I recently discussed rough shooting (walked-up shooting) with Matt Clark, Sporting Gun editor and how to go about participating in this most enjoyable part of our sport. (You can listen…
Sporting Gun
What would be the best all-round shotgun for you?
How to choose your best all-round shotgun If you had to have one gun that would work for you in all your shooting, what would it be? This would not…
The common snipe – or, as the Finnish call it, the ‘sky ram’
Facts about the common snipe Distribution: Most worldwide populations are highly migratory, breeding in Iceland and across much of Europe, Russia and northern Asia. Overwinters in Africa and southern Asia.UK…
Health checks you must carry out before breeding Labradors
Q: “I am considering breeding from my young Labrador bitch but have to confess to being overwhelmed by all the advice I am getting. Any thoughts?” Thoughts on breeding Labradors…
Wiehrauch HW66 rimfire rifle
Any airgunner will recognise the name of Wiehrauch, a German company with a deserved reputation for producing a wide range of well-made and accurate air rifles and pistols. Catering for…
How pigeon feeding habits change with the seasons
Wood pigeon feeding habits We should have a mental picture of the different crops grown on our pigeon shooting permissions. But at what time of the year should we be…
Taking a look at ammunition for vermin
Vermin cartridges review: Give game and song birds a chance to survive by shooting the vermin that prey on them.
Just how deep do rabbits burrow down?
When you’re out walking near a rabbit warren, have you ever wondered just how far the tunnels go down? Just how deep is the average rabbit burrow? A rabbit warren…
How to train your gundog for water work
Gundog training for water work needs to be done carefully and with thought; it is all too easy to end up with problems such as dropping retrieves, shaking and even…
Here’s what you need to know about fixed-barrelled guns
Semi-auto and pump-action shotguns have been around for a long time but have not been as popular in the UK as they have in the USA. Shooters shy away from…
The Nikko 5000 series
The Nikko Firearms Company is a subsidiary of the Kodensha Company, once a major manufacturer within the Japanese firearms industry. It operated out of the Tochigi prefecture about a hundred…
Black powder licences … what you need to know
Thinking about using black powder? You’ll need a licence from the local police and a reason for using it. Having a gun proofed for black powder should be enough. Of…
This is how to take somebody night-time foxing for the first time
To those of us who do it regularly, a night out foxing is no big deal. For many others who have never, or rarely, been before, it can be a…
My spaniel has horrible waxy ears. What can I do about it?
Q: My spaniel has horrible waxy ears. No amount of cleaning seems to make a difference. Any suggestions? I’m worried they may lead to more spaniel ear problems. A: Neil…
Is comprehensive insurance really necessary for sporting guns?
Should you get gun insurance? No, says Robin Scott. It would be worth splashing the cash each year if I had a gun that was eye-wateringly expensive or rare. I…
Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus
I’ll be honest with you, the first thing I noticed about the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus was the price. At £2,195 it is not cheap for a semi-auto. Regular readers…
How to make biltong
One of the few advantages of the lockdown has been that many outstanding projects have finally been completed. One of these was to build a permanent drying box to make…
A beginners’ guide to FITASC clay pigeon shooting
FITASC sporting is a great leveller. If there's any weakness in your clay shooting technique, be it with your gun mounting or swing, this discipline will find it!
Want to get better at shooting an air rifle? Continued target practice is crucial and this is why
Getting good at shooting an air rifle is only half the battle. Staying good is the other half and it does not happen by chance – it requires constant attention.…
Some questions about snap caps
Q: I am new to shooting and I keep hearing the term ‘snap caps’. What are they? A: Snap caps protect your gun by relieving the stress on your firing…