dpb1 0 Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Hi all I've just joined the forum and I'm looking for some advice. I have only ever shot an air rifle before and I know next to nothing about rifles. I live on a farm and we have recently applied for a licence to shoot Ravens as they are killing a lot of livestock, we also have occurances of fox attacks on our land. We have also recently purchased a large estate where we will keep livestock, but there is also large numbers of deer on the land. I am seriously considering applying for a firearms licence and purchasing a rifle for pest control. I would also like to be able to hunt deer in the future, but pest control is definitely the priority at the moment. What kind of rifle would be best suited for what I need? Is there a rifle that would be good for both pest control and deer hunting or would I need to buy 2 different guns. What calibre do I need and what is it's effective range? Does this depend more on the ammo or the rifle itself? Any advice would be gratefully received. Tahnks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scalesntails 118 Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Hi all I've just joined the forum and I'm looking for some advice. I have only ever shot an air rifle before and I know next to nothing about rifles. I live on a farm and we have recently applied for a licence to shoot Ravens as they are killing a lot of livestock, we also have occurances of fox attacks on our land. We have also recently purchased a large estate where we will keep livestock, but there is also large numbers of deer on the land. I am seriously considering applying for a firearms licence and purchasing a rifle for pest control. I would also like to be able to hunt deer in the future, but pest control is definitely the priority at the moment. What kind of rifle would be best suited for what I need? Is there a rifle that would be good for both pest control and deer hunting or would I need to buy 2 different guns. What calibre do I need and what is it's effective range? Does this depend more on the ammo or the rifle itself? Any advice would be gratefully received. Tahnks. I don't have a firearms licence but I imagine that anything that would kill a deer would make quite a mess of ravens, rabbits etc. I am pretty sure there is a minimum calibre you have to use for deer also as a 177 would probably just cause suffering but again I'm sure one of the experts will help out. If you just want a gun to start off with ravens etc then something like an Air Arms s410 would be a lovely tool for the job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
matt_hooks 188 Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 In Scotland, the minimum calibre is .240, and the minimum bullet weight is 100 grains. Also you must have a muzzle velocity of 2450 feet per second, and a muzzle energy of 1750 ft.lb. For Roe deer only, a 50 grain bullet developing 1000 ft.lb and 2450 fps, there is no minimum calibre for Roe. Most hill stalkers wouldn't consider anything smaller than a .270 for reds on the hill, though the .243 can easily deliver lethal energy at the required ranges. Any of the centrefire calibres will completely destroy any of the smaller prey species. A .22LR or .17 HMR are recommended for rabbits and corvids on the ground. An air rifle is an option for the ground vermin, but if you are applying for an FAC then it's worth putting down for a .22 or .17 as well as the deer calibre rifle. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j j m 6,591 Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 welcome to forum bud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,533 Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Hello and welcome mate ,two rifles as said at least a 243 up to a 270 ,and a 22 rimmy or a .17 for its flater shooting but the bullets are more expensive Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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