Section 1 air rifles

Tony · 13-05-2007, 04:33 PM

Evening folks, after a bit of advice.

I currently own a couple of standard air rifles and use them for ratting and the control of other small vermin.

I am however looking to get something with a bit more power, in order to avoid the additional kill shots which I sometimes have to make with my 12ft pounders.

I do not wish to obtain a certificate for .22 rim fire etc. as the land I shoot on is quite small and located close to a footpath. I am obviously careful about when I shoot and where I place my shots and I do not want to purchase and keep any section 1 ammunition.

Does anybody know if it is easier or harder to obtain a certificate in such circumstances or if I should be looking at other options i.e a small bore moderated shot gun.

Any feedback from those in the know would be gratefully appreciated.

Finn · 14-05-2007, 01:07 AM

I would advise you to contact your local firearms licensing department who will either advise you directly or arrange an FEO to come out and discuss the matter and check the suitability of the land.

A moderated 410 (I have one) isnt always as effective as you may think, and a well placed headshot from a 12ft/lb 177 usually drops them very well unless you are pushing the range out past the accuracy potential of the gun you have. A quality air rifle should get 1/2" groups at 30 yards at least in still conditions. 22's have too pronounced a trajectory for my liking and I find the 177 more effective.

I use the 410 for young rooks, ferals from barns, and close range rabbits. Otherwise its a rifle or 12 bore. You can get a moderated 12 and many speak highly of them -

http://www.saddleryandgunroom.co.uk/hushpower.htm

You need the advice from you firearms guys before you make any moves though!

Tony · 14-05-2007, 03:14 AM

Finn

Many thanks for the feedback mate.

PaulB · 14-05-2007, 05:46 AM

Hello Tony and welcome
Obtaining an FAC whether it be for a +12ft/lb air rifle, .22rf or a center fire requires 'good reason' and suitable land, as you have stated your present set up is not always humane enough so that should fill the good reason requirement, the next therefore is the land, how much do you have to shoot over, forget the foot paths for now, we can deal with them later, and what type of ground is it? flat, hilly, woodland??

Tony · 14-05-2007, 07:47 AM

Hi Paul.

The land in question is flat, basically a large garden with a load of trees and some sheds down at the bottom where the owner keeps his hens etc. At a guess I'd say its about 200ft long by 50ft wide in total and the shooting distances range from say 10 yards up to +30 yards.

Obviously the little blighters are starting to wise up about whats going on and it is becomming more difficult to get a clean shot at close range.

Hope this helps.

Finn · 14-05-2007, 08:12 AM

From what you are saying it would be questionable whether an FEO would approve this amount of land.

Tony · 14-05-2007, 10:07 AM

Do you think that it would be the same for any other firearm as well and not just a section 1?

Like I say, some shots are well in excess of 30yards which to my mind is pushing it for a standard air rifle, even a decent one with a decent scope.

As for the a shotgun with a moderator question, arent the rules regarding obtaining shotgun certificates different?

Suppose like you say it would be down to the enquiry officer in the end as to whether he would give approval.

PaulB · 14-05-2007, 01:22 PM

200ft x 50ft + flat, if the boundary does not end with some sort of substantial banking this size of area would be a no no IMHO, now air rifles and 12 bore have a very similar effective range, so this leave 3 options, 1, find some one local with a fac air rifle on an open ticket who will take the job on or 2, bring the rats out to a bait point within easy reach of your equipment and 3, find some other land to shoot on, apply for fac for that land, wait 3-5 years for an open fac and then do it yourself

Baiting I think will be your answer!, if thats the case get some tined cat food, squash a stone into the top of the open tin, so the rats can not easily eat the food and place in a safe spot 25-30 yards away, and wait!

Tony · 15-05-2007, 10:53 AM

Looks like baiting then.

Cheers for the tip about cat food, have been trying chocolate and other stuff, without much luck.

The property is located in the middle of a load of fields with nothing on all sides for miles, that is except the side which comes into contact the footpath. However as the boundry is basically nothing but thick hedges I understand the point you are making.

Anyhow thanks again.

PaulB · 16-05-2007, 01:21 AM

Have you tried the surrounding land owners for permission??, your ratting plot could be included with a chunk of bordering land for fac application purposes.