tips for a newbie?

[deano26 16]

Hello all,

My name is dean, im 20 and from Sheffield.

 

it has been a few years since I shot, but the bug has bitten and the old Weihraich 77k was dug out, dusted off and taken for a overdue service,

managed to get my first permission whilst the gun was in for service, so could not wait to get it back

 

Anyway, I've had the permission for three weeks now and have taken home 7 rabbits (beginners luck)

This weeks looking a bit grim, no rabbits about, but we will persevere.

 

 

thanks all for reading and if you have any tips or advise for a enthusiastic novice it would be gratefully received.

 

Thanks again,

Dean

[bigmac 97kt 13,836]

hi dean try going out at different times erly morning late at night just to see what time the rabbits come out to eat or play get your self a gun lamp and try shooting throw the night just take your time and be quiet and watch where the rabbits are but some times they will not be in the same place if a fox or some one els has bean around hope this helps.mac

[deano26 16]

Thanks mac, its appreciated.

I've been going up early morning around 5am and early dusk say 7pm, but not tried through the night, will have to try that, thanks

[bigmac 97kt 13,836]

we go out at about 9.30 and shoot to about 4am but we go around 3or 4 times by the time you walk around and back where you started the rabbits are back out some of the other lads will olso leave you some tips there all good lads on here another tip go throw the day with out you rifle and see where the rabbits are you can see more in the day light and log it down so you can go back at night time if you get a lamp get the red filters to some like the green filters olso .mac

[br4568hldrs 16]

hi dean try going out at different times erly morning late at night just to see what time the rabbits come out to eat or play get your self a gun lamp and try shooting throw the night just take your time and be quiet and watch where the rabbits are but some times they will not be in the same place if a fox or some one els has bean around hope this helps.mac

carfull you dont get too sucsesfull with the lamp over the colder months mate or youll regrete it throughout the next year!

[deano26 16]

Thanks all , need to get a lamp, I've only got a Maglite for the moment and its awkward to say the least! all tips appreciated,

 

I dont suppose there's anyone in the area that I could polity ask for some help with my shooting techniques? like I say im still a bit new to all this, but i am always keen to learn.

 

Thanks again, Dean

[bigmac 97kt 13,836]

hi dean iv asked a member to leave some tips for you mate he is one of the best lads on here and no,s his stuff and where you can get a gun lamp cheaper than ebay .(unless you get one from china from ebay but you have to wait for it to arrive ).mac

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Hi Dean.

 

You have shot before.......... own a HW77............ have found permision.............. had seven rabbits off that permission in 3 weeks

Id say you were doing pretty good as it is

Get to know your permission.....look for the busy areas, warrens etc.

Dont be in too much of a hurry to bag up.....relax, and enjoy being out there, the rest will come in time.

If your permission is not that big, treat it gently, and dont hammer it, look for more.

 

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill

[secretagentmole 1,701]

You got a Maglite? One of the thin ones? How about turning that into a lamp? Cost to you, approximately £10... Oh it is an easy job sir, have a look!

 

 

Note how my lamp (Tesco Direct, 120 Lumens CREE LED torch, takes 2 x AA batteries, will produce light for about 7 hours, dimmer switch built in, reduces power to 10% and focusable beam too, £25, link http://direct.tesco....R.208-7946.aspx). This is a tried and tested little lamp that actually makes a decent torch as well!

 

The clamp that holds it onto the scope cost me £10 from Michael Tawns (aka Tawnado Airguns link here http://www.tawnadoairguns.com/). Simple clamp on operation, works like a charm, where I point gun gets lit, simples),

 

If you have a larger permission then stalking round keeps you fit, but prone static shooting (ie ambush the little blighters as they hop into the permission from the warren, remember, they want to be about 5 metres or 15 foot from the rabbit hole before you shoot at them) can pay dividends as well! You may wish to get some camo clothing, it is surprising how effective even DPM 95 clothing is (having had the wife drive past me on several occasions, because she simply cannot see me). If you break up your outline, rabbits will find it harder to see you.

 

As you have got 7 so far I am assuming that you are good at aiming and firing the gun, even so, practise does make perfect and you can do a lot worse than spend a few hours a month punching paper! Anyway enjoy the sport and welcome to THL, don't forget share your tales, take a few photos and post them!

Edited September 6, 2011 by secretagentmole

[deano26 16]

thanks everyone for all the help, it really is appreciated, mac thanks mate you have been a big help

Sweeny - thanks A lot mate, a comment like that coming form an experienced shooter is brilliant, to be fair I have been giving the permission a lot of work, almost everyday, some times twice a day just enjoy being out, and having somewhere to shoot.

 

I have been looking for other permissions, but without any disrespect, being only quite young, I think people are reluctant to give out permissions to young lads. But who can blame them with the recent rioting events ect, we all get tarred with the same brush, ie -irresponsible . were not all thugs

 

mole-Thats good to know, and the Maglite I have is a 3 cell one so one of the bigger ones, thanks for that, what did you use as a mount?

 

another quick question guys if you don't mind.... I went for a quick shoot this morning after work, (not one rabbit) and was caught out in the rain and the 77 got a soaking, apart from a good wipe over with oil -WD40?- is there anything else I should do?

 

sorry for the essay lads, and thanks again

Dean.

Edited September 6, 2011 by deano26

[secretagentmole 1,701]

I use a specialist gun oil spray called Legia and it is marketed by Browning, it is good on stocks and metalwork, I just spray it onto a cloth, wipe over, get any moisture off, then stand in the gun cabinet! Also do it after every couple of trips to make sure the stock is protected. The mount is a simple clamp device, if you look at the photo you will see how it works. If you want a filter quality street or roses wrappers and a rubber band work well, low cost and simple, I have used the torch many times on my permission, as mine dims the rabbits do not seem to get spooked and I have not had problems with them becoming over sensitive to the lamp!

[deano26 16]

thank you sir

[secretagentmole 1,701]

Just saying what works for me, some members might find a different way that works for them. You got camo sir? If not then have a look at this stuff...

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Large-Camouflage-Jacket-Trousers-Army-Surplus-Suit-/280730736692?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sports_Clothing_LE&hash=item415cdb1834

 

Here is a photo of it in the field, well track anyway...

 

 

Please note gloves are not included.

 

It is an NBC camo suit, as it is getting colder you will appreciate the rubberised liner more, as it has charcoal in the liner it helps keep your scent level low (rabbits can smell you, so scent reduction is a good idea), Has a handy hood with a bit that covers the lips as well. These are quiet too, as you can imagine the Army do not like their soldiers to give away their positions to the enemy by making noise! If you rip it on a fence you are not going to be as upset as you would be if you wrecked a Jack Pyke jacker or trousers and this stuff actually does work!

 

Just do not wear decent jeans and expensive sweat shirts under it, as these will become discoloured by the charcoal! It washes out but can cause panic attacks if you think your prized aditoff or nookie sweatshirt has been damaged!

[deano26 16]

thanks again mate! at the moment the kit I have consists of :a real tree jack pyke baseball type hat,

jack pyke real tree long sleeve shirt,

and just some black cargo trouser type things

hw77k with jack pyke sling

jack pyke gun slip

Garber Knife with belt sheath

kevlar gloves - good for removing/moving all the brambles at the edge of the fields

3 cell maglite

small cheap L.E.D torch

 

anything else I should invest in?

[secretagentmole 1,701]

Decent pellets? But I bet you do not use SMK anyway, not with a gun like the 77. The only things I think you need to think about, as it is getting to the cold part of the year is a jacket and some trousers! Some stuff to see you over winter, as it can get damned cold out there!

Edited September 6, 2011 by secretagentmole