Innholdsfortegnelse for Jul-2018 i Sporting Gun

Most of us want to shoot like a sporting god, but often end up looking like our gun is firing blanks. We might blame the gun, cartridges or course setter, but deep down we know the fault lies with us. Well, this month we look at every aspect of shooting, from kit to technique, so there should be no more excuses! Now, for something completely different. From next issue the magazine is changing. Sporting Gun is having a makeover and the logo will look different. We have a sneak preview on page 4, but the changes won’t stop there. The whole magazine is being redesigned and the changes won’t just be cosmetic. We are bringing in new writers, articles, more features, product reviews and “how to” stuff. Happily, one thing…

“To say it was a revelation would be an understatment” I came to the conclusion a while ago that shooting instructors can either be godsends or a nightmare. It all depends on which one you pick, pay and put your faith in. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely believe that anyone new to shooting – unless they have a mentor with impeccable credentials to show them the ropes – should put themselves in the hands of a coach and book a course of lessons from the outset. Instruction First, you learn how to handle a gun safely. Which is vital. Second, you’re taught a method of shooting, either “follow through” or, more probably these days, “pull away”. Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) and BASC coaches preach the latter. It’s a…

Women’s Vierzon jersey-lined boot Price: £125 These jersey-lined boots from Le Chameau are ideal for this time of year. Neoprene-lined wellies are often too warm during the summer so you end up with sweaty feet and prone to athlete’s foot. Yes, we still need wellies in the summer — this is the UK after all and rain is guaranteed — but you don’t need the extra warmth offered by neoprene linings. The Vierzon jersey-lined boots from Le Chameau tick all the boxes. They don’t have the long zip that can be annoying to pull up — how many people do you see wearing them with the zips undone? — and has sometimes proved unreliable. The adjustable waterproof gusset with snap-fastening buckle gives just enough extra width to easily put your…

“It’s balanced due to a clever weight and counterweight system” The recent addition of the Ultra XS Pro Adjustable to Browning’s range is certain to delight the dedicated clay shooter, whether a devotee of Sporting, FITASC or Trap disciplines. All in all, it’s a great all-round gun based on the well-proven 525 action frame. It is supplied with eight Invector Titanium extended chokes, two spacers, three Inflex recoil pads and three trigger shoes, and can be balanced due to a clever weight and counterweight system within the stock and barrel. As a result, the gun can be configured to fit Guns of varying statures and with different styles, making it extremely versatile. The gun is also fitted with an adjustable comb and a trap-style fore-end, although perhaps not as chunky…

“It looks as though there’s another Turkish maker to add to the mix” 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 Sportsman Gun Centre offered me one to look over. The market seems to be getting quite full of Turkish guns at the moment and a lot of people aren’t sure where to turn when it comes to manufacturers. There’s no doubt that the workmanship coming out of Turkey has improved massively over the last decade, but as with anything new coming to market sometimes people feel somethings…

I have found countless benefits from using cameras over the years. They have shed valuable light on what sequence of events led me to miss a target. The built-in WiFi and the mobile app from my ShotKam allow me to access the files on the go. I have used this a lot when sat in the hide during the summer months to see exactly what went right and wrong. Unlike some shooting cameras on the market, ShotKams are compact and unobtrusive to the line of sight, allowing me to get on and shoot without having something putting me off. I know that some people have raised concerns in the past that the camera looks like it will weigh down the muzzle of the gun when shooting. To be honest, I…

Expert advice Graham Watkins SG’s gundog guru PICTURES NICK RIDLEY The causes First of all, if I was you, I would take a deep breath and take a step back or two. You have a young pup that needs to get used to not only to you, but also her new environment. She will need to have her inoculations before she can go out into the big wide world. Provided you have chosen your pup from good working stock you should have all the genetics in place, but you still have a blank canvas to work on. She will need to grow not only physically but mentally, and you’ll need to constantly adjust your training programme depending on how she is coming along. Remember, with luck, you should have the…

