Theoben

[Ben]

I've just been appointed as a Bailiff on my local water and they have permission to kill those b*****d cormorants so I want to join the party

Can you guys fill me in on the Theoben range of .22 rifles please

I'm not interested in any other make, I'm called Ben so I want a Theoben

I'm being lazy so what's the difference between the Scirroco, Eliminator and Rapid?

I can't be bothered cocking a rifle so I think I want a CO2 or pneumatic (if there's a difference)

I'd like a high end scope and whatever else required to wipe out comorants

What should I expect to pay for a high end second hand model?

I know we can't advertise guns on here but if you've got something that fits the bill please send me a PM

Thank you in advance and sorry for being lazy but I'd rather ask my trusted forum guys first

Cheers

Ben

[Ben]

I want to shoot rabbits and squirrels and pigeons as well ideally, so maybe a tripod type affair is what I need?

I've got a Wembley tempest hand held thing but that's just for arsing about with and is probably laughed it in the gun world!

[Barryfisher]

I'd have thought that a shotgun would be a more effective weapon Ben.

A cormorant is a large bird and, despite the harm they do, it doesn't deserve to suffer any more than a pike does. A 22 air rifle shot is unlikely to provide a clean kill unless precisely placed using a firearms certificate upgraded 12ft.lbs plus rifle

[Barryfisher]

Ben, I also think that despite the club having a licence to cull some cormorants, you'll personally also need permission in writing from the landowner authorising you to shoot on his land and from the club authorising you to carry out the cull. I wouldn't want you falling foul of the law Mate. However, I stand to be corrected if anyone else can confirm otherwise.

[Kev Berry]

You going to have to hit them in the head to kill them. And you gonna struggle to get close enough. However I believe a handy drying post in close proximity to a good hide may give an opportunity

Mate of mine shoots em with a shotgun. I think he uses magnum no 4's to down em. Tough birds

[DavyMc]

You want a FAC Rapid for the air bottle capacity @ 500cc and head shots only with those birds. Co2 is a gas cartridge where as compressed air is just that, you can buy a hand pump or a divers bottle to pressurize the chamber of the gun, go with the latter !

[Barryfisher]

If you're going for a firearm certificate rated rifle, you'll definitely need the written permission from the landholder before you will be granted the fac that you'll need to buy and use the gun. You'll also need to show the county firearms inspector your secure gun storage cabinet and be interviewed before a fac will be granted.

In the current climate you can't blame the police for these security measures which are legal requirements. An fac rated rifle in the wrong hands could be a lethal weapon. Hope this helps

[Kev Berry]

You want a FAC Rapid for the air bottle capacity @ 500cc and head shots only with those birds. Co2 is a gas cartridge where as compressed air is just that, you can buy a hand pump or a divers bottle to pressurize the chamber of the gun, go with the latter !

you will wish you hadn't if you do buy one get a bottle like Davy says, well worth doing and takes seconds to refill

[Ben]

All the landowners have given permission for shot gun and air rifle use, I can't really be arsed with having the filth round at my house checking gun cabinets

I have a good eye so would be comfortable going for head shots only with a .22 rifle and good quality scope with bipod

Could I get something decent for £500 second hand? I don't want another expensive hobby!!

Thanks for the replies so far lads

[SHAUN B]

It's worth a look on here Ben you might find something local pal http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Air-rifles-for ... F/Air-Guns. I know you like the Theeben name but you want go far wrong with air arms

[DavyMc]

Non fac I would go with a 177, much flatter shot over 40 yards than a 22. Head shots only they're dead whatever size, body shots are bad on all the quarry you intend to go for as they're tough as ole boots and will fly or run away.
Used a 22 AA 410 for a long time on woodies, then tried a 177 BSA R10 and much preferred the smaller caliber. For £500 you will struggle to get a good Theoben and scope, get on this site and dig for the info you need and get posting to access the sales pages! http://www.airgunbbs.com/

[charliedog]

Honestly dont think you could kill a cormorant cleanly with a normal air rifle and would be a little bit surprised if the culling licence allows their use but no expert on this aspect of it

[Kev Berry]

Honestly dont think you could kill a cormorant cleanly with a normal air rifle and would be a little bit surprised if the culling licence allows their use but no expert on this aspect of it

Someone ( ) who used to live next to the Hobhole drain used to shoot the cormorants that sat on top of the telegraph pole outside his bungalow with a 22 12ft/lb air rifle. Distance was about 15 yards post about 18ft high. A comfortable shooting position was from inside the bedroom shooting through the slightly opened window---an instant kill was by shooting either up under the beak into the brain or one straight in the crust through the eye area. Pointless trying to get a heart/lung shot

[Ben]

Air arms look nice guns, ta Shaun, this looks a good one

http://www.gunstar.co.uk/air-arms-177-a ... uns/895449

Theoben relocated to America after Dave Theobald died then the UK arm of the business went into liquidation, now manufactured under the name Impact

[Ben]

Davy how many posts do I need before I can view the classifieds on that forum?

