I would like a variation to my Firearms Certificate for deer stalking, in order to possess a .308 or .30-06. I would like a double rifle but maybe a conventional bolt-action rifle might be best?
Advice
Is the shooting technique I’ve read about correct?
Shooting advice: I've read a book on skeet clay shooting written by an American coach who says the knee on our front leg needs to be bent and the gun should be mounted with the elbow held high - almost at right angles to the shoulder pouch.
Is there a secret to bagging a double when pigeon shooting?
I've started pigeon shooting on my dad’s farm and love every minute of it. My shooting's getting better but I have yet to manage a double, is there a secret or recognised approach to doing this?
Heat haze stopped me from pigeon shooting!
When pigeon shooting last summer, I enjoyed a couple of days on laid wheat in hot weather - the only trouble was the heat haze from the barrels caused problems when the gun was mounted. How do you stop this haze occurring? Would it help to pour cold water down…
Can shooting through cover badly affect bullet trajectory?
Deer stalking: I've just returned from deer stalking, where a shot I took went low and the animal ran into cover. There were a few clumps of rushes in front of the deer, but they didn’t seem too thick to me.
What’s the legal age to carry a .22 air rifle?
Shooting advice: I was wondering what the legal age is to be in possession of, or carry, a .22 calibre air rifle at 12ft/lb to or from a shooting ground. I’m 15 and I would like to know this before I go out and get nicked by the police.
Why can I only buy a certain number of rifle bullets?
Shooting: If numbers are not important, until they are assembled, why is it that when I buy soft pointed bullets dealers will only let me have the number of bullets that correspond with the loaded rounds I am allowed to buy?
Are people using steel shot cartridges for pigeon shooting?
Pigeon shooting: In your opinion, are more pigeon shooters now using steel shot cartridges to keep costs down? The reason I ask is that nobody seems to be talking about the subject, yet clay shooters openly admit that they are using the stuff.
Do I have to stand within the hoop when clay shooting?
Clay shooting: I was picked up by the referee at a clay Sporting shoot for having my foot on the hoop, rather than inside it. Surely this would not affect my scores, so why did I get the reprimand?
Is it possible for pigeon to die without being shot?
Pigeon shooting: I’ve now shot two wood pigeon, but have been unable to find a single pellet hole or mark on the body or neck. Have you ever come across a similar situation? Surely the bird doesn’t die of fright - or does it?
Where’s the best place to sell rabbits?
Rabbit shooting: I want to sell some rabbits. Do you get a better price for them from a game dealer, or by putting them through a local market auction?
How do I preserve the stock on my shotgun?
Shooting advice: What is the best way of preserving the finish on an oiled gun stock? Should the wood be oiled regularly?
Are barking deer warning each other when I’m deer stalking?
Deer stalking: Yesterday I stalked a fairly large wood and spotted several roe deer, but didn’t get a shot. After a while the deer started to bark at one another.
What’s the ideal weight of trigger pull on a shotgun?
What’s the ideal weight of trigger pull on a shotgun? I’ve also been told that the weight of pull is slightly different between those on a double-triggered gun. Why should this be?
I sometimes give targets different amounts of lead!
When clay shooting - notably long left-to-right crossers - I am sometimes aware of giving the bird a different amount of lead than I do on those going the other way at the same speed. Why is this?
How can I prove I’m pigeon shooting for crop protection?
Pigeon shooting: How can we prove we are controlling pigeon for crop protection when we shoot over stubbles and sugar beet tops if no drilled area or oilseed rape is nearby?
Which clay shooting discipline do you think is easiest?
Clay shooting: A gun club near my home does DTL and Automatic Ball Trap shooting. I’m in the process of buying my first gun and would like to know which of these games is easiest to master?
What’s this form in my shotgun licence renewal pack?
Shotgun licence: I live in Essex and included in my recent shotgun certificate renewal pack there was a form I was required to sign to the effect that if my certificate renewal was delayed I could keep my guns in the approved storage but not use them.
Do different crimps on shotgun cartridges affect shooting?
Why do some shotgun cartridges have eight-star crimps instead of the usual six? Does this affect shooting?
Do I need different nettings to match the background?
Pigeon shooting: Is it necessary to buy different colours of camo netting to suit seasonal changes to background vegetation? Can I get away with just one?