F.A.C rifle

[upton_david 0]

Hello all, i am looking to buy a fac air gun in the next few weeks. I am looking for a few suggestions. I am looking to shoot rabbits and magpies etc. What power should I be looking at and for what reason ??? Look forward to a reply soon...... hopefully get a few differences of opinion !!!

 

Speak soon ..... Thanksssssssss

[halamrose 24]

I just bought an AA s410e doing 34 ftLb which I've zeroed at 45 yds using AA field and its about 1/2" high at 35 and 40 Yds. Mines an older one without safety catch, I was too eager and wish I'd thought about that harder. I could upgrade to the later trigger with built in safety but I don't like the idea of touching the trigger to apply the safety.

 

Alternatives I considered were Rapid 7 which all seemed to costly for me or BSA S10 which I would have bought if one came up locally but I'd have a slight reservation that its said to be too complex for DIY.

 

In the end I got over enthusiastic and bought the first FAC air rifle which I could afford and was within sensible distance. It took a lot of experimentation to find pellets it likes but now thats figured out I'm happy enough.

 

Enjoy

 

Halam

[RicW 67]

Not a put-down, but why not post this in the Air-gun forum? There are some good blokes there who can give you better advice than you'll get from us powder burners!

 

Ric

[sibaldib 6]

I have thought about this many times over the years, but do not think the expense of a FAC air rifle can be justified. You are probably extending the range of a good quality air rifle by 20 yds.

To be honest I still feel I am better off with a sub 12ft/lb rifle and a rimfire. The rimmie is accurate to about yds consistently with a degree of holdover. I know I can knock down rabbits at 45 yds consistently with my HW100, so anything over that I leave or wait until I have the rimfire.

The only thing is that I will not shoot upwards with the rimfire, so roosting pigeons/magpies are off the agenda.

 

Cheers

 

Sib

[upton_david 0]

Not a put-down, but why not post this in the Air-gun forum? There are some good blokes there who can give you better advice than you'll get from us powder burners!

 

Ric

 

Hi ya, hanks for the reply, I put a post on the air gun part and got told it should be on here...... dont know if i am coming or going !!!! ha ha. I am going to be getting an hmr of sorts and a shotty, so will be looking for a bit of advice on these !!! so I guess i will be joining you "powder burners" soon.... cheers matey, speak soon !!

[upton_david 0]

I have thought about this many times over the years, but do not think the expense of a FAC air rifle can be justified. You are probably extending the range of a good quality air rifle by 20 yds.

To be honest I still feel I am better off with a sub 12ft/lb rifle and a rimfire. The rimmie is accurate to about yds consistently with a degree of holdover. I know I can knock down rabbits at 45 yds consistently with my HW100, so anything over that I leave or wait until I have the rimfire.

The only thing is that I will not shoot upwards with the rimfire, so roosting pigeons/magpies are off the agenda.

 

Cheers

 

Sib

 

Hello there, very interesting points so thanks for your reply.... You talk about this Rim fire.... I was talked out of this style of rifle due to the unsafe ammo !!! I intend to buy a hmr within the next couple of months. My main shoot is on a golf course but I am not aloud to shoot a full rifle on the course, although i have been granted permission to shoot a fac rifle !!! We have foxs which i am very keen on shooting...... fox vs air gun (fac)........ not to sure !!!! ??? any suggestions on this front ??? I am selling my hw100 to fund my new selection of guns but I must admit he hw100 is a cracking gun and i will be sad to see it go !!!!

[donnyc 1,203]

I have thought about this many times over the years, but do not think the expense of a FAC air rifle can be justified. You are probably extending the range of a good quality air rifle by 20 yds.

To be honest I still feel I am better off with a sub 12ft/lb rifle and a rimfire. The rimmie is accurate to about yds consistently with a degree of holdover. I know I can knock down rabbits at 45 yds consistently with my HW100, so anything over that I leave or wait until I have the rimfire.

The only thing is that I will not shoot upwards with the rimfire, so roosting pigeons/magpies are off the agenda.

