Air Rifle: Thoughts on getting one.

[Sovvolf]

If the distance is 50 feet or less, you will want a gun that shoots 400-600 f.p.s., but anything longer than that, 1000-1200 would be ideal. I live in Oregon (a western state in the U.S.) and its not uncommon for a majority of people around here to own multiple guns, and shoot them often. Popular calibers include 7mm, .30-06, .338 Lapua, and so on. I recommend purchasing an air rifle, because they are loads of fun and cheap. if you have a little more money, however, purchasing a more powerful rifle would be suitable, provided you have access to a suitable shooting area. Just the thoughts of a gun-loving Yank.

I'm not planning on shooting too far... just to the end of my garden. Maybe longer if I can find a place where I'm legally able to shoot that's further than my garden.

 

[thesnipist]

You will probably want no more than 500 f.p.s., and definitely some eye-protection. Or even a pistol, probably CO2 powered.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

This is pretty clear on the matter:

http://www.basc.org.uk/download.cfm/docid/8201D2D3-E4B1-4333-B24BA94A9790765C

While I thank you for that PDF my main problem is that I don't know what my street is. Yes I'm a little stupid when it comes to stuff like this.


Here, I've edited out the street name for privacy reasons but here's a picture of my house, street and shooting area. Maybe you could help me with this or maybe some one else could give me a hand. The picture is old and it's from google maps. The fence in the picture had been ripped down and a new more thicker fence as been put up and the garden doesn't look a mess... also the front of the houses have been extended but that's the basic street.

At that point, you wouldn't want anything more powerful than a BB gun, unless those houses are mansion sized and it's zoomed farther out than I think it is. Heck, even in the U.S. it would be illegal to shoot one of those things with houses that close together. Also, even a 300-400 fps BB gun will probably go well past the end of the yard you're showing. Someone with more experience with this sort of thing might comment on this; my "gun" ownership begins and ends with an old BB gun that I've had since I was a little kid. However, even with my old ratty BB gun, the BBs would have gone well past a yard that size. On the bright side you should be able to bullseye drink cans with a BB gun with a shooting distance like that; The accuracy of a BB gun is perfect for that kind of range, you just need some more room behind it for the BBs to go into harmlessly. I don't have much experience with pellet guns, and I have none with real guns, but I'd imagine even a pellet gun would be overkill for a backyard like that.

P.S.: A regular, Daisy style BB gun would easily be stopped by a privacy fence. Not so much a fully pumped pellet gun.

 

[Sovvolf]

At that point, you wouldn't want anything more powerful than a BB gun, unless those houses are mansion sized and it's zoomed farther out than I think it is. Heck, even in the U.S. it would be illegal to shoot one of those things with houses that close together. Also, even a 300-400 fps BB gun will probably go well past the end of the yard you're showing. Someone with more experience with this sort of thing might comment on this; my "gun" ownership begins and ends with an old BB gun that I've had since I was a little kid. However, even with my old ratty BB gun, the BBs would have gone well past a yard that size. On the bright side you should be able to bullseye drink cans with a BB gun with a shooting distance like that; The accuracy of a BB gun is perfect for that kind of range, you just need some more room behind it for the BBs to go into harmlessly. I don't have much experience with pellet guns, and I have none with real guns, but I'd imagine even a pellet gun would be overkill for a backyard like that.

P.S.: A regular, Daisy style BB gun would easily be stopped by a privacy fence. Not so much a fully pumped pellet gun.

Actually it's a whole lot bigger than that. it's pretty wide. Just the picture zooms out so far.. I can't seem to zoom any further in without it going into street view mode. Though to be quite honest I'd probably be shooting from the very far house where the field begins because both houses are completely abandoned... along with most of the street. So really I'd probably be shooting from where that bush is at the very end.

Here's a picture to give you an idea. Both houses aren't owned by any one and are abandoned so I doubt they'd be much trouble.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

At that point, you wouldn't want anything more powerful than a BB gun, unless those houses are mansion sized and it's zoomed farther out than I think it is. Heck, even in the U.S. it would be illegal to shoot one of those things with houses that close together. Also, even a 300-400 fps BB gun will probably go well past the end of the yard you're showing. Someone with more experience with this sort of thing might comment on this; my "gun" ownership begins and ends with an old BB gun that I've had since I was a little kid. However, even with my old ratty BB gun, the BBs would have gone well past a yard that size. On the bright side you should be able to bullseye drink cans with a BB gun with a shooting distance like that; The accuracy of a BB gun is perfect for that kind of range, you just need some more room behind it for the BBs to go into harmlessly. I don't have much experience with pellet guns, and I have none with real guns, but I'd imagine even a pellet gun would be overkill for a backyard like that.

