog on, pal.

 

[Overlay]

Springer hw97k faultless
Only 2 pcp’s ive had. FX loved it but kept leaking moved to Daystate wolverine best air rifle I’ve ever owned faultless the common denominator all have been .177 loads of views for and against but to 35 yds the 177 is my choice 100% consistent and very very accurate and reliable rabbits, squirrels rats feral pigeons does the lot with ease

 

[eggy74]

How many shots would a 500cc bottle do? Say 50ftlbs.

depends on the rating of the bottle but most are 250 bar which gives literally hundreds of shots at sub 12ft lb, i dont have an fac so cant really say what you would get if shooting at 50ft lb but i would think between 40 and 60 at a guess

 

[eggy74]

Yeah, dont buy an air rifle for a grand, what a waste, they're no better for the job than a sub £400 rifle.

youre not getting a quality, new pcp for £400.

 

[Morkai]

youre not getting a quality, new pcp for £400.

You dont have to go new.

 

[Alistair]

I used various air rifles extensively for this task during my teenage years, so I think I'm qualified to comment.

Top level, any quality air rifle will do the job. Springer, gas ram, pcp. .177 or .22

That said, the best tool, in my opinion, is a multi shot pcp in .177.

It's not intrinsically more accurate than a springer, but it's exponentially easier to shoot well. I do not exaggerate when I say that there is no rifle on earth that I shoot more accurately than a pcp air rifle. No recoil, nice light two stage trigger, it's playing on easy mode. Regulated or not doesn't really matter if you're only going to be taking 5-20 shots or so on an outing, nor does cylinder size. Most rifles will give 50 shots per fill which is plenty for rabbit control, even if some of them offer up to 5x that figure.

.177 and .22 do basically the same thing, and obviously provide the same power level, but the .177 has a flatter trajectory and is maybe slightly better with wind, both of which are important when 5yds range difference can be an inch of drop and the difference between a kill and a wound.

Some specific models that I have used for this task are the Weihrauch HW100, the Air Arms S510 (the 410 is basically the same), an Air Arms S200 with an aftermarket multi shot loading tray system, a Daystate Huntsman, a Daystate Wolverine, a Weihrauch HW95, a BSA Lightning. All were effective. My favorite is the HW100, but that is purely personal preference. As for the multi shot thing, a 'nice to have', but just as when hunting with centrefire, if you find you need a follow up, you'll be glad to have it.

As for the shooting itself, some general guidelines are to keep exclusively to head shots. Body shots can work, but I was not that pleased with terminal effect on a couple occasions, so I stopped doing them. Ranges depend on conditions, positions and skill levels, but in basically any circumstance 35-40yds would be as far as I'd go with a sub 12ftlbs gun. Standing shots, I'm talking more like 20-25yds at my skill level. If your buddy doesn't shoot much, it may be wise to limit himself to a shorter distance, at least whilst starting out. No shame in it, and bunnies deserve that courtesy.

Scopes, no need to spend masses of money, unless you especially want to. Something in the 1-6 or 2-10x range works just fine, and a focus ring on which you can stick some range markers can be a useful tool for range estimation, especially with the higher magnifications. Buy something air rifle specific, it will need to be able to focus down to 10yds potentially, and most centre fire optics don't do that.

A laser range finder is an extremely useful tool if it's in budget, and the air rifle models good out to shorter distances aren't crazy expensive.

Pellets, anything by a quality brand worked just fine. I found domed designs most accurate and (IMO) any fancy designs with expansion claims are mostly snake oil at 12ftlbs. Flatheads were a good option for shorter range rats, but dropped more. I used Daystate Li or RWS Superdomes in most things as my rifles liked 'em, but there's plenty of good options.

Dive bottle or pump depends on how much you want to shoot. I had a bottle as I did a lot of FT and HFT comps with high shot counts. If it's just a pest control rifle with low round counts, a pump is going to be just fine.

 

[eggy74]

You dont have to go new.

I dont like buying other peoples problems, that is why most guns get sold on in my opinion. Also you dont get a second hand market unless people are buying new guns, besides that, a grand isnt much.

