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Safe rifle shooting
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Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 05 6:08 pm    Post subject: Safe rifle shooting Reply with quote
    

I've been looking at a few places recently that I could shoot over. There are ample rabbits and, if possible, I would like to use a .22 rifle or similar. However, most of the land is reasonably flat so there's not an obvious backstop. Another problem is the fact the rabbits are often on the boundary of land. Now to shoot deer high seats are often used and a shooting platform would make an ideal place to observe and shoot but would mean the rabbits would only be controlled in one area. A moveable seat would be possible but a bit advanced for a beginner.

Does anyone else shoot rabbits with a rifle over flattish land? Do you simply shoot from a standing position or do something else to ensure a safe shot?

Guest






PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 05 7:12 am    Post subject: Re: Safe rifle shooting Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
I've been looking at a few places recently that I could shoot over. There are ample rabbits and, if possible, I would like to use a .22 rifle or similar. However, most of the land is reasonably flat so there's not an obvious backstop. Another problem is the fact the rabbits are often on the boundary of land. Now to shoot deer high seats are often used and a shooting platform would make an ideal place to observe and shoot but would mean the rabbits would only be controlled in one area. A moveable seat would be possible but a bit advanced for a beginner.

Does anyone else shoot rabbits with a rifle over flattish land? Do you simply shoot from a standing position or do something else to ensure a safe shot?

Stating the obvious I know, but it applies the same for each and everyshot taken, regardless off terrain. What's behind the target.

I've had a couple of goes at typing this reply, and have come to the conclusion that nobody will be able to help you. Only the shooter can make the decision regarding safety for taking the shot.

I have however found a couple of links that you might like when choosing your latest rimfire bunny gun

https://www.lakesideguns.com/title1/upper.html

Happy hunting

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 05 9:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Treacs, If you are confident, take the shot. If not, walk on, and look for the next one.

niko



Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 27
Location: ceredigion
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 05 9:53 am    Post subject: Re: Safe rifle shooting Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
I've been looking at a few places recently that I could shoot over. There are ample rabbits and, if possible, I would like to use a .22 rifle or similar. However, most of the land is reasonably flat so there's not an obvious backstop. Another problem is the fact the rabbits are often on the boundary of land. Now to shoot deer high seats are often used and a shooting platform would make an ideal place to observe and shoot but would mean the rabbits would only be controlled in one area. A moveable seat would be possible but a bit advanced for a beginner.

Does anyone else shoot rabbits with a rifle over flattish land? Do you simply shoot from a standing position or do something else to ensure a safe shot?
hi there i shoot a 223 centrefire and an fac 35lb air rifle(as well as shotguns)and you should never,i repeat never shoot with out a good backstop .i have 1000 acres to shoot on the welsh coast and do not consider the irish sea a back stop(there might be boats )the 22 rimmy is particuly bad for ricochets please do not take the risk

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 05 11:27 am    Post subject: Re: Safe rifle shooting Reply with quote
    

niko wrote:
please do not take the risk


That's the whole point of the post. Everyone says use a safe backstop but nothing actually say what one is! A rifle-range would have a solid bank that the bullet would enter close to 90° but such land features don't exist. Some places do have steep banks but rifles are used over land that is flattish so what do you do? Use a high seat? Use an earth bank (such as a 2-3 foot bank near old hedges)? If a .22 is prone to ricochets then at what sort of angles?

I know any land would have a police firearms officer look round it and it's best to get an experienced shooter to give advice but it's also worth doing a bit of research up-front.

niko



Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 27
Location: ceredigion
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 05 12:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Safe rifle shooting Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
niko wrote:
please do not take the risk


That's the whole point of the post. Everyone says use a safe backstop but nothing actually say what one is! A rifle-range would have a solid bank that the bullet would enter close to 90° but such land features don't exist. Some places do have steep banks but rifles are used over land that is flattish so what do you do? Use a high seat? Use an earth bank (such as a 2-3 foot bank near old hedges)? If a .22 is prone to ricochets then at what sort of angles?

I know any land would have a police firearms officer look round it and it's best to get an experienced shooter to give advice but it's also worth doing a bit of research up-front.
a safe back stop in my opinion has more to do with what the land is like(how soft/hard how many stones)rather than how many degrees the slope is .ideally a hill behind and soft but as you say this unlikely in your case i wouldn't recommend banks in hedge as they tend to be full of stones (although worth checking)on the fac they tell you if there are directions your not allowed to shoot in ,footpaths ,roads etc .as to the 22 again its down to what the ground is like rather than a certain angle ,even with a 90degree slope it can come straight back at you it you hit something hard (now thats scary!!).in my experience ground that burns off quickly in the summer tends to be worse ,and areas that stay green even in summer are better . if theres any you think i could help with let me know and good luck

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 05 6:39 pm    Post subject: Re: Safe rifle shooting Reply with quote
    

Thanks niko, that's the sort of details i'm after. Even if I get an old hand to show me the ropes it's good to have an idea of what you're doing. Even as an absolute beginner at our local shooting club I've notices 'old hands' do rather dodgy things and at clay shoots people with their own guns do daft things.

The land I have in mind I may be limited to an air-rifle or shot gun but that should keep the kitchen stocked.

niko



Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 27
Location: ceredigion
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 05 8:02 pm    Post subject: Re: Safe rifle shooting Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
Thanks niko, that's the sort of details i'm after. Even if I get an old hand to show me the ropes it's good to have an idea of what you're doing. Even as an absolute beginner at our local shooting club I've notices 'old hands' do rather dodgy things and at clay shoots people with their own guns do daft things.

The land I have in mind I may be limited to an air-rifle or shot gun but that should keep the kitchen stocked.
just to let you know my fac air gun will easily cleanly drop a bunnie(head shot)at 55 to 60 yards and on a day with ideal weather up to 85 so the range is nearly as good as a 22 rimmy but a lot safer (still need back stop but less over kill )good luck and let me know what happens

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Sat Sep 10, 05 11:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We're all curious. Do let us know!

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 05 8:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Don't hold your breaths, I've still got a freezer drawer full of game from last year.

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 05 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
Don't hold your breaths, I've still got a freezer drawer full of game from last year.


Me too, but its just about time to start making game terrines, raised game pies, etc, for Christmas now. Well, nearly!

Jonnyboy



Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.
PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 05 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Clearing out my freezer today, found some game from last year with serious frost burn, It never keeps as long as we hope...

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 05 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Just eating my last pheasant tonight and tomorrow for lunch. A few partridge to go and some venison. I don't tend to eat much meat so that will last a few weeks.

Josey Wales



Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 14
Location: Gower
PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 05 8:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hi everybody, I'm a keeper and a STANIC instuctor. I also to a bit of shooting and I'm DMQ assessor.

There is a lot to read here and im not used to that many forums, so please bare with me

Joe

Last edited by Josey Wales on Sat Sep 17, 05 9:28 am; edited 1 time in total

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 05 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Josey Wales wrote:
Utinam barbari spatium proprium tuum invadant!


May barbarians invade your personal space?

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