Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i Clay Shooting

We’ve got ten family tickets to the East Anglian Game & Country Fair to give away to Clay Shooting readers. Each ticket admits two adults and two children aged 5-16 – under 5s go free. The show is at the Euston Estate near Thetford on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April, and has a full range of trade stands, displays and attractions covering every aspect of the countryside, including a 40-bird clay competition run by the team from High Lodge. There’s a special entrance and car park for clay shooters. For more about the show, see www.ukgamefair.co.uk. To enter our competition and be in with a chance of winning a family ticket to the show, you’ll need to answer this simple question: running Which the well clay known competition clay…

The 2020 British Schools & Young Shots Championship is the big one for individual young shots and school teams from around the country – and this year’s event will be extra special, with a guest appearance from 2012 Olympic gold medallist Peter Wilson MBE. The UK’s national championships for under-18s will see the country’s finest young talent competing over three courses of varying difficulty – Red, Blue and Black – at Orston Shooting Ground in Nottinghamshire on Saturday 25 April. More than just a competition, it will be a showcase for young shooting talent, with with a chance to catch the eye of British Shooting who are attending to explain their Talent Pathway. The competition has become renowned for highlighting emerging talent in the world of clay shooting, with previous…

Shooting out on the clay circuits and working in one of the busiest gun rooms and shooting grounds in the UK, I can’t help noticing the massive German presence around the clay world. It started a few years ago when Blaser, a highly accomplished rifle maker, entered the increasingly competitive shotgun market for the first time. They had more than a little help designing the flagship model F3 from none other than ten-times FITASC Sporting, World, European & British Champion John Bidwell. The F3 hit the UK market in 2004, and it’s fair to say that like any new gun they had a few teething issues. To their credit, Blaser got to work immediately and sorted the problems with very little fuss, and the brand started to gain momentum. Even…

Did you visit the British Shooting Show at the NEC in Birmingham last month? I was there on two of the three days, and loved every minute. It was great to see old friends and make new ones, talk to readers and contributors, and meet face to face people who I’ve only known in the virtual world – including fellow YouTubers such as Mr Fermanaghman and Jonny from TGS Outdoors. It’s always encouraging to see the sheer size of these events, and the thousands of people attending – notably this year including many families going round the show together. So often shooters gather in small groups and keep to a relatively small circle of like-minded friends. At a show like this we realise that we are part of something much…

Amy Easeman was crowned Clay Shooter of the Year at the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association Annual Awards on 1 February at the Belfry Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. The junior shooter won the World Compak Lady Champion title in 2019 at the age of 18, a remarkable achievement marked by the prestigious award which in previous years has gone to noted shooters such as Mark Winser, Richard Bunning, Ed Ling and Abbey Ling. Ami Hedgecock was named Emerging Shooter of the Year, a recognition not only of her championship titles over 2019, but also of her great sportsmanship. The CPSA noted that this was a superb feat for a Colt to have won in a category that is open to all ages. Former British Schools & Young Shots champion Alfie Tibbles…

New shooting glasses have the Edge Evolution Eyewear have launched new shooting glasses, the Evolution Edge, suitable for clay and game shooting. The new glasses have been 12 months in development and have top grade polycarbonate lenses for optical performance and impact protection. The lenses, available in six colours, resist smudges and fingerprints, are hardened against scratches, and also have an anti-fog coating. Bisley Shooting Ground’s John Heagren has given the glasses his seal of approval: “I’m very impressed. They’re so light you hardly know you’re wearing them and the lenses really are exceptional quality. Pretty much everything you could want in shooting eyewear, yet at sensible prices.” Prices start at £39.95, with a five-lens set costing £129.95. See www.evolutionsunglasses.com Shooters give VAR the thumbs-up A poll of Clay Shooting…

Fame, status, free stuff – what’s not to like? It’s easy to see the benefits of being sponsored by some of clay shooting’s top brands, but harder to understand how to attract them in the first place. We explore the steps you need to take and ask some well-known shooters for their tips on how to get brands excited enough to want to sew their logos on your shooting vest. 1. Show potential For the vast majority of shooters, sponsorship gives them a huge leg up because it funds their practice sessions. The more practice you put in, the more likely a big win is going to come your way. In theory, the more wins, the more sponsors come calling – a virtuous circle. In reality, although scores are very…