“All the practice and training paid dividends on the first three tests” Some months I struggle to find something interesting and exciting to write about, but fortunately this month isn’t one of them. A few weeks back, me and Ted entered our first working test of the season and I was as nervous as could be. Last summer, we had moderate success and, to be quite honest, at that time I had no great expectations. However, this year was going to be different. To cut a long story short, a few months ago Mrs R had entered her first dressage test on Bertie, her Irish Cob, and she had won her class and got a coveted red rosette. I wasn’t jealous in the least... the best Ted and I had…

There can be many reasons for an inaccurate shot, but there is one error I see so often during courses and training on our range. Eye relief is the distance you must position your eye in front of the rear lens of the scope (ocular lens). Too close and you will not get a full, clear round sight picture, but you may also get a belt in the eye from the scope on recoil – not recommended! Too far away and the same picture occurs, without the belt in the eye. Correct eye relief is critical to achieve accurate, tight groups. It will also adjust depending on the magnification you use if you have a variable magnification scope. The eye relief on higher magnification is even more critical. What should…

Gun cleaning tips When it comes to gun cleaning, there are many different ways to store your bits and bobs. I must admit that I am a big fan in the roll mats that you can get. These are a great bit of kit because they are perfect for carrying all the cleaning equipment and become a protective surface to clean your gun on. These are particularly handy when it comes to loading, as I can take all my gear and set up my own little work station at the end of the day. Another quick cleaning tip is to stuff the end of the barrel with kitchen or toilet paper to prevent the oil from dripping out of the end when you spray it down. I will leave the…

“Collectors should take note of these rare survivors” They don’t turn up like this very often! Many of us buried “time capsules” to be opened in 25 or 50 years. Anyone who has witnessed the opening of such capsules often find themselves smiling at the seemingly archaic contents, almost disbelieving that we could have dressed that way or used such primitive items. This shotgun could be termed the “gun equivalent” of one of those time capsules. It was bought by an Edinburgh paper mill owner called Charles Cowan from the gun maker Joseph Harkom, also of Edinburgh, in 1858. Remarkably it remained unfired. Rare survivior Collectors should take note of these rare survivors whenever they get the opportunity to do so. They show the student of such things as what…

Harkila Pro Hunter softshell jacket This jacket would provide a bit of warmth for those cooler summer days and is made from stretchy softshell material, which gives great freedom of movement. It is waterproof and windproof, so will protect you from the elements and has cordura reinforcements in areas of high wear. Price: £169 Visit: https://en.harkila.com Percussion Skeet Vest Evo This lightweight, practical skeet vest is made from breathable mesh, has padded shooting shoulder pads and four large front pockets for cartridges. It also has side adjustment straps to create the perfect fit. Available in black and blue. Price: £31.99 Visit: www.balnecroftcountry.co.uk Bisley Active Hearing Protection Electronic hearing protection that allows and even amplifies non-harmful sound to the ears, while offering 24dB protection at the same time. This comes in…

It’s relatively quiet on the woodpigeon front until harvest comes along, so nearing midsummer I normally rely on other pests to provide a bit of shooting and trapping. There’s certainly no shortage of winged and four-legged vermin to deal with, and with the latest crop of youngsters now well-grown, attention turns to rabbits. The rabbit has provided sport – and part of our staple diet – since I first picked up a gun. Locally, however, there now appears to be something of a shortage. A quiet summer stroll with the .410 around the aptly named “Rabbit Hill” would easily produce a brace or two for the pot, but on a recent outing not a single animal was seen. On closer inspection, most of the old, familiar holes were barred with…

