Which gun to buy first

[halamrose 24]

I've finaly got my refernces together and sent of for both FAC and SGC so I'm hoping pretty soon I'll be spending a bit of cash. I've put down for FAC air, 22, HMR and Shotguns, but cant buy them all at once. I recon Shotgun and FAC air will turn up sooner or later, but cant decide if I should go for the HMR or 22 first.

 

The way I see it 22 is cheep practice and quiet, while HMR gives more range at a price. So, it it worth going streigth to HMR or should I get my eye in with a 22 first?

 

I should say I'm after rabits and there is very little cover so I cant get close enough with the air rifle - thats why I'm keen on getting more range.

 

Cheers,

 

Halam

[nod 285]

I'm sure others may say different, but by the sounds of it you haven't got any rifles or guns at all, i would say get an air rifle not fac then work your way up through the ranks, do not jump straight in to a high power rifle for your first choice. shot gun maybe but go to some clay grounds with other sgc holders to show u some tips not having a go just mho

[dave1372 83]

I've finaly got my refernces together and sent of for both FAC and SGC so I'm hoping pretty soon I'll be spending a bit of cash. I've put down for FAC air, 22, HMR and Shotguns, but cant buy them all at once.

 

SGC is likely to be issued first as the process is not as scrutinized as much as FAC. In my opinion, I would not bother with FAC air and just by a .22lr, If you want an air rifle I would simply have a 12ft/lb air rifle and a .22lr (which is good on rabbits upto yards without much effort after that you really need to know your holdover etc to be popping bunnies off at 100 yards). Most people I know sight their .22lr in for 60 yards. I haven't used a .17 HMR (but if anyone is offering I would like a go lol!), the range is far better but they mash the rabbit up so I hear, which is not ideal if you want to keep them for the pot or gamedealer.

 

Good luck whatever you decide.

Edited December 27, 2009 by dave1372

[halamrose 24]

Ah, I should have said, I have a air rifle and have had some success shooting rabits where I can hide and wait for them at other permissions. With the area I have to shoot now there is only a few trees with 50 to 100m or more meters between them so there is pretty much nowhere to hide. I don't seem to be able to crawl close enough to shoot them with the air rifle before they run off so some kind of rimfire seems to be the solution. So the question is should I go for range or quietness? 22LR appiels because of the low cost which means I could practice a lot more which has to count for something. HMR on the other hand seems so desirable despite the cost of feeding one.

Cheers,

H

[charlie caller 3,654]

Howdy mate,if you go for the .22 first remember the damn things ricochet very badly if your not very careful and often even if you are,the hmr round is a much safer bet as it will simply fragment if it hits a rock ect,just something to consider before making a decision,if you head shoot them then meat damage is no problem,something you should do easily out to 150yds off a bipod ect,get as much lead into the air as you can mate with your shotgun,loads of practice is what you want,whatever you choose mate I wish you warm barells and a full bag,cheers must go the roe steak my other half is cooking is ready ha ha FOX SLAYER

[Deker 3,478]

Ah, I should have said, I have a air rifle and have had some success shooting rabits where I can hide and wait for them at other permissions. With the area I have to shoot now there is only a few trees with 50 to 100m or more meters between them so there is pretty much nowhere to hide. I don't seem to be able to crawl close enough to shoot them with the air rifle before they run off so some kind of rimfire seems to be the solution. So the question is should I go for range or quietness? 22LR appiels because of the low cost which means I could practice a lot more which has to count for something. HMR on the other hand seems so desirable despite the cost of feeding one.

Cheers,

H

 

If you are 50-100m then you should be able to deal with the .22lr after practice, particularly off a bipod! CCI's new Copper coated fragmenting sub is meant to dramatically reduce ricochets. This is an issue, but personally I consider it one that should not be a problem if you take appropriate care, in addition it has not stopped the .22lr being the most popular civil calibre in the world!! Also very quiet in sub form and the cheapest ammunition you can buy!

 

If you are 50-100m or more, then perhaps the HMR should be considered. It is much noisier, even with a mod, and the ammo is much more expensive, but it does push the range up, I tend to look at it as a 150 yard tool. I have issues with the 17g V-Max ammo in sidewinds, if it is gusty then I will tend to pass or use a different calibre.

 

Shotguns often have a place and can be fun!

 

I can't help thinking if you get either of the rimfires you will not be rushing out to get a FAC Air!

 

[mattydski 560]

Ah, I should have said, I have a air rifle and have had some success shooting rabits where I can hide and wait for them at other permissions. With the area I have to shoot now there is only a few trees with 50 to 100m or more meters between them so there is pretty much nowhere to hide. I don't seem to be able to crawl close enough to shoot them with the air rifle before they run off so some kind of rimfire seems to be the solution. So the question is should I go for range or quietness? 22LR appiels because of the low cost which means I could practice a lot more which has to count for something. HMR on the other hand seems so desirable despite the cost of feeding one.