 

[Heym SR20]

A Weirauch powered by a spring of some sort. They last forever, well built and accurate.

PCPs are nice, but costly and whole host of other faff in charging etc etc.

Very much depends on whether you like simplicity and self contained or not. A springer also has some recoil so feels like a proper rifle.

 

[Morkai]

I dont like buying other peoples problems, that is why most guns get sold on in my opinion. Also you dont get a second hand market unless people are buying new guns, besides that, a grand isnt much.

That's fine, although, with shooting like fishing and other hobbies, people become tackle tarts and buy loads of gear.

Just look on the classifieds here, always good stuff going after upgrades or not being used, not because its broken.

Personally, a grand is a lot, and especially a lot for a 12ft/lb air rifle. Even if that's what the mid to higher end starting cost is, it's not something I would spend.

I would on a centrefire, just not an air rifle. I'd get something secondhand and well looked after.

 

[Overlay]

A friend of mine has just paid monies out for an air rifle in 177 you could buy a blaser with, its bull pup type by Daystate, it has in built pressure adjuster, measures individual shots, all electronic night vision, LRF and bullet compensating reticule adjustment
I put a pic up of it somewhere but donk here can’t find it

The one he chopped in for it cost £800 and he has shot that for 2-3 years constantly same again a Daystate, I cannot recall him shooting any better with the new one because he never missed with the old one either
I’ve seen him shoot over 60 rabbits and not miss a shot only once did he miss and he gets multiple reminders to up his game because he missed on a regular basis

He loves all the wireless magic of it all linked into his thermal, Nv scope, LRF and reticule adjuster,

He would shoot well with anything he just puts the energy into it and is a very very very. Yawn patient person

God bless him

 

[Rookandrabbit]

Excellent advice offered by @Alistair . Depending on budget some of the Reximex range may be worth a look as they offer bargain air rifles not only bullpup style but also to those clad in walnut stocks with adjustable cheek piece and with a regulator.
They all seem to be getting good reviews from people on the Airgun forums who have either used or bought one.
Yes they are Turkish but seem to be a bit better quality than some of the other Turkish makes.

1+ for the HW100 and HW95……..choosing a rifle is also a personal thing, fit, finish ,purpose, weight, accuracy, spring, pcp, bullpup carbine full length rifle etc ……………………so

Good luck and I hope your friend is happy with their choice.

 

[bob_lee_swagger]

You won't go wrong with a Mk2 FX in either calibre imo. Standard straight out the box they are phenomenally good. With a few mods even better.

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

Springers are massively harder to shoot as accurately. They are all hold sensitive to one extent or another.

They also don't have magazines so additional shots require a lot of movement to reload. The wounded quarry - or spooked second rabbit- will have time to get away while you reload a springer.

You also can't cock a springer whilst lying prone without rolling all over the place.

You can't normally use a springer with a bipod or on sticks- which further reduces accuracy.

If you want to give a 13 year old years of cheap low maintenance fun- buy them a springer. If you want an occasional use backup gun you can leave in a car- a springer. For everything else- PCP.

If money isn't a major deal- anything from Weirauch or Air Arms is a safe bet. If you want some top kit- FX. They will all kill pests equally well.

If you have a range finder- or will use a scope/thermal etc with a range finder- 22 kills slightly better. It's more forgiving of marginal shot placement. No one puts the pellet in the perfect place every time. When you dont- the 22 is more likely to disable the quarry so you get a second shot off. Without a range finder- 177 is likely the more suitable calibre as the slightly better killing power is normally outweighed by the loopier trajectory.

 

[LuckyEddie]

Been shooting air rifles for 40+ years.

Started off with springers and still have the HW80 in .20
Also have an Air Arms S410 in .22

Their usage depends on the type of shooting I’m doing.
Mooching around a wood or field I’m happy with the springer.
In a hide for any length of time I’ll take the S410.

Accuracy with the springer can be achieved with practise.
I practise with fired shotgun cartridges at 30yds standing, freehand until I knock 10 in a row.
Costs were £200 (new 30 years ago) a service and new spring every 5years (can be longer depending on the amount of shooting).

