First Hunt For The Falcon

[Jonjon79 13,358]

We popped down to the manor house permission at 7:30 last night. The plan was to try the FN12 on the rats by the farm shop and grain silos.

 

When we got there, one of the lads that's related to the owners was also there - he had his own plans for a bit of ratting with a .410 and a crate of beer

 

We left him to it and, headed across the road, onto the bigger bit of land

 

As we crept round toward the polytunnels, we could see that the veg' has grown fast since our last visit.

..... We also saw a couple of rabbits bolt for the treeline around 70yrs away

 

Then the barking started

.... They've got this fecking guard dog that looks like a cross between a Labrador and a Husky.

It came toward us barking and growling - the thing's known to be a biter so, I turned to face it, thinking that, if need be, it can have the skinny end of my shooting stick and a taste of steel toecaps

Thankfully, it seemed to lose it's nerve when I turned round.

It didn't stop the b*****d walking behind us, barking it's head off for the next few minutes, without anyone coming out to get it though

 

Once we got through the polytunnels and out of site, it seemed to lose interest.

 

We carried on down through the small copse and over the stream to look for squirrels but, there was nothing in there.

 

When we got to the next field, we could either carry on up to the big woods or, double back to the polytunnels to see if those rabbits had come back yet.

 

On the way back, we saw another couple of rabbits by the bottom end of the tunnels.

.... These are mostly young, 3/4 grown that, don't seem to know about being shot at yet

 

Mark got lined up on one from just inside the woods - took a shot and missed. The rabbit ran a short distance and stopped.

This time he hit it. It flipped backwards into the brambles. We could hear it thrash about for a few seconds but, we just couldn't find the bloody thing.

 

We decided that he'd stay at that bottom end to watch for them coming out of those bushes and, I'd head back up to where we'd spooked the first 2 rabbits.

 

On the walk up, I spotted one laying low in the bushes. I think he was hoping that I hadn't seen him

..... He must have been 15yrds at the absolute maximum.

He was blurry in the scope but, I didn't have time to mess about.

I adjusted my own vision as best I could, gave a little holdover, and fired.

 

The crack was loud and virtually instant.

He just pushed himself 6" along the ground and wiggled a leg - 1st kill for the Falcon

 

While Mark was down in the long grass by the woods, trying not to pick up any ticks, I went into a polytunnel and, enjoyed some of the organic strawberries while I watched the other treeline

 

Those woods are full of rabbits holes and, I know that they're 45yrds from my tunnel.

 

It didn't take long for the first one to show but, it was an awkward angle out of the door.

..... The trajectory was good but, the pellet just missed, passing in front of the rabbits face and hitting the bushes next to it.

The thing must have jumped 2ft - it's legs were already running before it hit the floor and disappeared

 

The tunnel that I was in was a good 50yrds long, with openings at both ends so, I headed down to the other end so that I could watch another part of the treeline.

 

Straight away I saw a younger one over in the corner - he would've been over 45yrds.

The first shot hit the ground in front of him.

That made him run a little way along the treeline - reducing the range slightly.

..... The next shot went just over his head - this time he got the message and disappeared.

 

Feckin .22

 

Almost straightaway, I saw his sneaky little mate hiding in long grass, just inside the woods.

..... I adjusted my aim a little - this shot was good, it hit home perfectly.

All I could see was the grass moving as it wriggled about in there.

 

Shortly after that, we called it a day.

I was happy with 2 from a couple of hours for a first go with the Falcon.

 

I do like the way this .22 hits but, I really need to get used to the trajectory and the single shot loading

 

..... The Falcon has separate pellet probe/loading bolt and cocking mechanisms.

It's good because you can walk around with a pellet up the spout and, cock the rifle when the shots on but, there's no fast second shot if needed.

 

All in all, It's a fantastic little retro rifle so, I'm more than happy to put in the effort to get used to it

[The one 8,482]

Nice going mate your causing more damage to the strawberries than the rabbits are

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Nice going mate your causing more damage to the strawberries than the rabbits are

Cheers mate

 

They are nice strawberries

 

My mate was saying last night that we could have a really nice dinner out of there - rabbit, pigeon, spuds, carrots, greens, marrow, beans, strawberries, rhubarb - He's always thinking with his stomach

[mark williams 7,558]

Nice shooting Jon, .

