Shotgun licence: Is there a time limit after getting a shotgun licence in which I have to buy a gun? I’d planned to get one pretty soon after the certificate arrived but now I’ve been made redundant there are more pressing demands on my finances.
Advice
What is the best rib width for shooting English Sporting?
When clay shooting - what is the best rib width for English Sporting. And should gun ribs be straight, or tapered?
Would a 16-bore shotgun be suitable for shooting woodcock?
Shooting advice: I’m buying a 16-bore shotgun, number 7,558, made by Arthur Howell & Co, Birmingham, but can’t find any information on the maker. Would it be suitable for woodcock?
Can I apply for a variation to my Firearms Certificate?
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?
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.
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?
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?
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 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?
Is it legal to use a muzzle-loading gun with lead shot to shoot wildfowl?
Game shooting: I believe the law banning lead shot applies only to shotgun cartridges. Is it therefore legal to use a muzzle-loading gun with lead shot to shoot wildfowl?
Why are accurate-shooting rifles said to have fully floating barrels?
Why are accurate-shooting rifles frequently advertised as having fully floating barrels, and what is a fully floating barrel anyway?
I often see young deer with spots when deer stalking?
Deer stalking: Why do fawns have spots when the young of other animals don’t seem to need them?
Could you tell me about .177 BSA Merlin air rifles?
Air rifles: I have a .177 BSA Merlin underlever air rifle No. KA1564. I would like to know its age and something of its background. It is in good working order and regularly used.
I have been asked to act as a Firearms Certificate mentor!
Firearms Certificate mentor: I have been asked to act as mentor for a friend of mine who has recently been granted an FAC, subject to having a mentor. Are there any issues I should be aware of if i decide to become an FAC mentor?