Hunting Precision Not Power

[Dr B]

We have lots of newcomers on here of recent times. I welcome you all.

I also notice the reemergence of several old views about air rifles and their utility in the field. Maybe at sub12.ft.lbs they are not powerful enough? Some think the .22lr (and above) is the way to go, or even if it must be an air rifle, then FAC is the way to go? All approaches have their methods - limitations - applications - a seasoned fieldsman knows this and can work with it. But the idea that a sub 12ft.lbs air rifle is seriously limited (in terms of grey squirrels / rabbits etc out to distance) tells me more about the so-called shooter than the rifle.

The reality is, as many shooters grow up from youngsters to adults, they pass through the air rifle and through to the shotgun or lr and HMR (etc) without ever really truly learning the air rifle and its merits. Here is wisdom. Truth is, if a rabbit or grey squirrel shows up in the sights of a competent air rifle shooter, and the conditions are perfect, and they have practised their technique, then brother its going down (within humane ranges). Most do not realise the true merits of the air rifle in the field.

The air rifle in UK law is limited in terms of its energy (12fit.lbs) - but its merit is in its potential precision and assuming its been engineered correctly, but harnessing that precision is up to you and your fieldcraft / technique. In most cases the limitation is not in its power, but in your ability to be precise. Don't hide behind false notions of power. Just a few historical forays from recent years, all at sub 12ft.lbs, from woodland stalking and feeder ambushing. All from 15 to 40yds - stone cold dead. Warning - graphic content. Precision (in shot placement), not power is the key at sub 12ft.lbs......

In this one I prepared the ground (for smell and so that it looked different) and then laced it with peanuts as you can see. Would they come?

I reckon so.....

 

[Martin Bacon]

Couldn’t agree more… too many times I read posts asking about the best… rifle, calibre, equipment etc etc to achieve effective vermin control. I often want to say “ whatever you can consistently and accurately hit your chosen targets kill zone & humanely dispatch it in safe conditions”
Around my sheds & bird feeders I’ve shot 4 rats cleanly in the last 24 hours with 4 shots. Most people would be surprised at the very mediocre equipment I achieved this with (out of my rifle collection) - but it’s a rifle/ scope combo that I’ve used for many years & wouldn't miss a 1cm target at the close ranges involved for this purpose.

 

[ThePerfectionist]

I actually agree with most of what you’re saying. A decent sub-12 air rifle, set up properly and used by someone who has put the time in, is far more capable than a lot of people give it credit for. People forget how lethal 12 foot pounds is when the pellet is placed exactly where it needs to be. A lot of the “not powerful enough” comments usually come from shooters who moved on to rimfire or shotguns before they ever really learned what an air rifle can actually do.

Inside normal air rifle ranges, so about 40 yards and under, a good sub-12 is incredibly effective. If you know your holdover, know the wind, understand your trajectory and you pick your shots properly, squirrels and rabbits drop instantly. In those conditions, precision beats power every single time.

The only fair counter to this is the fact that a sub-12 gives you a very small margin for error. You need calm wind, a steady position, a proper headshot, and a very clear idea of the distance. If any of those things are slightly off, you risk a runner. This is where FAC air and rimfire really do offer something. They keep more energy at range, shoot flatter, cope better with a bit of wind, and give you a little more forgiveness if the angle is not perfect.

So the real argument is not that sub-12 is weak. It is that FAC and rimfire give you more options when conditions or shot angles are not ideal. A sub-12 will absolutely do the job when you stay within its limits and when you have put the practice in. FAC or rimfire simply give you more flexibility and a bit more room to work with.

So what I’m saying is, sub-12 is capable. FAC and rimfire are just more forgiving tools. The rifle is rarely the limiting factor. The situation usually is, humans are imperfect we all pull shots from time to time when we don’t want to, or there are factors beyond our control such as a random gust of wind, the last thing we want is an inhumane shot due to one of several factors, that’s why a FAC air is generally a safer and and more forgiving option, if it’s safe to be used of course and at far greater distances the sub12 just isn’t rated for.

 

[brian747]

You are Dr B/ Jason, dead right, i have always thought
that accuracy over power is whats important, whether your airgun
is 9-10fpe its accuracy that kills humanely not power, practise makes
good accurate and humane shooting every time.
atb brian

 

[Skid]

When I was a youth I shot loads of various vermin with my .177 Webley. I thought it was quite powerful but turned out to be circa 8ft lbs but it worked well enough. I used to shoot it every day, hitting the mark was second nature.

