Towngun

I struggle to ever get a patch to come out clean as they say in the instruction guides. I was therefore speaking with a gunsmith about this subject (he specialised in old English guns). His comments were: that it was very uncommon for a gun to ever “shoot” its barrels thin and that more often damage was caused by overzealous cleaning than otherwise. Thus remember your barrels are steel and steel is harder than plastic and lead. Clean the barrels as best you can but don’t clean steel with steel and heaven forbid don’t go using a drill! I use a solvent to start saeled for 15 mins. Then I use a patch to swab out the muck followed by BF wire brush. 10 passes for each barrel. I then swab out until clean "ish". I don't use WD40 because this removes gunblue! Gunblue of course is rust!

I have used CPS and numerous other makes and I can say to you what my former shooting coach said to me on the topic of cartridges: "The modern cartridge (whatever it is) is better than the man behind it". You do not miss your bird because of the cartridge, you miss it because "YOU" miss it! Consider this, George Digweed recently broke a clay at 80 years with Gamebore Whitegold. He then used Black Gold No. 5 shoot and break clays out to 130 yards. This proves the ability of the modern cartridge far exceeeds the ability of most men. In this case it was Gamebore but that is because Gamebore sponsor George - it could have been any of a number of cartridges! With regard to Just Cartridges and CPS, John Bull the owner is an expert on ballistics and if he can source the best from the best it matters not if its Express or Gamebore. Remember even the manufacturer’s source their shot and powder abroad! Even Ely is owned by a Spanish Group! If you read the components of CPS you will find they are all topknot: TECHNO BABBLE 28gm plastic wad in shot sizes 7½, 8 & 9 28gm fibre wad in shot sizes 6½, 7½ & 8 Muzzle Velocity: 1,450 fps Antimony Content: 4% Diamond Shot Propellant: Baschieri & Pellagri flake Primer: Cheddite CX1000 Distinctive 70mm translucent purple case with 6 star crimp and 16mm head

PLEASE TAKE THIS MESSAGE AS YOUR OWN AND PASS IT ON TO ALL YOUR SHOOTING FRIENDS - OUR SPORT IS AT RISK AND IN MANY WAYS Dear Friends,Supporters and Customers, Some of you may be aware that it is proposed that the name of the Birmingham Gun Quarter is changed to the invented title of St.Chads and St.Georges for what, it appears, is an effort by a small element of Birmingham City Council Councilors* to remove the "Gun Quarter" from the proud history of this fine city. The reason for this initiative was a 50 signature petition from "residents" of the Newtown and Lozells area of the city, which is some distance away from the industrial Gun Quarter. For over 250 years our Gunmakers (both men and women) have promoted a secure and safe environment, supported our Armed Forces and produced world class products exported across the globe. If you feel you would like to support our industry and keep our name and traditions please visit www.savethebirminghamgunquarter.co.uk and register your support. *It should be noted that several Birmingham City Councilors agree with our views and have signed our petition. Thank you and Safe Shooting, PLEASE TAKE THIS MESSAGE AS YOUR OWN AND PASS IT ON TO ALL YOUR SHOOTING FRIENDS - OUR SPORT IS AT RISK AND IN MANY WAYS

Perhaps also the faster the speed the more confusing and forgiving of any layout errors for the birds?

Had very similar experince on OSR stubble recently. On paper it was an ideal but on the day the birds were not interested. Perhaps they had better crops in mind?

Worcs pheasant shoot requires 1 full gun circa 40 bird day £975. Small friendly sought after shoot, close to junction 5 - 6 M5. May be possible to break into two half guns. Suggested pre season visit & walk around.

Could you give more details i.e. approx loaction Staffs is a large county. Best regards

I think we have all been there and got the T Shirt. Trouble for most of us we have one day out now and again. Tomorrow may be another day but it’s not a decoying day. When its dead and nothing is happening best just sit back and enjoy the solitude and peace of the country. Usually the moment I relax and give up a pigeon drifts in and catches me completely unaware!

What area are you in???

You're in luck because you live at the heart of NPPC shooting. Yorkshire is spoilt for choice. John Shooter who runs NPPC lives in North Yorkshire. Call him and he'll tell you how many acres.

I think they are an offshoot of NPPC i.e. a couple of guns decided to set up on their own. NPPC is not expensive - you get a years shooting at a fraction of the price of driven game!

I use maintained lead for the following reason: Its economical in time i.e. you don't waste time getting to where your want to be - in front It accepts and builds in the concept of a shot string i.e. shot does not arrive on target in one lot. It arrives in a string rather like water from a garden hose. Perhaps playing with your children one hot day you have noticed. Give them a head start, move the hose and notice how the water arives on target. It arrives is a line. If in front then the target runs into the string. Thus why not start in front and allow the shot string to compensate for errors. It matches the swing of the gun to that of the target whereas pull through intrinsically has error build in ie you will either be too fast or too slow plus it wastes time placing the gun either behind or on the target neither of which is weher you want to be.