GUNDOGS GRAHAM WATKINS A professional gundog trainer for more than 35 years, he runs Gamegoer Gundogs. VETERINARY NEIL MCINTOSH A practising vet in Scotland. TUITION TONY BRACCI Bisley Shooting Ground’s deputy shooting manager and master gunfitter LEGAL DAVID FROST Author of Sporting Shooting and the Law. TECHNICAL MIKE GEORGE Engineering author with a deep love of gunmaking. PIGEONS PETER THEOBALD Author of Woodpigeon: The Ultimate Quarry. ANTIQUES ROBERT MORGAN Arms and armour valuer at Holts Auctioneers. RABBITS ED COOK Professional rabbit catcher working over 30,000 acres. PEST CONTROL & WILDFOWLING TOM SYKES Passionate wildfowler and pest controller.…

Calibre: 12-bore Barrels: 30in and 32in Back Bored Chokes: INV+ TITANIUM Extended: Cylinder-¼-½-¾-Light Full-Full-Full-X Full Top rib: Tapered 13mm-10mm Barrel finish: Blued Action frame: Engraved steel Wood grade: Grade 4 Turkish Walnut Wood: Oil finish Stock style: Adjustable Drop at comb: 24mm-38mm Drop at heel: 38mm-54mm Forearm: Trap style Weight: 3.7kg-8lb 2½oz Notes: Kit Pro Fit balancer, 2 spare pads, 2 spare triggers, VCI sock, choke key, gun lock Options: Length of pull with the 3 different pads: 367mm(14 7/16in), 375mm(14¾in), 380mm (14 15/16in) Drop at comb: 5/16in to 1½in Drop at heel: 1½in Price: Recommended retail - £3,645 Case: Opaline hard gun case…

Snaring is an important tool in my line of work, and, while it is a method that can’t be used everywhere, it is effective when done correctly. However, this form of control can be an emotive subject, but snaring has undergone modernisation in recent years. Some may say it’s a cruel way to capture an animal, but I believe, when carried out correctly, it is perfectly humane – especially when you compare it to the suffering involved when an animal is poisoned. I certainly don’t condone any form of cruelty and wouldn’t hesitate to report anything that I deemed to be cruel. When we use snares, we work in line with the Scottish requirements, under which we had to complete a course and gain certification for correct use. I feel…

This is the time of year when you are walking through the woods very early on a summer’s morning, enjoying the ambience of the forest, to be greeted by the provocative sound of the roe buck. That one single bark that reverberates around the woodland never fails to put a smile on my face. Its challenge is a wake up call that I need to sharpen up and am in someone else’s territory. It doesn’t mean that all is lost, but that I will certainly have to take extra care because the buck is ahead of the game and already suspects something; if not me then perhaps another buck. The single bark of a roe buck is more of a challenge, and not the full repetitive bark of the alarm…

• 2 packs watercress • 1 venison loin steak • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tsp cooking oil • 1 tsp salt • 2 pints chicken broth •½ tsp sesame seed oil Wash the watercress and discard the hard stems. Tear it into spoon-size pieces. Dice the venison finely, put into a bowl and mix well with the soy sauce, oil and salt, then leave for about 30 minutes. Put the broth in a pan and bring to the boil. Then add the watercress, stir well and, when the soup comes to the boil again, add the sesame oil and the meat. Simmer until the meat is cooked, about 15 minutes, and serve hot.…

All branches of engineering have their heroes. Depending on your interests, you might think of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Ettore Bugatti or perhaps Barnes Wallis. And if you are a shooter, John Moses Browning may well be your man. So what about Tullio Marengoni? “Tullio who?” I hear you ask, because the Italian engineer is probably the most famous gun designer most British shooters have never heard of. And that’s surprising, considering he was a genius. It was more than genius because he just had a natural flair for the subject, in much the same that some people are natural linguists or mathematicians. The proof of this lays in historical fact: he had a poor education, joined Beretta as a lowly apprentice in 1894 and in only 10 years was the…

