Christmas Eve Rat shoot

Couple of rats down the bottom of the garden.... Out comes the Gamo whisper fusion airgun! The warm weather has really increased the number of them!

Predator Polymag Pellets Review

Predator Polymag Airgun Pellet Review

www.diffcal.co.uk

Out last night rat shooting with my Evanix Sniper K air rifle and a BSA superten we decided to give the new Predator Polymag pellets a go.

 

These are the new ones that fit multi-shot airgun magazines (previously they were too long for them and only suited to single shot). Usually I would use Crosman hollow points or JSB Exacts.

Accuracy: As good as any other pellet that I have used. We were shooting at just 20 yards but the rats dart around various bits of cover in the chicken coop, so it's quite difficult shooting. Using my Nitesite Viper, I could actually see the pellets flying and they were spot on shot after shot. 

Stopping power: If you read the info about these pellets they are supposed to be ideal for hunting in the way that they penetrate the target thanks to the plastic tip, and the way in which they then expand inside causing maximum damage.

 

This is what they look like after being fired at a wooden backstop.

At a 'live target' they penetrate and expand well. Against ballistic gel you can see that the plastic tip doesn't break apart, but does leave the pellet (causing more internal damage) and the lead part deforms well.

In the field: We hit 18 rats and 3 mice with them. They all pretty much keeled over straight away with only a couple bolting from the 'adrenaline rush' that you often get on rats. Looking at what we had hit, there was not really any visible entry wounds on the rats as the pellets seem to enter more cleanly. These pellets are certainly impressive and do the job.

Cost: They are fairly expensive at around £12.50 for 200. Are they any better than the standard pellets we use? Maybe not. They dropped the rats quickly and are accurate, but then the same could be said about the Crosman hollowpoints which are cheaper. 

Verdict: Worth having a go with them, possibly more noticable difference on pigeons than rats (perhaps). We will definitely be using them again but perhaps on different quarry.

 

Choosing an air pistol

Air Pistols

www.adifferentcalibre.co.uk

With the great number of models plus the huge price spread in airguns today, picking one specific gun is a challenging task. It's even more difficult for someone new to air-gunning who has to learn the technology before making a choice. In the UK pistol power is regulated to below 6ftlbs. This is essentially half the power of  an 'adult' air rifle. They are not suitable for hunting unless you are very close to your target.

You want to get something right away, but how do you know whether it's the right gun?

To narrow the field, you need to answer some questions:
 1. Budget. Typically air pistol prices start at as low as £30 for a simple break barrel, low power pistol. These are not recommended and neither are the cheap end 'bb' pistols as they don't tend to last. Having said that, have an idea of what you are willing to spend before you even begin to look.

2. What will the pistol be used for? Competition, Close range vermin control, fun targets in the garden? This will also impact on your budget. With air pistols, you really do get what you pay for.

Different guns have different 'power sources'. Typically they are split into 4 groups, these being CO2 capsule powered, break barrel, pre-charged pneumatic or 'pump-up'.

To begin with, lets look at some break barrels.
Pros
No ongoing expenses except pellets.
Fairly easy to operate
Can have more 'power' than CO2
Generally cheaper

Cons
Some recoil
Noiser
Single shot
Heavier and longer

The Bear Grylls pistol is a great beginners gun and ideal for back garden target shooting. It doesn't have the power for any vermin control and is probably not accurate enough for competion shooters. At £99 for the complete set though it is very good value and is suitable for the younger shooter or someone new to the sport.

The other type of break barrel are similar to the Benjamin Trail NP £120. These pack more of a punch than the BG guns and are ideal for close quarter vermin control (trapped rats etc).

Again single shot, but fairly accurate and getting on for the UK legal limit of 6ftlbs of power.

CO2 powered pistols are very popular. These can be single shot (for accuracy) or multi shot rapid fire for those of us that like to play.

Pros:
No need for cocking
Semi-auto (in some cases)
More authentic look and feel (with the replicas at least).

Cons:
Ongoing cost with CO2 capsules
Some can be less accurate (semi-autos)

The single shot guns are popular with those that like accuracy and are more serious about their target shooting.
The Airforce One Trophy pistol comes in .177 or .22 and there are both multi-shot and single shot versions available. The multi shot requires a bolt to be moved each time which makes it more accurate than a semi-auto.

We then have the multi-shot semiautos. These come in a number of guises including revolvers. Essentially they all work in the same way. A revolving magazine in the gun holds 8 pellets, the CO2 goes in the handle, and they fire as fast as you pull the trigger.
These are suited to the shooter that enjoys rapid fire action and are by far the most popular type of air pistol that we sell and most of our staff enjoy using these as well. Our own guns include the Umarex PX4 Storm and the Walther CP88.

 Prices range from £75 for a Crosman Vigilante

In the same price range is the Crosman Iceman at £80, a bit 'plasticy' for my liking, but it does the job.

or the classic Beretta 92F at £205

In the mid-range there is the Umarex CPS which is one of our best sellers. It is lightweight but well built and priced at £135

For those that like accessories on their guns there is a multitude of sights and other bits that can be added onto these.
Check out the Beretta XX-treme at £270 with a red dot sight and silencer

There are so many variations on these. Check out our website at www.adifferentcalibre.co.uk for a full list of what's available in the shop.

