Hammergun

OK Disc (gramophone) records rotate at 33 1/3 rpm, 45rpm or 78rpm. What is the rpm of: 1, a CD? 2, a DVD? 3, an Edison cylinder? (If Cranners reads this he'll prabably remember Number 3 )

Yes. Bit of a nasty question. Got me to start with. For everyone else, a Barleycorn was an old measure (1/3 of an inch) Horses are measured in hands, which are 4 inches.

Give up? Clue - What is a "barleycorn"?

OK, Red (and anyone else then)- here's one I came across in a quiz: What's a dozen barleycorns mean to a horse?

Yes, you should definitely get out more!!

You could try the BTMS method, as detailed in the following link! http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...?showtopic=2196

Have a go shooting clays thrown from a tower if you can.

Shooting live quarry with any form of bow is illegal in the UK. This was introduced several generations ago to combat poaching. France has recently repealed their bow huting laws and it is now legal over there. It has always been legal in the USA. Hopefully the UK will follow suit one day - but I wouldn't hold your breath!

Some of the scratches and dents will raise by placing a damp cloth over them, then using the tip of a hot steam iron to raise the grain. Smaller scratches will polish out with steel wool (0, then 00, then 000 grade). Some scratches may have to stay to avoid spoiling the character of the gun.

Someone had quite amateurishly fitted a rubber pad to the stock. This will have to come off and be replaced by a dark wood or ebonoid, more in-keeping with the character of the gun. This is going to take me many hours of careful work to do properlyl, so I think I'll be putting it off till last! The stock has a lot of scratches, the chequering is worn and needs re-cutting, and all the woodwork needs re-oiling. Even in its current state you can see the ripple walnut shimmering through. Hopefully it will look splendid when finished. Must have been an expensive gun when new.

The colouring had worn off the base plate and the trigger guard:

OK chaps, as promised some time ago, here is a pictorial record of my gun restoration project. Hopefully there will be more pictures as the weeks progress. The fine Damascus barrels were in need of re-browning, the chequering was worn on the fore-end and needed re-doing. Fortunately the action was still bright as the gun action had been well looked after. The gun has had little use as the barrels are still well in their original proof. This also meant that the action was nice and tight, and there was little wear to any of the parts. The only fault was a broken top-lever spring, which owing to its individuality needed making from scratch. For this, the gunsmith charged me £75. The gun was made in the late 1800's by the London Armoury, a busniess based on a consortuim of smaller London gunmakers to effectively compete with the larger organisations supplying small arms to the military. There were also a collection of numerous different outfits, each specialising in a particular trade, such as barrelling, stocking, chequering, oiling etc. It is said that such guns have passed through the hands of as many as 20 different craftsmen. The quality of the action is very good, and the gunsmith commented that it was as well made as many of the more expensive London guns. The quality of the engraving is very good too. The style of the fences appears to be based on the Gamage design - very chunky and robust.

Never found it a problem rabbiting in the rain - the sound of the rain drowns everything out and you can creep up close to them.

Anyone with a Brocock can apply for a Firearms certificate to keep it legally. Grant is pretty much automatic (unless you've got a criminal record) and you do not need to prove good reason. Personally, I think Brococks are a load of old b*****ks as my mate had one once and we couldn't hit a thing with it!

For heavy rain, you can't beat a Barbour!

Ideally if you move in the right circles, try making contacts. A bit of ratting with an airgun is how I usually start, and if the farmer sees a reduction in the rodent population, he is more likely to let you after the rabbits. Once you have one farm, ask him if he knows anyone else who may benefit from some pest control. I have got lots of shooting this way. If you can say "I'm doing some pest control for such-snd-such who suggested I asked you........." is better than cold calling.

Whatever you wear, whether it's cammo, tweeds etc. you need to blend in with your surroundings as best as possible. No good with realtree cammo when sat in a stubble field!!

The brighter the light, the easier it is for you to get a quick shot off. It's a bit of a trade-off

Really, there is a lot of c**p talked regarding cammo. A cheap jacket from an army surplus is more than adequate. Even a dark barbour, moleskins and tweeds work pretty well. - Concentrate more on tactics!!

Hanging is primarily to allow enzymes to tenderise the meat. Rabbits spoil very quicky (because of coprophagy) so they should be paunched immediately after killing and not hung at all. Hares, though closely related require hanging as they feed differently. If you want to tenderise a rabbit, chill it and soak in salted milk overnight. You don't hang pigeons - they spoil very quicky. Get them dressed and chilled as soon as possible. Pheasant, Hare, Partridge, Grouse, Snipe, Woodcock - one to three (or more) weeks. This is dependant on taste. About 2 weeks in cold weather (or 1 week in warmer) is about right if you don't like your meat too strongly flavoured. Less than a week, it will be tough as old boots! duck - one to two (in cold weather) days. Wildfowl, as a rule is normally hung overnight if it is to be consumed the following day. More than 2 days and it's spoiled.

Remember the "genuine clay pigeon ashtrays" only a fiver!!!

Best if you use a filling regulator as it saves you risking overcharging and damaging your gun. Check your motor insurance before you carry a divers bottle in your car as you will probably not be covered in the event of an accident if you are carrying any form of pressurised cylinder!! (that goes for divers too, of course)

I find it good if you start off by offering to shoot rats for farmers - I've never had any not to take up my offer!! If they see results (report back when you've finished too, before you go home), and they will probably let you progress onto rabbits. Oh and yes, don't leave dead rats all over the place - ask the farmer what to do with them. References are good - "I've been shooting rats for Mr xxxxx at xxxx farm and he suggested I saw you" etc.

Bunny Tandoori. Ingredients 1 lb diced and boned rabbit meat juice of 1 lemon 2 oz butter 3/4 pint yoghurt 1 chopped onion 3 cloves garlic sachet of tandoori spice rathia sauce salad naan Marinate the pieces with yoghurt, garlic, lemon juice, butter and tandoori spices. Place on an oven tray with the marniade and a chopped onion and bake in a medium oven until done (usually about 1 hr), basting frequently to stop them drying out. You can cook them on skewers. Serve with naan & salad and rathia sauce, or use as meat in a masala sauce

Bunny Tandoori - see the rabbit recipes posting