P.S.: A regular, Daisy style BB gun would easily be stopped by a privacy fence. Not so much a fully pumped pellet gun.

Actually it's a whole lot bigger than that. it's pretty wide. Just the picture zooms out so far.. I can't seem to zoom any further in without it going into street view mode. Though to be quite honest I'd probably be shooting from the very far house where the field begins because both houses are completely abandoned... along with most of the street. So really I'd probably be shooting from where that bush is at the very end.

Here's a picture to give you an idea. Both houses aren't owned by any one and are abandoned so I doubt they'd be much trouble.

Okay, that's a bit better. At that range, you do need more power than you'll get out of a BB gun, and you'll have to ask someone more knowledgeable on the subject what that something should be. I would be worried about shooting even a BB gun on less than half an acre of property, so with the image you put up at first, I was more than a bit leery on the idea of a pellet gun.

 

[Paksenarrion]

No references to A Christmas Story? I'm disappointed.

You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

Damn. Ninja'd.

 

[BonsaiK]

I'm planning on getting a air rifle

Might as well.

You don't need a .22 cal, that's pretty overkill for an air rifle, that's more "home defense/kangaroo shooting" territory. Instead, get one of the low-caliber ones that shoot little pellet things, the ammo is cheap as all hell, they're easier to maintain and fairly harmless to anything but road signs unless you point it at someone's eye. My Dad had one, we went and shot cans when I was a kid, it was fun. Just recently I got to shoot a .22 at targets on a farm for the very first time and that was fun too but slightly different.

 

[Aur0ra145]

Seriously? Dude, it's just an airgun, don't be so worried about it. Hell, I just bought a handgun earlier this week without much though beyond the ergonomics and caliber. You'll learn eventually that gun owning is no where near as horrible as most people (and media) in the world make it out to be. I've been shooting for over 14 years and I've never once killed any person nor infant in arms.

In the end, you're only going to be as safe as you make yourself be, I don't care if you're shooting an airgun or a .300 Winchester Magnum, the same rules still apply, so don't forget to consider all of them.

 

[Downfall89]

Its an air rifle, why does this require any thought? If you have the cash for a computer than drop the 50 dollars(or 40 euros) and get one. Its not exactly a big decision, if you decide you don't like it, than give it to some neighborhood kid you think wont use to to shoot dogs.

Ninja'd.

 

[Sovvolf]

Its an air rifle, why does this require any thought? If you have the cash for a computer than drop the 50 dollars(or 40 euros) and get one. Its not exactly a big decision, if you decide you don't like it, than give it to some neighborhood kid you think wont use to to shoot dogs.

Ninja'd.

Seriously? Dude, it's just an airgun, don't be so worried about it. Hell, I just bought a handgun earlier this week without much though beyond the ergonomics and caliber. You'll learn eventually that gun owning is no where near as horrible as most people (and media) in the world make it out to be. I've been shooting for over 14 years and I've never once killed any person nor infant in arms.

In the end, you're only going to be as safe as you make yourself be, I don't care if you're shooting an airgun or a .300 Winchester Magnum, the same rules still apply, so don't forget to consider all of them.

As said by Owyn Merilin... where from two different cultures. Some thing like an air-rifle is like a toy in your country, you can get one as a child to practise. Here in Britain... it's not seen as a toy, the rules a very strict on firearm so something like this is a bigger deal. This is the closest thing to a gun you can own in Briton with-out applying for a guns license (which are next to impossible to get in this country unless your in the military, a police officer or need to hunt for a living).

Okay, that's a bit better. At that range, you do need more power than you'll get out of a BB gun, and you'll have to ask someone more knowledgeable on the subject what that something should be. I would be worried about shooting even a BB gun on less than half an acre of property, so with the image you put up at first, I was more than a bit leery on the idea of a pellet gun.

As said I'm not too gun savvy, not being from a country that's big on gun culture. So stuff like effective range hasn't really come to mind. Though even if it was too close I'd still be trying for an air rifle. I'd just find some where else that I can legally shoot. I'm definitely not going to get a BB gun though, they are seen as children toys over here, they break quick and easy, have a cheap feel to them and too effected by wind to be any good for marksmanship.

 

[Downfall89]

Its an air rifle, why does this require any thought? If you have the cash for a computer than drop the 50 dollars(or 40 euros) and get one. Its not exactly a big decision, if you decide you don't like it, than give it to some neighborhood kid you think wont use to to shoot dogs.

Ninja'd.

