Originally Posted by
Artfull-Bodger
Just keep the range down to less than 40yds, airgun hunting used to be about fieldcraft, most shots were in the 20-25yd range, I think the improvement in rifle and especially ammunition accuracy these days is convincing people to take longer and longer shots.
We shoot golf balls off a rack down our range at 60yds and a 30mm kill zone bell target at 70yds, but that's from a stable FT style sitting position, not standing, crouching or leaning on a tree.
Completely agree. Improvements in equipment has led to YouTubers posting videos of silly long distance shots which will convince novices that these sorts of ranges are acceptable. Problem is, people starting out will be put off if this leads to unclean shots and assume sub 12 is not a tool for the job. I think it's important to spread the message that sub 12 hunting is all about field craft and restricted distance to ensure we achieve the highest shot to kill ratios as possible. Only then is hunting with sub 12 enjoyable and most importantly effective at helping reduce pest species for landowners, which they are in manner different scenarios when firearms are not suitable and even where they are, such fitted with NV from vehicles. You get these people pushing the boundaries unnecessarily in all hobbies and walks of life - fishing, driving, you name it. But the vast majority of material out there on the web and videos on YouTube do promote good practice and that's what I try and do when talking to anyone about hunting with sub 12s.
Danny
My collection = Ratworks BSA Scorpion T-10 .177, HW100KS .177 (tweaked by me), PP750, Crosman 1322 and 1377