Pre-charge air pistols tend to be more expensive, but very much more accurate and are more for the serious target shooter.
Examples include the Brocock Grand Prix S6 at £460

Then there are the really serious Pre-charged such as the Steyr and Hammerli ranges. You can expect to pay upwards of £700 for these competition guns.

Come into our shop and have a look at the range we have available.www.diffcal.co.uk

Daystate Griffin Limited Edition Air Rifle

Daystate Griffin Limited Edition Air Rifle

www.adifferentcalibre.co.uk

The U.K.'s premier airgun manufacturer Daystate has just released another limited edition run of 150 airguns. The Griffen SE is a Target version of the popular Huntsman Regal - refitted into a Gary Cane designed stock made in Italy by Minelli of Milan.

We have 2 of these coming in priced at £1499. These will be in .22 calibre. Reserve one today if you want it as they are likely to go fast! The scope shown is not included, we recommend the MTC Silver Genesis to finish off the look.

This air rifle has no electronic systems on it and is sold as a regulated mechanical target rifle with the ability to be used for hunting in the field as well.

 

The multi adjustable stock allows a high level of customisation as well as giving the Griffin one of the finest balances of any airgun on the market. 

 

The long 20-inch barrel and XL cylinder improve performance and shot count, while the still air muzzle break removes what little movement that is left from the slingshot hammer and Ti valve system.

Just 150 are to be made for Worldwide sales, with an allocation of just 2 rifles per shop! Griffin comes complete with a special hard carrying case and certificate.

Specifications

• Fill Pressure... 200 BAR
• Shots per charge... .177 – 110, .22 - 130 shots @ 12 ft/lbs; 40 @ 30 ft/lbs
• Overall Length... 1166 mm [42 ins]
• Barrel Length... 508 mm [20 ins]
• Air Cylinder Capacity... 162cc
• Weight... [unscoped] 4.3 kg [9.47 lbs]
• Available Calibres... .177 [4.5mm] .22 [5.5mm]
• Loading... via bolt
• Magazine... 10-shot rotary, removable (from left or right). Magnetic single-shot loading tray
• Trigger... Mechanical. Adjustable for trigger position, weight and length of stage
• Safety... Manual, rotary
• Stock... ambidextrous , Target in smoke grey laminate
• Standard features...Match 20” barrel, still air muzzle adaptor threaded for silencer, palm rest, adjustable cheek piece, 3D adjustable butt pad, XL cylinder side pressure gauge, custom hard case

New air guns in stock!

Even though it's coming up to Christmas, we continue to expand the range of airguns we keep in the shop. Thanks to all of our customers who have supported us as a local business which is enabling us to continue to grow. Our website is at www.diffcal.co.uk

We have opted to get in two new tactical looking precharges this month.
The Walther Rotex RM8 priced at £499 with scope.

It has a soft touch rubber coated wooden stock which provides superb grip and ergonomics, as well as being extremely weather proof.
At the core of the RM8 is a bolt action multi shot system, with an 8 shot aluminium magazine which rotates positively each shot so you always know when its ready to shoot. The pellets are loaded into a Lothar Walther barrel which ensures that accuracy is superb and makes it ideal for hunting and target shooting. The 200cc buddy bottle provides up to 180 shots per fil. The bolt of this is on the side of the gun and it has a 'thumbed' top safety switch.

The other option is the Gamo Coyote Tactical. We have chosen the model that comes without a fixed silencer as the 'whisper' one, whilst ok on a break barrel wasn't something we would choose ourselves (and a BSA VC silencer fits very well). This air rifle is only £399!

Everyone that has had a Coyote from us be it in wood, or tactical have been very pleased with the performance of these cheaper guns. Highly reccomended.

Staying with the tactical theme, the new JKhan Noblesse Bullpup has just arrived. We have these in a walnut stock as well, however the black looks quite mean!

It is a bullpup design and the stock is actually a stained wood rather than synthetic. These are priced at £800.

We are also busy expanding our range of pellets.
The new Predator Polymags are ideal for hunting and pest control. We have these in both .22 and .177 at £12.50 a tin. Reports from customers have been excellent.

They have a plastic point in front of a hollow lead pellet. This allows for good pentration but huge expansion once inside a target. These ones are suitable for all air rifles including multi-shot magazines.

JSB have also bought out their hand selected packs for those that require spot on accuracy. These are in .177 and are £12.50 a box.

Baldock Bard is out shooting rats!

Our local poet is out on his farm shooting the rats!

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There is much talk in the wake of the Paris attacks about ‘what, if and how’ a similar outrage would be treated on London streets. Debate is good, however it is not the time to have reasonable discussion. Here on the farm we are not allowed to have rats. Following a poison control failure I have had to introduce a ‘shoot to kill’ policy…

I taped a torch to my gun,
and went to where the rats do run,
no rodent rights in my head,
my only aim to shoot them dead.
One appeared gave me the finger,
not much longer did it linger,
I raised the gun loosed off a round,
a rodent terrorist fell to the ground.
No debate neither fun,
just an action that had to be done.

We should fully support our police and armed forces who risk their lives allowing us to sleep safely in our comfortable beds.

© Baldock Bard 2015