MikeT-23

Here's the situation: Father-in-law has terminal cancer, and after having a fall last week is now confined to a hospital bed set up in a bedroom on the 1st floor of his house. Those with the knowledge suggest he stays there 'cos if he goes to hospital for a suspected broken hip (he's two weeks shy of 90 years old), he won't come out. So, he's confined to an upstairs bedroom and would like access to a TV, especially Sky for the sport. My wife and I don't place a lot of importance on a TV in our own house, so have no knowledge on the best way to set this up for him. He has Sky TV downstairs in the main room, and they have a wee telly in the kitchen supplied by an aerial feed, but no aerial sockets upstairs. I'm told their Wi-Fi connection in the room he's now in is good, if that might make a difference. What options might there be for getting Sky (or any) TV set up for him without getting a second Sky box? There's a spare small TV elsewhere in the house that could be moved in to that room, and the aerial feed at the back of the house could maybe be split and a cable fed through his room's window, but given this a solution to a short-term problem (we're told weeks, not months), we're not looking for permanent fixes or long-term contracts. Plus, room at the back is north-facing, if that might have any bearing on the effectiveness of portable aerials. Thanking you in advance.

My local RFD doesn't currently have in stock any O/Us with synthetic stocks, nor did he offer any suggestions of such when I voiced my preference. I'm not suggesting they're not available, but I'd prefer not to have one with plastic-wood and nor do I want a camo one. Black is plain and simple. There is, for example, a Browning Cynergy, but that's circa £1700 and therefore out of my price-range. All previous shotgun experience has been with O/Us though. Never had an issue with them. The only new one at my local RFD within budget is wooden-stocked, which is not my preference.

Hi all. Quick enquiry to gauge opinion on the following 'dilemma'. Recently granted my SGC and looking to make my first purchase. After a visit to my local RFD, I have given myself a choice of EITHER a second-hand Beretta A400 Lite (black synthetic) OR new Beretta A300, same finish. With the new gun (at a price of £915) there's a three year warranty (option of 10 years for a £50 fee to Beretta) and 3 chokes. With the used gun (at a price of £995) there's a three month warranty and 3 chokes. To most, and to an extent to me too, that looks like a no-brainer of a decision. But, I seek the views of more experienced shooters and Beretta owners please. The RFD lists the A400 as being in good condition and having had light usage. My eyes can see that indeed it does look in good condition, but not so easy to determine previous use. (It has that kind of GunPod feature that claims to count every round put through it, but perhaps that info is on an app in the possession of the previous owner.) It also has that Kick-Off recoil technology in the butt. For a fee I secured it for a demonstration and put 51 shots through it. It jammed 3 times in that session which could have been due to the design of the budget cartridges provided at the clay centre. Direct comparison with A300 not possible as no demonstrators available. I don't want to exceed a budget of £1k (still got peripherals to consider on top), and I'd prefer a (fairly) low-maintenance gun that may have better appeal to a used market if/when I upgrade or if I find I'm not involved enough to justify possession. Going for a synthetic stock as I found I got a bit precious about a nice wooden stock on a Theoben air-rifle I had and I don't want to amplify that on an expensive shotgun. If budget allows further down the road in life, I may look at that option then. So, is the A400 so far superior to the A300 that it's worth the trade-off, or am I really not gonna notice the difference? Usage will be purely for clays with, perhaps, a very slim chance that coastal water-fowling opportunities will come my way. It may well be that in the time taken to decide, the A400 sells to another buyer and this whole post becomes moot...or rhetorical...but I'd rather make an informed decision, see? My own internet research has, thus far, proved inconclusive. Thank you for taking the time to at least read this.

Although I've never owned any other type, I did try out a pre-charged Air Arms and a springer Weihrauch before making a purchase of a Theoben SLR98, and to be honest it seems to me to be a good choice. As mentioned, much less recoil, and much quiter than springer. For me, the recoil that is there still provides a challenge in terms of aiming to compensate for it. Plus, if used for a day/night out in the field, it won't need recharged as the power supply is self-contained. However, it is not as quiet or still as a pre-charged, so it would depend on what you want to use it for. If you've to make a choice, I hope you get the right one.

David Thank you for that info. I appreciate you taking the time. I'll check those resources out, and hopefully get a result. Regards Mike

Dustyfox That info re. Westfield was spot-on. Thank you very much. I've got the info, and an invite to go along whenever it suits. You're a good man. Cheers Mike

Dusty fox em, my preference is to be doing any shooting within the boundaries of the law. In my limited experience, that involves going to a range. I don't have any contacts with land from whom I would get permission - not in Glasgow anyway, but there may be an opportunity waaaay up north from next year, but that's even less convenient. Plus, got to get to know the local farmer first. I'm not in Clydebank, but not so far from. Much closer to the city, in Yorkhill. Thanks for getting back.

Hello everyone I've posted a wee topic in the airgunner section on the same subject, before realising that perhaps I'd have been better posting here! First time, you see, so perhaps to be expected. Anyway, the gist of it is that I'm looking for an area on the western/northern outskirts of the city to put in some legitimate hours of practice (when the hours are available) for the air rifle. I'm aware of, and have used in the past, Kypeside and Cowans Law, but both are at least twenty miles beyond the other side of the city. Dechmont is a name I'm aware of, but again it is across town before getting close. Even then, I'm sure it's associated with the heavier stuff, but not so sure on the airgun idea. I stay in the city towards the west, and can travel out to the N/NW/W with little difficulty. It'd be a lot more convenient, and it's more pleasing to the eye I think. If anyone has any useful advice, it would be very welcome, thank you. regards Mike

Hello everyone This is my first post here, so be patient, please. I stay in Glasgow, to the western side, and was wondering if anyone knew of a location in/on that side of the city where I could go to get some regular practice for the air rifle skills. In the past I've used Kypeside (nr Strathaven) and Cowans Law (nr Kilmarnock), but both are at least twenty miles away, far on the other side of the city limits. There is another place, Dechmont, which I am aware of as a shooting club for centre/rimfires and so on, but is it air-freindly? Again it's the other side of the city. Do any forum users here have a knowledge of anywhere on the western/northern side of town where I might be able to do some legitimate practice? There was a guy who worked in the sports section of Crocket's who told me once about a farm near the Milngavie reservoirs, Bank Ell farm, which offered a facility on certain Sundays - but the info was rather vague and I've seen no evidence to back it up. All I'm after is somewhere closer and more convenient that will allow me the opportunity to put some hours in (when they're available). Any advice at all would be welcome, and thanks for taking the time. Cheers Mike