A: Congratulations on receiving your invitation to shoot. However, before you mount a gun to shoot at any sentient creature, you need to have plenty of practice at clays. Go to a good…
Bill Harriman
Don’t discount second-hand side-by-side shotguns
A: English boxlock shotguns represent fantastic value for money because they are rather unfashionable at the moment. The Italian over-and-under carries all before it. A boxlock made between the wars or just after World War II…
Cohabiting? What’s the law on shotgun licences and gunsafes?
A: It always makes practical sense for cohabitees to have each other’s shotguns listed on both their individual certificates. If that is done, there never can be any question about either party having access to…
Should you always buy a gun from a dealer rather than privately?
A: I always think it is a good idea to buy a gun from a dealer rather than from a friend or private person’s advert. Admittedly you will be paying for the dealer’s profit, but…
Loading for some friends – is it legal?
A: There is nothing in law that says you may not reload cartridges for other people as a favour. The only proviso is that you must have a firearm certificate that authorises you to possess…
Annie Oakley: the greatest Shot of all time?
If you asked me to say who I thought was the greatest Shot of all time, I would have no hesitation in saying Annie Oakley. Her skill and feats of accuracy have become legendary. However,…
Fixed chokes or screw-in chokes? What’s best?
A: Personally, I don’t think that most of us shoot well enough to get any real benefit from choke. Consequently, I would always go for fixed chokes and ones that were…
Own an airgun? Planning on visiting Scotland?
A: The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 comes into force on 1 January 2017. After that date, a visitor to Scotland who wants to bring his or her…
Airguns and visiting Scotland
Q: Now that the Scottish Parliament requires residents to include airguns on their firearms certificate (FAC), how do other UK citizens fare when they take their airguns into Scotland? Presumably, the…
W.J. Jeffrey & Co
Q) I have just acquired a 12-bore side-by-side non-ejector in fair condition. The maker is W. J. Jeffery & Co Ltd, 9 Golden Square, Regent St, London W1. It is…
A Verney Carron Helice
Q) I have been given a Verney Carron side-by-side 16-bore Helice 33 shotgun,No. 0441. It appears to have a “fixed” foreend so I am unable to remove it to see…
A welcome report
Bill Harriman examines the Government's response to the HAC's report into firearms control
A lincoln Shotgun
A: The Lincoln range of shotguns was made in Italy for the Lincolnshire firm of David Nickerson (Tathwell) Ltd. They are robust, well-made and offer good value for money. They…
Can I use small-bores and fast cartridges for skeet?
Is there a maximum or minimum shotgun bore-size I can use for shooting Skeet? Also, is it better to use a fast cartridge – one with a higher velocity?
What’s the required paperwork for shooting in the UK?
I have a Dutch gun licence and insurance. I've obtained the shooting rights to a few farms in England. Can you inform me about the required paperwork?
Upgrade your reloading die for greater efficiency
Reloading can maximise the accuracy of your rifle and save you money.
Is my 10 year-old Labrador getting canine dementia?
My ten year-old Labrador is displaying some curious behaviour, he seems to be getting lost in the house and garden, and sometimes fails to respond to his name and commands.
Is there a neat way to breast the pigeons I shoot?
I always cut the breasts off the few pigeons I shoot but it’s a bit of a messy process with feathers going everywhere. Is there a better way of doing…
Sometimes on a shoot my gundog can’t find game!
Why does scent strength vary so much? One day my Labrador can find game easily then on another, he struggles. It can be really annoying when Guns start saying the…
Correct lubrication for rifle bolts and scopes
The operation of a rifle-bolt, and the frequent attachment and removal of scopes, will subject some areas of a rifle to wear and tear.