Here is a list of some of the pieces he wrote for Sporting Gun magazine, which are read over and over again on Shooting UK. A true professional to the last, Mike always handed his copy in time, despite suffering from the effects of a serious illness. 12 of the…
Advice
Should you clip your dog’s coat for the summer?
I own a working cocker spaniel that is 12 months old. Can you please give me advice on how to look after its coat, as some say you can cut it but others say not to. I do not know what to do for the best.
7 legal things about gun cabinets you need to know
1. Do you need to heat your gun cabinets in winter? If the temperature is plummeting outside will your guns suffer if the cabinet is in an unheated room that’s a bit damp? Is there a danger of the cabinet rusting? Coldness on its own does not cause rust, but…
Should the safety on all guns be automatic?
Intercepting safety sears on the tumbler of a gun are supposed to stop accidental discharges if the gun is dropped, or jarred, by accident.
Can’t stop stopping my gun
Q: How do I stop myself stopping the gun when I shoot? A: Tony says: Stopping the gun as you shoot can be down to a number of factors. Let’s assume that the gun fits, as an incorrectly fitted gun can cause all sorts of problems – especially to your…
Footwork and how it affects your success when shooting
Most Guns don’t understand how footwork helps them, and when asked will probably answer along the lines of killing the bird wherever your front foot is, or something to that effect. Here’s why good shooting footwork is essential Your shooting stance gives you the platform from which to mount your…
Is my UK shotgun certificate valid abroad? Or do I need more documents?
Q: I’ve been invited to shoot in France next season. Will my shotgun certificate be valid over there? You will need your SGC and also a European Firearms Pass which can be obtained at no cost from your local police. The airline/ferry/tunnel will want to know you are travelling with firearms.…
15 vital things you need to know about Lyme Disease
New advice has been given by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE) to help doctors quickly spot Lyme disease, so they can offer people NHS treatment as soon as possible. Saul Faust, Professor of paediatric immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Southampton and chair of…
Is my shotgun a Baikal?
I've inherited one of those Baikal shotguns with a selective trigger, but I'm darned if I can get it to work!
The best cover crops for the part-time keeper
Cover crops can do many things to enhance a shoot: Provide options for early-season drives when the woods might have too much leaf on the trees to push pheasants out Link areas of land where there are no natural transfer points such as hedges or ditches Give more options in…
Is the fit right on my gun?
I've bought a Beretta for clay shooting as a spare, but I'm not sure the gun fit is right as I don’t shoot as well with it as I do my old workhorse.
When is the best time to shoot corvids?
I know this has nothing to do with pigeon shooting but I wondered if you could tell me the best way to decoy crows from a hide?
How can I stop my spaniel whining at the peg?
My two year-old Springer spaniel, Betsy, is a great worker but she will insist on whining whenever she is made to sit, or when she is in the kennel.
How to sharpen a knife and keep it that way
Q: Can you recommend a knife sharpener please? I cannot find a decent one for my rabbiting and stalking knives. A: I get asked this a lot and it is an area I still struggle with — that of getting a keen edge to a blade and, better still, keeping…
A lesson on gun fit
The season was drawing to an end when I received a call from Shooting Times Editor Patrick Galbraith. Patrick mentioned that he wasn’t entirely happy with his shooting over the season; he had been frustrated at his inconsistency on many days. He thought it was time to try to sort…
What’s the best first gun for a youngster? A .410 or a 28-bore?
Which is the best first gun? My son, who is 12, is keen to start shooting and I am considering buying a light side-by-side .410. However, one of my shooting friends thinks a 28-bore might be more suitable. Which of the two is the best first gun? Many experienced shooters…
Up to what range are my .22 bullets still effective?
On the ammo box it says .22 LR subsonic are dangerous up to 1½ miles - can one of these bullets kill a long distance away?
Is it legal to shoot parakeets?
It's legal ton shoot a couple of parakeets species under general licence