Plans are coming together for a truly memorable Clay Shooting Classic at Orston Shooting Ground in Nottinghamshire on 27-31 May. The Classic has a long history of exciting targets, stiff competition and a terrific atmosphere – and this one is set to live up to expectations, with some big name sponsors such as Pilla already lined up, and prizes including cash and Clever cartridges down to 10th place in all the classes and categories. Orston’s Emily Martin says: “We’re really excited and looking forward to hosting the event. For those of you that haven’t been to Orston, it’s a 53-acre site based between Nottingham and Grantham. We’ve got great access from all over the country, meaning hopefully lots of you will be able to reach us. “We’ve got Sporting and…

For the ninth time, the UK’s clay shooters have cast their votes in the Nation’s Favourite Shooting Ground poll – and now, after two months of voting and a further month of counting up the results, we can finally reveal who’s won. You’ll find the overall winner at the end of this feature – and we’re thrilled to reveal that we have a new champion this year. But don’t just skip to the end – read on to find out the regional, discipline and Best Breakfast winners, all of whom are clay-shooting heroes. Once again we’d like to say a big thanks to every single one of you who voted. Since its dawn nearly a decade ago, this poll has become a major part of our calendar and something countless…

Most shooters will have fond memories of their first gun. It’s one of those milestones you don’t forget, like your first car or first love! Buying your first gun is an exciting time, but it can be worrying too. You’re making a big investment, and you don’t yet have the experience to feel confident about your choice. You’ll be offered all sorts of conflicting advice by well meaning friends and fellow shooters – who are probably little better qualified than you are! First of all, remember there’s no rush. I’ll assume you applied for your Shotgun Certificate as we described last issue, everything went to plan and you are now the proud owner of your very own SGC, along with an empty gun cabinet just aching to be filled. You’re…

Since bursting onto the scene four years ago, Tristan Hockey has come to dominate Colt shooting across the UK. In 2019 alone he was crowned Lyalvale Masters Colt Champion, National Skeet Inter-Counties Colt Champion, British Skeet Colt Champion, British Sportrap Colt Champion and CPSA Young Shot of the Year – plus he reclaimed his title as Colt Champion of Champions at the Game Fair. At just 15 years old Tristan already has made more of a name for himself that most of us could dream of, and has firmly positioned himself as one to watch in 2020 and beyond. So how does one become so acclaimed at such a young age? Well, it helps if you grow up on one of the country’s top shooting grounds – in this case,…

Atkin Grant & Lang is a clay ground, shooting school and gun shop, and we get through roughly 20,000 cartridges a week, with a wide range of different loads coming through the door. That's because we have to stock cartridges that are suitable for shooters of all abilities, experiences and ages, from the first time shot to the regular competitor. Our instructors typically use 21 gram loads for adult lessons, which offer more than enough power to hit the average clay and produce minimal recoil, making them ideal for beginners. Those coming to the ground to practise for their next registered shoot prefer a 28 gram shell packing more of a punch, and of course we can cater for them too. We’ve even found a happy middle ground, with cartridges…

The Northern Shooting Show has come up with a new scheme to get young people into shooting. Courtesy of BASC, under-16s will get free admission to the show, on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate. Then for just £5 they can purchase a ‘Passport to Shooting’ to shoot clay pigeons with the CPSA coaches on the clay line, shoot air rifles with the amazing Weihrauch HW30, have a go on the BASC shooting simulator on the AimCam stand, shoot Bell Target with the Lincolnshire Bell Target League and watch a game preparation demo from Simon Whitehead. The show organisers say the offer was only made possible because of the partners who are working with them, and also thanks to the generous support of…

