I’m sure that at one stage in most shooters’ careers there would be a side-by-side in the gun cabinet, and if I had a pound for everyone that was an…
Sporting Gun
Clay pigeon shooting: The perfect ready stance
Mark reveals why a correct ready position when shooting increases your chance of hitting more clays.
Would a lighter load improve your shooting standard?
Having taught hundreds of new and experienced shooters over the years, I’ve seen lots of examples of how excessive and unnecessary recoil can adversely affect some people. In many cases…
I want to become a loader. Should I do a course?
I have loaded for some years, and although competent, I decided it was time to get a qualification in the subject. Why is a loading course a good idea? One…
At what age can I apply for a shotgun certificate?
One of the commonest questions I get through Sporting Gun is from youngsters wanting to know what the minimum age is for getting a shotgun certificate.
Get that grouse – nailing those low, fast targets
A low driven target catches more shooters out than you would expect. A fast target simulating grouse, the wild moorland bird, is not only low and fast but, to add…
A close look at the Perazzi MX8 – a blast from the past
If you want to make money out of gun ownership, then go for a new “London Best” (preferably a Purdey, Holland & Holland or Boss), don’t shoot much — or…
A short history of the shotgun
A very long time ago, some enterprising person decided to fill a tube with gunpowder, put a rock or something equally solid on top, light the blue touch paper and…
Sporting Gun remembers Mike George
Here is a list of some of the pieces he wrote for Sporting Gun magazine, which are read over and over again on Shooting UK. A true professional to the…
FAQs about shotgun certificate applications
Q. How much does a shotgun certificate cost and how long does it run for? A. A certificate is valid for five years, after which it must be renewed if…
Should you clip your dog’s coat for the summer?
I own a working cocker spaniel that is 12 months old. Can you please give me advice on how to look after its coat, as some say you can cut…
Buying a first shotgun – how to get the best for you
Any busy shooting coach will see a continuous stream of newcomers to clayshooting or gameshooting coming through his ground. Having enjoyed their encounters with moving targets, they’re now thinking of…
Top techniques for different clays
Interception technique The first method that Graham looked at was the interception technique, which is a simple method. Graham took Giacomo to a simple slow teal target. Graham says,…
Night-time ratting
Ratting in the dark using night vision optics
What is the best big rifle for shooting foxes?
In your opinion what is the best big rifle for foxes, taking into consideration the cost of the ammunition. What is the cheapest price I could buy one for?
Still going strong – the AYA No. 1
AYA is based in the Basque Country of Northern Spain – an area that has been producing guns for hundreds of years. It makes many different guns – side-by-sides and…
Fausti XF4
A former shooting champion once told me that if a gun looks good it would shoot well. He explained that rather like a sports car if the lines of the…
Which clay pigeon shooting discipline is easiest?
A gun club near my home does DTL and Automatic Ball Trap shooting. I’m in the process of buying my first gun and would like to know which of these…
What exactly is eye dominance and why is it so important?
Eye dominance, sometimes referred to as “master eye”, is the tendency to subconsciously prefer visual input from one eye to the other while maintaining the value of binocular vision. First,…
How to hit the rabbit clay target
Shotgun instruction: Even if you’re an experienced AA-class shooter, it can still be a tricky job to smash EVERY rabbit clay target.