How long did air rifle shooting keep you busy?

[shazz]

G'day fellas,

I'm thinking about an air rifle just because

10m target shooting though... Any serious air rifle shooters here?

Does it keep you entertained or did the novelty wear out quick?

[WesleySnipes]

About a weak mate. And realised a .22lr can do a far better job for a far cheaper price and can be even more quiet with subsonics than my brand new Gamo .22.

Plus it's the real deal, no crappy air gun recoil pulse.

[MeccaOz]

I still have my first air gun, I got it when I was about 10 I think ... I think it kept me entertained for about 15 minutes.. After I shot that I wanted to shoot bigger bullets I guess.

[Eduardo]

As much as I want to support the use of air rifles I have to admit that mine has been collecting dust. It did see some use this winter. Once it gets too cold I don't go up to my range nearly as much so I did use the air rifle in my back yard. But as noted, sub sonics make nearly the same amount of sound so even that is debatable.

This is the one I have.

[NukeBOMB88]

I still use an air rifle for birds around the dairy

[wrenchman]

I shoot rats with mine and possums can't discharge a fire arm in city limits

[Westy]

Must be alot of rat and possums down your way wrenchman!!!!LOL

[Ade]

Around ten years of air gun use as a kid. Sharps Inova .177

[wrenchman]

Lol yea I hate rats by the way my air rifle is 30 years old.

[on_one_wheel]

I still find the air rifles a important part of my kit, they cost almost nothing to run, don't need much fuss to keep them in good nick can be used almost anywhere safely with the right targets and are great for practice.

I spent 3 hours on the bench from 6:00 to 9:00am yesterday with the .22 BSA Superstar popping rabbits off @ 25 to 35 mtrs. ( got 2 )

Spent about the same time the day before on rabbits and zeroing the old Japanese made Simmons 4-12x40 V/O Target Turret scope and mapping the turret adjustments from 10 m to 35 m @ 5 mtr. intervals as I just got the BSA from a mate not long ago.

I still think you can't get better shooting practice than a good full size, hunting air rifle. They teach you the importance of consistency and follow through as any error is amplified by the longer lock time and slow speed of the projectile through the barrel compared to a high powered rifle or even a .22 rimfire.

Both my .22 slug guns are heaps quitter than a .22 subsonic round, by a long shot. and are pin point accurate every time.

Head shots just bellow the ear or heart lung are a must they will drill a clean hole straight through a rabbit allowing it to get back down its burrow to suffer if you place it poorly.

[Lorgar]

About 10 minutes while I was looking at them in store before I decided not to buy one

I think I just wanted one to have one, same as you. Not because I needed or would actually use it

Get a good .22 and do 50m IMO.

[shazz]

About a weak mate. And realised a .22lr can do a far better job

That was the kind of thing I was thinking...

[Monty]

Must be alot of rat and possums down your way wrenchman!!!!LOL

Deleted all those duplicate posts

I dunno what that's about...

[shazz]

Both my .22 slug guns are heaps quitter than a .22 subsonic round, by a long shot. and are pin point accurate every time.

But only at like 1/3rd the distance, no?

[Tonit]

They teach you the importance of consistency and follow through as any error is amplified by the longer lock time and slow speed of the projectile through the barrel compared to a high powered rifle or even a .22 rimfire.

You reckon there is enough in that though to justify one over a .22LR with subsonics?

[Combat_Wombat]

I got my first air rifle at 10 and shot if for 5 years learning proper safety and shooting techniques with iron sights don't know how many crows toads and the occasional rabbit went down with that little daisy rifle. Used to turn an old trampoline frame on it's side and hang about 50 water balloons off it and shoot it when my mates were over great fun. Will be definitely be getting one for my kids someday

[tom604]

i dont use my gamo much anymore,maybe a week a year,,mostly with the kids with plastic army men or with some mates when we are away and ping away at "soft drink cans" can be a lot of fun with a bit of trash talk thrown in

[on_one_wheel]

Both my .22 slug guns are heaps quitter than a .22 subsonic round, by a long shot. and are pin point accurate every time.

But only at like 1/3rd the distance, no?

Yep about 50 mtrs max for a kill on a rabbit, but I would never shoot my .22 in my back yard even with subtonics because they still go BANG ! But I guess if you had a small suburban block even a air rifle will raise some attention. So if your in that position and you need to shoot at a range to get practice then perhaps a air rifle isn't worth the effort.

[crush]

But I guess if you had a small suburban block even a air rifle will raise some attention.

Yup.

If a neighbour looked over the fence I reckon most people could expect a call from the coppers.

[Westy]

Well we dragged the air rifles out this arvo after reading this thread and bugger me we had some fun!

Shooting coke cans out to 70m with a holdover of 2'

Man, I'm 48 and the brothers 51 and we were acting like we were 12!

s**t it was fun!

[saucy]

Well we dragged the air rifles out this arvo after reading this thread and bugger me we had some fun!

How many years have they been in the safe for before that?

[Old Fart]

Man, I'm 48 and the brothers 51 and we were acting like we were 12!

Good times