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Hi all,
I have been asked to provide vermin control at an Airfield, I do use shotguns there at present and although they do fine for birds and small creatures, for foxes and the odd deer I intend to use rifles. I have a .22 and .223 which I feel would suffice for the wildlife I will encounter, but before I add this new permission to my ticket I am looking for ammo advice.

Can some of you wildlife controlers out there point me in the right direction?, abviously with multi million dollar Aircraft around I will need my rounds to hit their target and stay there, to ensure no through and through rounds go anywhere they shouldn't.

I have never used expanding ammo so forgive the ignorance in advance.

Barnes Varmint Grenade

It's also under question if the bullets are S.5 - as the legal definition for S5 uses the phrase "controlled expansion" or something similar.
No "controlled expansion" to be seen, given the very frangible nature of the Varmint Grenade

.22 might not be enough for humane kill on a fox. Otherwise, normal expanding ammunition and apply the usual rules as to safe backstop etc in case of a through shot/miss

Dombo63 wrote:.22 might not be enough for humane kill on a fox. Otherwise, normal expanding ammunition and apply the usual rules as to safe backstop etc in case of a through shot/miss

Thanks, yep thats why I thought my 223 would come in, that Barnes ammo also seems to drop vermin instantly with no through shot.

sconie wrote:

Dombo63 wrote:...that Barnes ammo also seems to drop vermin instantly with no through shot.

clapclap

saddler wrote:Barnes Varmint Grenade

It's also under question if the bullets are S.5 - as the legal definition for S5 uses the phrase "controlled expansion" or something similar.
No "controlled expansion" to be seen, given the very frangible nature of the Varmint Grenade

Has anyone confirmed the status of the VG bullet as S5 or S1?

sconie wrote:Hi all,
I have been asked to provide vermin control at an Airfield, I do use shotguns there at present and although they do fine for birds and small creatures, for foxes and the odd deer I intend to use rifles. I have a .22 and .223 which I feel would suffice for the wildlife I will encounter, but before I add this new permission to my ticket I am looking for ammo advice.

Can some of you wildlife controlers out there point me in the right direction?, abviously with multi million dollar Aircraft around I will need my rounds to hit their target and stay there, to ensure no through and through rounds go anywhere they shouldn't.

I have never used expanding ammo so forgive the ignorance in advance.

without knowing where you are, the first thing that jumps to mind is that the .223 is only legal for the smaller deer species (and Roe in Scotland) and that varmint type bullets are not generally suitable for deer, through and through shots are a fact of life, thats why we are so fixated on a safe backstop for every shot! have you got expanding on your FAC?

I should imagine suitably placed high seats (or control tower!) wouldn't be a bad idea either.

I have spoken to the licencing office and I will have to add expanding ammo, as tickets are up for renewal they told me to add the details on my submission. I am in the central belt and the only deer we see are Roe so .223 should suffice.

There is one area with backstop but the majority of the field is flat and open as Airfields should be, as we are careful to keep a low profile with all the plane spotters around the field, a high chair would not be popular and would create an obstruction to aircraft.

Not the easiest of locals to shoot over with stealth, accuracy and controlled penitration required.

Thanks for all the replies.

sconie wrote:I have spoken to the licencing office and I will have to add expanding ammo, as tickets are up for renewal they told me to add the details on my submission. I am in the central belt and the only deer we see are Roe so .223 should suffice.

There is one area with backstop but the majority of the field is flat and open as Airfields should be, as we are careful to keep a low profile with all the plane spotters around the field, a high chair would not be popular and would create an obstruction to aircraft.

Not the easiest of locals to shoot over with stealth, accuracy and controlled penitration required.

Thanks for all the replies.

~I thought flatness of area would be a problem, however if you are thinking of using a centerfire rifle, or even a .22LR for that matter, then you are going to have to come to terms with backstops, no matter what ammo you use, some of it is likely to go off on its own to check out the local views every now and again! the only safe way to shoot on a flat area like that is to get some altitude on your side, are there any hangers/buildings with fire escape platforms that would act as high seats? plane spotters are also going to be a real headache for you, as they will turn up in the most awkward circumstances and oddest places! possibly sticking to shotguns may be your best bet for general use, and save the rifles for specific areas where you can get a safe backstop . (plane spotters bless them , are not generally considered a safe backstop )