Hello from the B&NES / Wiltshire area...
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:33 am
Hello,
I live in Trowbridge in Wiltshire and have been shooting vermin very successfully on my two local permissions using a HW100 PCP air rifle.
As a rifle its certainly more than capable of dispatching quarry with a well placed shot, but it has two major drawbacks: firstly, the range - 50yards tops (perfect conditions from a bipod) so you can often end up spooking more than you can shoot - especially if you are covering open ground. And secondly, its not a 'proper' rifle. I think that train of thought stems from my youth. I used to go shooting many years ago with my Grandad, who was at that time a Game Warden and River Marshall in Masham, North Yorkshire. I remember the cold and frosty mornings, freezing cold Barbours and wellies but how 'right' it all felt, walking the fields with rifle/shotgun in hand. Since his passing a couple of months ago, I have felt a renewed urge to fulfil my dream of owning my own gun.
I will keep the air rifle for shooting in locations that demand it but I really want to grab a .22lr bolt action to use as my main gun. Possibly others as well but thats certainly the rifle I want to start with. Silent, effective and the next run up the ladder so to speak.
I am just really keen to get out there again - What I really need is to find a farm permission locally, tried tonnes of them but without luck. I 'think' my land will certainly pass the FEO check but a much larger permission would give me much greater flexibility in my approach to shooting.
Anyway just saying hello - anyone local?
All the best,
Tom
I live in Trowbridge in Wiltshire and have been shooting vermin very successfully on my two local permissions using a HW100 PCP air rifle.
As a rifle its certainly more than capable of dispatching quarry with a well placed shot, but it has two major drawbacks: firstly, the range - 50yards tops (perfect conditions from a bipod) so you can often end up spooking more than you can shoot - especially if you are covering open ground. And secondly, its not a 'proper' rifle. I think that train of thought stems from my youth. I used to go shooting many years ago with my Grandad, who was at that time a Game Warden and River Marshall in Masham, North Yorkshire. I remember the cold and frosty mornings, freezing cold Barbours and wellies but how 'right' it all felt, walking the fields with rifle/shotgun in hand. Since his passing a couple of months ago, I have felt a renewed urge to fulfil my dream of owning my own gun.
I will keep the air rifle for shooting in locations that demand it but I really want to grab a .22lr bolt action to use as my main gun. Possibly others as well but thats certainly the rifle I want to start with. Silent, effective and the next run up the ladder so to speak.
I am just really keen to get out there again - What I really need is to find a farm permission locally, tried tonnes of them but without luck. I 'think' my land will certainly pass the FEO check but a much larger permission would give me much greater flexibility in my approach to shooting.
Anyway just saying hello - anyone local?
All the best,
Tom