The Great British Shooting Awards crowned their second set of winners on 15 February, with BASC’s Duncan Thomas receiving a Lifetime Achievement award and Browning, Tikka, Nightforce, Gamebore and Pulsar among the industry giants to receive an accolade. First launched in 2018, the Awards’ aim is to give recognition to the products, organisations and people that make shooting tick. From cartridges to clothing, scopes to shotguns, the awards represent every corner of the market. They announced their first winners at the British Shooting Show in February 2019 – and returned bigger and better this year, adding three new categories including an award specific to shotgun ammunition and another for the most innovative product launched all year. Hosting the awards for the second year, head judge and Future fieldsports editor-in-chief, Peter…

Prescription inserts or lenses? Q I read James Marchington’s column in last month’s magazine and it struck a chord with me, because I too have tried prescription inserts and been less than delighted with the results. Do you suggest I go to a shooting vision expert like yourself for inserts better suited to the sport, or would I do better to bite the bullet and go for shooting glasses with full prescription lenses? A James was quite right that the prescription as measured by a high street optician is meant for glasses where the lenses are in a relatively flat plane. When this ‘flat’ prescription is put into a curved insert, “fishbowl-type” distortion can be experienced. There are limitations to what strength of prescription inserts can handle, too. It all depends…

Having shot with a Beretta 303 for years, I am a big fan of semiautomatics for some forms of clay shooting, notably Sporting and Skeet. It wouldn’t be my first choice for DTL and the like, although I have shot a 100-straight at domestic Trap with one. This month our test spotlight falls on the Fabarm L4S Sporting, a dedicated clay model brought into the UK by Anglo Italian Arms based in West Warwickshire. This dynamic firm are also well known for distributing Guerini, a brand that has made great strides in the UK in recent years thanks to eye catching styling, technical innovation and a competitive pricing policy. First impressions of the L4S are positive. This is a particularly attractive semi-auto with Italian design flair clearly evident. The gun…

The University of Edinburgh’s students and alumni have a proud tradition of hosting The Edinburgh Cup. For years uni teams have travelled from all over the country to compete – and this year more than 40 teams made the trip to Bisley At Braidwood on 1 February, hoping to take home either a team or individual prize. The event consisted of a 60 bird Sporting course followed by a 45 bird flush which ran as two separate events, so there was more than one chance for glory. After the competition the Edinburgh team hosts a black tie ball, which this year was held at the beautiful Prestonfield House. Bisley at Braidwood took the main event seriously, and closed their entire ground to the general public to ensure that the students…

There is no doubt about it – the South East of England is a clay shooter’s paradise, from the beautiful grounds at EJ Churchill to the phenomenal shooting school at The A1. But, if you really want to feel at home, like you’re part of the family, then look no further than Dartford Clay Shooting Ground. Founded in the 1970s by two brothers, Dartford CSC started life with just one ABT and one DTL layout. Then, in 1998, Peter Duffield realised the potential of this little ground on the side of the Thames and began to turn it into what you see today. “Peter worked hard to make this corner of Dartford into something special for the Kent shooting community,” explains Kelly, Dartford’s General Manager. “He added four Skeet layouts…

BEDFORDSHIRE Chicksands Clay Target Club Shefford, CPSAAffiliated Disciplines: ESP, DTL, STR Open alternate Sundays and Wednesdays over Summer. Contact for competition details. Practice and coaching available Telephone: www.facebook.com/charlelister Email: info@chicksandsclaytarget.co.uk Web: www.chicksandsclaytarget.co.uk Maulden Gun Club Clophill Road, Maulden, CPSAAffiliated Disciplines: ESP Competition alternate Sundays. Practice and coaching for members only. Fibre wad only Telephone: 07951 651051 Web: www.mauldengunclub.com Shillington Clay Club Shillington, CPSAAffiliated Disciplines: ESP Shooting every other Sunday Telephone: 07860 940362 Email carol@hcduk.com Sporting Targets Ltd Riseley, CPSA Premier Ground Disciplines: DTL, ESK, ESP, FSP, DR, SB, STR, Fitasc Open 9am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays, 9am-2pm Sundays. Regular competitions. Practice all hours. Pre-booked coaching. Telephone: 01234 708893 Email: reception@sportingtargets.co.uk Web: www.sportingtargets.co.uk Tythe Farm Gun Club Disciplines: ESK, OSK Some OSK competitions & practice. Coaching available by arrangement. Telephone: 07719 329094…