AusVarmint

Days off after night work and it was time to pack myself and the little fellow up and head for Tenterfield.

Went through the usual angst as to which rifles to take. I am sick of carting a small arsnel away and only using a couple so I decided on the Rapid of course and the Theoben Taunus in .20 as back up and plinker. The Rapid is now sporting a new Mk 2 stock and I was keen try it in the field. Threw in the Ruger .308 compact just in case the pigs were around.
Overcast and rainy when we arrived. Nice and cool. This type of wheather seems to bring the rabbits out early.The countryside was very green and fresh. The property is a valley of grass like lawn between huge boulders and trees, with crystal clear streams.
After topping off the Rapid with air and filling the mag, we headed off for a walk. Carrying the pellets is a very important job when you are 4. Keeping quiet for more than 2 seconds is also a challenge.

Well after an hour and a half we had four nice rabbits in the bag. The Rapid felt great with the new stock. Fits well and comes to the shoulder nicely. All four head shots between 20 and 40 metres. Soon had them dressed and in the fridge. The next day I made a nice tomatoey Italian rabbit stew. Went down well with the rellies.
Thanks for looking.

Carrying the pellets is a very important job when you are 4. Keeping quiet for more than 2 seconds is also a challenge.

And I bet he loved every minute!

Great write up Whitey.

regards, curan

Thanks mate. He did and I can't wait to get him his first rifle. HW25L maybe? Get's to day care today and announces during show and tell that he has been at Tenterfield shooting rabbits and Dad skinned them!!!!

Whitey wrote:Thanks mate. He did and I can't wait to get him his first rifle. HW25L maybe? Get's to day care today and announces during show and tell that he has been at Tenterfield shooting rabbits and Dad skinned them!!!!

Niice. Good story Whitey, always a good read.

Looks like a great day out. That certainly is a nice rig.

Hi Whitey, Looks like you were quite chuffed to have the young bloke along on I assume his first proper hunt with Dad. Good one.
The Rapid looks quite well dressed in the new stock. Where did you get hold of it mate?
Ray.

Ray, bought the stock from a guy in the states. He bought a new Rapid to customise and took the stock off when he got it. Think I paid $250 US plus maybe $20 postage. Took about a week to arrive. The place for bits and pieces is the Yellow 54 forum classifieds. Great airgun site. With the AUD at US dollar there are some bargains to be had. Got to be a bit careful though. Few fraudies around. They have a BOI section which names sellers and gives details of their ligitimacey. I am going to get that HW25l for the little bloke from Airguns of Arizona. Does anyone here have one?

Regards

Whitey wrote:........ The place for bits and pieces is the Yellow 54 forum classifieds. Great airgun site. With the AUD at US dollar there are some bargains to be had..........

Oh no! Whitey, what have you done? I just spent an hour lost in that forum, salivating furiously!

Incidentally, and sorry about the thread hijack, but what does it take to import an air rifle from the states?

regards, curan

This is a rough version of what is required. Make all necessary inq. with your states Weapons branch.

You apply for a PTA as usual and ask that when issued it goes to the secton that issues import permits. Now in Qld that is someone from weapons licencing also. They isses you with the import permit to go with the PTA. If you buy a rifle from someone in the states, they fill out an export form stating what it is and where it is going. I think they get it from the PO. The rifle is shipped. Some shippers don't do firearms. I think UPS does and is good. When it gets to Australia, Customs will intercept it and notify you. They will test the safety and trigger weight. Then you make an appointment and go to Customs with your PTA and Import Permit. The exchange is done and you take the rifle and broker it with a dealer as per usual.

Things to note.

THE RIFLE MUST HAVE A SAFETY.

THE TRIGGER MUST BE SET AT ITS HEAVIEST. The trigger has to meet Australian Standards. IF IT FAILS THE TEST, THEY HAVE A LIST OF ACCREDITED GUNSMITHS WHO YOU HAVE TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE RIFLE PICKED UP AND THE ISSUES PUT RIGHT. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Then they re test it. If all is not right then you may have to send it back.....

ALOT OF RIFLES ARE SOLD IN THE US WITH SILENCERS OR SHROUDS. DO NOT TRY TO IMPORT ONE WITH EITHER AS IT WILL ALL GO TO SHIT QUICKLY................................

When buying from someone on the Yellow 54 forum, you should check their Bonifidies etc. You will find that some sellers will be reluctant to sell outside the US. for various resons. The details above are relevant to Qld. Other states and you will need to ring weapons. I have pointed out some of the pitfalls of this process. I don't take any responsibility for the info. Research it yourself.
Does open up some good opportunities.

Thanks very much for that............

Nice read and pic's Whitey, I have a four year old, so I'm hearin you about the 2 second thing mate.

Curan,

I hope I didn't make the import thing sound too hard. I just didn't want anyone getting any unexpected surprises. It's actually easy, but there are pitfalls that need to be considered. I've done it once for a rifle and very happy. The Yellow 54 forum is very informative.

I take the little bloke rat hunting which is also a hoot. Likes to hold his own torch and spot for me.

Lewis do you know if anyone sold the Hw25L here?

Whitey wrote:Curan,

I hope I didn't make the import thing sound too hard. I just didn't want anyone getting any unexpected surprises. It's actually easy, but there are pitfalls that need to be considered. I've done it once for a rifle and very happy. The Yellow 54 forum is very informative.

I take the little bloke rat hunting which is also a hoot. Likes to hold his own torch and spot for me.

Lewis do you know if anyone sold the Hw25L here?

Nice photos and story Brendan.He's a great little fella!
I sold a few HW25L's years ago but there are others around that I've rebuilt.The 25L has Beeman P1/Hw45 spring and piston seals.

Nice Theoben! Does the MK2 stock make the MK1 handle a lot better? Is it worth chasing one? Mate, don't we miss Lewis! Lewis, please come back!!

hornetboy wrote:Nice Theoben! Does the MK2 stock make the MK1 handle a lot better? Is it worth chasing one? Mate, don't we miss Lewis! Lewis, please come back!!

Hi hornetboy.............you have a PM
Ray.