The pcp cost £450 (secondhand) + small air bottle for the field £50 (secondhand) + recert every so often £50 + fast charge whip £20. The seals can deteriorate faster than the 80’s spring.

Both rifles are pellet fussy.
HW80 prefers light pellets 11.42 grains
The S410 prefers 5.53mm dia as opposed to 5.5mm.

So whatever is chosen there may be a period of trialing different pellets until the best is found.

I hardly every use a rangefinder.
I prefer to know my ground with various markers, gates, trees, boulders, etc.

In a paddock, I’d put canes in the ground on the fence-line, marked in some way so that they are easily seen and at set distances from the place the shooting will be done from. Again removes the need for a rangefinder.

I only use the tripod in a hide all else is freehand or leaning against a fencepost/tree/building.

But that’s just me and I tend to keep kit to a minimum (some call me lazy).

 

[Overlay]

Been shooting air rifles for 40+ years.

Started off with springers and still have the HW80 in .20
Also have an Air Arms S410 in .22

Their usage depends on the type of shooting I’m doing.
Mooching around a wood or field I’m happy with the springer.
In a hide for any length of time I’ll take the S410.

Accuracy with the springer can be achieved with practise.
I practise with fired shotgun cartridges at 30yds standing, freehand until I knock 10 in a row.
Costs were £200 (new 30 years ago) a service and new spring every 5years (can be longer depending on the amount of shooting).

The pcp cost £450 (secondhand) + small air bottle for the field £50 (secondhand) + recert every so often £50 + fast charge whip £20. The seals can deteriorate faster than the 80’s spring.

Both rifles are pellet fussy.
HW80 prefers light pellets 11.42 grains
The S410 prefers 5.53mm dia as opposed to 5.5mm.

So whatever is chosen there may be a period of trialing different pellets until the best is found.

I hardly every use a rangefinder.
I prefer to know my ground with various markers, gates, trees, boulders, etc.

In a paddock, I’d put canes in the ground on the fence-line, marked in some way so that they are easily seen and at set distances from the place the shooting will be done from. Again removes the need for a rangefinder.

I only use the tripod in a hide all else is freehand or leaning against a fencepost/tree/building.

But that’s just me and I tend to keep kit to a minimum (some call me lazy).

My brothers HW 97K its heavy, under-lever, hard to cock laying down etc etc The pellets at 35 yds go on top of each other, rabbits fall over in .177 calibre all day and night

I shoot a pcp in 177 and get the some accuracy and also quiet multi shots, no accuracy difference if i’m honest, pcp is a faster easier rifle, but also the cost 3 times as much so there is a difference but only in dollar shelled out

 

[Flash G 74]

Hello, Where are you in UK, I have a 177 and 22 that I am looking to sell

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

@LuckyEddie

Knowing your ground and using sticks and other markers works great if you only have a small amount of ground and don't shoot many other calibres IMO.

But firearms makes you lazy- knowing trajectories of different calibres is tricky- especially when a 177 pellet at 50 yards has the same sort of drop below zero as your deer calibre does at 250 yards or something crazy.

When you stretch a sub 12 air gun out to 60+ yards it gets real Loopy real quick. Mis judging the range by even 5 yards makes a significant difference.

If you specialise in Air rifles and practice all the time- some people make it work. But IMO if you shoot other calibres in a wide range of conditions- memorising trajectories and distances on ground is much much harder IMO.

 

[Nimrod1960]

@LuckyEddie

Knowing your ground and using sticks and other markers works great if you only have a small amount of ground and don't shoot many other calibres IMO.

But firearms makes you lazy- knowing trajectories of different calibres is tricky- especially when a 177 pellet at 50 yards has the same sort of drop below zero as your deer calibre does at 250 yards or something crazy.

When you stretch a sub 12 air gun out to 60+ yards it gets real Loopy real quick. Mis judging the range by even 5 yards makes a significant difference.

If you specialise in Air rifles and practice all the time- some people make it work. But IMO if you shoot other calibres in a wide range of conditions- memorising trajectories and distances on ground is much much harder IM

PM me details and I will pass on to my mate, we are based in N Worcs,