Seriously? Dude, it's just an airgun, don't be so worried about it. Hell, I just bought a handgun earlier this week without much though beyond the ergonomics and caliber. You'll learn eventually that gun owning is no where near as horrible as most people (and media) in the world make it out to be. I've been shooting for over 14 years and I've never once killed any person nor infant in arms.

In the end, you're only going to be as safe as you make yourself be, I don't care if you're shooting an airgun or a .300 Winchester Magnum, the same rules still apply, so don't forget to consider all of them.

As said by Owyn Merilin... where from two different cultures. Some thing like an air-rifle is like a toy in your country, you can get one as a child to practise. Here in Britain... it's not seen as a toy, the rules a very strict on firearm so something like this is a bigger deal. This is the closest thing to a gun you can own in Briton with-out applying for a guns license (which are next to impossible to get in this country unless your in the military, a police officer or need to hunt for a living).

Okay, that's a bit better. At that range, you do need more power than you'll get out of a BB gun, and you'll have to ask someone more knowledgeable on the subject what that something should be. I would be worried about shooting even a BB gun on less than half an acre of property, so with the image you put up at first, I was more than a bit leery on the idea of a pellet gun.

As said I'm not too gun savvy, not being from a country that's big on gun culture. So stuff like effective range hasn't really come to mind. Though even if it was too close I'd still be trying for an air rifle. I'd just find some where else that I can legally shoot. I'm definitely not going to get a BB gun though, they are seen as children toys over here, they break quick and easy, have a cheap feel to them and too effected by wind to be any good for marksmanship.

Same, I'm not gun savvy as well. Gun control is incredibly strict in Australia as well. I just didn't think an air gun was such a big deal because you were American, but you are not. My mistake.

 

[Continuity]

Well the main consideration is your neighbours, I would speak to them about it because no matter how careful you are pellets will end up in their gardens and without their permission that is constructive trespass - plus you don't want to piss off your neighbours anyway and you'd be surprised how some people react even to an air rifle. Your road is a carriageway so it does qualify for the 50 feet rule, but that's not a big deal unless there is some risk of overshoot or ricochet onto the highway.

Shooting from the abandoned house next door - I wouldn't go there, its technically armed trespass, a very serious offence. Given the range of shooting in your back yard you're definitely looking at pistol shooting IMO, shooting a rifle at that range isn't a challenge and is potentially dangerous because of ricochets.

Do you maybe have a local gun club?

 

[Sovvolf]

Well the main consideration is your neighbours, I would speak to them about it because no matter how careful you are pellets will end up in their gardens and without their permission that is constructive trespass - plus you don't want to piss off your neighbours anyway and you'd be surprised how some people react even to an air rifle. Your road is a carriageway so it does qualify for the 50 feet rule, but that's not a big deal unless there is some risk of overshoot or ricochet onto the highway.

Shooting from the abandoned house next door - I wouldn't go there, its technically armed trespass, a very serious offence. Given the range of shooting in your back yard you're definitely looking at pistol shooting IMO, shooting a rifle at that range isn't a challenge and is potentially dangerous because of ricochets.

Do you maybe have a local gun club?

Thank you for the advice. While I still will get a rifle and maybe a pistol for my garden shooting... I'll use my rifle else where. My Aunt as a garden nearly 5 times the width with large reinforced fences. I have her permission to shoot in that area if I was to get a rifle and I'd be shooting no where close to a road, I'd be able to shoot with my cousin there as he's also thinking about getting an air rifle.

I don't think we have a local gun club. I'm going to ask around at the gun store for that, however I highly doubt we have one within a reasonably distance.

 

[Jamieson 90]

This seems pretty hypocritical of my thoughts on fire arms. I'm planning on getting a air rifle, a low powered air rifle, any thing under 12 ft·lbf (8.1 J). My reasons are simple, I just want to sport shoot... shoot targets. I don't intend on hurting anyone or anything with a rifle and I only intend to shoot targets, nothing more. I've given a lot of thought into this, about 5 months of thought. I've looked around the area I intend to shoot (my backyard) for potential dangers to others and my self, taking in to account the dangers of wind sway, miss fires and such. The area is all fenced off, high, strong, gap-less fences, so some thing like a 22. pellet wont penetrate or if I miss-fire, won't hit any one. I feel it's safe to shoot such a weapon here at such power without injuring or killing any one.