 

I`m not the biggest fan of .22 as you know but Mitch, (VM), pointed me towards the light weight Falcon Accuracy Plus 13.4 g.

 

My HW 100 ks loves them and the trajectory is much flatter.- "Boy do they hit hard and legal" .

 

Just a thought mate.

 

p.s. - great write up.

 

atb Mark.

[si brown 8,486]

Haha.... ace right up that Jon

Sounds like a proper eventful night!!

And a couple of bunnys for the pot... I'd of been tempted to give the falcon

The night off and joined the loon with the 410 and beer

 

Atb Si

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Nice shooting Jon, .

 

I`m not the biggest fan of .22 as you know but Mitch, (VM), pointed me towards the light weight Falcon Accuracy Plus 13.4 g.

 

My HW 100 ks loves them and the trajectory is much flatter.- "Boy do they hit hard and legal" .

 

Just a thought mate.

 

p.s. - great write up.

 

atb Mark.

Cheers Mark

 

I've still got some FAPs from when I had my TX - I was always impressed with there performance. I'll give them a whirl mate

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Haha.... ace right up that Jon

Sounds like a proper eventful night!!

And a couple of bunnys for the pot... I'd of been tempted to give the falcon

The night off and joined the loon with the 410 and beer

 

Atb Si

Cheers Si

 

It can be a lively place - as well as the big manor house, there's a few other old stone houses that some of the old girls kids live in.

 

Matey with the .410 is a bit Wiltshire Hillbilly

..... He was killing rats with a spade when they moved a chicken house a few weeks ago

[just-A-snap 1,269]

Well done Jojon, Glad for you mate, it is always good to get it out of the way and to get the confidence in the rifle. You know it will do the job for you now, all you need is that confidence in the .22

 

You are the one still shooting it mate, no difference in my mind just a different projectile.

All the very best for you and yours

Edited June 14, 2017 by just-A-snap

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Well done Jojon, Glad for you mate, it is always good to get it out of the way and to get the confidence in the rifle. You know it will do the job for you now, all you need is that confidence in the .22

 

You are the one still shooting it mate, no difference in my mind just a different projectile.

 

All the very best for you and yours

Cheers Renos

 

I reckon it'll be ok with a bit more practice mate

 

After all, I used to do ok in the 90s with a .22 springer so, I probably just need to find the nack again.

 

How's the standing shots going mate?

.... Haven't seen many posts about them lately.

Hope all's well mate

[just-A-snap 1,269]

It is a good day when one gets to see every new day Jonjon, so all is well thank you mate. Just got day by day things at the moment mate so not filming.

All the very best to you and yours

[si brown 8,486]

 

Haha.... ace right up that Jon

Sounds like a proper eventful night!!

And a couple of bunnys for the pot... I'd of been tempted to give the falcon

The night off and joined the loon with the 410 and beer

 

Atb Si

Cheers Si

 

It can be a lively place - as well as the big manor house, there's a few other old stone houses that some of the old girls kids live in.

 

Matey with the .410 is a bit Wiltshire Hillbilly

..... He was killing rats with a spade when they moved a chicken house a few weeks ago

 

got a few hillbilly's up here jon..

i got moaned at by the farmers wife for leaving a dead rat in front of the posh stables!

told her i hadn't even shot any yet....

turns out it was her husband who splatted it with a shovel as it was feasting on a dead pigeon that i may have left

[villaman 9,983]

Nice write up JJ . :

 

Like Mark said Falcon Accuracy plus 13.4gr if your barrel likes them

 

In my HW100k .22 the fly flatter and faster and running at 625 fps

 

Good hunting pellet as well

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Nice write up JJ . :

 

Like Mark said Falcon Accuracy plus 13.4gr if your barrel likes them

 

In my HW100k .22 the fly flatter and faster and running at 625 fps

 

Good hunting pellet as well

Cheers mate

 

I tried a few today after Marks comment - I haven't chronod them yet but, the accuracy was good.

 

With some practice, they might be just the ticket for that far corner.

 

 

Btw, good to see you back

[rick12345 181]

I had the mpt version of that rifle, many years ago. Great little rifle, it was only 28" long.

[tomburras 2,730]

Done a bit of the wiltshire hillbilly stuff in the past too in my youth oops! and also with the falcons had spare follow up shot pellet in my lips oh dear shameful lol.