Air rifle noob..Zeroing?

Tobyh · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 05:31 PM

Ok I know I'll probably get some stick for this but I need help please!

We have a rat problem in the garden so I bought myself an air rifle. Problem is I'm having trouble even hitting the targets given at around 25 feet using the scope. Having never done this before I could use some tips on how to zero from scratch please.

I understand the premise but I'm not sure if i'm overcompensating etc. The small leaflet I got with it says that one click of the adjusters at 50yds = 1/8" so at 1/2 that I guess it's 1/16" and less even at the distance I'm trying. I think I've been doing one or two clicks when I should be looking to do a hell of a lot more If i'm not even hiting the target.

Am I on the right track. Is there a standard way to start this process when i can hardly see where the pellet is going? I should really have waited till broad daylight...dusk wasn't helping my cause.

Thanks in advance

tony a · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 05:41 PM

Maybe your just a rubbish shot.

Get yourself a large target like a wall, pick a mark on your chosen target and fire 5 pellets, aiming for the same place each time. You should be able to see were your pellets have hit and hopefuly they will all be in the same area.

If your pellets are together in a grouping, check were it is in relation to your aiming point (4 inches low and 12 inch right) for example and adjust the sights accordingly.

Tobyh · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 05:47 PM

Thanks Tony, fast reply.

So basically I've been doing a click or so thinking its making a big diff when I probably need somewhere like 16 clicks per inch I need to adjust for?

Kayleigh · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 06:18 PM

Remind me not to buy a house anywhere near you

Tobyh · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Remind me not to bye a house any where near you

Hehe yeh that sounds bad doesn't it

The angle I'm shooting and the distance means pellets aren't flying all over, only into my grass / shed..i can live with that

epops · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 02:28 PM

scrap the tele's and just use open sights

mrs fish · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 06:11 AM

I agree scrap the telescope and use the sights and get some target practice in

I have an air rifle for the rats as I can't bear the cruel way the council kills them with warfarin.

The air rifle really works as I have not seen a rat in the garden since getting it lol

Tobyh · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 11:06 AM

I did consider dumping the scope but having paid out for it in the price it seemed a waste. As it happens I have found someone that can help me with zeroing and it looks like the scope needs reseating with spacers etc. At 15 yards shooting from a stable position the pellets are still hitting about 1 1/2 inches low and I cannot adjust the scope with the dial any more - it physically is at the top end of where it will turn to.

Bit annoying but hopefully after reseating and using spacers it will behave.

coasty · #9 (**permalink**) 14-03-2008, 08:53 AM

At that range you shouldnt need a scope ... Can you get hold of a blunderbuss...

eeyore · #10 (**permalink**) 17-03-2008, 01:24 PM

a red dot sight which you use with botheyes open is more effective than either a scope or open sights for rats etc at short ranges- they are about 15 quid and should be available from your local shooting suplier / gun smith - or on the tinterweb.

wildmanofthewoods · #11 (**permalink**) 18-03-2008, 05:59 AM

get yourself some cats ......................... a pride of lions should do the job

MalcolmX · #12 (**permalink**) 18-03-2008, 08:55 AM

i have a rat problem as you but i probably have about 100 rats , i have tried lots of poisons but they seem ineffective .i used to own a 9mm garden shotgun which is no longer made . if you can find one of these it may be the answer .
i do not like to poison rats really as i prefer a better way of dispatching them so if anyone can help i would be obliged .

mrs fish · #13 (**permalink**) 18-03-2008, 10:24 AM

I'm sure I read somewhere about putting contraception meds in their food??
Sounds like you do have a problem with a 100 rats, you need the pied piper

Tobyh · #14 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 11:05 AM

I now think I have the scope problem solved thanks to the brother in law. Fingers crossed but I think theres now only a couple of small rats left..if I had 100 i'd be more concerned!

A cat from a few doors down seems to be doing regular patrols there. I used to chase him out so he didn't take any birds but I just let him do his thing now, he's doing me a favour!

epops · #15 (**permalink**) 21-03-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmX

i have a rat problem as you but i probably have about 100 rats , i have tried lots of poisons but they seem ineffective .i used to own a 9mm garden shotgun which is no longer made . if you can find one of these it may be the answer .
i do not like to poison rats really as i prefer a better way of dispatching them so if anyone can help i would be obliged .

little garden gun eh i used to have one excellant rat gun i wonder if any one still has one?

zek · #16 (**permalink**) 29-03-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epops

little garden gun eh i used to have one excellant rat gun i wonder if any one still has one?

