Sound moderators – or suppressors – are used to reduce the amount of noise and visible muzzle flash your firearm or air rifle generates when firing. Moderators are sometimes referred to…
Bruce Potts
Things that affect rifle accuracy (and how to correct them)
Problems with rifle accuracy frequently frustrates rifle shooters. It’s not surprising really. A rifle is a fine precision instrument. Everything within it needs to work correctly. Many things can affect…
Merkel RX Helix Alpinist rifle – a classic example of German precision engineering
The Merkel Helix rifle is made in Germany, with Viking Arms as the sole UK importer. Viking has done a good job promoting these rifles and you see more and…
How tight must the stock and scope screws on my gun be?
I have finally, after much grunting and cursing, succeeded in loosening and removing the stock bolt from my Miroku 6000. When I re-assemble the gun after cleaning the action, must…
Subsonic .22LR ammunition – what’s the best type for your rifle?
Six types of .22LR rimfire subsonic ammunition from varying manufacturers are tested to ascertain accuracy and stopping power at normal vermin ranges
Tikka T3X Cerakote
The Tikka T3X has to be one of the most widely accepted stalking rifles in Britain today. It comes from the old firm of Tikkakoski, Finnish for ‘woodpecker’, hence the…
Does cold weather affect rifle velocity?
If I use a variable magnification scope zeroed on the highest setting and in good light, would the point of impact change when the scope is turned down for a…
CZ 457 Royal .17 HMR
The CZ range of rimfire and centrefire rifles has served the UK sporting fraternity very well for decades now, and still provides exceptionally reassuring quality at a fair price. The…
What are the best guns and ammo for shooting grey squirrels?
Squirrels offer the opportunity to match a variety of guns and techiques — it all depends on the squirrelling, says Bruce Potts
How to repair a broken firing pin
Step-by-step photo guide shows you how to repair a broken firing pin for around £70
Can you tell me more about lead-free bullets?
Q: I see CCI now makes lead-free .22LR ammunition. Can you tell me more? A: The debate about the eco-friendliness of non-toxic ammunition continues. Lead-free .22LR ammo makes a lot…
What’s the best ammunition for a Browning?
Rifle inaccuracy is not always due to a rifle's construction. It may be due to the ammunition.
Choosing a calibre
I am a keen deerstalker and use a Sako .243. I intend to invest in another rifle with a larger calibre and was thinking of .270, 30-06 or .308. I…
How to measure your length of pull
Q: How important is length of pull of a stock on a rifle? It makes a difference on my shotguns in handling, so will it do the same with my…
Remington Model 700 Mountain SS reviewed by Shooting Times
There is a perception with shooters that bigger is better but I’m not so sure about that — after 40 years of stalking and shooting, I like to be as…
Do I need a gunsmith to remove a barrel dent?
Gunsmiths: A few days ago, while out roost shooting for pigeons, I accidently hit a low branch with the barrels of my Beretta 687 and banged the rib.
Classic Guns – Tikka LSA 55
Bruce Potts pays homage to the LSA 55 - Tikka's first bolt-action rifle made in 1967
Choosing the right bullets for deer stalking
Stalkers have an abundance of bullets to choose from, but how do you select the right one? Bruce Potts outlines what you need to consider
What are the benefits of a laminate gun stock?
What does ‘wood-to-metal fit’ mean? How, for instance, can I judge if a gun is good or bad in this respect? Most of those I see have the wood standing…
Ruger American Target .22 LR laminate
To many people, a .22 rimfire is a necessity to control the rabbits or vermin around their farms or for a bit of informal target shooting. A good, honest, well-built…