Springer, CO2 or PCP - .22 or .177 (5.5mm or 4.5mm)

I thought that I'd try and get a bit of discussion going on this section of the forum so I thought I'd start a debate on the type of rifle used for hunting.

As I understand it the springer and CO2 rifles are mainly used for short range ratting and short range hunting whilst the PCP (Pre-Charged Pnuematic) rifles tend to be used for more general hunting such as longer range rabbits, squirrels and pidgeons.

We then have the debate on .22 or .177 Again the two types of hunting seem split with .22 being used for short range ratting and .177 being used for longer range due to the flatter trajectory.

Then we can look at the use of multi-shot rifles I would argue that when hunting a multi-shot rifle is more beneficial as you do not need to load the breech in the dark before each shot and if a quick second shot is needed you cannot beat a multi-shot. If you want a very quick second shot then a side-lever is even quicker

So come on you shooters let's here your views on the above. Do you hunt with:

• .22 or .177?
  
• Springers or recoiless?
  
• Single shot or multi-shot?
  
• Wooden stock or synthetic?
  
• Carbine or full barrel?
  
• Moderated (we can't say silenced as it's not silent!) or un-moderated?
  
• Fixed magnification or variable?
  
• Sidewheel distance finders or fixed lens?
  
• Prone, sitting or standing?
  
• Lamping or hide?
  
• Rifle mounted lamp or hand held?
  
• If PCP regulated or not?
  

What would your perfect hunting rifle be and why? Would you have a rifle for hunting and a rifle for target shooting and if so why?

Get a few words down and give a few new people to shooting an idea of what to look for and why. No need to state manufacturers, just styles and why.

as someone that shoots a lot i use very powerful guns i use a 22 rim fire for rabbits and vermin control a .17hmr for calm nights for long range rabbits up to 150yards and a 22-250 for rabbits and foxes this is a beast, can drop a fox at 500 yards with ease i have shot rabbits and killed them at 600 yards,make no mistake this gun can kill i use these as i like long range shooting. For target and rabbit a .22 gas charged rifle with a good spring and tuned will kill rabbits at 70-80 yards with a good head shot, i would take people with me but my licence won't let me sorry. A good scope that has a good set of cross hairs will be ample make not important, if scope the 22 rifle to 40 yeards you can then use the cross hairs to gage your shot good hunting. im in talkes with a farmer at the mo to get you some land to shoot il keep you posted.

Nice one Kev and thanks for your input into this forum. I can't beleive the size of the .17hmr round. I'm tempted to get a fire arms license just to shoot one of these!

its a good round explodes on impack but not good in the wind the wind throws it a lot it will take a rabbits head off at about 80 yeards will drop dear at 60 yeards so yea mate a good bullet very fast most things you shoot dont know what happened i'll show you a 22-250 round next time im in i have just put in a application for a 243 then il be able to shoot dear as its againt the law to use anything smaller