Q: Just how far do shotgun pellets travel? I want to carry out some crop protection on a 15-acre field I own. There are public roads on two sides of it. Obviously I want to keep things safe and stay within the law. I am wondering what is the considered…
Advice
Air rifle muzzle energy – should it be adjustable?
Air rifle muzzle energy Q:I am planning to buy a new airgun and have noticed that quite a few models have adjustable power. Is it important to be able to turn air rifle muzzle energy up and down? A: Adjustable output is more beneficial on FAC-rated airguns, especially if you…
What should I do with a shotgun or rifle when the owner dies?
What happens to shotguns after owner’s death? Q: What is the best thing to do if someone you know has died and they held a licence and owned shotguns that are still within their premises? It is still early days waiting on a post-mortem examination and death certificate, and no…
The legalities of target shooting on private land
If you have a good amount of land that is isolated from the public you might well have considered setting up an area for private target shooting. But it is legal? Alternatively you might have access to land well away from public use but are you allowed legally to buy…
Airgun shooting permission: here’s how to go about getting it
Airgunning at home in the garden or at an airgun shooting range is one thing, but how do you go about getting an airgun shooting permission locally so that you can carry out some pest control with an air rifle? How should you approach a local landowner? Getting an airgun…
Using traps and snares: how to do it legally and effectively
Traps and snares play a vital role in gamekeeping. If you are looking to establish new ground for a shoot or simply increase the amount of wild game in your area, knowing how and when to trap is essential. Whether you’re using cages or tunnels to reduce predation, Larsen trapping…
What is the perfect weather for a shoot day?
Imagine your perfect driven shooting day — a cheerful host, good hospitality, abundant birds passing over or across your peg, perhaps a faithful hound sitting meekly at heel, attentive to your every command, and, of course, you dropping the birds with a skill that makes your companions gasp. Perfect weather…
New Year resolutions for shooters in 2022
The New Year is a time of resolutions for many of us. We think about what we would like to achieve over the coming year and what we would like to see happening. So we asked some contributors from Shooting Times and Sporting Gun for their thoughts on the matter.…
What to expect on the beating line
Chatting to our new beaters bought back memories of my very first day in the beating line, when I was about 16. I didn’t live in a rural location – I was brought up on a council estate in north London – but I was a mad keen fisherman and…
Moving house and your gun certificates – what you need to know
When you’re moving house you want everything to run as smoothly as possible. But what should you do if you’re a gun owner? What are the legalities to obey concerning a firearms or shotgun certificate when you’re moving house? (Read the law on moving gun cabins to a different location.) I…
What is Cerakote?
You’ll often come across the description “Cerakote” in a gun review. What you might not know is what it actually describes. I decided to write about it having received the following request from a reader of Shooting Times. Q: What is Cerakote and can I have it applied to my…
Christmas gifts for shooters 2021
We’ve put together a long list of Christmas gifts for shooters that you can buy online which can be delivered directly to the recipient, should you so wish. Scroll down and you’ll find gifts for men, women, children and pets. We’re adding to the list all the time as we…
At what age can I apply for a shotgun certificate?
One of the commonest questions I get through Sporting Gun is from youngsters wanting to know what the minimum age is for getting a shotgun certificate.
Why a backup gun is a good idea
Those of us who shoot game can all relate to the excitement and anticipation of an approaching day in the field. You prepare everything the night before; your tweeds are looking sharp, you have enough cartridges to see you through the next three seasons and you have a gift for…
Cyber Monday deals 2021 for fieldsports fans
How can you benefit from the Cyber Monday deals that will be around this year? Are they really bargains? How does Cyber Monday work? Where will you find the best savings? Scroll down and see the deals we have already found from Sealskinz gloves to waterproof trousers. It’s also a…
Dogs and electric fences: how dangerous is getting a shock?
Shocks from electric fences can be painful but your dog shouldn't experience lasting trauma. If your dog still seems affected after the shock, you should see your vet
The best shooting sticks: a selection for the field
Why we need shooting sticks It’s all too easy to miss a fox or a deer, especially when adrenaline kicks in and you don’t have a solid rest. I know I’ve missed shots in the past when I’ve tried to shoot off a fence post or tree branch and, though…
Parallax adjustment – how much does it affect rifle accuracy?
Parallax problems may not be due to a scope.
Toxic ammunition: the truth about lead
The move to phase out lead ammunition is one of the most divisive and inflammatory issues in modern fieldsports. Yet, despite the wealth of coverage and the emotion the topic of toxic ammunition evokes in many quarters, the open-minded hunter looking for sufficient information to form their own opinion can…
Gun safety catch – should it be automatic on all guns?
Intercepting safety sears on the tumbler of a gun are supposed to stop accidental discharges if the gun is dropped, or jarred, by accident.