 

Cheers

 

Sib

 

Hello there, very interesting points so thanks for your reply.... You talk about this Rim fire.... I was talked out of this style of rifle due to the unsafe ammo !!! I intend to buy a hmr within the next couple of months. My main shoot is on a golf course but I am not aloud to shoot a full rifle on the course, although i have been granted permission to shoot a fac rifle !!! We have foxs which i am very keen on shooting...... fox vs air gun (fac)........ not to sure !!!! ??? any suggestions on this front ??? I am selling my hw100 to fund my new selection of guns but I must admit he hw100 is a cracking gun and i will be sad to see it go !!!!

Dont..

[upton_david 0]

I just bought an AA s410e doing 34 ftLb which I've zeroed at 45 yds using AA field and its about 1/2" high at 35 and 40 Yds. Mines an older one without safety catch, I was too eager and wish I'd thought about that harder. I could upgrade to the later trigger with built in safety but I don't like the idea of touching the trigger to apply the safety.

 

Alternatives I considered were Rapid 7 which all seemed to costly for me or BSA S10 which I would have bought if one came up locally but I'd have a slight reservation that its said to be too complex for DIY.

 

In the end I got over enthusiastic and bought the first FAC air rifle which I could afford and was within sensible distance. It took a lot of experimentation to find pellets it likes but now thats figured out I'm happy enough.

 

Enjoy

 

Halam

 

Hi, thanks for your reply..... very informative !! I was advised by a friend who ownes a mk 1 rapid seven to buy a air arms..... He thinks the rapid 7 weighs to much and is not easy to shoot with. If you had bought a newer model of he AA do you feel you would be happy with the gun ?? Were you aiming to purchase a gun with 34 foot pound or did it just happen ??? Is the case not the more power the better ???????

Thanks for the reply.......

Dave.

[sibaldib 6]

Don't sell your HW100. You wil regret it!

 

Cheers

 

Sib

[halamrose 24]

 

Hi, thanks for your reply..... very informative !! I was advised by a friend who ownes a mk 1 rapid seven to buy a air arms..... He thinks the rapid 7 weighs to much and is not easy to shoot with. If you had bought a newer model of he AA do you feel you would be happy with the gun ?? Were you aiming to purchase a gun with 34 foot pound or did it just happen ??? Is the case not the more power the better ???????

Thanks for the reply.......

Dave.

 

If you're on a budget and don't want to travel too far then options are limited. I decided I wanted a multishot with 30 or more ft/LB - the 34 just happened. I understand that the more power makes air rifles more pellet fussy and also uses more air per shot. Now I don't expect to make 30+ useful shots on a normal outing but I may wast 10 emptying the gun when crossing hazards. Would I still do that if I had a safety catch? I'd like to think so, but I'm often tempted not to.

 

My biggest gripe about the PCPs I've tried is they all risk loading a 2nd pellet if you de-cock them (there are some out there which prevent this) - and mine will fire with the bolt back - and you cant see if there is a pellet loaded. I know you can take the mag out to de-cock but you have to wind back one - your going to make a mistake one day.

 

I don't much like the idea of a safety which passes thought the trigger like the S410 one - you shouldn't have to touch the trigger except to fire.

 

Meticulous gun handling is the only answer I've come up with to these issues, but we humans are fallible so we need multiple layers of safety.

 

I've just been away for a week staying at Coupland Castle in Northumberland (self catering) and was invited to take an air rifle. I chose to take a springer for a change and found it quite refreshing not to mess about with air cylinder. I normally only use a springer for offhand practice in the hope I'll get good with it one day!

 

Cheers,

Halam

Edited October 30, 2010 by halamrose

[RicW 67]

You have very little chance of getting even a .22lr or .17HMR for "the purpose of" shooting fox. FAC air I would say you have no chance. Seems to me your best bet is to apply for your FAC for .22 or HMR for rabbits and long range pest birds ON THE GROUND, and occasional fox. Don't bother with FAC air. It has it's uses and can be a useful tool but .22lr will cover most of it.

 

YIS

 

Ric