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…
Shooting answers
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…
Clay pigeon shooting: The perfect ready stance
Mark reveals why a correct ready position when shooting increases your chance of hitting more clays.
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…
Trigger freeze – or the ‘flinch effect’. Here’s how to cure it
A disconcerting affliction for many shooters
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…
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…
Struggling with recoil using a 12-bore?
Q: I’ve started struggling with recoil when using my 12 bore: what can I do to reduce it? Is it time to change to a 16-bore? It’s really strange as my 12-bore fits me well. A: I come across many people who suffer with this and usually it’s a combination…
What’s a good night-vision sight for under £1750?
Q: I wish to buy a night-vision sight for my .22 Anschutz rimfire that I can also use on my .22-250 Sako for foxes up to 150 yards. Can you recommend one for under £1,750? A: As the daylight hours dwindle, night vision and thermal imagers will tend to replace standard optical…
How do you safely shoot ground game?
At this time of year the same old topic of conversation crops up at shoots far and wide - namely the shooting of ground game and/or low birds.
How to avoid getting a bruised face when shooting
Q: I am emailing out of frustration and wondered if there was any advice you could give me. I have been a competitor in trap shooting, on and o ff throughout my life, but now find it most uncomfortable to shoot any more than 50 targets due to a very sore…
Tips for shooting fast, curling pheasants
Q: Any tips for bringing down those fast, curling pheasants that have the wind at their backs? A: Curling pheasants can be one of the most difficult shots in the book, particularly if you add wind and height. Often when pheasants have got the wind behind them they can dive…
What is the difference between a Sporter and a trap gun?
Q: I’m new to shooting, and about to buy my first gun. However I don’t understand the main differences between a Sporter and a trap gun. Could you explain please? Sporters and trap guns A: Let’s start by looking at the different types of targets presented in the sporting and…
Six things to know about gun recoil
Many shooters consider that a 20-bore has less recoil than a 12-bore but in fact, the recoil depends on the cartridge load being used and the weight of the gun. Having a light 20-bore and a heavy load, like a 28 or 32 gram cartridge will result in stronger recoil…