Ever since an antique revolver was recovered from the crime scene of the killing of Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013, and the high profile arrest and sentencing of antique arms dealer Paul Edmunds three years ago, collectors of obsolete calibre central fire pistols have lived under a ‘sword of Damocles’.…
Guns
What airgunning kit do you really need – and how much should you spend on it?
Airgun shooting is enjoying a huge surge in popularity and newcomers are spoilt for choice when it comes to accurate and reliable air rifle accessories. Unfortunately, though, too many air rifle shooters are failing to get the best from their equipment by overlooking a few basic points. Many of these…
All about small calibre cartridges
Q: Do you have any information on the .14 or .12 calibre cartridges? I would like to rebarrel a rifle in one of these calibres but what’s your advice on small calibre cartridges? A: There are some worthwhile small calibre cartridges around. The .14 is a unique calibre and a…
Airgunning in the cold
It might be cold out there but many of the pest species we can control with airguns are much easier to pinpoint during the winter – so airgunning in the cold will probably bring the results you are looking for. Dress warmly, take the right kit and you’ll have a…
Vintage rifles can still be viable
There are historical and legal reasons for the decline in interest in vintage rifles in this country. When I was a child, to have a modest collection of sporting and military rifles was not an uncommon thing for a country gentleman. My father had only a passing interest, but owned…
Why you should never let snow get into your barrels
Dangers of obstructing gun barrels In the countryside, normal life goes on in wintry weather. And that includes shooting, which usually thrives in snowy conditions. A bit of old-fashioned hard weather keeps the birds from straying, while a decent covering of snow adds a winter wonderland aspect to a driven…
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 but a part of the bigger gunfit picture. For instance, adjustable gunstocks don’t let us make minor changes to such…
How to choose the best air rifle pellets
Having the best air rifle pellets for your particular gun can make the difference between hit and miss. So how can you decide? Read through the following and you’ll be in a good position to make the right purchase – and make that all-important difference to your shooting. Best air…
How to match ammunition to your rifle using a chronograph
Q: I am after a cheap way of measuring the velocity of my .22 subsonic CZ rimfire so I can work out its trajectory. Is the new FX Chronograph any good? I use a lot of different chronographs to measure my rifle’s muzzle velocity. A: The new FX model is…
Getting a first air rifle
My parents bought me a second-hand Diana Model 23 .177 air rifle in 1984 as my first air rifle. The bluing was well on its way out and the cheap beech woodwork bore the marks of a life of hard graft. A series of hatches were etched into the stock,…
Are English guns the best?
The famous makers of English guns – Holland & Holland, Boss, Purdey, William Evans, Westley Richards. These names are revered as the finest examples of the gunmaker’s art around the world. Or is that really true? Inherited English guns You’ll see plenty of people turning up at a smart driven…
Is a 20-bore better than a 12-bore for long, walked-up days?
The proposition was put to me recently that the ideal gun for walked-up shooting is a lightweight 20-bore side-by-side shotgun. It got me thinking, in these days where 20-bore mania is still gripping the nation, what is the enduring appeal of the Victorian ladies’ gun to the strapping six-footers who…
How can my firearms cabinet be opened lawfully?
What arrangements should I make for the orderly disposal of my firearms after my death, and how can my firearms cabinet be opened lawfully?
How to clean and care for a semi-auto shotgun
Take 10 minutes to clean a semi-auto shotgun properly every time you use it and you’ll avoid a lot of issues. Another reason is that you also save money on repairs and get more for it if you ever want to trade it in or sell it. Lack of cleaning…
10 of the best targets for setting up an air rifle range at home
So we’re faced with staying at home for another four weeks. However, if you follow some straightforward rules you could set up an air rifle shooting range at home with these air rifle targets. If you’ve got a garden with a range of above 20m then you’ve enough room. Stay safe…
How to pick the right gun for you
Whether you’re looking to buy a brand new gun or second-hand, what should you be considering? Visiting any gunshop you are faced with racks and racks of guns, so how do you pick the right gun for you? The one that is going to enable you to shoot to the…
Why doesn’t everyone pick up their plastic cartridge cases?
What do you do with your empty plastic cartridge cases? Plastic wads are already verboten on many game shoots. But plastic cartridge cases are another matter. They are still very much the rule rather than the exception. Unlike wads, which are blasted to God only knows where, cases are much…
How to choose the best load for a 20-bore
A 20-bore shotgun is really used for game shooting and although 20-bores can easily and convincingly be used to shoot clays, most dedicated clay Shots use a 12. In this article I give overview of the most appropriate cartridge loads for differing quarry types. Ease of movement with 20-bore The…
Five .22 rimfire sound moderators reviewed
I have selected five .22 rimfire sound moderators of varying prices, ranging from under £40 to £150, each designed primarily for subsonic cartridge use, though some can be used for .17 HMR or .22 Hornet cartridges.. I tested using Winchester Max 42-gr subsonic ammunition as this has a velocity of…
Should I buy a spring-powered airgun or a PCP?
Choosing the right airgun isn’t an easy decision. Once you’ve decided on your budget you will have to think about the power source and it’s this that most buyers usually have the most difficulty over. Years ago the only option was a spring-powered airgun but in the last 15-20 years…