Using copper bullets for stalking? But isn’t copper toxic?” asked a friend. He is a staunch defender of lead ammunition. In a discussion about centrefire rifle ammunition, I suggested he read Megan Rowland’s recent piece in Shooting Times. She gave a detailed account of using copper bullets for stalking and…
Guns
Is it time to buy an English classic gun?
Always wanted an English classic gun? If you are anticipating a drop in the price of English guns in the wake of the announcement that lead shot should be phased out over the next five years, and are considering taking advantage of the situation, there are some considerations you need…
Should I store my gun butt-down or muzzle-down?
Always store guns muzzle down When you put your gun back in your gun cabinet don’t put it butt down. Always store guns muzzle down. The reason for this is that any oil or cleaning fluid left in the bores will run out onto the floor of your gun cabinet.…
Cartridges and calibres for pest control
Wondering what is the best calibre for foxes? Rabbits? There are so many different species of pests – you can’t band together a rabbit and a fox – that you can’t have a single calibre for them all. So instead I am going to take a look at the various…
Here’s why you should consider getting an FAC air rifle
A firearms certificate air rifle – known as an FAC air rifle – is over 12 ftlb in power meaning that the owner needs to have a Firearms Certificate to own one. If you’re already a conventional air rifle user and considering upgrading to something bigger you might be wondering…
How to wash, size, weigh and lubricate your airgun pellets (to make them more accurate)
Frustrated by your performance with an air rifle? Wondering how to improve things? Well, washing airgun pellets could be a start. As could lubricating, sizing and sorting air rifle pellets. Any small changes you make to a pellet can make a difference to its accuracy and trajectory down range, due…
How to choose the right cartridge for your shotgun
All a shotgun cartridge has to do is propel shot towards the target to hit it cleanly. But with all the different makes and models around it can be confusing. So how can you choose the right cartridge for your shotgun? What you need to consider The sort of gun…
All about accurate gun fit
If your gun fit is good then your shooting is more likely to be fluid and accurate. If it’s wrong, then the gun won’t point exactly where you want it to and your shooting may look tight and ‘snatchy’. Furthermore a badly fitting gun may cause bruising under the shooter’s…
What’s a good budget shotgun for clayshooting?
The first thing to consider when buying a first clay gun It’s crucial that you buy a gun which fits you. Otherwise your shooting will suffer and you might as well not be out on the clay ground. If you’re buying your gun at a gunsmith’s they will check it…
We’ve picked out seven excellent gun safes to be considering
Which are the best gun cabinets around? We’ve investigated some options. The law says that guns must be stored in a lockable gun cabinet that meets British standards and is fixed to a secure structure. What the gun cabinet (or gun safe) looks like however is up to you. You…
Which are the best air rifles for shooting rabbits?
Air rifles: I was rabbiting recently with a .177 air rifle, but I couldn’t hit anything. Is this calibre powerful enough? Could you offer advice on the perfect air rifle for rabbits?
Will my shotgun be safe with steel shot cartridges?
I would like to try steel shot for wildfowling in my 2.5in chambered gun, but I have been told by some of my friends that I cannot do so unless the gun has been especially proofed to take it.
How to service and store a shotgun at the end of the season
Storing a shotgun The usual way I care for my shotguns when I put them away at the end of the game season is as follows: Intermittently strip the gun. Make free with gun oil, drenching ejectors and breech so they look like the aftermath of a shipping disaster in…
Lead alternatives for deer stalkers
Investigating lead alternatives for deer The lead versus non-toxic debate is nothing new to those of us actively involved in the management of deer. This isn’t going to be an in-depth technical analysis of the minutiae of bullet design. It is an insight into my experiences using various non-toxic rounds…
Is it worth getting your gun serviced?
Shotgun cleaning Faced with a bill of just over £800 for putting his grubby old gun back together, a local sportsman wasn’t very receptive to my advice that it was a good idea to get it serviced at the end of each season, or every two at least. He asked…
How to use an air rifle for pest control
What do you do when grey squirrels, rats and corvids are robbing nests of eggs? You get out the airgun - and you lay in wait, as Mat Manning explains
All about sound moderators
Sound moderators – or suppressors – are used to reduce the amount of noise and visible muzzle flash your firearm or air rifle generates when firing. Moderators are sometimes referred to as silencers, but this is misleading as you cannot completely silence the report of a high-velocity bullet. When the rifle…
Here’s what you should know about trap guns and trap shooting
A trap gun is designed for trap shooting and not much use for anything else. Trap guns are specifically designed for the discipline. Features of a trap gun Long barrels, usually at 32in, to help with a smooth and consistent swing High comb height which helps with shot placement and…
Things that affect rifle accuracy (and how to correct them)
Problems with rifle accuracy frequently frustrates rifle shooters. It’s not surprising really. A rifle is a fine precision instrument. Everything within it needs to work correctly. Many things can affect rifle accuracy. Some you can fix yourself, others you will have to bring to a gunsmith’s attention. Four things that…
Don’t skimp on cleaning your gun
Choosing gun oil The world of product marketing is a murky one indeed, and for those of us on the receiving end it can often seem like the art of adding a word or two to justify extracting a few quid more. Unsolicited use of the word ‘artisan’ is an…