Choosing the right airgun can present the newcomer with a minefield of choices, and picking a power source is usually the biggest quandary. For decades, spring-powered airguns were the only option but over the past 15 or so years, precharged pneumatics — often referred to as PCPs — have really…
Guns
A 20-step guide to cleaning your stalking rifle properly
How to clean your rifle: You’ve been out with your rifle, had a great day, but it’s come back filthy and soaking.
FAC airgun accuracy – how can you improve it?
Q: I have recently switched from a sub-12ft/lb air rifle to an FAC-rated pre-charged model producing muzzle energy of around 40ft/lb and my results have so far been very disappointing. My old air rifle is capable of grouping pellets within half an inch at 30m, whereas the high-powered one is…
How to store shotgun cartridges legally and safely
I want to keep shotgun cartridges in the loft, which never drops below freezing but does get a bit damp at times. I am not talking about keeping the ammo for a long time, but maybe buying a year or more’s supply at a time.
Would a lighter load improve your shooting standard?
Having taught hundreds of new and experienced shooters over the years, I’ve seen lots of examples of how excessive and unnecessary recoil can adversely affect some people. In many cases (particularly with long-term shooters) these can often go unnoticed or, worse, become accepted as part of the sport and a…
A close look at the Perazzi MX8 – a blast from the past
If you want to make money out of gun ownership, then go for a new “London Best” (preferably a Purdey, Holland & Holland or Boss), don’t shoot much — or not at all — and live long. This idea came to me when I reviewed a second-hand Holland & Holland…
A short history of the shotgun
A very long time ago, some enterprising person decided to fill a tube with gunpowder, put a rock or something equally solid on top, light the blue touch paper and stand back to see what would happen. At this point the firearm began its evolution, though the shotguns we use…
10 gun care tips every shooter should know
Never neglect gun cleaning. A little effort will keep your guns safe, reliable and rust-free Do not put a gun in a gun slip into a gun safe. You want air movement Do not put a heater or a lightbulb in your gun safe. Your stock will over-dry, warm…
How to clean and care for a semi-auto shotgun
A lot of issues will be avoided simply by taking 10 minutes to clean your gun properly every time you’ve used it. In the long run it will pay dividends to do so and ultimately save you money should you want to trade it in or sell it on. I…
177 or .22, .25 or above… which should you pick and why?
I shoot pretty much everything from sub 12 air rifle up to fairly hefty centerfires. Trust me calibre isn’t everything. It’s all about picking the right tool for the job and for 12flbs shooting you need to think long and hard before straying away from .177. The problem is ‘boys…
Air rifle ballistics – what works, what doesn’t and why
The airgun industry, like any business has to reinvent itself on a regular basis. Styles come and go, upgrades are introduced and so called ‘game changing’ enhancements announce. Recently all it’s been about bullpups and tacticool design, next year it will be something else in the endless effort to keep…
Looking at a 28-bore shotgun and cartridges
A good shot and friend of mine has been invited to shoot stupidly high birds on a commercial pheasant shoot where the headkeeper is a little sniffy about any cartridge that doesn’t carry at least 1.1/4oz (36gms) of big lead pellets in a plastic wad. Even my mate’s other friends…
Will coated cartridges make you a better Shot?
It is the latest trend in cartridge production for both clay and game shooting. Coated cartridges — or, to be more accurate, lead shotgun pellets that have been coated with copper or nickel — are today headlining the cartridge manufacturers’ billboards. Are coated cartridges new? Well, no; as far back…
Which pellet is best for my air rifle?
With the extensive range of airgun pellets now available, how can I find out which would be the most suitable for my air rifle?
How to oil and clean your shotgun
There are a number of accessible working parts on a shotgun that need lubrication.
Air rifles – does more power mean greater range?
When set up properly, legal-limit air rifles are extremely accurate tools, and that precision can more than compensate for their modest power when coupled with a sound knowledge of fieldcraft. Get in close and shoot with precision, and delivering a lethal strike to the small kill zones presented by typical…
12 of the best clayshooting cartridges reviewed
The clay-shooting cartridges listed here are the products of just six companies. From their extensive ranges we have picked just two cartridges – a 28g general competition load, and a light load suitable for shooters who are particularly affected by recoil. Some of this latter group are subsonic, so are…
Airgun laws and security requirements you need to know
Air rifles: New guidance to prevent under-18s accessing airguns could mean a £1,000 fine if you fail to secure your air rifle properly.
What’s the maximum distance you can hunt with a legal-limit air rifle?
How far is the maximum distance for hunting with a legal-limit air rifle? It is something I get asked all the time but it is a question that has no straight answer. Gun shops that sell air rifles as a sideline but have no real experience of using them in…