The full reason as to why I want a rifle in the first place (other than just to shoot pellets) is because... I want to shoot a gun at least once in my life. This is the closest thing I'm going to get to doing so without joining the army. Why don't I just join the army you ask?. I don't want to kill anyone, not for any reason. I would kill someone on the battlefield if it's my life or theirs but I don't ever want to be put into that situation. A 22. rifle is still enough to kill a man if in the wrong/right hands, like those who mistreat weapons as simple toys and ignore the basic rules of safety... that or in the hands of psychopaths. I'd like to think I'm neither of those and I'd treat this rifle (even if it's low powered 22.cal) with the greatest amount of caution and respect. Always treating the gun as loaded, if the gun as left my hands... even if I've watched the fellow every second, even if he was just looking and never put a pellet in... check if the weapon is loaded after he passed me back the weapon. Keep it locked away from anyone who could ever access the weapon besides me, I don't have a gun cabinet, however my bedroom door has a lock on it, which requires a key to open... a key I keep on me at all times.

I'm British and 19, so I can legally purchase an unlicensed weapon like a 22. air-rifle. I've got no criminal record (nor do I intend on having one) so I'd say I'm okay for buying one. I would like to ask... should I?. That's my big question, should I get one... I've been weighing the positives and the negatives together and to be honest, I'm not really all too sure as to whether or not I should. I'm sort of seeking both advice and approval from you guys. I do want to get one and I do think I'm mature enough to own one so any safety tips I can get from our gun owners on the forums would help out. The problem for me is that I'm finding it difficult to play devils advocate on this subject, so discouragement is welcome too... Would you guys/gals say, that given the amount of thought I've put into all this, that I'm mature enough to own a rifle?... even if it's just to shoot targets?.

I was going to put out a poll for this but I feel polls don't give enough detail or thought into an answer. Most polls are just Yes or No... neither of those help for me. People often just put the tick on the poll without reading or really thinking about an answer which doesn't provide any helpful advice. So please escapist your thoughts. I put quite a bit of thought into this so please no simple Yes or No answers. Please no anti/pro gun flaming neither... or trolling... keep it clean guys/gals.

When I was 8 me and my brother used to shoot air rifles at our local gun club, We both had sniper rifles. (I'm also a Brit) It was a great feeling shooting the rifles and learning how to shoot responsibly and how to maintain them.

If this is something you want to do then I would say go for it.

First thing I would do is check and see if there are any gun clubs in the local area, they are quite rare so make sure there is one or there is no point. You will need to register at the club and get a license/certificate etc to prove membership.

Find a shop that sells pellets/or online retailer (yeah i forgot about, no internet when I used to shoot lol), don't worry about preasurised air, the club will supply it for you at a set charge per visit etc.

I would start off with a cheap rifle, something for begginers, if you really like it buy something more expensive.

The LOOT is a good place to look although air gun shops will have a cheap model for starters. Just ask at the shop/club they will be happy to help you and get you started.

 

[spartan231490]

I've never heard of a .22 cal air rifle, but make sure it won't punch through, create a fake section of fence, put it on the ground and shoot it, if there's no whole in the back, you're good. Other than that, i have a ton of fun shooting any kind of rifle, it's a fun challenge and test of skill. I suggest you go ahead and buy one. as for safety advice, you seem to have it all down, one suggestion, when you pass it to someone or store it, do it with the chamber open if you can because it's easy to see if there's something in it, and because rifles cannot fire with the chamber open. Don't know if you can do that with an air rifle though. also, check town laws, most places forbade fireing firearms inside town limits and within x distance of a home. Just check and see what the restrictions are on usage of the particular weapon you want.

 

[WolfThomas]

There's a lot of thought and discussion going into this. I don't really know where to weigh in with my oppinion, being a gun owning Australian. It all seems a litte simple to me, a binary yes/no on whether you get a relatively safe weapon, yes it can still kill under certain circumstances, but I'd be more worried about being hit by a car or shot by a longbow (which are unlicensed here and I so assume over there as well).

get a real hobby u dangerous unstable fuck

Nothing in the OP implies he's unstable, the fact he's putting so much (some might say too much) thought into this is a good sign.

 

[IckleMissMayhem]

I say go for it, there's nothing better for target shooting that a .22.

Just don't underestimate its power because its a .22, what is your fence made out of?

A vague answer here... but wood. Sorry I don't know my woods by type, the wood is thick though, not thin or easy to penetrate. Strong stuff, I put the fence up my self (well along with brothers) so I know it's safe.

It will chip away/wear through the fence in time though. Might be worth asking your parents (assuming you still live in their home) and whoever lives on the other side of the fence. The only other thing you need to keep in mind is that even the lesser powered air rifles (.177-type) can still have enough grunt to fire a pellet up to three hundred metres, and you're legally responsible for anything that happens as a result of that weapon firing. Also: wear certified safety goggles/glasses. Ricochets are bloody razor sharp, (I've got a scar on my face to prove this point!) and you only have one set of eyes.