What does it mean when you’re told that you’re stopping the gun? Matt Clarke, editor of Sporting Gun says: “Stopping the gun means that are not swinging your barrels through the target, but are stopping the swing of the gun as soon as you have pulled the trigger. This will…
Shooting answers
Gun recoil – what causes it and how to avoid it
Unfortunately many people are put off shooting early in their career due to having a bad experience with gun recoil. That is a shame, because gun recoil is definitely manageable so that it doesn’t present a problem to the shooter. The trick is to fit the gun and the shooter…
Beads on shotguns – do they mean you’ll shoot better?
Fore-sight beads on shotguns come in different colours – often red or green and are supposed to help with your eye dominance. But are they really necessary? If you find them a distraction, can you remove them? Shooting Times and Sporting Gun contributors gave their thoughts on the matter. Beads…
Standing correctly to shoot clays is a key part of your technique. Here’s how to get it right.
The correct ready position when shooting increases your chance of hitting more clays.
Trigger freeze – or the ‘flinch effect’. Here’s how to cure it
Trigger freeze – also known as ‘flinching’ is becoming increasingly seen among shooters. For some Guns it only happens rarely, for others it increases over time. It can even cause some Guns to give up shooting altogether. What is trigger freeze or flinching? Flinching is the inability to pull the…
Should I use a sound moderator on my airgun?
Q: I’m planning to buy an air rifle to keep down the rabbits in our pony paddocks. I notice that a lot of airgun shooters fit their rifles with sound moderators — surely there isn’t much need to reduce the volume of an air gun’s muzzle report? Is a sound…
Should I start to close an eye when shooting?
Q: As an older Gun I sometimes struggle with my eyesight. I shoot off my right shoulder but my left eye is strong and my right eye is getting weaker. I have always shot with both eyes open but I am wondering whether I should start to close one eye…
How can I reload my shotgun swiftly with cold, frozen fingers?
Q: Can you recommend a way to reload a shotgun quickly that does not compromise safety? I’m all thumbs when the weather gets colder and was wondering if a stuffer or a reloading aid would be a good idea? A: This is a question I am asked time and time…
Why do you miss when shooting?
You will probably have heard it at some point on a clay ground from the back of the cage: “You’re behind it, mate.” While it is meant well, there is little more irritating than this kind of unsolicited comment. Another supposedly self-evident truth that is trotted out repeatedly on a…
How to address pheasants at different heights
Q: Can you give me any tips about how to avoid addressing straight driven pheasants too early? Whenever I saw a bird flying towards my peg last season, I mounted too early, took forever to get beyond the bird and then missed behind. A: The timing of shooting driven pheasants…
Should I choose a fixed or variable scope for roe stalking?
Q: I am a keen deer stalker but can’t decide whether I should opt for a fixed-power rifle scope or a variable one. In your opinion, which is the better option for roe stalking? Fixed-power rifle scopes vs variable rifle scopes A: It depends entirely on what you are comfortable…
Some questions about snap caps
Q: I am new to shooting and I keep hearing the term ‘snap caps’. What are they? A: Snap caps protect your gun by relieving the stress on your firing pins when you are ‘dry-firing’ (that is when you are firing your gun without live ammunition). You might do this…
What’s the difference between a game and sporting gun?
Can you manage with just the one gun for different types of shooting?
Can I shoot a muntjac with my air rifle?
What can I use for shooting muntjac? Q: There are loads of muntjac around where I live and I know you can shoot them all year round. My neighbours have asked me to do some culling because the muntjac are eating everything in their garden. I have recently bought a…
Are children allowed to use rifles?
Children using rifles – is it legal? Q. I am planning a fun day for the village on my farm, where I have a range that is suitable for .22 rimfires. Can I allow young people to use the range provided that they have their parents’ permission and are under…
How do I keep my head on the stock?
Shooting technique and gun stocks Q: No matter how hard I try I can’t keep my head on the stock. According to a friend I invariably lift my head to ‘watch’ the target. How can I stop myself doing this? A: There could be a number of reasons why this…
So what’s so special about Teague chokes?
A reader is considering fitting Teague multichokes to his Breda Vega Special Trap gun so he can shoot a variety of birds
Can I enjoy pheasant shooting in my wheelchair?
We’re all looking to the season ahead. But what if you’ve recently found yourself confined to a wheelchair – or not so recently. What’s the deal with getting into the field if you use a wheelchair? Bill Harriman, BASC’s head of firearms and global authority on guns, gave this advice…
Why do multi-shot airguns cost more?
Paying more for a pre-charged airgun with a magazine-fed firing cycle is probably justified if you intend to use it for hunting. When a fast second shot is required to finish off wounded quarry, the extra speed of being able to cock and reload the gun with the throw of…
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…