rabbit hunting tips / best practise

[Hiran]

Greetings!

Luckily, I have an opportunity to go rabbit hunting but have some questions for anyone with experience.

• What distance do you generally keep from the rabbits? (dont want to be too close or too far either). Is 25 yards too close? Is 50 yards more sensible?
• What distance do you keep your scope zeroed in at for hunting rabbits? Generally I keep my scope zeroed at 25 yards because I mostly use indoors at 25y, I compensate as required for longer distances for the occasional outdoor shoot. However, I intend to have a separate rifle and scope for hunting rabbits, so wondering what is a sensible distance to zero in at.
• Currently I have a .22LR rim fire rifle but worried it would be too loud even with a silencer, so thinking to get an air rifle specifically for this job.
• Would a standard 12ft lbs air rifle be sufficient or is it worth getting a FAC air rifle instead? Are there any drawbacks to a FAC rifle? I expect 12ft lbs rifle is okay to a certain distance, but is it still worth having a FAC rifle anyway as the primary rifle for all rabbit hunting regardless of distance?

Essentially, I just want to understand what is considered good practise for rabbit hunting so I can be off to a good start with the knowledge and wisdom of more experienced folks on this forum If anyone has any tips or advice, im all ears!

 

[Nickb]

A .22lr is perfect for shooting rabbits , zero at 50yds .

 

[bullet chucker]

.22 Rim fires have a tendency to ricochet so the utmost caution is mandatory in most situations, an FAC air rifle reduces this risk considerably and can be very efficient. A 12ft lb air gun will do the job with the need of field craft to get you into sensible killing' ranges for consistent results.

BC

 

[Hiran]

.22 Rim fires have a tendency to ricochet so the utmost caution is mandatory in most situations, an FAC air rifle reduces this risk considerably and can be very efficient. A 12ft lb air gun will do the job with the need of field craft to get you into sensible killing' ranges for consistent results.

BC

What do you consider a sensible killing range for a 12ft lb / FAC? I would have thought a .22 rim fire would be quite a reliable option? (apart from being a bit louder)

 

[Trickyd66]

22LR is more than up to the job, but you say it is mainly for target on a 25m range.
Does your certificate allow for use other than target shooting? Are there any restrictions on your certificate with regard to land deemed suitable by chief of police , if so, has the land been "cleared/authorised "?

 

[Stevie/P]

.22 rim fire is the way to go zero at 50 yards with reliable subs wouldn’t bother with air rifle waste of space if 12ft lbs

 

[Hiran]

22LR is more than up to the job, but you say it is mainly for target on a 25m range.
Does your certificate allow for use other than target shooting? Are there any restrictions on your certificate with regard to land deemed suitable by chief of police , if so, has the land been "cleared/authorised "?

Do I need to have a special permission on my license to use my rifle to hunt? I have permission from the land owner, is that what you mean by cleared/authorised?

 

[bullet chucker]

20yards @ 12 ft lb should get the job done if you are accurate every time? allow for wind and either .22/177? Have you shot a rim fire other than on a rifle range? ie' with NO' designated back stop?

BC.

 

[Hiran]

20yards @ 12 ft lb should get the job done if you are accurate every time? allow for wind and either .22/177? Have you shot a rim fire other than on a rifle range? ie' with NO' designated back stop?

BC.

I have not, only shot the 22LR in a range with backstop and in competitions.

 

[Trickyd66]

Do I need to have a special permission on my license to use my rifle to hunt? I have permission from the land owner, is that what you mean by cleared/authorised?

Post a pic of the bottom of your FAC ( not personal details at the top!) Sections 5 and 6 from memory and it will show what you can use your rifle for.

 

[Hiran]

Post a pic of the bottom of your FAC ( not personal details at the top!) Sections 5 and 6 from memory and it will show what you can use your rifle for.

What wording would you expect to find that would give green light to conduct pest control? Is land owner permission not enough in addition to license?

 

[Beretta V]

A 12ft lb air rifle preferably a pcp will happily take rabbits to 40 yards if you are a good shot.
Fac air will increase this to 60-70 yards depending upon power etc. Fac air can be air hungry and unless you have something with a very large shot count then it’s not worth it.
A .22lr is a great piece of kit, ideal for rabbits up to 100 yards max. They can ricochet so back stop is very important!
What is the land like where you are shooting? This would help make your decision.
Also sub 12 air, bottle etc looking around £500 for something s/h and similar for fac air. .22lr can be had from £50 upwards!

 

[Beretta V]

What wording would you expect to find that would give green light to conduct pest control? Is land owner permission not enough in addition to license?

Aolq any other legal quarry.

 

[Hiran]

Aolq any other legal quarry.

If I dont have this wording, is it a fairly easy process to have it added? Is it a case of submitting for a variation, same as if i want to add a different calibre? Will the police ask alot of questions if I want to include any other legal quarry?

 

[Beretta V]

If I dont have this wording, is it a fairly easy process to have it added? Is it a case of submitting for a variation, same as if i want to add a different calibre? Will the police ask alot of questions if I want to include any other legal quarry?

I’m not 100% on what you have to do in this situation as I have always had it on my ticket.

What’s the land like where you intend to shoot? Is it cleared for a .22lr?

 

[Hiran]

I’m not 100% on what you have to do in this situation as I have always had it on my ticket.

What’s the land like where you intend to shoot? Is it cleared for a .22lr?

Its 10 acres of farm land so quite open, but ive not see where the rabbits are situated yet.

 

[bigtone]

If your firearms and ammunition are conditioned for range use only then you can't use your guns to shoot anywhere else.You need to speak to your flo and see what he says.He will have to satisfy himself that you are safe to shoot on land and also that the land is suitable.There is a world of difference between shooting at a range and shooting in the fields.

 

[Hiran]

If your firearms and ammunition are conditioned for range use only then you can't use your guns to shoot anywhere else.You need to speak to your flo and see what he says.He will have to satisfy himself that you are safe to shoot on land and also that the land is suitable.There is a world of difference between shooting at a range and shooting in the fields.

Would an air gun be my best option then until I can get validation from the FLO? Fac rated or 12 ft lb?

 

[bigtone]

Personally I'd get a sub 12 airgun and learn some field craft.After a while the rabbits will get wise to you so you'll need something to shoot them from a longer distance.Then get in touch with the flo and ask if you can have (ground) vermin added to your certificate.Its all about being a safe shot and showing you know when/where to pull the trigger.If you know anyone who can take you out shooting and show you the ropes then that's a bonus.I use RF, CF,fac air and shotgun but most of my vermin shooting ( rats , rabbit's) is with a sub 12 brk ghost with night vision.

 

[maximus otter]

Get into Ryman stationery in your High Street. Buy a pack of their 30mm self-adhesive orange discs to use as targets.

Put one disc on each of several sheets of A4 printer paper.

Using a measuring tape, place one target 10 yards from your firing point, one 15 yards, one 20 yards and so on.

Now - using exactly the equipment and shooting position that you will be using in the field - fire a 3-shot group at each target in succession, nearest to farthest.

The range at which your first bullet strikes outside a 30mm disc is beyond your maximum field shooting distance. Restrict yourself to closer shots.

maximus otter