Do these common mistakes sound familiar? 1. Poor stance For a novice their instinct is to address where the target is coming from rather than having the body in a comfortable position where they intend to break the target / kill the bird. For a clay shooting they can address…
First gun
Buying your first PCP air rifle – what to expect
We’re all more that the last two years haven’t been great, but one of the few positive things to come out of the lockdowns has been an influx of people to our sport. Some are brand new to airguns, while others have returned after a long absence, possibly not having…
Springer vs PCP – which is better to start out with?
When it comes to the great springer vs PCP question, I’ve never actually seen anyone come to blows over it, but I’ve certainly witnessed some very heated debates about which type of air rifle is best to shoot – one powered by a mainspring, or one with an onboard reservoir…
So you want to get into shooting? Here’s how to start …
If you are looking to get into shooting of any kind, this easy guide will give you plenty of hints and tips
Winchester Wildcat .22 LR semi-automatic
The Winchester Wildcat It’s nice to have another .22 semi-automatic rifle appear among the usual contingent of Rugers and Remingtons. This Winchester, though labelled as such, is made in Turkey. Named after Winchester’s renowned Wildcat .22 LR ammunition, it evokes cherished memories for me of running the Bridgend Stores, on…
How to choose an air rifle that’s right for you
Before you choose an air rifle you need to think about what you want to use your air rifle for? A bit of backyard plinking? Target practice? Pest control? Set a budget and stick to it. (Read our guide to the best air rifles under £500). Go to air gun…
Browning 525 Game Laminate
Back in 2019, Browning released a new gun to the market, which caused a great stir in the shooting community. The Browning 525SL (Sporter Laminate) was a fresh take on the firm’s much-loved sporting shotguns. It had stylish looks and a distinctive grey laminate stock. It was innovative, bold and…
Buying your first shotgun: here’s how to make the right choice
It's never too soon to start looking at guns with a view to buying your first and any dealer will be happy to reserve a gun until your certificate arrives
What’s my best gun for shooting clays and game?
Can you use a clay gun on a pheasant shoot? Yes. A lot of the differences between a clay and a game gun are subtle. Ventilated and wider ribs, manual safety and slightly different woodwork won’t really stand out on a game day. Most of the day the gun will…
Should his first gun be a Baikal?
We recently had a query from a reader, Tomasz Dojnikowski, who asked: ” Hi guys. I’m looking to buy my first shotgun but do not have a big budget. I’m looking at second-hand Baikal 12g 27E-1C. Are these any good as first shotguns? Not much experience with it. Been using an air…
Are children allowed to use rifles?
Children using rifles – is it legal? Q. I am planning a fun day for the village on my farm, where I have a range that is suitable for .22 rimfires. Can I allow young people to use the range provided that they have their parents’ permission and are under…
Should I use a 20-bore just because I’m female?
My husband has got me hooked on clay shooting and now wants to buy me a 20-bore because it’s lighter than the 12-bore I’ve been using.
What novice shooters should look out for when choosing a first gun
Step one in buying your first gun is taking advice from someone you can trust. Most gun shops are reliable but I know of one in the Midlands that sold a right-handed gun to one of my friends, for his left-handed son, with the recommendation that it fitted him well.…
Turkish shotguns – definitely worthy of consideration and here is why
Buying your first gun is a genuinely exciting feeling and one of the great pleasures of taking up shooting as a new hobby. A first gun is almost always bought at the budget end of the market, which is now dominated by Turkish guns. It is a shift of power…
Guns for women shooters
Shooting has becoming increasingly popular – and accessible – in the last 20 years and the number of female shooters has risen too. The number of women joining the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has risen by a third over the past four years and BASC now has…
Browning Medallist shotgun – a winner for the keen beginner
The Browning Medallist shotgun is good for those new to shooting and buying on a tight budget.
How I chose my first gun
Kaylie says: “I think when it comes to gameshooting, often a girl’s first experience will be attending to accompany a Gun, rather than shooting herself. In my experience, if you’re fortunate enough to be given a shot or two, typically you’re handed a spare which is the least favoured in…
What did our reviewer think of this secondhand Browning Medallist shotgun?
What’s the best starter gun? It’s a subject for constant debate, with guns from Lincoln, Lanber, Baikal, and various relative newcomers from Turkey all having their adherents.
Kofs Sceptre SXE 28-bore
Over the last few months I have been hearing and seeing a lot of questions arising around Kofs shotguns. So, as I had only seen one or two in the flesh and not had one to dissect, I thought I would grab the opportunity to take a closer look when…
Finding the one – your perfect gun
Buying and selling guns is part and parcel of the enjoyment of shooting. It’s all about finding “the one”. All I can say is count yourself lucky if the first gun you clap eyes on fits the bill perfectly and that, shunning all others, you stay faithful to it ever…