Air force manoeuvres

Ed Cook says airguns can be efficient in dealing with his old foe in many situations

- Ed Cook

My first air rifle was Weihrauch HW77K in .22 calibre. My father bought it for my ninth birthday. I shot a considerable amount of rabbits with it, as well as other vermin, which helped my father in his job as a gamekeeper.

Prehistoric

My old ‘clanger’ spring-loaded airgun seems prehistoric by comparison to the modern ones, which look like pieces of art as well as possessing deadly accuracy.

These days I tend to use FAC-rated (firearms certificate) versions as they have a bit more ‘whack’ than the legal limit 12ft/ lb versions that don’t need licences, though are a safer option in many instances over a rimfire rifle.