September 20, 2023
This week Gerwyn Jones heads out to tackle the local pigeons of the Thames Valley. Protecting a recently drilled OSR crop in the neighbouring field, he puts in a strong effort to decoy pigeons, though the birds are soon wise to his plan. Then Mark Ripley heads out with a 177 sub-12ft/lb airgun, the Daystate…
July 16, 2023
Humane killing of foxes I was recently asked whether it was legal to shoot foxes with an air rifle. If so, would the air rifle kill the fox humanely? Is it legal? This is a question that causes a lot of controversy. Firstly, yes, it is legal, provided it does not cause undue suffering to…
June 29, 2023
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
June 28, 2023
The following are my pick of the best air rifles under £600, with models that I’ve been putting through their paces over recent months. They are in or around the entry-level price bracket, but still deliver solid build quality and dependable performance. (Prices correct at time of publishing.) Best air rifles under £600 Weihrauch HW95K…
June 12, 2023
Air rifle or a rimfire Q: I am thinking of buying an FAC-rated air rifle for pest control. Would this be better than a .22 rimfire? A: I like FAC-rated air rifles for certain pest control duties. They offer a significantly higher energy rating over the legal standard 12ft/lb energy. While this does not increase…
May 16, 2023
Shooting an air rifle in the back garden Airguns provide a terrific introduction to the world of shooting, not only because of their affordability but also because of their versatility. Being relatively low powered, legal-limit air rifles can safely be used in a modestly sized garden, and plinking an air rifle in the back garden…
May 16, 2023
PCPs are relatively expensive. However, for those of us on a limited budget there are low-cost ways of sampling the advantages of recoilless shooting via CO2 air rifles. No pump or diver’s cylinder necessary, just a 12 or 88 gram CO2 capsule or canister. One downside is the fact that muzzle velocity varies a little…
May 15, 2023
This week we follow Chris Dalton as he travels South to prepare some candidates for DSC2 in Bedfordshire. Chris also manages to get away by himself to stalk local Chinese water deer. Then, Stuart Eborall, from Warwickshire Wild Game, heads out on a local stalking permission to help keep the farmers crow population at bay….
February 27, 2023
If you know a youngster who has expressed an interest in starting shooting, you may be wondering what the air rifle age limit is. And what about rifle shooting? For example .22s? Rifles Shooting consultant and Shooting Times contributor Graham Downing advises on starting with air rifles: “The circumstances in which young people may lawfully…
February 23, 2023
Pre-charged pneumatic rifles are incredibly popular today and for many good reasons. A PCP air rifle offers recoilless firing that makes accurate shot placement much easier than it is with spring-piston guns, plus PCPs are close to being silent with the right moderator fitted. Furthermore, many, if not most, are multi-shot too, making them ideal…
Sponsored by Skinner's, this week's dog of the week is Storm. Labrador Storm has a determined streak, as he showed during a shoot on the river Dart when a cock pheasant landed about 50m upstream. He jumped into the river and swam against the tide to deliver the bird to his handler. For your dog to be included, email ollie.harvey@twsgroup.com a picture and tell us all about them. Featured dogs receive a 15kg bag of food, via Skinner’s.