Looking for advice re:rabbitting - c/f or r/f

[jimbob123]

Hi

My first post here, so I hope I'm following the rules and etiquette.

I currently have an FAC air rilfe (Daystate Airwolf), rated at around 40 Ft lb. which I use to control rabbits and squirrels around our five acres of ground. I've held my FAC for just under nine years.

I have now very kindly been given permission to do the same on the neighbouring farm, which is 625 acres of arable land, some woodland, etc. The farm owner is fully supportive of me, but is also fully supportive of me applying for an FAC variation and going for something bigger.

So....17 or .22, centerfire or rimfire. Or a .223.

I might not get what I ask for,and might be allowed only a rimfire rather than centerfire, but I want to at least ask for the right thing at the start.

In my mind, the main advantage of the c/f are the reduced drop across the likely target range - for the 17 Hornet 20 gr V-MAX Superformance Varmint zeroed at 100 yards, the drop at 200 yards is only 1.1" But they're about £28 for 25. The r/f equivalent is half the price, but the drop at 200 yards is 8 inches. I may not shoot at 200 yards of course, but I don't want to cut off my options before I even start. I imagine .17 is also more susceptible to wind; I'm used to .22 heavy pellets in the the airgun.

Price of the gun isn't too concerning as it's a one-off, it's the recurring ammo price that's a factor.

The other concern I have is noise/report. Is a .17 hornet (c/f) likely to be MUCH louder than a r/f equivalent? And what about recoil?

And lastly....I like rabbit casserole; is a .17 hornet likely to obliterate the bunny and make it worthless? I always go for headshots with the airgun.

EDIT Since I posted this I've been reading more, and a .223 would seem a good option.  Thoughts?

Ideally I'd go and find someone/somewhere to discuss, but the landowners around me don't seem awfully keen to discuss their kit, and price/noise/recall doesn't seem to bother them anyway,

I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts. And to confirm, this will be bunnies and "on the ground" grey squirrels only, no deer, no foxes.

Many thanks

 

Jim (in Perthshire)

Edited March 23, 2023 by jimbob123
Add option for .223

[Popsbengo]

Welcome Jim

My only input is to suggest a moderator for any rifle you go with as you wish to control noise.  A mod will go onto your FAC as a variation.

[jimbob123]

Thanks popsbengo, yes I've added that on the variation form. I have a mod on my FAC airgun but it didn't seem to make a lot of difference; I suspect a mod on supersonic bullets would be very different though.

I'm going to edit my post. I've been reading more forum posts and I'm now thinking a .223 might be a good option. Yes the ammo is still pricey, but it seems to have both performance and be less wind-susceptible.

[Richiew]

Hi there 

I would apply for .22lr , .17 hmr and .223 . 
Start off controlling the bunnies with the quiet 22 with subsonic ammo up to 100 yards , then when they become more wary move onto the hmr for upto 150 yards, they don’t usually run away even with a big bang . 223 takes over from the others at further distance and is good for fox . Each with its own moderator. If only one gun then the 223 will do it all in a fast twist barrel for 53 upto 77 grain bullets. If for the pot then head shots with a target bullet will do the job without expanding too much and knackering the meat . All above from personal experience. If just wiping bunnies out then body shots with expanding ammo does the job . 
cheers 

[jimbob123]

Thanks Richiew that’s very helpful and useful. I only have the funds for a single gun, so the .223 will be my option, but I’ve not got as far as even thinking about ammo. The bunnies will be for the pot and my goal wilL be headshots; is there specific ammo you can recommend? And a particular gun, if you have any recommendations? I’ve only got as far as calibre so far.

Many thanks

 

jim

 

[Kevgun]

I help a friend with pest control on a regular basis and Rabbits are the main thing he does, I use a .223 with a 40vmax which does the job very well out to and beyond 300 yards, I use a Tikka CTR and just head shoot them, not much left of it afterwards but it's a clean kill, I also use FAC air and a 17hmr ( My least favourite rifle, if someone said you have to cut one of your rifles up with a angle grinder it would be that one ) also .22LR It depends on noise and proximity to buildings as to what I use, all effective though.