 

[karl66]

We have lots of newcomers on here of recent times. I welcome you all.

I also notice the reemergence of several old views about air rifles and their utility in the field. Maybe at sub12.ft.lbs they are not powerful enough? Some think the .22lr (and above) is the way to go, or even if it must be an air rifle, then FAC is the way to go? All approaches have their methods - limitations - applications - a seasoned fieldsman knows this and can work with it. But the idea that a sub 12ft.lbs air rifle is seriously limited (in terms of grey squirrels / rabbits etc out to distance) tells me more about the so-called shooter than the rifle.

The reality is, as many shooters grow up from youngsters to adults, they pass through the air rifle and through to the shotgun or lr and HMR (etc) without ever really truly learning the air rifle and its merits. Here is wisdom. Truth is, if a rabbit or grey squirrel shows up in the sights of a competent air rifle shooter, and the conditions are perfect, and they have practised their technique, then brother its going down (within humane ranges). Most do not realise the true merits of the air rifle in the field.

The air rifle in UK law is limited in terms of its energy (12fit.lbs) - but its merit is in its potential precision and assuming its been engineered correctly, but harnessing that precision is up to you and your fieldcraft / technique. In most cases the limitation is not in its power, but in your ability to be precise. Don't hide behind false notions of power. Just a few historical forays from recent years, all at sub 12ft.lbs, from woodland stalking and feeder ambushing. All from 15 to 40yds - stone cold dead. Warning - graphic content. Precision (in shot placement), not power is the key at sub 12ft.lbs......


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In this one I prepared the ground (for smell and so that it looked different) and then laced it with peanuts as you can see. Would they come?

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I reckon so.....

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Great haul with good accuracy!.
I can't take my eyes of that wonderful stock!

 

[chouchin66]

Sub 12 is the ability to thread the needle, all else is running the stitches...

 

[Lone wolf]

As a FAC holder I can safely say that I would not be without a Airgun in the cabinet!

My current airgun is FAC but I can turn it down if needed, for me having the flexibility to have it at lower levels is as useful as having it on full tilt, versatility is the key to maximizing my effectiveness in the field.

Sub 12 ftlb will always have a place

 

[rickrolfe1]

That Tyrolean Stock is a thing to behold.

 

[urbanxi]

Great shooting!

 

[rob22]

Sub 12 certainly has its place

I was out with my Kral NP02 in .177 tonight - It’s running at a consistent 11.4ftlb - these rabbits were shot between 22 and 41m - all taken with clean headshots - Zulus V2 on top.

For what the Kral cost it is superb and does the job nicely

 

[Manthing]

A sub 12ftlbs rifle improves your field craft beyond anything else.
Even if you're just sitting with your face to the breeze and your back to a hedge.
Most fools can pop stuff off at 100 yards with a powder burner or a 60ftlbs shooting slugs. But getting your quarry to within 35 yards, or even better getting to within 35 yards of your quarry, and take aim without it noticing, that's a special level of skills.

 

[mitch21]

The late great John Darling harnessed the power and accuracy perfectly, and nothing has changed, with likes of @Dr B in the field and @Lee71 on the range the future of sub 12ftlbs is in good hands, by the way @Dr B did you have to show that rifle again, Good luck mitch21

 

[Smeth]

Very beautiful stock on the 410 by the way

 

[Jagged77]

Couldn’t agree more with the OP on the effectiveness of a sub 12 ft lb air rifle on small quarry. As long as you can put the pellet in the right place at a sensible range it’s lethal. The other main consideration for its use as a serious pest control tool is safety - the lack of power helps minimise risk, especially when shooting upwards into trees.

 

[Rog5]

S400 in MPR stock
All between 15 & 45yds

 

[jack russel]

very well written and nice pile of squirrel well done

 

[Clothead]

The only way for me is sub12 , I hit everything I shoot and in the correct place unless a gust of wind makes an appearance which will always happen at sometime, its good from 6 yards to 45 yards for me and I always practice once a week at the club and fine tune the pellet/scope in the back garden, I feel safe with what I shoot and some times less power is better I have more control in my hands

 

[chouchin66]

The wee HW30 offers plenty of precision... & power.

 

[Old Ironsights]

The only way for me is sub12 , I hit everything I shoot and in the correct place unless a gust of wind makes an appearance which will always happen at sometime, its good from 6 yards to 45 yards for me and I always practice once a week at the club and fine tune the pellet/scope in the back garden, I feel safe with what I shoot and some times less power is better I have more control in my hands

I also hit what I aim at.

I am still working on aiming at what I want to hit.