I've just bought one - 9mm Garden Gun (bolt action) that fires small brass cartidges called floberts. I bought mine through Guntrader.co.uk - there's still a few advertised on there. The cartridges are harder to get hold of - I've managed to source some at £8.50 for a box of 50. I don't have the gun in my possession yet as I'm waiting on the Firearms Variation coming through, but I'd had the same problem with rats and was having average success with the .177 air rifle. Garden Guns, I've been told, are effective against rodents and pigeons at about 10 to 15 yards or so.

As mentioned earlier, there is legislation to consider. You need to be 50ft from the nearest public road or path, and cannot allow pellets to stray unto your neighbours property, though don't quote me untill you've checked it out. I arranged for the Firearms Officer to view my property first, and she was happy for the gun to be used in my back garden - it might have been the rat that ran past within 6 feet of her that convinced her

Zek.

epops · #17 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zek

I've just bought one - 9mm Garden Gun (bolt action) that fires small brass cartidges called floberts. I bought mine through Guntrader.co.uk - there's still a few advertised on there. The cartridges are harder to get hold of - I've managed to source some at £8.50 for a box of 50. I don't have the gun in my possession yet as I'm waiting on the Firearms Variation coming through, but I'd had the same problem with rats and was having average success with the .177 air rifle. Garden Guns, I've been told, are effective against rodents and pigeons at about 10 to 15 yards or so.

As mentioned earlier, there is legislation to consider. You need to be 50ft from the nearest public road or path, and cannot allow pellets to stray unto your neighbours property, though don't quote me untill you've checked it out. I arranged for the Firearms Officer to view my property first, and she was happy for the gun to be used in my back garden - it might have been the rat that ran past within 6 feet of her that convinced her

Zek.

nice one i hav'nt seen a garden gun for years the one i had i sold to my mate for tenner i did have a nice little 4.10 which had a silencer and you could fold it half to fit under yya coat for some reason maybe it was for poaching i would'nt know

then progressed to 12 bores then back to air rifles.

islayhawk · #18 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 03:27 PM

if the sights are still firing low and the elevation turret is as high as it will go then remove the front clamp from the sight and put a piece of shim metal between the sight body and the clamp to raise the front of the sight. This will work. However at that range be careful of pellets ricocheting around so be sure and get pellets for short range ie wad cutters

islayhawk

excoriate · #19 (**permalink**) 15-04-2008, 07:38 PM

Got my very first air rifle today and had to zero in.
Not too hard, well, it wouldn't have been if I could keep a straight shot!

Spoke to my local game keeper, lovely fellow!
Pointed me to a local wood where I could find squirrels and wood pigeon.

Then told me I'd have been better off getting a shotgun

He has a point though, but maybe in a few years time heh...

mrs fish · #20 (**permalink**) 16-04-2008, 05:53 AM

You don't want all those little ball bearings in your pigeon pie, squirrell sandwich or roasted Rabbit

Muggsy · #21 (**permalink**) 16-04-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zek

The cartridges are harder to get hold of - I've managed to source some at £8.50 for a box of 50.

Zek.

from where please ?????????????????? blimey thats cheap

RobinP · #22 (**permalink**) 18-04-2008, 01:08 PM

OK, I'll try again without the link. I've found a shop in Exeter UK that sells an air-rifle called the Ratcatcher complete with silencer, sounds ideal and only just over £100. Can any of you experts google it and let me know what you think.

epops · #23 (**permalink**) 19-04-2008, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobinP

OK, I'll try again without the link. I've found a shop in Exeter UK that sells an air-rifle called the Ratcatcher complete with silencer, sounds ideal and only just over £100. Can any of you experts google it and let me know what you think.

is that the crossman CO2 model?

fish · #24 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobyh

Thanks Tony, fast reply.

So basically I've been doing a click or so thinking its making a big diff when I probably need somewhere like 16 clicks per inch I need to adjust for?

damn right!

eeyore · #25 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epops

is that the crossman CO2 model?

crossman are okay but are largely plinking guns rather than serious vermin control models - you will also find co2 to be expensive in the long run.

imo you are better off with a lever action or break barrel where the energy comes from you compressing a spring - these are cheaper to run and greener.

personally i'd reccomend the bsa supersport SS (suitable silencer) model which comes in arround two hundred notes - or the theoben fenman (closer to 300) for break barrel , or the weirauch ( i know ive spelt that wrong) range if you prefer under leaver (again arround 300 notes).

if you are on a tight budget the B2 (break barel) or lion (underleaver) are suprisingly good for 70 odd notes (less if you buy the basic one without fancy woodwork) so long as you can live with quite a long barrel - and dont mind the fact that they are made in china (alledgedly dubious human rights record/labour practices etc)

whatever you get the key is to get as close to 12ftlbs (legal limit) muzzle energy as possible - anything less than 10 ftlbs isnt suitable for live targets.