[Richiew]

7 hours ago, jimbob123 said:

Thanks Richiew that’s very helpful and useful. I only have the funds for a single gun, so the .223 will be my option, but I’ve not got as far as even thinking about ammo. The bunnies will be for the pot and my goal wilL be headshots; is there specific ammo you can recommend? And a particular gun, if you have any recommendations? I’ve only got as far as calibre so far.

Many thanks

 

jim

 

Hi there 

if your buying ammo then GGG stuff is very good and not stupid prices and uses a quality Sierra bullet . Geco is good and also sako 55 grain soft points , last batch £22 for a box of twenty . Rifles wise I use a tikka stainless varmint with 1:8” twist ie one full turn in 8” of barrel which suit the target type heavier bullets and also the 55 grain standard factory ammo . A slower twist is better for the lighter bullets but that may mean more meat damage . Been watching capercaillie and ptarmigan hunting in Norway with lapua target bullets, good shot placement means a clean kill with a pass through and minimal meat damage. Good backstops needed though. 
Happy hunting 

[jimbob123]

On 3/24/2023 at 8:02 PM, Richiew said:

Hi there 

if your buying ammo then GGG stuff is very good and not stupid prices and uses a quality Sierra bullet . Geco is good and also sako 55 grain soft points , last batch £22 for a box of twenty . Rifles wise I use a tikka stainless varmint with 1:8” twist ie one full turn in 8” of barrel which suit the target type heavier bullets and also the 55 grain standard factory ammo . A slower twist is better for the lighter bullets but that may mean more meat damage . Been watching capercaillie and ptarmigan hunting in Norway with lapua target bullets, good shot placement means a clean kill with a pass through and minimal meat damage. Good backstops needed though. 
Happy hunting 

Excellent information, thank you so much. I have lots of research to do!

[jimbob123]

I’m really chuffed with all the info I’m learning here, thank you everyone. I’ve posted my Variation today, so the next few weeks will decide the future. Barrel twist is not something I had even considered; lots to learn.

Jim

 

 

[Richiew]

You might find a standard CZ for instance is 1 in 12 twist which would be more suitable for lighter bullets travelling fast rather than slower heavy rounds. As in the tortoise and the hare slower and heavier wins the race for less wind drift over a fixed distance compared to lighter and faster bullets . I’ve learned this the hard way. 

[Richiew]

GGG  223 round from the NRA uses the Sierra 69 grain match king bullet which is an excellent choice for the faster twist barrels. 
Reloading is still the best option for accuracy. 
cheers

 

[Richiew]

Ggg 55 grain fmj at firing solutions are £31 for a box of 50 so not a bad price really. 62 pence a bang 

[banus02]

go for at least a 1 in 9 twist rifle ,these will shoot 40gr up to 75gr flat base bullets so you can find a bullet the rifle likes. czare good rifles as are tikka etc but dont buy something with a nice wooden stock because you will mark/damage it .if you can find synthetic thats your best choice. all ammo has become expensive but reloading is a bit cheaper. i was luck and bought some hornady tap rounds 64gr for £14 per 20 but thats was a rare find. winchester are normally a good buy BUT your rifle may not like them !

[jimbob123]

This is going to sound really lame, but when you say "at least a 1 in 9"; would a 1 in 8 be better or would a 1 in 10 be better? I ahd been looking at the Tikka T3x but it's 1 in 12.

[Richiew]

Tikka t3x varmint 20” barrel is 1::8”  . So 1:8 is better than 1:10 . 
 

It’s also synthetic stock so very durable. 

[jimbob123]

16 minutes ago, Richiew said:

Tikka t3x varmint 20” barrel is 1::8”  . So 1:8 is better than 1:10 . 
 

It’s also synthetic stock so very durable. 

Thank you