Forget .177 Or .22

[mackem 27,030]

The Calibre controversy rages over .25 or .30,I just read a few interesting articles on hunting with slightly larger calibres than are the norm in UK,one guy hunts pigs (javelina) with his Air guns,interesting read on others perspectives.

[mattwhite 1,993]

Another can of worms!

[mackem 27,030]

Another can of worms!

Yup,there's another guy extolling the virtues of .45 and .50 cal Air guns.

[Alsone 789]

These has been around a while - .50 cal with 230 ft lbs:

 

http://www.adifferentcalibre.co.uk/new-air-rifles/dragons-claw-50-air-rifle-detail

 

Also the Daystate Wolverine in .303 at 100 ft lbs:

 

http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Daystate/Wolverine.html

 

I believe in the US they've been used to hunt deer and Boar, and in Africa even some larger game, although the energy seems very low for that.

[mackem 27,030]

These has been around a while - .50 cal with 230 ft lbs:

 

http://www.adifferentcalibre.co.uk/new-air-rifles/dragons-claw-50-air-rifle-detail

 

Also the Daystate Wolverine in .303 at 100 ft lbs:

 

http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Daystate/Wolverine.html

 

I believe in the US they've been used to hunt deer and Boar, and in Africa even some larger game, although the energy seems very low for that.

There used to be a bit of footage online somewhere,a guy shooting a North American Bison with a quackenbush?

[Rez 4,961]

Not read the links so forgive me but surely we don't have the required FPS to take advantage of such larger calibres?

[bigmac 97kt 13,806]

:snack:

[Alsone 789]

Not read the links so forgive me but surely we don't have the required FPS to take advantage of such larger calibres?

 

Correct, not in the UK. Not enough energy for deer to be legal - see Deer Act.

 

As against boar, I'm not sure there's any legally binding minimum, but I don't think you'd never get the variation. Usually the minimum boar calibre is regarded as .270 with 2,700 ft lbs, and that's regarded as light.

 

I'm guessing in the UK you might get permission on fox and then the usual small pest species.

Edited February 21, 2016 by Alsone

[pianoman 3,587]

Seriously? I'll be more impressed when our air rifle manufacturers like Daystate can actually make a decent sub-12 ft/lb, .177/.22 calibre air rifle that performs as well as their prices suggest. Without having to go to specialist regulator makers and tuners to improve them

[charlie caller 3,654]

I have never really got this hunting large game with an airgun thing, I mean even the 500ftlb Talon in the states is putting out half the energy of a .222rem, a cartridge I would consider woefully inadequate for something like boar.

[magnummike 39]

Seen on YouTube the other night the guy off Take the high road shooting wild pigs with a Gamo break barrel in .22 think it was doing around 30ftlbs

[VWman 232]

Not read the links so forgive me but surely we don't have the required FPS to take advantage of such larger calibres?

That about sums it up, I seen a you tube where a rat had time to jump out the way before the pellet got there Lol.

[philpot 5,014]

I used to do quite a bit of business in the US and visited a number of times. Their outlook on guns is just very different to ours coupled with the fact that they have places to use these very large ft/lb guns and love something that is pushing the boundary of a weapon type.

 

I once went to the CEO of a company who took me to his home to show me his guns, it was like walking into a gun shop and he had a 100mt indoor range in the garden........a different league altogether.

 

Phil

[pianoman 3,587]

 

Not read the links so forgive me but surely we don't have the required FPS to take advantage of such larger calibres?

That about sums it up, I seen a you tube where a rat had time to jump out the way before the pellet got there Lol.

 

Can anyone, ANYONE give me a solid, convincing reason that there is any merit or worthy value in buying a .303 calibre air rifle for use in the UK? I doubt you'll be allowed to shoot deer with one? Tell me if I'm wrong? Or can you shoot Muntjac with one? Just what is the point of a .303 calibre air rifle. We don't have dangerous wild boar or wild pigs roaming free in the woods here?? A .303 pellet needs a massive air charge in hundreds of FPE to make it effective at reasonable ranges. depending on what that effective range may be.

 

I remember seeing a Youtube vid of Malcom Barnard of Country Pursuits TV trying to shoot farm rats with a sub-12 ft/lb .303 rifle. It was just pathetic! You might as well throw rocks at them. Way underpowered gun trying to shoot a very hefty, large calibre pellet? It was a farce. You just know what was going to happen. Or not! I don't think he hit a single rat with it.

 

We've shot small vermin very effectively with sub 12-ft/lbs .22 or .177 air rifles for decades. Fast, reactive vermin need a small, fast flying, hard hitting round. What's wrong with the kit we currently have? Or going FAC and buying a sweetly set-up 17HMR or .22LR? If not, a tuned .22 FAC PCP or springer???

 

Or, apart from hunting pigs overseas, is this is a solution that has yet to find a problem ??? :hmm:

Edited February 27, 2016 by pianoman

[Rez 4,961]

Malcolm Barnard. Well. Whatever happened to him. Chose fanny over his airguns.... Ha. Puff.

 

Wish I'd of won his scorpion custom job though.