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.
Advice
How old do you need to be to go shooting?
I am applying for a shotgun certificate but am confused about the age you must be to go shooting by yourself. I'm 15 coming up 16 and have a keen interest in all country sports. I'd like to take up pigeon shooting as we have a pigeon problem on our
Beads on shotguns – are they actually useful?
Q: I am relatively new to both clay and gameshooting and am now into my second season. I have seen people using green or red beads on the ends of their barrels and am curious to know what the pros and cons of these are. A: You can shoot without a…
Sporting Gun remembers Mike George
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…
I forgot to tell the police about my new gun in time. Now what?
Q: I recently bought a new gun and forgot to inform the police within the required seven-day gun notification period to add it to my licence. I have now sent the police the required paperwork but it is six weeks since I bought the gun. Should I call the police…
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.
What is the best big rifle for shooting foxes?
In your opinion what is the best big rifle for foxes, taking into consideration the cost of the ammunition. What is the cheapest price I could buy one for?
Trigger freeze – or the ‘flinch effect’. Here’s how to cure it
A disconcerting affliction for many shooters
What does the law say about carrying a shotgun in public?
I'm a student living in the centre of Cambridge and quite regularly cycle to shoot on land on the outskirts of the city where I have rights, or to our local clay ground.
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.…
What’s the difference between a game and sporting gun?
The main difference between a game gun and a sporting gun is the weight. Game guns are lighter Sporters are set up for clay shooting, and they often have multi-chokes and a more visible rib on the barrels. Game guns are lighter and have smaller ribs for less weight and…
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…
Am I allowed to shoot my airgun in local woods open to the public?
A: I am new to airgun shooting and want to know whether I’m allowed to shoot in local woods that are open to the public. If I need formal airgun shooting permission, how should I go about contacting the owner? Q: You need permission from the landowner or the owner…
Laser range finders
Q: Could you recommend a laser range finder to help me accurately judge distances? I shoot over large fields and hills, so knowing the correct range would be useful. A: Laser range finders are very handy for showing the range to your target, allowing you to adjust your aim or…