Email us now to to place your FREE* gun advert or click on www.gunsforsale.shootinguk.co.uk  and have it advertised ONLINE as well! Don’t worry, go online We receive many advertisements each month and place them in the magazine on a first-come, first-serve basis. If yours doesn’t appear straight away, don’t worry, just check again in the following issue. You can always visit www.gunsforsale.shooting.co.uk to place an advertisement (*free to guns under £1,000), including a picture of your gun, that will appear online immediately. Terms & Conditions • Shop Front is for guns and other shooting-related equipment including dogs and ferrets. • Shop Front is a service for private buyers and sellers - adverts from trade sources will not be accepted. • Buyers and sellers of guns should abide by…

£567.90 Shots at the Royal Berkshire Shooting School’s Easter Bunny Shoots raised £567.90 for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. 1,000 The Country Food Trust has delivered more than 1,000 meals of game meat to Glasgow-based charity, The Coming Home Centre, which feeds local war veterans. 1.2bn UK recycling company Agri.cycle will be able to process an incredible 1.2 billion spent plastic shotgun cartridges a year. The material is recycled into products such as garden furniture. 18 Norwich and District Wildfowlers Association has bought more than 18 acres of new land, thanks to a £30,000 loan from the Wildlife Habitat Trust (WHT).…

Great service As someone who is generally quick to criticise poor service, I feel it’s only right to commend good service, too. I recently applied for the grant of an FAC from Cleveland Police and was quite taken aback when, after all due processes/checks were carried out, my new FAC arrived through the letterbox, accompanied by my coterminous SGC, just 19 days after posting my application. I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to Cleveland Police Firearms Licensing Unit for this excellent service and to hold it up as an example to other police forces. Christian Stüssi, via email Ed – It’s good to hear some police authorities are doing a good job.…

Until November 1973, Eley held a massive share of the British cartridge market. Then there was a huge explosion at their plant at Witton, Birmingham – a blast which put the factory out of production for many months. Other, smaller British companies were able to partially fill the gap by loading cartridges with Eley components, but the incident also opened fresh opportunities to importers. Even after the Eley plant was back in full production, cartridges were being brought in from Scandinavian countries, Italy, France, the USA, and even the USSR and other Soviet Bloc countries. And British companies were working hard to claim their share of the market too – a market boosted by the growing popularity of clay shooting. Looking back to the 1980s, when I was testing cartridges…

The question I am asked most frequently is probably: “What shape of decoy pattern do you use?” The asker is often disappointed when I reply that pigeons do not feed in any kind of pattern, so it is pointless trying to create one. As decoyers, our sole objective in putting out decoys is to get pigeons within 30 yards of our hides – the shape of any layout having no relevance as to whether we can achieve this. Far more important is whether the pattern is in the right field – or even on the right part of the field. Admittedly, we can tweak the layout so that pigeons present themselves in a manner by which they are easy to despatch, but no amount of tweaking will overcome the necessity…

In How to Shoot , published in 1927, gunmaker Robert Churchill reports that he has already adopted the use of the cine camera for the diagnosis of faults in shooting technique. Robert was a great promoter of his company’s guns and he was certainly not going to let a shooter with poor technique get away with blaming his gun-fitting ability. Video analysis remains today an excellent tool to allow a client to see the possibilities for improvement in technique, or to demonstrate the perfect stance or gun-mount, for example. Churchill also used the phrase “muscle memory” in the same book, when discussing the repetitive practice of foot placement, gun-mount or upper body movement, to achieve that instinctive, optimum, performance shown by Olympic Skeet medal winners. I used to think…

This month I thought I would take a closer look at gun cameras and explain why I love having my ShotKam strapped to my musket. As many readers will be aware, I have been using ShotKams for the past few years. I started with the previous camera and, last year advanced to the new 2018 model. These cameras are extraordinary pieces of technology, and something that I would have only dreamt about using a while ago. When a shot is fired, the camera responds to the recoil and saves the How does it work? One of the main questions I receive, is how does the camera actually work? There is an internal accelerometer within the camera that detects when the gun’s action is closed (also achieved with a gentle bump…