Tom, I'm a member of NPPC and they have some excellent shooting North of B'ham towards Burton and Lichfield and towards Staffs. They also have quite a lot along the M6 A14 if you fancy a drive of approx one hours. In fact the amount of land available is so extensive one gun can't cover it and this is especially so with OSR. I am unable to do the reconnisance and also find the birds move on because they have a choice when only one gun is set up. If you do join and I would suggest its excellent value then drop me a line and maybe we could share reconnisance and cover the area one day, that way keeping the birds mobile. You can contact John Shooter on enquiries@nppc.co.uk

I'm also a member and recommend them. They have some good shooting in your areas and I would thing your well placed to benefit. Send and e-mail to NPPC (via website) and ask John Shooter.

Yep the trouble is that shooting books assume you dont work for a living and also have free access to may miles of farm land. The problem thus is twofold: 1.Pigeons don’t have flight lines to correspond with your permission 2.The modern shooter has so many heavy pieces of kit that mobility is a huge task Of course the reason may have so much kit is they want to compensate for not having the idael permission and therefore try every elctonic device to get the pigeons to come to them! Perhaps the solution is to be content with small bags. If you shoot pheasants then ten birds would equate to a 100 bird day costing several hundred pounds therefore be content to the day out and maybe 1o--20 birds irrespective of the flight line. Pigeons offer supreme sport the equal of a grouse moore or a pheasants drive.

I have looked at Kent Velocity but not yet tried them. There are soem earlier comments on them and some say they recoil or leave burnt powder. I'm not able to judge however I wonder? I do believe there is a physiological factor here. Some folk just equate cost with performance and because they are cheaper they just can't be any good. My old shooting coach said to me that the "modern cartridge is better than the man/women behind it". These cartridges have short brass (much better for autos) and that reduces cost, but this is aesthetic. Gamebore also say the actual propellants are the same! If you think about it would just plain daft and expensive to set up a difference powder just for these cartridges. This issue is proved by the law of physics which says for every action there is a reaction proportionate. Thus is you look at the Kent Velocity performance figures you will see they virtually identical to premium brands, which means the same recoil. Thus Kent Velocity needs to be looked at.

Would be interested in the offer of pigeon shooting. I am a BASC member, safe insured shot and Worcs based. For more details post me.

Winter is upon us and the birds move in flock with a vast choice. NPPC solo members may find more than one gun covering an area more productive than on your own. I shoot Burton and Staffs areas but am unable to do the recognisance as I live an hour’s drive away. Anyone want to make contact with a view to a joint plan of attack?

Worcs based late opportunity driven pheasant shoot– last minute vacancy 1 full gun or two half guns. Half gun £450.00, full gun negotiable. 1000 birds down expected 40 bird day. Convivial small shoot atmosphere, cooked lunch in cabin in woods, great day out.

Can't do Sat but which club? I'm in NPPC but live in Worcester. I travel north to Staffs and Burton but am unable to do the reconnisance or cover the large area. May be worth discussion?

PHEASANT SHOOT We are looking for guns to fill one remaing place in our syndicate, full or half guns considered. Shooting Saturdays October onwards. 1,000 birds to pens with up to 40 bird days expected as well as some Woodcock. £450 for half gun, full gun negociated. Lunch in Cabin in woods. Visit to Shoot required before acceptance (BASC, CLA or similar insurance). Reply with brief details of experince.

Worcs Pheasant Syndicate half gun available Small Friendly Shoot has vacancy for half gun 20 minutes from M5 J5. We put down 1,000 birds and look for 30% return over 450 acres, mainly woodland. This is “not” a big day shoot. We only require safe shots and you should have insurance via BASC membership and of course SGC. Many guns help out on the shoot in and out of season although this is not a requirement. Last minute half gun vacancy following unexpected drop out. Cost £450.00. Reply to this add with contact details and e-mail. We can arrange walk around shoot pre commitement PS I have been in this shoot for 15 years plus and have enjoyed many memorable sporting days and have also shot on several commercial shoots which I have enjoyed far less.

Drop me a note of your contact details as I would be interested in this?

Contact John Shooter on 01423 711489 who runs the National Pigeon & Pest Control N.P.P.C. See website for details: http://www.nppc.co.uk/ John is based in Yorkshire and for a modest fee you can get more shooting than you will be able to use. Let me know how you get on and tell him the chap from Worcester referred you!