Well, where do we all stand on Reds?

The maximume game getting range of a 12 bore shotgun is pretty well accepted to be 40 yards based on a 30 inch circle and the pellet pattern within the circle at that range. In practice 40 yards is one hell of a shot, and shooters are notorious for over-estimating range. The vast majority of game (and clays) are taken at much lesser distances.

There definitely comes a point as far as game is concerned where distance renders the shot unsporting weighed against he likelihood of a kill.

On the other hand at close range a 12 bore shotgun is probably the last thing I'd want to be shot with - smashed splintered bone, massive removal of huge chunks of tissue and a high likelihood of bleeding to death without immediate treatment, assuming death wasn't instant. I've been unfortunate enough to see several shotgun suicides - not pretty! :gag: Also a guy who shot in the same syndicate as me decided to off himself after his wife died - stuck the 12 bore under his chin and pulled the trigger, but flinched at the last moment and blew away half his lower jaw, teeth and one side of his face. Today, he looks frankly horrendous, but the last time I saw him he had a pretty fit bird in tow. :D
 
Last edited:
CT said:
I'm surprised at you. It all depends on species and range. ;)

PS I'd like to see you hitting driven pheasants with a rifle!
Click to expand...

A 5.56mm bullet will go straight through most animals (a dog for example), and the animal will keep right on running. It's of a far too high veolcity to stop animals.

CT: That's what full auto is for :) Close your eyes, pull the trigger and hope for the best.

Besides, if you've got real problems with squirrels I find a 120mm mortar usually does the trick :nuts:
 
^^^^ LOL^^^^ Agree on the too much velocity thing - it can be a week before they know they've been shot! :D
 
I remember on Grand theft auto san andreas, they had an ad (on one of the fictional radio stations) for a gun store that sold 'Vapourising Critters' mini nuclear bombs :D I bet that'd get rid of the squirrels, as well as making part of your back yard uninhabitable for a few hundred years :eek:
 
Garry Edwards said:
Yes, it's a good gun, made in 1897 and in perfect working nick. Very lightweight so it has a kick like a mule. I bought it as a tractor gun but it's too good for that.
sidexside_2.jpg
Click to expand...

Is that a Prince Of Wales stock Garry, or is that really the end of the stock we're just seeing there? :D
 
Yes, it's a Prince of Wales - well spotted!

In case you'd like to see a pic of the other end...
hornet_red.jpg
 
I don`t shoot pheasant nor duck, in fact I have no interest in shooting game birds, for what I shoot a rifle is better. A shotgun maims, a rifle kills............:p
 
ChrisMClark said:
A 5.56mm bullet will go straight through most animals (a dog for example), and the animal will keep right on running. It's of a far too high veolcity to stop animals.

CT: That's what full auto is for :) Close your eyes, pull the trigger and hope for the best.

Besides, if you've got real problems with squirrels I find a 120mm mortar usually does the trick :nuts:
Click to expand...


Soft flat heads............:thumbs:

Dumdums, in case your young........:lol:
 
fracster said:
I don`t shoot pheasant nor duck, in fact I have no interest in shooting game birds, for what I shoot a rifle is better. A shotgun maims, a rifle kills............:p
Click to expand...

It comes down to the right tool for whatever the job doesn't it?

I've seen foxes killed outright many times with one shot from a 12 bore at reasonable range, but on the other hand I've seen them clearly hit 3 or 4 times at a distance where the shot really shouldn't have been taken and carry on running. I don't hate any species that much - even foxes.

Now Magpies! :nuts:
 
CT said:
It comes down to the right tool for whatever the job doesn't it?

I've seen foxes killed outright many times with one shot from a 12 bore at reasonable range, but on the other hand I've seen them clearly hit 3 or 4 times at a distance where the shot really shouldn't have been taken and carry on running. I don't hate any species that much - even foxes.

Now Magpies! :nuts:
Click to expand...
I agree. A 12 bore loaded with BB mini magnum is instant on fox at 30 yards, which is a fair range for a fast running target. A .22 LR would be humane for a headshot on a static target but irresponsible for a runner. A .308 would be humane wherever it hits, but needs a good backstop and, in real life, foxes don't always oblige by having a hill behind them. Within reason, a shotgun doesn't have the same safety issues.
I've shot Section 1's all my life, I just feel that shotguns are more humane in most situations, and IMO nobody should ever fire if there's any doubt about a clean kill.
 
We had a strict 'no ground game' rule on pheasant days for obvious safety reasons with the proviso that foxes could be taken provided it was safe to do so. Given that most shooters would be loaded with probably 6's, you can imagine the consequences of shooting at foxes at any range, and obviously with competent shooters they're going to get hit. Quite a few of them were farmers mind you, and there was scant sympathy for Reynard.
 
Agree with the right tool for the job at the right time, and of course shotguns have there uses. As an aside, when picking up after the last shoot, I got about 30 spent BB cartridges,wonder if they had been self loaded........:suspect:
 
Up until now I've been reading this thread with great interest:thumbs: This claim however could not go unquestioned:nono:


fracster said:
A shotgun maims, a rifle kills............:p
Click to expand...

Can I take it that you'd be willing to back up this statment with some cold hard fact?
 
Eric Mc said:
Up until now I've been reading this thread with great interest:thumbs: This claim however could not go unquestioned:nono:




Can I take it that you'd be willing to back up this statment with some cold hard fact?
Click to expand...


It is a tongue in cheek remark towards CT and Garry, hence the smiley at the end.......:)
 
whilst i disagree with the idea of killing one animal to save another, this thread seems to offer limited ways that the "reds" can fight back, other then the "greys" being - er well killed - which seems a bit harsh - they maybe an import but they did not ask to be exported from their native land did they ? but since they are here and destined to be killed by "nature lovers" for the greater good, seems a waste to me

So


what does grey squirrel taste like? :eek:

may seem sick but if you are going to kill them, then why not raise some money selling the meat and put the money into saving the Reds?
 
Well, something has to be done about a grey.

He/she has taken up residence in the loft (the house is in the middle of a wood) and has chewed 2 holes in the ceiling, comes down to scatter food everywhere and actually eat a bit of it. He/she needs to go...

Other half has been trying to shoot it, has to use an air rifle as it's indoors and shotguns and the insides of houses are a bad mix. First few attempts failed because she didn't realise that the air rifle is zeroed for 12 yards.

now the squirrel has wised up, has gone in a flash as soon as it hears the click of the sear and is sitting down having a coffee and watching the telly by the time the pellet reaches where it was...

It has to be a coincidence but whenever I'm there it only pokes it's nose out.

Given its brain and instinct for survival it really deserves to live - but something's got to go, and it's the squirrel.

I'll let you know who wins this one :-)
 
MY MONEYS ON THE SQUIRREL:)
 
In Germany the Red Squirrel is doing fine although in some areas it's more balck than red as the melanistic varients flourish.
 
An update.
I thought it would die of old age (or overeating) but it actually left the house yesterday, jumped on to a branch and then walked into an ounce of lead.

The amount of damage it caused was enormous but it will seem strange to be able to sleep without its noise.
 
Garry Edwards said:
An update.
I thought it would die of old age (or overeating) but it actually left the house yesterday, jumped on to a branch and then walked into an ounce of lead.
Click to expand...

A bit careless of you Gary -leaving an ounce lead hanging around for a squidger to bump into. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top