Definative Prepper airgun?

[modplod]

I can't believe the content of the thread - posted by LOWLANDER.

Not only is it unlawful to attempt to kill a fox with any kind of airgun (whether FAC rated or not), but it's just plain WRONG on every level.

A UK legal airgun produces sub 12 ft/lb power. This is nowhere near enough power to penetrate the fox and kill it humanely.

Anyone capable of doing such a thing is capable of almost ANYTHING! I speak from direct experience dealing with dangerous & cruel monsters (23 years culminating as a Met Chief Inspector).

My advice is to be very careful saying such things on an open forum. When you post a reply your IP address is captured by the software, it's a relatively easy process (with ISP assistance and police warrant), to turn this into the posters home address.

It's cruel to attempt to kill fox with anything less than a .22 centrefire rifle.

I use a .22-250 for this job which produces 1,700 ft/lb power (compare that to your 12 ft/lb water pistol).

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Don't bother applying for your FAC Lowlander, I would bet it would be refused.

[preppingsu]

Thank you modplod for your response. It's good to hear from someone who knows the law inside out.

[Lowlander]

MODPLOD, get a grip, you don't know me, but you sound like a typical Cop, forming opinions without facts, as long as it fits your Bias view.
I have never been in trouble in my life, I have never been intentionally cruel to an animal in my life. Before you go calling people monsters, stop and think a bit. Your Ex-Force isn't a paragon of virtue, never has been, never will be. Ask Mr.Mitchell,Jean Charles de Menezes etc.

[Plymtom]

Frankly I was gobsmacked Lowlander was daft enough to mention, almost appearing to be bragging about it openly, we can't pick and choose what rules or laws we choose to obey, it was inevitable someone jumped on you for it, it's an open forum and like Modplod said you could be investigated for it, we all sail close to the wind talking hyperthetical scenarios, firearms have been a learning curve for me since I joined here and I have to say the folks who own them here once you get into conversation you realize do so because they have a legitamate reason to do so, even if that is more for fun like clay or target shooting, it's still legitimate and they abide by the law, if anything advise the rest of us how to do simularly and Modplod for my money was quite right and helping to keep us sane, he formed an opinion on what you gave him, you led him to the conclusion, I reckon he'll be an asset around here.

[munchh]

Hmmm, not the thread i started?

In the end we are all here because we want to be preppered, in a SHTF time there is a good chance law and order will go slightly tilt, we will all have our own morals to live by still, but it doesnt hurt to know what the deal is if we would have to step across that line we normaly stay behind?

Anyway, in the end, i now know,

Springer for sure and if i can get one for the right price WEIHRAUCH HW77.

[Plymtom]

Springer for sure and if i can get one for the right price WEIHRAUCH HW77.

Not a bad conclusion at all I would say, despite the wandering off a bit it's good that it served it's original purpose (the thread that is)

[modplod]

Lowlander - Point taken my friend, I don't know you personally. I'm sure you are normally a very nice chap. Based upon your reaction, I take back the monster jibe.

I just wanted to make a point here as in the past I have come across very odd people who don't seem to have much thought for foxes welfare while hunting them. It's all about penetration.

Returning to the object of this thread -

I rate the following airguns for the purposes of this interesting and helpful thread. For TEOTWAWKI situation a spring or gas ram airgun rules supreme as it may be difficult to recharge a PCP rifle in these circumstances.

In my humble opinion try to find a secondhand British or German made gun as these things represent outstanding value for money in terms of build quality and durability

My number one pick of the bunch is a BSA Lightning. The standard gun was made in Birmingham before BSA decided to have it's guns made in Turkey. The new XL version is made in Turkey so in my book isn't such a good buy.

The next gun on my list is the Winerack (can't remember how to spell it right) series of guns - HW77, HW80, HW 97, HW 98 etc, these are truly excellent airguns. All are designed to produce FAC levels of power and therefore in UK clothing (sub 12ft/lb) are very unstressed and durable airguns.

Air Arms TX 200 is a good buy.

Finally, I use a DIANA Model 48/52 for hunting rabbits where using a .22LR rimfire is unsafe. This is a high quality sidelever airgun (probably the most expensive spring airgun to be found)? I paid £220 for it in mint condition which was a brilliant buy.

In the old days most hunters opted for a .22 airgun however in recent years the .177 has become popular because it's easier to shoot straight.

The maximum hunting range for a UK legal sub 12 ft/lb airgun is 35 yards for .22 and 40 yards for .177. Ignore the hundreds of cowboys telling everyone they shoot rabbits out to 60 yards plus. A 12ft/lb airgun does not have the power to properly penetrate the quarry at these ranges with a degree of certainty.

A FAC airgun will increase these hunting ranges, but only by about 20 yards or so. If you wish to hunt at over 60 yards you should instead use a .22LR rimfire rifle (or perhaps a .17HMR).

A rabbit requires 6ft/lb of hitting power to penetrate the brain. I understand a rat needs only 4ft/lb of power.

It's far better to buy a secondhand British or German gun than buy a new (inferior) Chinese copy. Although there are some which will do the job, a British or German gun is a much better buy.

Expect to pay between £100 - £150 (private buy) for a BSA Lightning airgun in mint condition.

Finally I would add that my brother in law hunts with a UK legal sub 12ft/lb airgun and he always gets more rabbits than me (using a .22LR rimfire live round) In the right hands, an airgun is an awesome hunting tool!

[lightningxl]

Good news due to the colapse of the Spanish economy the BSA Lightning XL is now made back in Brum.

PS Did'nt mean the colapse of Spain was good news.

[Plymtom]

I have BSA supersport carbine does that rate as any good, I haven't hunted with it yet, but I did lend it to a friend who works in the pest control industry for a few months, so it has done some real work as it were.
Modplod wrote

Lowlander - Point taken my friend, I don't know you personally. I'm sure you are normally a very nice chap. Based upon your reaction, I take back the monster jibe.

I just wanted to make a point here as in the past I have come across very odd people who don't seem to have much thought for foxes welfare while hunting them. It's all about penetration.

I thing he might have slung his hook, but please don't feel guilty as I am sure the Mods would have jumped on him for the same reasons, at the time I was hoping he realized it was a mistake to mention it and deleted it, there are times when sitting on your hands isn't the right thing to do, that modplod is why we have and respect police personel ( I am not saying they don't have the odd OTT pedantic nob or plonker but all walks of life do, I have a former workmate and a former bandmate both police srgnts now, who would agree) same goes for our armed forces and NHS staff, I may give our government some grief but i have the upmost respect for all of our frontline public servents.

Back sort of on track, I'm not able to visualize in the here and now distances outdoors (thoughts of Father Ted are in my head) and that would be one of my first concerns given your range to mentioned power ratios, which I would say to all shooters/hunters please include this information wherever you can it's interesting and informative especially to those truely interested in going down that road, the threat of scenarios is no excuse for me to buy so much as a catapult, like many hobbies and interests available to us prepping included, shooting, archery, and the like present oppertunities to meet and make new friends. did shotguns not get mentioned in the rabbit hunting subject because they are of little use in that context? By that I mean one shot so loud that every prey animal runs for cover.

[KalPrep]

I'd recommend what I am doing, find a local air gun club and get used to the gun before you go hunting. Even then, see if a regular will take you out with them first. I shot air guns many years ago, was quite a decent shot for a lad but I am in no way deluded enough to think I could go out with one now and safely and humanely take rabbits.

Thx for the detailed review of guns modplod, very useful.