Steel shot vs lead I suspect that most shooters realise that lead is dead. It’s only a matter of when. I am not going to reiterate the arguments for steel shot vs lead, they have been done to death. The inexorable tightening of the legal noose around lead was widely…
Guns
We looked for the best clay cartridges around – here’s what we found
Nowadays there is a whole selection of cartridges designed specifically for clays. Some are general-purpose, some for specific disciplines like trap and skeet and some are dedicated competition cartridges for 12-bore, 20-bore, .410 and even 28-bore. The golden rule for finding the best clayshooting cartridges is to pick the one…
Have you got an old air rifle from the 80s and 90s tucked away? It could be worth more than you expect!
One of the fastest increasing markets is in quality air rifles from the 80s and 90s – so think twice before dumping an old air rifle or passing it on. It could be worth a lot more than you think. Shooting Times receives reader letters on all subjects shooting-related and…
What to AVOID when buying a gun (and what to look out for)
Advice on what you shouldn't do when buying a gun
20 of the best shotguns for under £1000
Finding a gun at the right price can be tough. We’ve listed 20 shotguns for under £1000 here that we think are well worth a look, both new and second-hand. It’s also worth reading our advice on buying a shotgun second-hand where you might pick up a real bargain. If…
Fibre wads – it’s time to ditch the plastic
Plastic pollution is a major cause for concern these days and as shooters we have to do our bit to protect the environment and show that we are behaving responsibly. So does that mean we should turn our back on plastic wads and make a wholesale switch to fibre wads?…
The history of gunfit
It’s quite easy to look at a Best hammerless sidelock ejector and admire the perfection of form and function. It’s far harder to admit that the French have greatly influenced the sport of shooting and, as a result, the fit of a shotgun as we know it today. Gunfit is…
How to make your airgun more accurate
Precise air rifle shooting The pursuit of precision is a big deal when it comes to air rifle shooting. Because air rifles have a relatively low power output, it is vital to be confident of landing your pellet in exactly the right place if you intend to shoot live quarry.…
How the bizarre duck’s foot pistol came into being
The history of the duck’s foot pistol Until practicable revolver designs had been perfected in the 1830s, the only way to increase a gun’s firing rate was to give it multiple barrels that could either all fire at once or could be selected to fire at the user’s pleasure. The…
15 of the best shotguns for clay pigeon shooting
1. Kofs Sceptre from £450 This made the list of best shotguns for clay pigeon shooting because it’s a great beginner’s gun for those on a budget. Good quality for a low price. Kofs come in 28, 20 and 12 gauge, with various barrel lengths and upgrades available. …
What’s my best gun for shooting clays and game?
Can you use a clay gun on a pheasant shoot? Yes. A lot of the differences between a clay and a game gun are subtle. Ventilated and wider ribs, manual safety and slightly different woodwork won’t really stand out on a game day. Most of the day the gun will…
Should I store my gun butt-down or muzzle-down?
Always store guns muzzle down Which way up (or down) should you store your gun when you put it back in the gun cabinet? Well, the answer is that you should always store guns muzzle down. Wondering why? It’s very logical when you think about it. The reason is that…
Eley VIP Steel Pro Eco – tested by Sporting Gun magazine
My expectations were not high when I tested the new Eley VIP Steel Pro Eco. But I was floored when I found that they were every bit as good as cartridges with lead shot. I tried to be scientific about testing the new eco cartridges and used a pattern…
Why there should be no snobbery about semi-automatics
Semi-automatics are enduringly popular with the gun-buying public. For people coming into the sport of shooting, they tick many boxes. Advantages of semi-automatics They are relatively cheap, so first-time buyers are immediately drawn to the attractive price tag. Also, it should not be overlooked that the option of a third…
Top 10 reasons to keep an airgun
Have you got an old airgun lying around in your gun cupboard? Now’s the time to take it out and dust it off – maybe for a spot of garden airgunning, which is legal during lockdown provided you follow the safety rules. I still have my old airgun from when…
Is the side-by-side shotgun history?
“Snobbery and inheritance are the only reasons why people use a side-by-side.” So said one keen Shot, once described as the best of his generation. “But I’m not that bothered. I just like to shoot straight.” So is a side-by-side old fashioned? Turn up for a day’s shooting in some neighbourhoods…
The history of airguns
The history of airguns is a broad and interesting one. The first examples were powered by human lungs: blowpipes. These could well have been man’s earliest ballistic weapon, possibly even predating the bow and arrow. What is certain is that the blowpipe is still in use today in parts of…
The history of punt guns and punt-gunning
Punt-gunning today is a curiosity. Once it was a business. To some Victorian sportsmen, it was an art to be learned and practised. The punt, the punt-gun and the punt-gunner are characters from a fading chapter in the history of old British shooting sports. Younger readers may have no idea…
What you need to know about adjustable shotguns
Would having an adjustable shotgun improve matters? The shotgun is evolving. Most shotgun manufacturers are developing new designs, models or features for their guns. We are the other part of the equation in that we probably believe that if we have the latest gun we will shoot better. We are…