Fac air is it worth it ?

[.222roebuck]

Good afternoon,
I’m toying with the idea of an fac airgun mainly for squirrel control , I have a rimfire bit for safety reasons that’s out if shooting squirrels in trees , I’ve tried a moderated .410 with limited success , I know people recommend gas guns but to be honest I hear of nothing but problems with them , are there any fac springers that are worth it ?

Best , James

 

[old keeper]

Although expensive, PCP, FAC air rifles are brilliant. I've never regretted owning several of them. They fit in nicely beside Rimfires, squirrels aren't too keen on them though. Personally, I wouldn't go down the springer route.

 

[.222roebuck]

Although expensive, PCP, FAC air rifles are brilliant. I've never regretted owning several of them. They fit in nicely beside Rimfires, squirrels aren't too keen on them though. Personally, I wouldn't go down the springer route.

Thank you for your reply , the lads I know using gas guns are always complaining of broken seals etc I know if I went out and it was flat I wouldn’t be impressed….

 

[B&W FOX]

I wouldn't go down the spring fac route again.
Seal's on my airarms have lasted 5 years, even then a service with seal kit wasn't expensive.
Just make sure you have somewhere local that can do bottle fills.and testing.

 

[David.evans]

Nowt better for tree rats , 18g .22 will knock them clean out of trees
good luck

 

[Zetter]

Got to echo this for Squizzers FAC air is my go to gun it does give you a lot of options above standard air and opens up body shots if needed. Which I personally wouldnt entertain with sub 12 as they can be a surprisingly tough little animal for their size.
I would avoid springers tbh especially with the amount of PCPs at reasonable prices now. Trouble is with the springers quality maker ones are few and far between due to FAC air being a really nich market and there are a lot of dogs out there that have been messed about with.
I did have a .25 cal for a while in FAC but that always felt a bit excessive really for squirrels though to be fair noting really was a runner ever.

 

[glasshalffull]

No

 

[Bo Diddley]

Modern PCP air rifles are generally very reliable. I have an FX Crown VP in.22 and I love stalking squirrels through the woods using a thermal spotter, it's a great way to spend time in the winter.
Possibly avoid some of the earlier stuff like MK1 FX Impacts,,, well avoid Impacts full stop IMHO , plenty of folks rave over them. Lots to choose from, ask advice on the AirgunForumUK.

 

[LuckyEddie]

It depends on how you hunt.
If I’m in a hide, I’ll use my .22 sub 12ftlb S410.
If I’m mooching about the woods I’ll take my .20 HW80 again sub 12ftlb.
No comments from the squirrels I’ve taken with it.

 

[Kevgun]

You don't need FAc Air for squirrels a sub 12 .177 does the job a treat out to 45 yards if you don't want the hassle of a PCP 9 although there isn't much ) Look at the HW77 PCP accuracy from a spring rifle straight out of the Box, perfect for knocking Squirrels out of trees

 

[Bowland blades]

Good afternoon,
I’m toying with the idea of an fac airgun mainly for squirrel control , I have a rimfire bit for safety reasons that’s out if shooting squirrels in trees , I’ve tried a moderated .410 with limited success , I know people recommend gas guns but to be honest I hear of nothing but problems with them , are there any fac springers that are worth it ?

Best , James

Not really , especially when shooting upwards ( trajectory curve works on the horizonal mot the vertical . Lets say you shooting at a 1 o'clock target - Just adjust for wind !
A real good spring piston air rifle is a joy i use a Steve Pope built internals HW80 a lot of years and have owned and used a lot of airguns PCP , Gas Ram , Spring , Pump up even . That 80 lazerglide has done everything i need as regards pest control .
Consider also 22 LR with CCI Quiets in the target designation if you have a 22lr . Very handy with very shot fall down curves when shot skyward due to much reduced power

 

[villaman]

Modern PCP air rifles are generally very reliable. I have an FX Crown VP in.22 and I love stalking squirrels through the woods using a thermal spotter, it's a great way to spend time in the winter.
Possibly avoid some of the earlier stuff like MK1 FX Impacts,,, well avoid Impacts full stop IMHO , plenty of folks rave over them. Lots to choose from, ask advice on the AirgunForumUK.

Have a crown .22 running at 42 ftlbs & .25 impact running at 72 ftlbs and never had a problem in 5 half years , most problems are caused by owners mucking about with them with out having a clue what they are doing

 

[villaman]

Fao told me the other day , a lot are giving up with .22 lr and doing a variation for FAC air for a very good reason . FAC air is more versatile than .22lr . I can take mine down to sub12 in seconds including altering scope

 

[Gm81]

Wife and I have an s510 and s410. Brilliant squirrel guns. Everything an air rifle should be. I have a standard hw80 for the garden.
They have been really good guns.

 

[villaman]

Modern PCP air rifles are generally very reliable. I have an FX Crown VP in.22 and I love stalking squirrels through the woods using a thermal spotter, it's a great way to spend time in the winter.
Possibly avoid some of the earlier stuff like MK1 FX Impacts,,, well avoid Impacts full stop IMHO , plenty of folks rave over them. Lots to choose from, ask advice on the AirgunForumUK.

Nothing wrong with impact’s , may be the owner are the problem!!

 

[Bo Diddley]

Nothing wrong with impact’s , may be the owner are the problem!!

Yes, I know you love yours and I'm sure a few others will be along to say the same... I did say "IMHO " (Should have kept quiet )

 

[LarryLightFoot]

I used a .22 FAC PCP regularly for squirrels and today was no exception, perfect for the job .

 

[oldhamstocks]

I'm forever toying with the idea of FAC air especially given the need for an AWL up here, but sub-12 does me just fine for squirrels/pests in barns, rabbits of opportunity, etc. Use an HW100 inside with NV, but get more enjoyment using an HW99 (Imp Mk2), and my beloved olde Webley Omega and Longbow, traipsing through the woods. Spring power and pellet, self-contained heaven. All are in .22 and very accurate out to 35 yards.

 

[Matt.]

Good afternoon,
I’m toying with the idea of an fac airgun mainly for squirrel control , I have a rimfire bit for safety reasons that’s out if shooting squirrels in trees , I’ve tried a moderated .410 with limited success , I know people recommend gas guns but to be honest I hear of nothing but problems with them , are there any fac springers that are worth it ?

Best , James

I’d say 100% go for an FAC air rifle for squirrel control. The pest control lad on the estate I work on (Cornbury) bought an FAC hw100 about 4 yrs ago for exactly the reasons you’re considering one, he absolutely raves about it. I’ve been out shooting with him too and it’s impressively effective and accurate. I only ever remember him having one problem with it - a small leak out the fill port valve (this was just a simple o-ring change and it was sorted)

I personally love them and shoot an old pcp FX2000 myself for squirrels and ratting on cover crops with both a day scope and a thermal, some of the purest form of shooting I think.

Go for it, you won’t regret it.

Matt

 

[villaman]

Hw100 aren’t the best at FAC level

I’d say 100% go for an FAC air rifle for squirrel control. The pest control lad on the estate I work on (Cornbury) bought an FAC hw100 about 4 yrs ago for exactly the reasons you’re considering one, he absolutely raves about it. I’ve been out shooting with him too and it’s impressively effective and accurate. I only ever remember him having one problem with it - a small leak out the fill port valve (this was just a simple o-ring change and it was sorted)

I personally love them and shoot an old pcp FX2000 myself for squirrels and ratting on cover crops with both a day scope and a thermal, some of the purest form of shooting I think.

Go for it, you won’t regret it.

Matt

HW100 aren’t the best for FAC same as rapids but you definitely can’t beat HW100 in sub 12