Webley & Scott Imperial side-by-side shotgun With a nod to its past, Webley & Scott has produced a stunning side-by-side combining the best of the old with the best of…
Matthew Clark
Editor Sporting Gun

Airgun laws and security requirements you need to know
Are you up to speed on airgun laws? Can a parent, friend or relative buy a youngster an airgun? Here’s a query we recently received from a concerned parent. Q:…
Best ear defenders for shooting
So why should you buy the best ear defenders for shooting you can get? Too many shooters seem to be ignorant to the damage that the noise from gunshots can…
Härkila Stornoway 2.0 HWS coat put to the test
The Härkila Stornoway 2.0 HWS coat is primarily designed for driven shooting. However, as it is relatively lightweight, windproof, breathable and waterproof, I decided to test it beyond what it…
Benelli Black Eagle
With its 3in chamber, matt black finish and easy-to-use controls, there is no mistaking that the latest incarnation of the Benelli Black Eagle has been designed for the wildfowler. (More…
Top 10 guns for game
In my job I’m lucky enough to get to review a good few guns. Based on my experiences, and talking to our reviewers and other keen Guns, here’s my list…
Purdey Sporter
The renowned English gunmaker, Purdey, is known for its high quality, high performance and… high prices. You will be looking around the £150,000 mark for a London best gun made…
Beating on a shoot day – the golden rules
Essential advice for beaters on a shoot day
Purdey 20-bore Trigger Plate
James Purdey & Sons is to shotguns what Stradivarius is to violins and Rolls-Royce is to luxury cars. Even if you know nothing about shooting you will have heard of…
Benelli Raffaello Accademia semi-auto shotgun review
What makes the Benelli Raffaello Accademia semi-auto different? The words ‘beautiful’ and ‘semi-automatic’ don’t get used together very often. Most semi-autos are plain. None of them would turn heads on…
My first gun – a Baikal single-barrel 12-bore
I’m proud to say that my first gun was a Baikal. People may smirk but it carries a weight of nostalgia. Although strictly speaking my Baikal single-barrel 12-bore was not my…
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…
Eley VIP Steel Pro Eco – tested by Sporting Gun magazine
My expectations were not high when I tested the new Eley VIP Steel Pro Eco. But I was floored when I found that they were every bit as good as…
Top 10 reasons to keep an airgun
Have you got an old airgun lying around in your gun cupboard? Now’s the time to take it out and dust it off – maybe for a spot of garden…
Are adjustable gunstocks a worthwhile investment?
Adjustable gunstocks – definitely not worth it Robin Scott says: Most guns with adjustable stocks can only be altered for length, drop and cast. These are important, but they are…
What’s more challenging – a driven or a walked-up day?
Driven or walked-up shooting? It’s walked-up for Robin Scott who says: Given the chance I’d pop away at a driven game any day of the week. Nothing is easier than…
The Breda Zenith L Game Gun
The new Breda Zenith L is set up to be a game gun. As such, it has a solid sighting rib that tapers from 11mm to 7mm, as well as…
Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus
I’ll be honest with you, the first thing I noticed about the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus was the price. At £2,195 it is not cheap for a semi-auto. Regular readers…
Want to get better at shooting an air rifle? Continued target practice is crucial and this is why
Getting good at shooting an air rifle is only half the battle. Staying good is the other half and it does not happen by chance – it requires constant attention.…