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[damon80]

I'm into shooting too (I'm a shotgun licence holder)

As for calibre of air rifle - in my experience, it's totally up to personal preference.  Me personally - I've always preferred .22 air rifles for hunting/pest control, and .177 for target shooting.

When I first found out that I was half-decent at shooting, it was pretty much in the same situation as you Skruntie - I was in the Cadets, and we went to the rifle range at an RAF Base.  Had to get a 1inch grouping at 100meters (which I did, much to my amazement!).  That was using an L98 - a single-shot version of the SA80 (uses the same 5.56mm ammo).  After that, I shot the SA80 too (using both iron sightes, and the telescopic "SUSAT" sights), and a very old Lee Enfield No. 8 (.22 bolt action rifle).

As Jue says, after being on the ranges, we had to make a declaration to the range officer (whom had lined us all up, sood to attention) along the lines of "I have no live rounds or empty cases in my posession SIR!"

To me (and each to their own I suppose) - air rifle shooting is a great hobby and I'd recommend it to anyone  

[Mr Skrunts]

I'm into shooting too (I'm a shotgun licence holder)

As for calibre of air rifle - in my experience, it's totally up to personal preference.  Me personally - I've always preferred .22 air rifles for hunting/pest control, and .177 for target shooting.

When I first found out that I was half-decent at shooting, it was pretty much in the same situation as you Skruntie - I was in the Cadets, and we went to the rifle range at an RAF Base.  Had to get a 1inch grouping at 100meters (which I did, much to my amazement!).  That was using an L98 - a single-shot version of the SA80 (uses the same 5.56mm ammo).  After that, I shot the SA80 too (using both iron sightes, and the telescopic "SUSAT" sights), and a very old Lee Enfield No. 8 (.22 bolt action rifle).

As Jue says, after being on the ranges, we had to make a declaration to the range officer (whom had lined us all up, sood to attention) along the lines of "I have no live rounds or empty cases in my posession SIR!"

To me (and each to their own I suppose) - air rifle shooting is a great hobby and I'd recommend it to anyone  

I was trying to remember if were on 100 or 200 yards on the range, and I dont how big the white square was.  So on par with the T/A I dont know how good I really was.

There was one old geezerthat poped up with a musket riffle, he powdered it all up and prepared it.  and then took aim and blew a bloody great patch through the target, so guesing we may have been at 100 yards.  The Musket was an experiance to watch.

[damon80]

But as an aside, (I apologise beforehand folks for going into rant mode...!  And I don't mean to offend anyone) - I feel that shooting has had it's fair share of bad press - and a lot of it is undue.

Since the banning of handguns, the amount of handgun-related crime has actually increased!  To me, this just goes to show that even though us law-abiding cannot purchase a handgun for target-shooting at a Police-registered gun club, criminals can still get hold of them.

And a gun will never kill nor injure anybody - it's the person holding it that does.  I have tought both my children how to shoot (under my full supervision at all times obviously, without any lee-way on this at all!) - but before they even laid a finger on the gun (air rifle - a 12-bore would prob dislocate their shoulders...   ), they got read the riot act on gun safety (always pointing it in a safe direction - whether loaded or not, always treating a gun as loaded, always keeping the safety catch on until ready to take the shot, always making sure that the target has a suitable back-stop, and always breaking the barrel open before moving away from the firing point).

Following simple rules like these, and no-one will get hurt  

[Mr Skrunts]

But as an aside, (I apologise beforehand folks for going into rant mode...!  And I don't mean to offend anyone) - I feel that shooting has had it's fair share of bad press - and a lot of it is undue.

Since the banning of handguns, the amount of handgun-related crime has actually increased!  To me, this just goes to show that even though us law-abiding cannot purchase a handgun for target-shooting at a Police-registered gun club, criminals can still get hold of them.

And a gun will never kill nor injure anybody - it's the person holding it that does.  I have tought both my children how to shoot (under my full supervision at all times obviously, without any lee-way on this at all!) - but before they even laid a finger on the gun (air rifle - a 12-bore would prob dislocate their shoulders...   ), they got read the riot act on gun safety (always pointing it in a safe direction - whether loaded or not, always treating a gun as loaded, always keeping the safety catch on until ready to take the shot, always making sure that the target has a suitable back-stop, and always breaking the barrel open before moving away from the firing point).

