Bear68

I'm not 100% sure if it's correct, but I was told that the choke section on fixed choke Browning's was not chrome lined. Nigel Teague opened the choke on a Miroku for me without any problem.

Yes, please if still available.

Just voted in the Daily Record poll.

Good result, lads. That will make them splutter into their cornflakes this morning.

The Mirror have an online poll asking whether restaurants should stop serving Grouse. There's quotes from LACS and the usual comments about blood thirsty hunters etc. I don't know how to post a link, but if you Google 'Mirror grouse' you'll find it. Please cast your vote....might not do any good,but I suspect they'll be disappointed by the results if the'no' voters are in the majority.

It would be reassuring to see a similar statement on ths BASC website. It is now a week since Shooting Times reported the email story.

Kes, I agree fully with you. I hope for robust action from BASC, and that JS's apparent transgresion will not go unchecked...the membership deserves this at least.

Kes, happy to do so and hope that some positive action will take place. I feel that John Swift has let down BASC, both its members and his former colleagues, together with the wider shooting community.

I am disappointed that you feel unable to answer my question. John Swift appears to have seriously breached his remit as Chair of the LAG and BASC seems to be refusing to even acknowledge this fact, let alone deal with it in anyway whatsoever.

David, please confirm whether BASC will ask CA to formally object to JS's email on behalf of your members, of which I am one. All I ask for is a straight 'yes' or 'no'.

David, I am pleased that you agree that JS's comments appear inconsistent with his role. Will you liaise with CA on how these concerns can be formally raised or is it up to the CA alone to do so (ie. BASC consider that a statement saying JS does not represent BASC is sufficient).

David, shouldn't BASC be asking CA whether contact has been made with John Swift about the email? You have explained that CA represent all shooting organisations on the LAG, so surely you are entitlted to ask CA this question, and advise your members accordingly. Do you agree that the comments made in the email appear inconsistent with the impartiality required of a chairman?

David, please can you answer the above question? If BASC are not able to complain, will you be askung the CA to do so?

David; will BASC be lodging an official complaint about John Swift's apparent non-impartiallity?

Just compared the statements on the BASC and CA websites regarding the John Swift email and think I'll be switching to the CA. I want to belong to an organisation that will fight for my sport, and BASC's approach from my personal view seems to be one of gentle lobbying...it's too late for that now.

With the benefit of hindsight, BASC seems to have made a very serious tactical error; I assume they thought John Swift would be quietly sympathetic (or at least not hostile) but the recently released email seems to prove them wrong. Will they publicly call for him to resign or maybe even express their dissatisfaction with him making comments that can hardly be viewed as impartial? I don't think a statement that he no longer represents BASC is sufficient.

Thank you for the replies, I will read and respond via the other thread.

My membership of BASC expires shortly, and I'm seriously considering whether to renew. My main concern is that BASC appears to have adopted a reactive approach to the Lead Action Group. BASC has 140,000 plus shooting members, but it is the CA (around 100,000 hunting/fishing/shooting members) which represents the shooting community on the LAG. Why isn't BASC, as the largest organisation representing UK shooters, doing so? It certainly has the biggest mandate. Shooting is going to face more challenges in the future, and I want my subs to go to whoever will give us the best representation; at the moment, this seems like the CA.

David; please could you confirm that if was John Swift as Chair of the Lead Action Group who invited CA to represent shooters? He is the former CE of BASC, with well over 100,000 members....to whom it appears he administered a very big kick in the teeth. Did BASC acquiesce to his choice?

A colleague has asked me if I can find a buyer for his father's Cogswell & Harrison Avant Tout. It hasn't got side plates but is a self opener. The barrels are badly pitted, but otherwise it looks to be in good condition. What is the likely cost of having it re-sleeved?

As far as I know, he's at Westbury Fieldsports in Westbury not George Gibbs.

I bought a pair of Harkila Foresters about a month ago, and so far they are the best boots I've worn...certainly better than Hunter Balmoral's; meant to be made to stand up to hard use, but lasted for less than 12 months of fairly light use. The Harkila's cost about £140 - seems like money well spent at the moment.

I've had a B525 Grade 1 for a couple of seasons and can't fault it. It's well made and very pointable. It also feels a bit more 'solid' than the newer Silver Pigeons I've handled.

I think I'd tend to agree with the comments regarding the 'Cirencester shop'....probably best left at that! I've always found Wiltshire Rod and Gun in Swindon to be very good.

My brother had the same problem with an AYA XXV; I'll ask him how he fixed it, and let you know.