Sub 12fpe section
The information and opinion submitted to this forum is undoubtedly both useful and entertaining but for me it can be a bit confusing. While the majority of postings originate in the non power regulated U.S.A. some is from the U.K. where our laws limit us to 12fpe. Not all the advice given here is therefore applicable to U.K. based rifles and it’s all too easy to get the ‘wrong end of the stick’ when seeking a solution to a U.K. based problem.
Would there be any support for a new section dedicated to sub-12fpe rifles where Brits and American low power shooters could pool their specific experience and knowledge?
All Replies
I thought .20 was popular in the UK because over on the Rapid7 forum, there is MUCH talk of the .20… conversions to .20, superiority of .20 over .177 and .22 at sub 12 fpe (but no real gain above 12 fpe), I just wanted to hear from non-Theoben shooters to see what they think. It’s interesting to see that .20 really isn’t that popular! I’d like to check it out (build a .20 sub 12fpe rifle), but real life is getting in the way!!
Just put a micrometer tank on my TSS in .22 and was suprised to find it shooting around 600fpe with 14.3’s. Will shoot for a few days and then chrony again to see how things look. If it’s consistent, I have a 24 inch .177 barrel I may throw in it.
A couple farmers have asked me if my gun will put holes in a metal roof and of course I have to tell them yes. Their reason for asking is that they have some buildings/barns that these birds roost in and if I had a weaker platform I think I could go inside and clean up on some of them. So I’m watching this thread looking for good ideas/platforms for such an application.
.177 sub 12fpe sounds like a great start.
If over penetration is an issue at 12ftlb Id go twenty five calibre as the .177 has more penetration (if your worried about holes on roofs ). .25 at 12ftlb going a lot slower so less likely to go through a tin roof and if it’s being used inside a barn the loopy trajectory at that range shouldn’t be an issue. If you move about you should be able to get a hard backstop behind a bird such as a girder or similar
A couple farmers have asked me if my gun will put holes in a metal roof and of course I have to tell them yes. Their reason for asking is that they have some buildings/barns that these birds roost in and if I had a weaker platform I think I could go inside and clean up on some of them. So I’m watching this thread looking for good ideas/platforms for such an application.
.177 sub 12fpe sounds like a great start.
From reading the UK airgun press, Squirrelhawker, the preferred combination for barns and sheds is a slow moving .25; no problems with over-penetration. A 21gr pellet at around 480fps keeps it legal in the UK and reportedly what it hits goes down!
I’m sure these figures sound kind of sissy compared to the usual ‘more power’ ethos of American shooting but we work within our legal framework. If we’re caught overpower by even a fraction it’s treated as if we had an unlicensed firearm: loss of rifle, huge fine (possible prison term) and criminal record. NO THANK YOU!
I currently have a cricket skeleton bp in .22 and have been shooting pest birds at dairy farms. (an adult shouldn’t be allowed to have that much fun)
A couple farmers have asked me if my gun will put holes in a metal roof and of course I have to tell them yes. Their reason for asking is that they have some buildings/barns that these birds roost in and if I had a weaker platform I think I could go inside and clean up on some of them. So I’m watching this thread looking for good ideas/platforms for such an application.
.177 sub 12fpe sounds like a great start.
It’s interesting that you think that .20 is popular in the UK, Caboose. Reading the British airgunning press there really isn’t that much to do with .20, it’s the ‘new kid on the block’ over here. I think that there are only three or four pellet makers selling .20s here. Like Staffy1 suggested .177 and .22 have been our calibers and the .20 and .25 are only just getting some traction in our marketplace. Here, we tend to “know what we like and like what we know”! It will take a long time, I think, for UK shooters to take the leap of faith required to spend £400 and upwards on an ‘untried’ format.
APPEAL
If you’re reading this you probably shoot sub12fpe. Make your interest in this section know with a comment or just a ‘thumbs up’ post. Let’s generate some interest in low power shooting and maybe the kind Moderators will give us a section to ourselves!!
