Is it worth learning to shoot?

Lucky Jim · Post by **Lucky Jim** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:27 am

Dr_zoidberg wrote:...In the UK it is legal to own an air rifle below the 12ft/lb limit...

Yes that means it must be possible to manufacture air rifles that are over that limit. I wonder how powerful air rifles would be if there was no limit?

tigs · Post by **tigs** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:54 am

they are readily available at 1500fps http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/over- ... ifles.html don't know what that is in ft/lb but there are the Eliminator and Crow Magnum both of 30ft/lbs +, the caliber is as important the the power really a .25 has more stopping power than a .22

metatron · Post by **metatron** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:02 am

tigs wrote:they are readily available at 1500fps http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/over- ... ifles.html don't know what that is in ft/lb but there are the Eliminator and Crow Magnum both of 30ft/lbs +, the caliber is as important the the power really a .25 has more stopping power than a .22

.177 has a faster and flatter trajectory and will still take down small game. Air rifles are only worth it if their unlicensed, if you are going to the hassle of getting a licence then get centerfire/rimfire. .177 rimfire is a fun round, although .22lr is cheaper.

Plymtom · Post by **Plymtom** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:03 am

Beyond a certain point the velocity causes problems with the projectile breaking up or leaving residue withing the barrel thus clogging it before too long, which is why copper covered jacketed bullets were invented, the higher melting point gets over it, other than that airguns could in theory be as powerful as any other, the limit then comes from the size and weight of the preasure vessel.

Moony · Post by **Moony** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:37 am

The Career Dragon Slayer is a .50 caliber air rifle that produces 190 ft lbs, about the same as you might get from a 32 grain .22 LR bullet.

(32 gr (2.1 g) Copper-Plated HP, 1,640 ft/s (500 m/s), 191 ft·lbf)

Would you want one rather than a conventional rifle ? Can't see why you would.

Triple_sod · Post by **Triple_sod** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 12:07 pm

Apparently if all you have going for you is 1 permission on someone else’s land you’ve more chance of getting an FAC air rifle than a .22RF but other than that can’t really see them as anything more than expensive 'toys'.

firepower · Post by **firepower** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:02 pm

Triple_sod wrote:Apparently if all you have going for you is 1 permission on someone else’s land you’ve more chance of getting an FAC air rifle than a .22RF but other than that can’t really see them as anything more than expensive 'toys'.

That is not true. It depends on the land when you apply for your FAC. When your first application goes in there will be a condition on it stating the you may only shoot on land deemed suitable by the police. This is a "closed" ticket. Unless the land is surrounded by houses or roads it will be passed for firearms rather than air guns. In Staffs most land is cleared in my area for .223/5.56mm which is plenty of rifle. Once you gain experience the ticket will be "opened" which means the land you shoot on does not need to be deemed suitable by anyone other than the shooter. The onus is then on us to make sure what we do is safe.

A firearm is definitely NOT a toy. It is a tool for a job.

firepower · Post by **firepower** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:06 pm

Triple_sod wrote:Apparently if all you have going for you is 1 permission on someone else’s land you’ve more chance of getting an FAC air rifle than a .22RF but other than that can’t really see them as anything more than expensive 'toys'.

That is not true. It depends on the land when you apply for your FAC. When your first application goes in there will be a condition on it stating the you may only shoot on land deemed suitable by the police. This is a "closed" ticket. Unless the land is surrounded by houses or roads it will be passed for firearms rather than air guns. In Staffs most land is cleared in my area for .223/5.56mm which is plenty of rifle. Once you gain experience the ticket will be "opened" which means the land you shoot on does not need to be deemed suitable by anyone other than the shooter. The onus is then on us to make sure what we do is safe.

A firearm is definitely NOT a toy. It is a tool for a job.

Triple_sod · Post by **Triple_sod** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:39 pm

Ah only something I'd herd (on here if memory serves) but that’s for clearing that up,

Maybe 'toy' was a bad use of term but lets face it a quick look over the pond will show up plenty of guns that are far more cool than tool;

Desert Eagle .50AE.....need I say more?

Post by **scoobie** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:37 am

There is plenty of 'cool' you can own in the UK. Even a Barrett .50 if you can afford it! Straight pull centre fire AR's, large capacity shotguns, lever actions, bolt actions, semi auto .22's. You just need to have 'good reason' (suitable land or member of target shooting club)

uk-preppers.co.uk