Are any posters on here members of an Air Rifle Club?

[blackburn_stevie]

I've been on the look-out for a sport/hobby/activity ever since my spine got too dodgy for archery, preferably one that included both precision and competition and settled on the idea of target shooting. I have absolutely no interest in taking pot-shots at any of God's creatures. I never realised that it could be so complicated. For a kick-off there are at least 6 kinds of air rifle. I haven't decided which model to go for yet but I'm looking seriously at 3 different models.

A Feinwerkbau 601, an Air Arms TX200 HC (Spring loaded) and an Air Arms S200 (gas powered) 

Any other Plinkers out there in RT land?

ps ..... Maybe

[mr-expresso]

Yes.... err No... err Maybe...

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My Dad taught me how to shoot with a simple .22, I have just sold the one he taught me with, (brilliant condition for 40 odd years old and got £80 for it)  was only a junior but I found for me at my age and size and strength now, the junior would be plenty big enough, it was spring loaded.

Having said that I haven't belonged to a club of any kind so wouldn't know what different ways there are of handling one by someone with spinal problems but even the junior was rather heavy. I would have thought the back would be put under some strain especially with full sized rifles.

[blackburn_stevie]

Nice one, Mr E . 

G.N. ... There are are rifles to suit all kinds of folk. Counting just the basic .177 and .22 calibre, the "Heaviest" for the use of big strong boys are the full size .177 calible with what they call a "Break barrel action." That should be self-explanatory. Then, for the reason of some strange Science of Physics law, the .22 rifle with the same cocking action is next. Next easier are the rifles with what look like a second barrel underneath the main one. Following those are ones with a bar or lever that comes out from the side of the barrel. Those are all what they call, "Springers". Then we come to the gas powered ones of which there seem to be 3 main types and I'm not all that clued up on these. All I know is that there is one that you "Charge" by a gizmo that looks and works just like a Stirrup pump. The next kind uses a small gas bottle just like the ones that lady's use in their curling tongues. (These are considered to be more for kid's toys than serious air rifles) Third and last are the kind that you fill either at home or at your local shooting club from a diver's aqualung kind of thing. These are very quiet and have next to zero recoil so are perfect for target shooting. The snag with them is that they can get to be expensive. A half-way decent rifle can cost upwards of £400 - £500 and then you have to add a further £200 for the gas bottle. Compare that to the £250 - £350 cost of any of the other types. Just bare in mind that you can go over £3,000 for any of the above and that's just for club shooting. Olympic standard rifles will set you back £20,000 or more.

[saasher2012]

Have you considered taking up clay shooting ?

[blackburn_stevie]

Saasher wrote .... "Have you considered taking up clay shooting ?"

I did consider it as an option but then I decided against clays because they tend to be shot at outdoors using shotguns. There are 2 problems there. One is that it gets a bit wet, windy and cold round these 'ere parts for at least 4 months of the year and the other is that using an air rifle with less than 12 ft/lb of energy doesn't require the owner to have either a Firearms Certificate or a gun cabinet.
On the other hand, a rifle club has a lounge area, kitchen, is in the warm and is open 6 days per week, mornings, afternoons and evenings lol

[saasher2012]

I understand, but give it a go when the weather is more to your liking, it's more testing than targets most clubs have their own guns.

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That is very interesting Stevie, you seem to know your stuff, I hope you are able to find something to suit.

I did find it fun target shooting, and I have to admit I have shot at the odd pigeon and rabbit or 2 too. Now, as I am female I tend to stick with the more female type past times like cake decorating, I do love gardening aswell and am planning going back to cycling and walking a lot this year, but as I am now a JW I have to leave the boys toys like guns alone.

I would be very interested in knowing what you finally go for and hope you find some pleasure in it. xx

[blackburn_stevie]

G.N. ..... I only know my stuff with regards to what I have learned over the last 10 days or so. As for finding the right rifle, that could take years, lol. I don't know why it is but I have never fancied the idea of shooting at a rat, pigeon or some other brand of vermin but if I was pressed on the matter, I'd have to say that I didn't fancy the idea of just wounding an animal and have it crawl off into the undergrowth to suffer a long and lingering death. If I could guarantee a quick kill, maybe I would think differently.