Following simple rules like these, and no-one will get hurt  

I agree matey.

it's like the knife thing, we all have extremely shrp knifes at hand in our kitcthen draws.  But to carry knifes in cars and pockts in and arround town is to do so with possible intent.  :-/

[damon80]

I was trying to remember if were on 100 or 200 yards on the range, and I dont how big the white square was.  So on par with the T/A I dont know how good I really was.

There was one old geezerthat poped up with a musket riffle, he powdered it all up and prepared it.  and then took aim and blew a bloody great patch through the target, so guesing we may have been at 100 yards.  The Musket was an experiance to watch.

100yds is as near as damn it to 100 metres (well, about 92metres), so pretty much the same really.  That's about as far as you can get with the iron sights really accuracy-wise.  I take it you were shooting the bright orange targets with a soldier's silloette on them?  They used to paste the white squares on them where the "kill zone" is, and then paste orange or black patches on the rest of the target after each shooter had finished their stand.

And as for the musket experience - haha!  A bet that was quite a show!  There was a similar situation at the RAF base where I shot, where they let a civilian on to shoot too (well, he looked like a civilian anyroad, unless he was an off-duty squaddie) - I seem to remember he had a .303 synthetic rifle, and was shooting targets at silly distances with it

[damon80]

I agree matey.

it's like the knife thing, we all have extremely shrp knifes at hand in our kitcthen draws.  But to carry knifes in cars and pockts in and arround town is to do so with possible intent.  :-/

And I agree with thee too pal!  I have knives too, but the only time I carry one is when I go up to the land that I have permission on, for dispatching if needed - and that's only a short-bladed one.  

[zippo]

what was the name of those airgun mags
 air gun world and.............

[Mr Skrunts]

what was the name of those airgun mags
 air gun world and.............

I know of Airgun world.

[damon80]

Aye, I get air gun world from time to time.

The Shooting Times is a good read too, if a little "posh" - it's a bit like the "Daily Mirror" vs "The Telegraph" if you catch me drift.

But, getting back on topic - if you're after getting into airgun shooting cheaply, I'd recommend a spring gun as oppose to a gas gun (less overheads).  And I would highly recommend a Weihrauch air-rifle.  I can personally testify that they last for donkies years, and are of superb quality.

Depending where you are in South Yorks Skruntie, it could well be worthwhile a trip to Manchester Air Guns in Failsworth:
www.manchesterairguns.co.uk

Fantastic place, excellent customer service, and not short of advice either  

[Mr Skrunts]

This is within a few miles of me, seems he has a good reputation.

http://www.alansairrifles.co.uk/guns.htm

Theres a good place in Mexbrough as well.

[Mr Skrunts]

Not really fussed regards the overheads cost.

Lot cheaper than using the 3 paintball markers I have.

[Mr Skrunts]

Had a go with a Weihrauch air-rifle on the farm when I used the shotgun.  Aimed at a sparrow on a pole maybe 150 yards away, never had a thought I would hit it.

never shoot a bird again, I felt awfull.

[Plomien]

I learnt to shoot in the Air Training Corps, gained my RAF marksmanship as well, I have a .22 caliber air rifle with scopes on it but the only time i use it these days is target shooting down the side of the house at my parents as it has a high brick wall and fires into an old outside toilet

I would say if any of you guys have kids and want to get them to respect weapons then definitely get them into one of the cadets groups, for me I recommend the air training corps

[SteveD]

You could buy my Weihrauch-Theoben, hunter-carbine, break barrel, .22 silenced with Golden Antler scope & lamping kit. Lovely rifle but I never get to use it any more  

[Mr Skrunts]

You could buy my Weihrauch-Theoben, hunter-carbine, break barrel, .22 silenced with Golden Antler scope & lamping kit. Lovely rifle but I never get to use it any more  

Steve, or anyone else.

Anything for sale, please PM me with pictures, prices and as much detail as possible.

All I will say at the moment is I dont kow what direction I am likely to go, but if the right eqipment is offered there may well be a sale.