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…
Guns
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…
Zeroing a scope – Mike Morton’s advice for airgun shooters
You’ve got yourself a new rifle, you’ve attached a scope and you’re ready to shoot – but first you need to zero. Zeroing a scope, which is sometimes referred to as sighting in, means aligning the sights on your rifle with the point where the pellet strikes at a certain…
New guns and rifles at the British Shooting Show 2022 that caught the eye
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 the new. Traditional in appearance, with sideplates and colour case hardening, it also has a rib, single trigger, steel proof…
Inherited gun? How to make sure it fits you properly
There’s a certain prestige in an inherited gun, in using your grandfather’s or great-grandfather’s pair of Purdeys or Bosses, but how often do those lucky people shoot superbly? Not infrequently, I have older gentlemen come for a lesson and their shooting, in terms of their technique, is OK. (Read ‘are…
Sustainable ammo: why you should try it and make up your own mind
Last season, I was assured by a fellow wildfowling club member that the shotguns being used on sustainable ammo demonstration days had been wrecked by steel shot. Naturally, I checked this allegation. It proved to be false. (Read will your shotgun be safe with steel shot?) Yet the same claim…
Best air rifle slugs: these are the ones you should be trying out
Talk to airgun shooters and the subject will turn more and more often to air rifle slug ammunition. It is gaining in popularity with airgun shooters and the choice of readily available airgun slugs is now far wider than it was just a couple of years ago. Many of the…
Steel shot vs lead shot – the hard facts about steel shot
Debate centred around steel shot vs lead shot is nothing new. When chatting with chums at the clay shooting club, or browsing internet shooting forums, it becomes clear that the current move away from lead shot for live quarry shooting is a hotly discussed topic. Somewhat surprising, given that we…
How to use an air rifle for pigeons around the farm
Using an air rifle for pigeons It is fair to say that farmyard pest control formed a significant part of my airgunning apprenticeship and that is probably why I still have such a fondness for this type of shooting. My continuing connection with local farms is based on more than…
How often should you clean an airgun barrel?
Q: How often should you clean an airgun barrel? I’ve just cleaned the barrel of my air rifle and, rather than improving its accuracy, it seems to have had an adverse effect on grouping. I used a proper cleaning kit but I’m concerned that I may have caused permanent damage to…
Basic airgun shooting: Mat Manning keeps it simple on a squirrel hunting trip
Modern airgun shooting must seem quite baffling to newcomers or those who grew up in simpler times. I would even go as far to say that the expensive and cumbersome kit and all the must-have accessories could even be rather off-putting for anyone thinking about having a go. Basic airgun…
The boxlock shotgun : a classic design that will never let you down
Boxlock shotgun surprise On a delightful game day towards the end of last season, I was pegged next to a charming gentleman who was a good Shot. The rather annoying sort who seems to take each bird in slow motion, making it all look effortless. Naturally, we got talking and…
How to store and service shooting gear once the season is over.
The season’s over now, and we have another seven months before low-ground shooting opens once more. But that does not mean that shooting kit should simply be abandoned until the autumn. This is the ideal time to scrutinise our kit carefully and thoroughly, service shooting gear if necessary and ensure…
The best kit for grey squirrel control – my go-to list
Grey squirrel control The grey squirrel is a highly successful introduced species that has wreaked havoc since its introduction to the UK more than 100 years ago. Their contribution to the decline of our native red squirrel is well documented, but these tenacious rodents also cause extensive and costly tree…
Security cabinets – concealment is the thing
I am becoming a security addict. How else can I explain a predilection for reading BS 7558? That’s the British standard for gun cabinets. And then there is the 51-page Firearms Security Handbook, produced by the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Working Group. A riveting bedtime read. (Read our list of…
Best air rifles under £500: what made the list?
One of the greatest appeals of airgun shooting is its affordability. For a few hundred pounds you can pick up an air rifle that should give years of reliable service and will meet your needs. Many Guns start their shooting career with an air rifle and garden airgunning has been…
Best air rifle targets for setting up a range at home
We’ve taken a look at the best air rifle targets which you can use at home. If you’ve got a garden with a range of above 20m then you’ve enough room. Read our key advice on garden airgunning which covers neighbours, pets, noise and other things you should be thinking…