Icon Logo Gun Mart

Power game FAC related pellets

Power game FAC related pellets

Following last month’s FAC Pellet choice article, I’m now putting the case for 12ft lb and FAC-rated air rifles and that great old workhorse the .22 Long Rifle (LR) rimfire. I’m using .22” calibre to illustrate the pros and cons of each weapons system and I hope to give you a good idea of what to expect as you move up and down this ladder.

12 FT LB LEGAL LIMIT AIR RIFLE

All legitimate vermin the 12ft lb airgun hunter is allowed to shoot are listed in the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act. These include rabbit, squirrel, brown rat, magpie, crow, rook, jackdaw, jay, wood pigeon, feral pigeon and collared dove. So immediately you can see the ‘off ticket’ air rifle is versatile. Typical examples where it’s best suited due to lack of ‘post shot ‘damage is when culling feral pigeon or rats around outbuildings and in woodland dropping squirrels and avian pests from trees. In many situations you can’t use a shotgun due to the damage stray shot can do, likewise a rimfire as it can carry too far and ricochets badly. But a pellet fired from at 12ft lb offers more than enough stopping power for squirrels and egg thieving corvids with a precise shot into the kill-zone!

The rabbit is a species suited to the hunter using a rimfire or air rifle and can often be encountered well within 40yds. Within that range only 4ft/lbs of energy is needed for a headshot to ensure a clinical kill. Needless to say successful sport shooting or vermin control isn’t all about power, with a typical 12ft lb air rifle its accuracy.

SPRINGER OR GAS RAM: £250 - £500+PCP: £350 - £1000+
EFFECTIVE KILLING RANGE: 30-35yds
In the right hands capable of clean kills out to approximately 50-yds. Begin with a 25-yd zero and hone up accuracy at this range.

PROS

  • No need for a FAC to own and use one
  • A 12ft lb air rifle can be used where other types of guns are unsuitable

CONS

  • For some there are none – for those who have experience of other rifle types there are many, one being the low power and the price

FAC-RATED AIR RIFLE

Of all firearms this is the most misunderstood as it straddles the gap between airguns and firearms in terms of power and performance. At over 12 ft/lbs of energy it’s classed as a Section 1 firearm so requires an FAC and also full security – the same as a centrefire bolt-action rifle for example. Don’t be deterred because you need fill in the relevant application (Form 101), and as long as you can satisfy your local Police Firearm Department you are a fit and suitable person to own one, it’s just a matter of going through ‘due process.’

An FAC air rifle running at 40 ft/lbs of muzzle energy, might only be starting to nudge up to a .22 LR in terms of power. However the pellet kills efficiently out to 80-yards+ and has few vices in terms of over penetration, ricochet or over carry.

Mechanically operated hi-power springers produce more recoil to deal with resulting in less accuracy. A recoilless PCP is where you really appreciate the capabilities of the ‘extra-oomph!’ A very important aspect of hi-power and indeed legal limit air rifles is the need for an efficient sound moderator. Also you need provision to own one and for it to be included on your FAC when you are granted it.

Choice is a big issue as you don’t want to make a costly mistake. Most FAC-rated guns won’t hold their value when bought from new as resale is very much a buyer’s market. Try a used model first, then if smitten; you’ll have as many as me! This is a specialised tool that fills its role admirably! As we saw last issue, the choice of actions, power levels even new calibres is beginning to grow out of all proportion. However, still by far the most versatile is a .22 calibre PCP running at 26 – 30ft lbs.

Last words here on species; you can add to your ‘hit list,’ the brown hare is fair game, some say mopping up very small cubs after a vixen kill near a den. That’s a very ‘grey area’ and up to the individual.

story continues below...

FAC SPRINGER OR RAM £500-800+
FAC PCP – £600 - £2000+
EFFECTIVE KILLING RANGE:(Depending on power) 75-100yds

PROS

  • Can be used in areas a rimfire can’t
  • A hi-power air rifle in any calibre affords the shooter a flatter trajectory over a sensible given range
  • Allows slightly more leeway in range estimation, offers more kill-zones, the most popular being ‘putting one in the boiler room.’
  • More land will be deemed suitable for FAC air rifle than a true firearm.

CONS

  • A Firearms Certificate (FAC) is the first hurdle but acquiring a ‘ticket’ for an FAC-rated rifle is usually easier than for a cartridge firearm. Choose the power level to suit the calibre and weight of pellet
  • PCP will give a much lower shot count per charge than its 12ft lb counterpart

.22 RIMFIRE

If there was ever a cartridge that epitomises versatility it has to be the 22 Long Rifle, as it’s capable of most tasks. Pest control is the object and best practice says go for a sub-sonic hollow point round that is travelling around 1000 fps, which is giving 100 ft/lbs at the muzzle and fit a moderator and you’ll have a near silent package, certainly in a bolt-action. Out at maximum range of around 100-yards it’s still giving about 70 ft/lbs. You can pick up a good moddy for as little as £30, you can pay a lot more but it makes no difference to performance just your wallet! However, if you want a bit more power then you can also get standard, high and ultra high velocity ammo.

Although rabbits and hares are often the main target for the rimfire hunter it’s very effective for dealing with crows and other corvids. Place bait out at 50, 60 or 70-yards and shoot from a concealed position such as a hide and you’re a silent threat to any corvid foolish enough to think they’ve found a free meal. This is when the rimfire shooter will garner even more brownie points from the farmer. What of the times you encounter the fox? In my and others opinions the .22LR is more than enough gun to cope with Charlie at sensible range but precisely placed headshot are best, though one behind the shoulder can do the trick too.

However some of the 22 LRs strong points are also its weak ones as it’s prone to ricochet and you need to be sure of a decent back stop at all times. You can encounter any number of gun types, single shot/break barrel, bolt, pump and lever-action and semi automatic. Accuracy is generally good though the two best types are single shots and bolt-actions, while semis are the nosiest even when moderated, as the bolt makes a clacking noise as it cycles. Feed can be from either under-barrel tube or detachable box magazines. Capacity varies from as low as 5 to 25 (normally semis) depending on the make.

.22LR RIMFIRE £300 – 1500
EFFECTIVE KILLING RANGE: 100-yds+ depending on ability

PROS

  • A silenced rimfire is the deadliest tool here. Used with NV scope they can be devastatingly effective
  • Four distinct rimfire calibres available giving varied power/range options - 17HMR, 17Mach2, .22LR and .22 Winchester Magnum
  • Ammo is cheap and the choice is wideLonger effective range

CONS

  • Restricted to angle of fire and not suitable in certain areas
  • A solid backstop behind the target is far more important than with any air rifle
  • Chance of ricochets
  • You’ll need full security

CONCLUSIONS

If you are content to hunt at 12 ft/lbs then there’s no point going ‘into FAC territory.’

However if you want to broaden your shooting horizons and experience air rifle hunting to the absolute ‘max’ hi-power is a unique and effective area. Rimfire offers power, longer range ability and a good choice of calibres and gun types, however as more rimmy shooters are learning for certain jobs 12 ft/lb and FAC-rated guns fill a unique slot that these real firearms cannot. Just ask Editor Pete Moore as he runs a .20” cal/28 ft/lb Theoben Rapid and swears by it!

 

  • Power game FAC related pellets - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Power game FAC related pellets - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Power game FAC related pellets - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Power game FAC related pellets - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Power game FAC related pellets - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Power game FAC related pellets - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

Arrow