Shooting with a catapult

Still missing the point about close proximity to a road then....

No because if it's not safe with an aimed shot from a sub 12 ft/lbs airgun it is not safe with a lead or steel ball from a catapult.

Both, being balls, are a far greater danger of a ricochet than any air pellet fired downwards from a bedroom window at lawn or soil.

And will be well capable if striking the windscreen of a moving vehicle of breaking it or dismounting a motorcyclist if striking his or her visor.

The air rifle is IMHO the far safer option than a high power catapult (which it will have to be to kill your quarry) throwing a lead ball or steel ball bearing. They will go everywhere at the least encouragement!
 
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A good few years ago I was shooting a catapult with 10mm BBs in the garden about 15m away. One hit a fairly substantial rock in the dirt and bounced straight back through the kitchen window. Wouldn't have happened with an air rifle.
 
Could you point to the section that excludes catapults please? Purely out of interest, not calling you out

I didn't suggest that there specifically were mate, I merely answered the question is there any legislation that applies and pointed out the legislation that covers it which. I had forgotten about the Wild Mammals Act and also the open general licence for whichever country you live in needs to be taken into consideration.

Now get your shooting irons on and I'll see you in the high street at noon.:twisted:
 
No because if it's not safe with an aimed shot from a sub 12 ft/lbs airgun it is not safe with a lead or steel ball from a catapult.

Both, being balls, are a far greater danger of a ricochet than any air pellet fired downwards from a bedroom window at lawn or soil.

And will be well capable if striking the windscreen of a moving vehicle of breaking it or dismounting a motorcyclist if striking his or her visor.

The air rifle is IMHO the far safer option than a high power catapult (which it will have to be to kill your quarry) throwing a lead ball or steel ball bearing. They will go everywhere at the least encouragement!


Are you being deliberately irritating or do you not know its an offence to fire an air rifle within 50ft of a road, all they need to do is say of it made a loud pop and inconvenienced me and the plod would be round quick smart? Richochets/passthrough etc has nothing to do with this.

I don't think a larsen trap in the back garden would go down well with the neighbours either.
 
How would a passing car hear or even know that a shot from an air rifle had occurred??
For it to be an offence someone has to be alarmed or distressed. If as you say you're being discreet from behind a curtain upstairs then I do t see how this would be an issue. I really think you're over thinking this one. Air rifle all day long, accurate, sub 12 foot lb it'll be perfectly deadly but with minimum further risk unlike the alternative you're suggesting. I dont think Enfield is being irritating, but very sensible.
 
How would a passing car hear or even know that a shot from an air rifle had occurred??
For it to be an offence someone has to be alarmed or distressed. If as you say you're being discreet from behind a curtain upstairs then I do t see how this would be an issue. I really think you're over thinking this one. Air rifle all day long, accurate, sub 12 foot lb it'll be perfectly deadly but with minimum further risk unlike the alternative you're suggesting. I dont think Enfield is being irritating, but very sensible.

But it doesn't have to be a car occupant though does it, just someone using the highway so if a pedestrian here's it and takes exception you're asking for trouble. I'm with the OP on this, use of afire arm is too risky.
 
I didn't suggest that there specifically were mate, I merely answered the question is there any legislation that applies and pointed out the legislation that covers it which. I had forgotten about the Wild Mammals Act and also the open general licence for whichever country you live in needs to be taken into consideration.

Now get your shooting irons on and I'll see you in the high street at noon.:twisted:

I've just checked, section 5 of the WCA 1981 which lists the prohibited methods of killing or taking wild birds makes absolutely no mention catapults and the general licence only mention the use of lawful methods and highlight the methods that can be employed in contravention of the above act eg use of semi automatic weapons or illuminating devices for feral pigeons..... so sir, I feel you may well be incorrect and I'll see you at noon :-)
 
only you can decide if a shot is safe of not and thats it, and deerstalker308 is right about what he says when firing within 50ft of a highway (only an offence if you basicaly upset somone) and the only way your going to get into any trouble with using a catapult is if what your doing is inhumane or if you damage some thing or someone but im reasonably sure your not going to try and shoot a magpie of somones head or a crow through somones car window. But what i will say is the likes of gamekeeper john make shooting a catapult look very easy and it just isnt, its very good fun and very satisfying if you manage to kill somthing but go and chuck a coke can on the floor then walk back 15yrds and try to hit it then once youve done that try hitting somthing the size of a golf ball which is what your going to have to do as you will need to be hitting your quarry in the head to kill it and it really isnt that easy but good luck and have fun
 
If you are worried about shooting within 50 feet of the centre of a highway should you also consider that controling corvids to protect song birds falls out side of the open general license?
Jake
 
Are you being deliberately irritating or do you not know its an offence to fire an air rifle within 50ft of a road]

Ah. Indeed. Misread law misapplied.*

I think you need to look up what the law actually SAYS and ALL the elements that need to be both present and proved for the offence you appear to be trying to construct to be 'made'.

But instead you respond to a well intentioned comment with remarks about 'being irritating' and a passer-by hearing 'large pops' get your catapult and lead balls or steel BB.

Then wait for your passer-by on being 'upset' by the distinct noise of a catapult being fired (louder than any sub 12 ft/lb PCP air rifle with good moderator) to make a report of you poking your arm with it, out of your 2nd floor upstairs window, to take pot shots at highway users.

I'm sure the police will be impressed being told 'it's not an airgun, it's a catapult' and 'I wasn't firing at highway users I was firing at magpies and pigeons'

With respect, but you really, really, haven't thought this through have you?
 
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But it doesn't have to be a car occupant though does it, just someone using the highway so if a pedestrian here's it and takes exception you're asking for trouble. I'm with the OP on this, use of afire arm is too risky.


Thank you least someone has some common sense. All it needs is someone to see a visual not even the noise and that would be enough for a visit.
 
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