Q: As we move towards the pheasant season can you recommend the best cartridge load for driven pheasants. I don’t mean skyscraper high pheasants, rather standard ones. A: I think cartridges are very much…
Shooting Gazette
Perazzi 16 bore ribless game gun
Great handling is the hallmark of this gun.
What’s the difference between a game and sporting gun?
The main difference between a game gun and a sporting gun is the weight. Game guns are lighter Sporters are set up for clay shooting, and they often have multi-chokes…
Do dogs have to wear collars?
Q: I pick-up with a very experienced dog person who has a team of dogs under immaculate control. None of them wear a collar. I thought dogs were obliged to…
Why the working cocker spaniel is such a popular dog
Time was when everyone had a black Labrador and was happy. Then there were chocolate Labradors for a bit. Now fox red Labradors seem to be having their moment. But the dog that…
AYA English Game Round Body 20-bore
This version of the AYA is designed to replicate the very best English Game guns of the inter war years, with lighter barrels and fast handling. They are available as…
What did we learn from Langholm?
(More background on Rob Yorke here). There is a chunk of moorland in Scotland that has been subject to a 24-year project involving upland land uses, habitat, nature conservation designations,…
The Hungarian wirehaired vizsla – charming and hardworking
Hungarian wirehaired vizsla: The rise in popularity of the Hungarian wirehaired vizsla (HWV) is no accident.
Where should I keep my gun cabinet keys safely?
On Sunday August 10 1997 a police officer called at the house of Mr Mark Farrer. He wanted to inspect his firearms security. Mr Farrer was not at home. His mother, then in her 80s,…
10 reasons why shooting is better than rugby union
It's the oval ball's turn to take on the shoot day.
Beaters’ day shooting. Pegs or walk one, stand one?
Put them out on pegs, says Ben Samuelson Beaters’ day shooting is an absolutely sacred part of the shooting season, and is one of its great joys. Roles are reversed…
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…
Should I try and hit a high bird?
A: This is a great question as when high bird shooting there is an optimum point at which to shoot the bird, one I often refer to in my lessons…
Should there only be room on the peg for one?
I like a partner on the peg Not everyone likes to share a peg and I can understand why. I recall a sporting agent who insisted on joining Guns just…
The ultimate guide to good picking-up
Picking-up: A few wise words from a picking-up expert.
Do you know the four basics for competent shooting?
There are four basic building blocks for shotgun competence in clay and gameshooting. Stance and balance. Gun-mount and the avoidance of head lifting. Gun-swing and an understanding of the gun…
Interview with Sir Ian Botham
How and when did you get into shooting? I’m a country boy so it was a natural thing for me to do: I was brought up in Somerset and since…
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…
November 2017
Whether your favourite shoot is big or small, and whether you’re there with shotgun, beaters’ flag or dog lead in hand, we can all agree our sport means the world…
Which type of pheasant shooting is superior?
High pheasant in open fields By Giles Catchpole Snap shooting is all very well and good. Couched on a ride in the midst of the shelter belt or in a…