Cheers,

H

 

If you are 50-100m then you should be able to deal with the .22lr after practice, particularly off a bipod! CCI's new Copper coated fragmenting sub is meant to dramatically reduce ricochets. This is an issue, but personally I consider it one that should not be a problem if you take appropriate care, in addition it has not stopped the .22lr being the most popular civil calibre in the world!! Also very quiet in sub form and the cheapest ammunition you can buy!

 

If you are 50-100m or more, then perhaps the HMR should be considered. It is much noisier, even with a mod, and the ammo is much more expensive, but it does push the range up, I tend to look at it as a 150 yard tool. I have issues with the 17g V-Max ammo in sidewinds, if it is gusty then I will tend to pass or use a different calibre.

 

Shotguns often have a place and can be fun!

 

I can't help thinking if you get either of the rimfires you will not be rushing out to get a FAC Air!

 

 

 

 

Seconded!!

 

 

[donkdaniel 236]

i own a 17hmr and like you stepped up from airguns to rifles not so long ago i have to say firstly that if you go for the 17 you wont be disapointed the longest freehand shot on a rabbit ive taken so far was around the 120 paces and it abselutly smashed it! i was amazed going from a 40yard max pcp rifle right now about the gun its a mossberge plinker with a mod right its quite loud again going from a airarms s510 true but unless your sitting on your ring and poping off bunnies you will not have a problem the rounds are more but for vmax 17gr your looking at 30p for a rabbit i didnt think that was to bad and although not a fox round before anyone butts in and looks for an argument it will take them easily with a head shot at 70yards i think this gun is a good piece of kit for the job it does smash the odd bunny but most are ok and when you hit them thay stay hit so all in all in my opinion the 17hmr is a graet callibre and is definatly safer and more desirable with the fao hope this helps donk

[halamrose 24]

Good input guys, thanks. One of my issues is the cost of a HMR rifle compared to an older 22LR, are the cheeper ones worth while for example the Mossberg Plinkster or Marlin?

Cheers,

Halam

[Deker 3,478]

Good input guys, thanks. One of my issues is the cost of a HMR rifle compared to an older 22LR, are the cheeper ones worth while for example the Mossberg Plinkster or Marlin?

Cheers,

Halam

 

There are very few Bad manufacturers of rifles, perhaps the odd bad rifle, and some are just less good than others.

 

Unless you are a professional and hammering vast quantities of ammo through your rimfire it could well last you a lifetime. Worth saving and getting what you want rather than rushing out to buy the first, or least expensive you can!

 

Take a look here ....

 

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/

 

Loads of .22lr and .17HMR...and a lot of others..

[halamrose 24]

Ahh,I've gainfully spent hours browsing guntrader, gunseeker and gunroom, are there any others worth looking at?

 

Hay Deker, I'm not far from you: Cottenham.

 

cheers,

 

H

[Groach 7]

I was in a similar position only a few month ago with the choice of 22lr vs 17hmr and in the interview i was advised by my FEO to go for .17hmr to stop ricochets as i am young and relatively inexperienced so far as rifles were concerned and thats what swung it, i got an hmr and love it to pieces and it always amazes me the power that little puppy packs and no need to worry about meat damage with practice and decent optics it will do head-shots at 150 yards no problem. best of luck with the application and get out there

 

George

[halamrose 24]

My word you did spend up on the scope: 4-16x50 MTC Viper. I've been practicing with an air rifle with the mag turned down to 3 and its supprising what I can still hit - a 1 inch target at 30 meters at times 3 which should give me the same picture as 100yds at times 9. But how on earth do you get that steady? Even with a bipod I cant imagine hittng an inch at 100yds. Maybe HMRs are hagnetic as well?

H

[jamie g 17]

My word you did spend up on the scope: 4-16x50 MTC Viper. I've been practicing with an air rifle with the mag turned down to 3 and its supprising what I can still hit - a 1 inch target at 30 meters at times 3 which should give me the same picture as 100yds at times 9. But how on earth do you get that steady? Even with a bipod I cant imagine hittng an inch at 100yds. Maybe HMRs are hagnetic as well?

H

 

pratice. most people have it on full mag when shooting targets. then zoom it down when shooting vermin and fox. after all there bigger targets then a 1 inch bullseye.

[Deker 3,478]

My word you did spend up on the scope: 4-16x50 MTC Viper. I've been practicing with an air rifle with the mag turned down to 3 and its supprising what I can still hit - a 1 inch target at 30 meters at times 3 which should give me the same picture as 100yds at times 9. But how on earth do you get that steady? Even with a bipod I cant imagine hittng an inch at 100yds. Maybe HMRs are hagnetic as well?

H

 

As said, practice.

 

I use a bipod wherever possible and almost always find some sort of support for a shot, seldom take freestanding shots, try to avoid it.

 

A HMR off a Bipod will deliver 1" groups all day...but life is always a bit harder in the field!!