Why eye contact with dogs is key One of my training clients asked me recently what aspect of a gundog’s training I thought was the most important. My immediate answer…
Sporting Gun
Jackdaw: facts about this intelligent bird
At first glance the jackdaw may seem undistinguished, but it is subtly handsome. (Read about another corvid – the jay – here.) The smallest native species of crow has a…
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…
Ruger American Hunter
I have tested a few guns for Ruger recently and this one epitomises a trend for making more affordable rifles without skimping on accuracy or reliability. This is welcome news…
Do probiotics for gundogs really work?
Dogs begin life with a sterile intestinal system, but very quickly this becomes colonised by bacteria that collectively form the ‘microbiome’; an army of microorganisms that are essential for health…
Sako M75: why it should definitely be in your sights
Tech specs for the Sako M75 Country of origin: Finland In production 1996-2007 Action: Bolt Stock options:Walnut, laminated or synthetic Barrel length 22-26in Magazine: Detachable, capacity 4+1, 5+1 or 6+1,…
Second-hand Beretta 682 shotgun: it’s stood the test of time
In 1984 Beretta brought out a new O/U designated the 682. It was a replacement for the 680, which had been their main competition gun for the previous decade, and…
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…
Shooting glasses: how to choose them and why you should wear them
Most clay shooters adopted shooting glasses as an essential piece of kit many years ago, and they’re now mandatory at many clubs and competitions. However, they’re still far less popular…
Blaser F3 Vantage
This shotgun – the Blaser F3 Vantage – is no bargain basement offering, though it certainly represents an excellent example of a modern competition gun with the genuine potential to…
Clay Shooting Classic 2022: a closer look at Orston Shooting Ground
The 2022 Clay Shooting Classic is fast approaching, but there is still time to register. To do so, just follow this link: https://www.orston.com/thursday-26th-sunday-29th-may-2022-clay-shooting-classic/ In 2016 Emily and Dan Martin moved…
Shooting permissions – how you can maintain yours
For many people getting shooting permissions is one of the hardest aspects of shooting. And even when you’ve done so it doesn’t stop there. (Want to get a shooting permission?…
Biodegradable shotgun cartridges – questions still loom
The move towards biodegradable shotgun cartridges, and wads and steel shot gets closer and closer by the day, but there are still some questions that need answering on the ramifications…
Taking a closer look at shot cameras and a ShotKam
It’s fair to say that a ShotKam is an essential part of my crow shooting kit. So I thought I would enlarge on why I particularly like having a ShotKam…
Shotgun ribs – what are they and why are they there?
When shooting, we keep being told to look at the target, so what’s the point of the rib? Well, no matter how hard you try, the rib will still be…
Where am I most likely to find deer antlers?
Everyone's expressing concern at increasing deer numbers, but why do I never find cast antlers during my walks through the woods?
Gun fit – are you persisting with an ill-fitting gun?
Each year a farmer friend of mine is kind enough to invite me on a driven day towards the end of the season. I look forward to it with great…
Do I need to keep my guns at home for a shotgun licence?
Shotgun licence: If I apply for a shotgun certificate do the guns have to be kept at my home address?
Egyptian goose: why it’s more of a duck than a goose
Egyptian goose facts Distribution: Occurs naturally across sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley. There are also self- sustaining populations resulting from introductions and escapes in parts of Europe as well…
ATA Sporter
This review was first published in 2018 and has been updated. Prices shown are as when gun was originally reviewed and may have altered. ATA Sporter tech specs Weight: 7lb…