Westcountryman

Having worked in the defence industry, I have seen how projects can overrun, both in terms of time and money. Changes to customer requirements are a huge pain in the backside and come regularly from the MOD. Each one takes time and money to investigate and realise. Also, the expectations from the MOD are often set far to high, every stakeholder wanting everything on his list of worries to be met even when this costs more and can be detrimental to the overall project. People get the wrong idea about defence companies and how money is made. The MOD could do things alot more cost efficiently if they knew how to work with industry and didn't have departments full of people who believe the aim of a defence project is to get them a little bit closer to retirement with the least possible effort.

My Tag and my casio (work watch). I liked the look of the Tag and as I live in Abu Dhabi and its a Tag F1, I thought, why not.

Guys, thanks for the replies, and sorry for my own slow reply. I am back in the middle east again :( so having to work and look busy... I don't mind the recoil on the .243 and have used bigger rounds before in the military and other friends rifles as a civilian. I have used my friends .270 and the recoil doesnt bother me, its just I find that with both my 243 and the 270, its just too much BOOM and everything in the area will run for cover and not come back and it just doesnt suit me. NJC, thank you for that offer, when I am back next time I may take you up on that! Also, a moderator maybe worth considering too and keeping my rifle, which to be fair is very nice and in good condition, or even a moderated .223! I wish I had got a moderator from the start really.

I have a 12 bore, .177, a .22lr and a .243. Ive been out of shooting and reading about it too, for the last 18 months, due to working in the Middle East. I do a lot of fishing there but not sporting shooting. Before I left, I used to enjoy my .22lr but not the .243 (RWSmmod 89 sporter) and rarely used it. I got it for deer and fox but didnt really do much with the rifle and found the recoil off putting. I can handle it and could hit 2 pence peices at 100 meters, using factory ammo but just did not enjoy using it as much as I had hoped. Nothing wrong just not for me. Anyway, I am coming back to the UK soon and want to swap it out or sell it and buy another centre fire, but a smaller calibre. I want something that will give me good accuacy out to 300 or so metres, be capable of knocking down a fox or rabbit but not have a heavy recoil or be expensive to feed. Also have plenty of good factory ammo available. I know there will be hundreds of opinions, but really Im looking for a cheapish option, nothing fancy or exotict. Just a commonly used calibre that I can get factory ammo for easily, rifles are easily available, is accurate and not too much recoil. Ideas please

I've got one, wish they were available when I was in the forces! Boils quickly and with minimal fuss or bother. My only concerns with them is that the lighting element doesn't seem that solid and if I was going out in the field for a few weeks, I wouldn't depend on one as my only source of hot water, where as I would be more confident doing so with a trangia.

I thought that would be the case. I hope its got a lot of fermenting to do!

I made a demi john of blackberry wine about 3 or 4 weeks ago, which is still bubbling away nicely. Last night, I racked it for the first time and put a little in a glass to try it. Its really sweet and tastes like Ribenna! Will it get a drier flavour when its finished fermenting? because currently, its pretty un-wine like!!! For reference, I followed the receipe in "First steps into Wine Making".

One of the young guys I work with puts blackcurrent Tunes into vodka and calls it "Purple". Gets him and his student mates in a bit of a state.

I do a bit of underwater spork fighting, pretty handy to know should you ever come face to face with a Spetnaz agent and you're only armed with your trusty spork. I also did Judo as a child, and Ninjutsu for a year a few years ago. Had to give it up as I was working away from home to often and couldnt go to training regularly.

I've got a Sparten. Seems well made to me, it was £50 second hand but un-used. I can't see it falling apart any time soon.

Stunning!

Where are you getting prvi mate? I can't find them anywhere local.

Not trying to be funny mate, but considering its been camo'ed, it's pretty shiney. Not my thing to be honest but it's not my rifle, so it's all good

I suggest that if you have so much land, you offer some of yours out? Then maybe get some more in return.

Damn, I've been quoted upto £120 for shortening screw cutting! Although I have found somewhere more reasonable now.