Help with rimfire ammo please

[sibaldib 6]

We have some stables and paddocks that we rent. This year the rabbits have been really bad and I need to get rid of them.

We are on very flinty soil and because of the proximity of the stables, field shelters and turned out horses I am very concerned about ricochets from my standard Eley subsonics. I also cannot use a silenced shotgun, due to the proximity of the owners house.

 

I have used my Falcon .177 PCP air rifle out to about 35 yards, but many of the rabbits are difficult to get near because of the lie of the land. I need to be able to take them at about 50yds.

 

The local gun shop owner put me on to RWS Z-Lang and also RWS Flobert ball breech caps. However, having put a few through my CZ 452 I seem to be spraying the shots all over the place with no degree of accuracy at all. This is at 35 yards, not the 50 yds I had been hoping to use them at. In contrast my Eley subsonics group really well.

 

Has anyone else used either of these and if so what are your experiences?

 

Is there an alternative I could use? I really don't want to go the FAC airgun route due to expense and limited benefits.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Sib

[Fidgety 8]

I found the Zlangs went all over the place at 50m (CZ 452). I was going to try the CCI CB longs when i can find them.

Edited November 1, 2009 by Fidgety

[bob.243 9,021]

Hi,

 

 

Is it a .17 or .22 CZ 452 you have?

 

Bob.

[stillair1 16]

There is a good article on the shooting times web site on low power subs. The long and short of it they were all carp much over 25/ 35yds. Iirc only eley zimmers were any cop, but they would still suffer from ping off.

There are some new on the street segmented rounds from cci which are supposed to break up on impact, but if you have close housing. safety first. Sounds like an ideal place for fac air or an alternative like ferreting?

[njc110381 0]

Hi,

 

 

Is it a .17 or .22 CZ 452 you have?

 

Bob.

 

 

It will be a .22. You can't get .17 subs.

 

By the sound of this place I wouldn't touch it with a .22 rimfire and you have seen that for yourself. The CBs are ok but as you have found not that accurate. Can't you snare it or ferret it? Even if it means inviting someone in to do it for you? I'm sure there will be someone on here with ferrets who could help you and sharing opens many new doors. I've got loads of places to shoot with mates and they know they can come out with me any time too. It opens things up for everyone.

 

EDIT... The other option is to stick an old bale in the field where you can't get at and hide behind that. I've done this many times to get within air rifle range of bunnies where I wouldn't have been able to get them any other way.

Edited November 1, 2009 by njc110381

[Deker 3,478]

Drop traps also sound a possibility!

 

.22 Shorts or Longs are also worth a try if you can find them, probably longs are best. If you do your part and aim straight then out at 50 yards the majority will stay in, so no problems.

 

You did well to find the Flobarts, not seen any for years, they are designed for very close, 50 yards is really pushing your luck with these!

 

Whatever, it sounds a very tricky site so beware!

 

ATB!

[sibaldib 6]

Thanks for your replies.

 

I have considered snaring and ferreting. Snares are out as the owner of the house has two Jack Russels that wander and my 3 black labs also like to have a nose around!

Some mates came over last weekend and ferreted some of the paddocks with little success. They mentioned wind, the moon etc.....

 

I think I will have to try and set up some permanent hides and shoot the .177 air rifle from these. The Bisley Magnums are pretty hard hitting out to 35 yds but then drop off considerably. I think I'll have to forget using the .22 rimfire as there is no real gain over the air rifle.

 

Whilst discussing this on the shoot yesterday, someone suggested a .17HMR. He said he zeroes his at 100yds and it is pretty flat from 50 to 130 yds. However I have heard conflicting stories about whether this is safer than a .22 round. Also the additional noise may be prohibitive.

 

Cheers

 

Sib

[MrYou 0]

Hello, Tricky...tis one ! Have you tried a good Rapid 7 ? Maybe worth having a chat to someone who has

[quicksilver 0]

Not sure about the wind and moon effecting ferret effectiveness. I ferret regulary and the wind and moon are more relevant to lamping. From the sounds of your problem ferreting would be the safest option.