Which gun to buy first

[Mr_Logic 5]

Yep, practice does it alright.

 

When you come to optics, a 4-16x50 Viper is about the minimum you should be looking at in terms of quality. Personally I think there are better scopes at that price point, too. Careful choice is needed there as well.

[halamrose 24]

So how do you buy a scope? I dont expect a shop will let you take a bunch of them out into the field. Magazine reviews always seem positive and who else but magazine writers get to try a wide range?

H

[Deker 3,478]

So how do you buy a scope? I dont expect a shop will let you take a bunch of them out into the field. Magazine reviews always seem positive and who else but magazine writers get to try a wide range?

H

 

 

Bit like the chicken and the egg this one..difficult to start with but then you get and idea!!

 

If you go to any of the Game Fairs there are a lot to look through, especially the big one, the CLA.

 

Any decent RFD will probably stock 2 or 3 makes, maybe more, and will be more than happy for you to take a stroll to the door and have a look through some, if he isn't move on!!

 

Reticles/magnification/variable magnification/Objective lens size/Parallax adjustment/etc/etc it goes on and on!

 

It may sound a bit daunting but you will soon get the idea, and hopefully your helpful RFD will be just that!!

 

Lots of issues but above all else remember, if you can't see the target/quarry clearly you are going to have a job hitting it.

 

Scope prices vary dramatically from just £20-30 to well over £1000, spent what you can afford and be realistic, there is no great point in putting a £1300+ 5.5-22 Nightforce on a .22lr that you are only ever going to use with sub sonics!

 

ATB!!

 

Edit...., well possibly there is, but few of us would do it!!

Edited December 30, 2009 by Deker

[Mr_Logic 5]

Hmmm... Maybe I will, just to see...

 

Generally yes, most RFDs will let you take stuff outside to have a look-see, but it is difficult buying a scope. It's one of those areas where, by and large, you get what you pay for. So if it's cheap, 9/10 it's rubbish.

 

On a 22 LR, or HMR, you don't need a lot. Bushnell 3200 series, Nikon Buckmaster/Fieldmaster, Leupold VX-II will all work nicely.

[Groach 7]

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

 

For starters i tend to shoot lying on the ground off a bipod and rarley have it on 16x mag normally 14 or 12 and 8 when lamping as i seem to need the wider field of view as im out by myself and i find lower mag needs less light but its down to practice it took me 100 rounds to be getting decent groups at 100 yards but its great you wont regret it

 

 

Yep, practice does it alright.

 

When you come to optics, a 4-16x50 Viper is about the minimum you should be looking at in terms of quality. Personally I think there are better scopes at that price point, too. Careful choice is needed there as well.

I got £30 of the viper so was happy with it i looked into night eater and what not but was happy with the viper i think it is a top bit of optics for what i payed

 

George

[Mr_Logic 5]

The MTC is definitely better optically than the Nikko, but against a Falcon it loses - Falcon has comparable glass and better adjustments. And it's imported by a proper company, too.

[slingshot 0]

Only get a 12 bore if you entend to ferret( best way to get on top of rabbit numbers ). FAC air rifles very expensive not a great increase in range over normal air rifle. Hmr noisey ,need to be a good shoot to justify them. .22 rim forget semi and get a good bolt action and look for ammunition both sub sonic and hypo velocity (stinners, yellow jackets) which shoots well in you choosen gun. I could regular take rabbits out to 140 yards with a Bruno bolt action with remmington yellow jackets.

[halamrose 24]

I confess I see HMR as a way of overcoming my poor range estimation skills. Big open spaces seem to be the worst.

It seems to me also that my shooting skills will develop faster if I practice more which is easier to do with 22 with low cost and low noise.

H

[Colster 1]

http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=135619

 

Nice little bargain here, full kit to get you going

[halamrose 24]

I saw that thanks, need to actually get my ticket first of course. Then resist the temptation to buy the first gun which turns up. Oh and then their is the domestic politics which may be harder than getting the ticket HaHa.

 

H