People forget that the advent of new technology doesn’t make old tech any less capable, and airgunners first getting started with thermal imagers is no different. Lamping works as well as ever, providing the same benefits – and drawbacks. But next-gen tech can offer something more, building on what’s come…
Guns
Best gas-ram airguns
Spring-powered rifles have been around for over 100 years and probably account for more units sold each year than any other air rifle category, especially at the affordable end of the market. However, springers aren’t the only alternative to pre-charged pneumatics and the associated inconvenience of having to ensure a…
PCP airguns – breaking down the terminology
Many of you have probably seen Guy Ritchie’s 1998 crime comedy Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels. I imagine most non-shooting filmgoers who’ve seen it are vaguely aware that the title is a reference to a double-barrelled shotgun, though few probably understand what the term actually means. The same can…
Childhood airgunning
I recently dusted off my first airgun that my parents bought me for my ninth birthday. This gun, along with copious amounts of enthusiasm, taught me a lot about hunting, fieldcraft and the rabbit. I spent much of my teens shooting with this .22 Weihrauch HW 77 K and accounted…
How to improve your springer airgun setup
I don’t know about you, but I love a challenge, and really enjoy working on a troublesome airgun combo and making it shoot well again to show you how to improve your springer airgun setup. So I jumped at the chance to work on a friend’s recent acquisition – a…
Sourcing biodegradable wads: Alasdair Mitchell is on the case
One day, in my dim and distant youth, I noticed a wisp of fishing line hanging from the mouth of my sister’s horse. My blood froze as I recalled that I had been practising my fly casting on the lawn next to the paddock. Full of trepidation, I gently grasped…
What first gun should I get my teenager with a new shotgun licence?
Have shotgun licence, in search of a shotgun Q: I want to buy a first gun for my 15-year-old son to use now that he has got his licence. He is not really big enough for a 12-bore and he shoots well with a 20. I am wary of buying…
What to look for when buying a gun
It always amazes me how people will buy a gun based on its looks, even before they’ve looked at how well it’s built and how it handles. Perhaps some manufacturers do that deliberately; if they can churn out well-figured stocks and laser up some pretty engraving, then for some customers it…
Can you shoot heavyweight slugs in a legal-limit air rifle?
Before we answer the question of heavy slugs in a legal-limit air rifle, we need to consider slugs themselves. While air rifle slugs have been around for quite a few years, they seem to have enjoyed a massive boost in popularity recently, possibly because there seems to be a corresponding…
Best pellets for your airgun – how to pick the right one
In terms of best pellets, three things need to be considered before you can even begin to explore the accuracy you crave: pellet calibre, pellet types and pellet weights. In the UK, we are restricted to rifles with a muzzle energy of less than 12 foot pounds. If you want more power,…
Steel vs lead cartridges: a pattern emerges
We now have the transition away from traditional lead shot that has served so well for so long and, I hope, will continue to do so, even if some areas are to be denied it. The topic chosen by Sporting Gun for me this month has been time-consuming, but it…
Airgun springer advice for newcomers with Mike Morton
When considering airgun springer advice, there’s one question you have to ask first: what’s the difference between a springer and a PCP? Recoil! This can adversely affect the way a shooter interacts with their rifle, and this will affect their results on target. But unlike pre-charged pneumatics, springers and gas-rams…
How to choose the right air rifle bipod for you
An air rifle bipod is a fantastic piece of equipment. Early examples of two-legged props date back to the mid-19th century where they were used to support heavy guns. Later on, bipods were pressed into military service with guns that were expected to deliver sustained levels of fire. One other…
How to improve your airgun marksmanship
Airgun marksmanship is a person’s ability to hit what they’re aiming at, and in order to achieve this there are four basic principles that need to be applied. I was recently asked to teach a lesson on this subject. That sounds easy enough, because we adopt these principles each and…
Feral pigeon control – The Countryman with Mat Manning
Feral pigeon control is a problem for many farmers. These birds love to nest up in the rafters of large barns, especially as there is usually an easy food supply nearby. This prime habitat makes for very comfortable living, and it doesn’t take long for populations to get out of…
Brocock Concept XR review
British gunmaker Brocock has developed a flair for making reliable airguns built for functionality and getting the job done. These rifles are the choice of pest controllers up and down the country. But Brocock airguns aren’t just reliable, they also have an admirable track record in the accuracy department, and…
Thinking about making your own black powder cartridges? Read on …
Popping a few black powder cartridges through a vintage English shotgun is an unforgettable experience.
Buying your first PCP air rifle – what to expect
We’re all more that the last two years haven’t been great, but one of the few positive things to come out of the lockdowns has been an influx of people to our sport. Some are brand new to airguns, while others have returned after a long absence, possibly not having…
Springer vs PCP – which is better to start out with?
When it comes to the great springer vs PCP question, I’ve never actually seen anyone come to blows over it, but I’ve certainly witnessed some very heated debates about which type of air rifle is best to shoot – one powered by a mainspring, or one with an onboard reservoir…
Testing shotgun ammunition – Richard Atkins shares his process
Shotgun ammunition performance is something that has interested me since my youth and still does. Some may not understand why this is so but therein is the key: the more testing you carry out, the more differences you will spot. You must then ponder why some cartridges perform differently from…