Vet’s advice Neil McIntosh SG’s gundog health expert There are two likely possibilities and I am afraid each might require a surgical intervention, which is not what you will want to hear. Luxating patella The patella, or kneecap, sits in the knuckle-like trochlear groove at the front of the thigh bone or femur. It has an important job. In a normal dog, it is attached above to the main muscle mass at the front of the leg, called the quadriceps, and below by the patellar ligament to the middle of the top of the shin bone or tibia. When the quadriceps muscle contracts, it pulls on the patella which pulls on the tibia and so the leg is straightened. Were the patella not a firm cartilaginous structure, but just a…

A few months ago, I wrote an article about the upsurge of lady gundog handlers and how they had brought a fresh outlook to some of the training methods used for gundogs. Nowadays, you would be hard pushed to visit any shoot in the country and not see a woman with either a spaniel or a retriever by her side – even the world of competitive gundog trials and tests regularly has a good number of lady competitors. However, there is still a relatively small number of “professional” female gundog trainers, women who make their sole living from training clients’ dogs. Fran Ardley Twenty-seven-year-old Fran Ardley, of Tarncrag Gundogs, in Penrith, Cumbria, has recently realised a lifelong dream to train gundogs as a profession. She is already getting a countrywide…

A comment was made by a passer-by the other day. Alfie was with me and greeted them enthusiastically, as he does with everyone. I have to be honest, It can be a bit off-putting having a very friendly large dog looking you in the eye, with huge paws resting on your shoulder – but he is a softie. The remark was that he was looking a bit scruffy. Scruffy? How dare they say that, this is Alfie dog they are talking about! It made me take a closer look and, to be fair, he did look a shade on the dishevelled side. So I have a surprise for him. He is booked in to have his first professional grooming session. That is going to be interesting. Watch this space, as…

Max price: £5,000 Type: O/U general-purpose gun Main purpose: Game and clays Preferred make: anything German Mike George’s buying advice To my mind there are three German-made shotguns worth buying: Merkel, Krieghoff and Blaser. All three are good examples of German precision engineering, so it really is just a matter of your personal preferences in design and handling. Interestingly, Merkel and Krieghoff were originally based in the German city of Suhl, which, following World War II, had the ill fortune to find itself located in East Germany. Krieghoff got out during a brief spell when the area was under American administration, and relocated in the south-German city of Ulm, the birthplace of Albert Einstein, but Merkel remained in its home city, which is one of Europe’s traditional firearms manufacturing areas.…

GUNS adj— adjustable ble— boxlock ejector blne— boxlock non ejector brls— barrels c/w— complete with cyl— cylinder db— double barrel dt— double trigger ej— ejector ex con— excellent condition fac— firearms certificate fc— fixed choke gc— good condition grd— grade hg— hammer gun imp— improved ltwt— lightweight m/c— multi-choke mod— modified o/u— over and under ono— or near offer ovno— or very near offer p/x— part exchange pa— pump action rf— rimfire rnds— rounds (ammunition) sa— semi-automatic sb— single barrel sbs— side by side sle— side lock ejector slne— sidelock no ejector sst— single selective trigger tge— teague chokes u/l— underlever vgc— very good condition DOGS  b/w— black and white ess— English springerspaniel ftaw— field trial award winner ftch— field trial champion ftw— field trial winner hpr— hunt, point and…

INGREDIENTS Serves 1 to 2 • 1 leg of muntjac • 2 large potatoes • 1 leek • Salt and pepper •2 tbsp honey •1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar •2 gloves of garlic •4 sprigs of thyme • The juice of one orange •20floz whipping cream •150ml of red wine •250ml of beef stock Cooking method 1 Bone and roll the leg of muntjac or ask your butcher to bone and roll it. Heat a pan to a high heat with a drizzle of vegetable oil. Seal the leg until golden brown and then drizzle with honey and balsamic with orange juice. Add a clove of garlic to the pan and…