[Barryfisher]

Don't forget Ben if you're caught using an air rifle rated at even 0.1 ft.lbs above the unlicensed limit of 12 ft.lbs without a FAC it carries a MANDATORY sentence of five years imprisonment.

You'll also need adequate third party insurance.....

Some culling licences also specify the guns that must be used, often nothing less than shotguns. In some cases rim fire rifles are prohibited due to the danger of ricochets etc ..

All I'm trying to say Ben is that it's not something to be taken lightly on a whim or on the cheap. But if you do decide to run with it good luck and enjoy it

[Ben]

s**t a brick 5yrs!!!!

Hmmm I have a security cleared job, maybe this is not the best idea I've ever had!?

Especially as £500 is nowhere near enough of a budget now I've started to research more thoroughly, I do not need another expensive hobby!!

I just hate Comorants and like the idea of killing some

What's the penalty for killing comorants when you have no licence to cull? They are a big problem on one of my favourite waters and I don't understand why the locals haven't dealt with them.....I guess I've answered my own question there, the penalty must be hefty!

[Kev Berry]

at moment I have a Daystate Regal Hunstsman 177. 10 shot magazine. Put a camera /infra red set up on it. Deadly accurate, pellet on pellet
Makes a right mess of rats at 30-40yds at night. I wonder what it would be like shooting roosting birds

look at this vid with a standard 22 versus a 36lb air rifle notice the drop on the pellet, a 177 dosnt drop as much as a 22 does, a 22 gun lobs the pellet in an arc, much flatter shot with 177
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqVhIbGHDEI

this video compares 177 and 22 sub 12ft/lb air rifles, pellet drop and retained energy with different pellets, very good video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRCXk_-Xz-0

and for a choice of what to have .177, .20, .25 en either sub 12ft or upped a tad look at this
http://www.gunmart.net/shooting-advice/ ... air_rifles

[charliedog]

good video, quite surprised at the difference, makes you wonder why you would choose a 22? (but thats what i use)

[Barryfisher]

One reason for using a .22 compared to a .177, that I was quoted by the gunsmiths in Chester was that:
"you can throw a pebble much straighter and with greater accuracy than a house brick, but the house brick would give you a much bigger headache when it hit you".......

[D10bore]

I have a Theoben evolution in the middle calibrate .20 mint condition 3/9/40 scope leave it cocked for days it will do no harm for sale for 450 and I live down the road from you can't shoot any more due to health problem I also have pre charged riffles and charging bottle if you want to go this route less than 500 i have shot cormorants whith a 8 bore shot gun 3oz of lead it takes them out at 80 yards dead as a nit and before any one says I am not a business just some one who has the hard wear but cannot use them any more if any thing you like email me I am only just getting used to the Internet so still learning mike

[Esoxuk]

I'm using a Weirhrauch 100 in 177, its up to the legal limit and very consistent with accuracy, I'm getting 12mm grouping at 35 / 40 yards so a head shot is achievable. You will get an excellent second hand one complete with good sights and air tank to £500.
A friend of mine has a FAC Theoben, its an excellent gun and I'd love one but as you have found out they are expensive.

[D10bore]

Theoben also has quick detachable sling and swivels case and pellets its the ambi model left or right oiled walnut stock and pellets the other is a gunpower stealth 177 call sling and swivels bipod silencer 4 16 50 scope laser and spot light plus tactical case the last one is a logun axor .22 cal 8shot rifle with 4 magazines sling swivels bipod 3 9 50 scope bsa silencer action like new oiled walnut stock 350 the magazine gives a follow up shot if needed mike

[D10bore]

Wierachs are very accurate guns give any gun a run for its money the model 80 back in the day were souped up some where running at 20 pounds per foot with a ox Spring and piston weights they were the days

[D10bore]

The theobens scope is 4 9 50 not 3 9 40

[D10bore]

Theoben and others in next months airguner magazine if you are interested post me I am in Lancashire also very clean guns

[DavyMc]

Davy how many posts do I need before I can view the classifieds on that forum?

Had to go look, it's 5 posts then need wait on the admin verifying you.

I would go with a pre charge/compress air rifle for shooting birds and beasts, accuracy is spot on!

[Brian Springthorpe]

I've got a AirArms S510 ultimate sported I'm selling Ben looking for £750 22 calibre

[Carlperkins]

I had a well sorted Theoben mk2 and paid £700.
There's a Rapid forum and that gives you some good contacts.
I was popping crows off at 30yds no problem then had one bad b*****d that took about 5 shots.
Put me off shooting as it was just waiting for the next shot to come in.
Turned into a soft b*****d now

[phil.c]

I was popping crows off at 30yds no problem then had one bad b*****d that took about 5 shots.
Put me off shooting as it was just waiting for the next shot to come in.
Turned into a soft b*****d now

I had a similar experience many years ago.

Apart from tapping a fish on the head, I can't kill anything.