I'm actually surprised that you, a Jehovah's Witness, was once the kind of person that shot animals. I know that you point out that one came before the other but it just seems odd. I have absolutely no objections to whichever religion a person may follow, each to their own and all that.

BTW .... do you think that I have actually been spending time in the garden of late, tending to the weeds? Just for your future reference, "On a spot of gardening leave," or "Tending to the garden," is normally a euphemism  for having been banned from the forum.

I'll be buying a rifle within the next week or so and no doubt there will be pictues, lol

Cheers and I hope you have a Happy New Year.

Steve

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Hi stevie,

My Dad was a fire arms instructor in the Army so I was taught how to handle an air rifle (only). Think he knew better to keep it at that. lol.

Whatever we did shoot we ate, lol at that too. I don't ever remember getting close to an animal actually, but your point about killing it outright is a good one. As for me as a JW, yes the shooting came first, and I am only being honest (doesn't mean I am now proud of my past) I since grew up and learned properly right from wrong. The are many JW's who have had a dubious past, they have learned to put that behind them and have been forgiven by God. (Repented you might say). But that is changing the subject so I don't wish to offend by continuing.

Stevie, I know about the gardening leave lol, and understand about certain absences, I was actually stating my liking for real gardening lol. I am very thankful I am relatively fit and able.

I will wait patiently for some pictures, I am geniunely interested.

[tommy.irene]

You could buy one of these

[bankhaunter]

Personally I would talk it over with members of the club you are thinking of joining, different types of target shooting do require different guns.

My shooting such as it is, is now restricted to short range indoor paper punching with a pistol, my rifle though not that powerful, spatters lead everywhere, the pellets completely disintegrating when they hit the backstop.

Back in my rabbit shooting days I used one of these.

Very handy when going shooting where let's say discretion was advisable as the barrel could be removed at the press of a button.

[saasher2012]

So your the one I've been trying to catch poaching?

[bankhaunter]

It was a long time ago.

Wouldn't do it these days, the law is much too strict,  didn't so much poach as shooting on land where perhaps the owner simply wouldn't like it, these days a firearms offence, then more a case of "Oi you, clear off!"

[ed_blackadder_1]

OH has an AIr Arms air rifle, he gets on with it fine, uses it for targets and the odd rat.  He also has 2 shotguns and shoots both game and clays, he enjoys it and it keeps him occupied, as well as going out to shoot he also spends a lot of time cleaning and testing the guns.  He doesn't do any shooting indoors though,  Sounds like you would get on as he is also an archer.

[tommy.irene]

Stevie

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Tommy that pic really made me chuckle, OH and I had a Reliant Regal as one of our first vehicles lol, can just imagine it being converted to something like a tank lol.

[amandaf078]

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golden*nugget28 wrote:As for me as a JW, yes the shooting came first, and I am only being honest (doesn't mean I am now proud of my past) I since grew up and learned properly right from wrong. The are many JW's who have had a dubious past, they have learned to put that behind them and have been forgiven by God. (Repented you might say). But that is changing the subject so I don't wish to offend by continuing.

I do hope no-one is offended by you saying what you believe - that would be very sad.  I'm an agnostic, but I think everyone should have the right to talk about what they believe.  After all, I don't have to agree with you, do I? - but I can respect your right to express your beliefs in a way which doesn't oppress others.

[tommy.irene]

Stevie.. take your pick..

[blackburn_stevie]

Update ...

I am now the proud owner of a Feinwerkbau S300 in .177 calibre and with Diopter sights, or at least I will be when it gets delivered to my local gun shop. Because of the Law of the Land, the seller can't sell direct to me, he has to take the cash from me but then send the rifle to my nominated gun dealer. Luckily for me, there's one in Blackburn.