177 is popular in Uk for sub 12ftlb , with the lower power it gives a much flatter trajectory
The saying was traditionally in eighties 177 for feather and 22 for fur was always a .22 advocate until I bought a couple of 177, the lighter calibre gives less hold over or under with a lower power , I used to zero my .22 in sub 12ftlb at twenty meters which gave a near zero of 10 meters and twenty hold over was needed at ranges of 5, and 30 meters , hold under was at 15 meters. Sounds difficult but hold under /over at all bar five meters is only an inch or so. The 177 is about half an inch on zero at ranges from 10-30 meters
Never tried .25 , less popular in uk as lower power makes the .25 a bit mortar like the big old calibre is a bit much at 12 ftlb though popular for ratting etc at close range , there are however a few advocates of the caliber for general hunting
Sub 12ftlb id go 177 now although it’s hotly debated on the Uk forums with people getting quite hot under the collar over the subject!!!!! :1:
Hmmmm, I think it depends what your planning on using your gun for. .20 is probably the best do it all calibre though. It appears to be spot on for 12ft/lb rifles. Saying that I never really used it much as I always tended to have multiple rifles. I think .177, .20, .22 and even .25 can all be used successfully for hunting with sub 12ft/lb energy given the right scenario. The important thing is pellet selection and shot selection. I had used .25 successfully for ratting at close range indoors for many years. In my eyes it was by far the best calibre for the job. It was far more effective at putting the rats down in one shot and a lot less chance of over penetration and making the barn look like Swiss chess. On the other hand for shooting vermin of the feathered variety I always favoured .177.
Nothing new in the sub 12 section? It’s been a while. Okay- here’s a debate topic; in sub 12 fpe, which is the better caliber for accuracy and hunting: .177, .20 or .22? I’m really leaning towards a .20 because you UK boys sure do love .20!!
Fantastic! That means I can import a UK frame… since I wouldn’t have that piece, I’ll be fine.
The Stealth has a threaded steel ring inside the frame held by a grub (set) screw and accepts a dedicated ‘bean can’ expansion chamber. The grub (set) screw is located about a 1/4 inch inside the muzzle The Stealth can also accept an aftermarket 1/2 inch UNF adapter held by the same screw.
What say you, mighty Mods of the great TAG??
I agree with you- I’ve done numerous searches to find info on guys doing 12 or sub 12 fpe builds, and have always wished it were collected into one place.
Staffy1, what you said about the Stealth being threaded for a silencer- would that be the barrel or the frame? I would think the barrel. I wouldn’t need a barrel- just a frame. I might have to start getting onto more UK forums to maaaybe get what I need….
Id be interested in starting a sub 12 FTLB section/Gunpower as thats what we have here with out a fire arms certificate , it still gives thirty meters hunting range on small pests rabbits pigeon , rats etc and may be 40 meters on a good still day + around 300-350 shots in .177 so I believe and more in.22.
I am new to this forum but have been on Uk forums for years , in relation to posting Ive imported bits from USA such as a Vortek kit although UK customs and postage service hit you with tax and handling charges don’t know how it would go sending something from UK to USA?
The UK Stealth model is screw cut for a silencer/moderator don’t know if that’s legal in USA??? , funny we have a low power level here but can have a airgun silencer no licence, screw the same silencer onto a 22LR however and you need one for the gun and silencer … work that out!!!!
By the by the power level was allegedly set years ago when firearms act came in prior to that no power limit however at the time of the act being introduced some nutter was shooting at construction workers on a road project with a Benjamin Sheridan Blue streak set at 13 FTLB hence our limit so UK Forums advise me ,Scotland is currently debating whether to licence their airguns the reasons foe owner ship have to be target shooting or pests and it will sound the end of back yard shooting IF the bill is introduced .
A company called SMK have taken over the distribution , in relation to a parts diagram id google Gunpower parts diagram quite a bit of stuff comes up, Gunpower might be able to sell Uk parts ???
I am new to this forum and dont want to run before i can walk but if the owners would like a sub 12 ftlb / Gunpower section Id be willing to help
ATB
Martin
FINALLY!!!! A sub 12 fpe section!! I’m working on a Talon build for 12 fpe MAX right now! I hope more people catch on! Hey- got a question for our UK boys- what’s up with your new laws regarding mailing guns/parts?! I’m interested in purchasing a UK talon frame(old style trigger), and the needed internals (not a barrel, hammer or breech, as I assume they’re the same) to go with- Hell, anyone have a parts list?
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I’ve been searching online (in the U.K.) for .20 rifles and done badly. I can find no manufacturers producing stock .20s apart from Weihrauch and Theoben and Daystate, all of which run into serious money. There are a few barrels for modders but there really seems to be a dearth of this calibre in the U.K. Where mention is made of them in forum chats everyone who has tried them sings their praises. Strangely there seems no shortage of .20 pellets, just nothing affordable to shoot them through.
I asked Gunpower for a price for an 18″ .20 barrel for my Stealth. The reply came back at £195 including postage. OUCH! I might look for a donor BSA rifle in .177 as a compromise and have a friend machine it down for me. The hammer forged Beezers are well regarded and I don’t shoot targets, only rabbits.
Cheers!