Bear68

Gamebore Black Gold fibre in 32gms 5 shot are what I use for pretty much all game shooting in my 12 bore; plenty of others to choose from, but these have always performed well for me.

I subscribe to Shooting Times, and usually find several interesting articles each week. The Shooting Gazette focuses mainly on high end driven shooting. I used to enjoy reading Fieldsports, but it seems to heading the same way as the SG.

Thanks, lads. I had my first day out with the new gun yesterday; 2 birds for 2 shots, including one which had flown down the line, I don't think I'll bother altering the chokes for the time being.

You should be able to pick a BSA up for that kind of money, although a Webley and Scott is likely to cost more. Keep an eye on Guntrader etc. I would suggest looking at English boxlock non-ejectors as well; I picked up a Thomas Wild for £125 a few years ago. Auction houses are also a good bet, as long as you give any lots you are interested in a thorough going-over before bidding.

I'm looking for a reasonably priced and simple mobile that can stand up to getting wet, being dropped and generally being neglected. I'm on a pay as you go package at the moment (£30 a month), and don't want to pay more than £100 - preferably less. Internet access would be good, but making phone calls, sending texts and taking the odd photo are the main essentials.Any suggestions? Apologies if this has been covered on previous threads, but I couldn't track any down when I did a search.

1 x slab of 250 cartridges. 28gms of No 6 with a photo-degradeable wad. Not a well known brand, but a very effective cartridge. £55 collected from Chippenham (just of J17 of the M4).

Thanks for the replies - I'll keep the chokes as they are and save the cost of having them altered. Never used a 16 bore before, so looking forward to giving it a try over the next few weeks.

I hope to be picking up an AYA 16 bore over the next couple of days, which will used mainly for game shooting. It's currently choked 1/2 and full. I know time will tell, but would this be a bit tight? I'll be using fibre wad cartridges with 26.5gms of 6 shot.

Turn up the white noise! Inflammable material is planted in my head, it's a suspect device that's left 2,000 dead.

1 gun available in an established walk and stand syndicate shooting 9 days (8 Saturdays plus Friday 27 December). 650 birds to wood, plus good numbers of woodcock when conditions are right. BASC insurance (or similar) required. Working dogs welcome. Please PM me for further details.

Normally Islay malts for me, but have just discovered Old Pulteney - very drinkable, and on offer in Morrisons at the moment.

Thanks, Tezza. I bought mine new this year, so will speak to the dealer. The rear sight was removed, and I have managed to reduce the glare by moving the torch back as far as possible. I thought I might give a red filter a try as well.

I've just fitted a Clulite MG125 to my HW77, but am getting a lot of glare in the bottom of my scope, which I think is coming off the foresight. There is an Allen key behind the ramp; does this remove the ramp and blade only, or the whole unit

Thanks for the replies. My 525 has 3" chambers, so I guess I should ideally be looking for a 70mm cartridge with a plaswad. I'm mainly a game shooter, so will hav a look around and see whats available.

There is an article in the current Fieldsports magazine saying that you should only use plastic wads if your gun has extended forcing cones (like my Browning 525), as fibre wads don't create a good enough seal to produce a good pattern. A number of clay grounds and gameshoots don't allow the use of plastic wads, and I'm not keen on them either. Has anyone actually tried different types of wads on a pattern plate to see if this argument holds water?

Have a look at the website for Macleods of Tain - they have a lot of second-hand scopes, and a good reputation for being helpful and charging reasonable prices.

The highest mak-up I've seen is a local pub serving pheasant breast fillets at £15 per meal, the same price as their fillet steak. Pretty good profit margin when they probably paid 50p to £1 per brace.

He'll pluck and dress them, £1.20 per brace is the cheapest I've been quoted today - very cheap for such meat!

A friend has asked me if I can supply 10 brace of partridges in the feather; what is the going rate at the moment? Thanks, Bear.

Thanks for the replies. I tried to get hold of some of the pellets suggested, just to get a comparison, but my local shop didn't have any in stock (waiting for an order to come in). They recommended some Crosman Premier Domed (10.5gn), so I'll give them a go.

I've been using RWS Super H-Points mainly for zeoing in my new HW77, they are accurate but only weigh 6.9 gns; would it better to use a heavier pellet for rabbits?

We could do with up to half a dozen guinea fowl, if anyone has some for sale. Ideally within an hour's drive of Chippenham/J17 of the M4. Thanks.

Thanks, if our paths ever cross I'll gladly buy you a Guiness!

Any PW members going to the Beautiful Days Festival this weekend? I'll be the one wearing a realtree coat that smells slightly of deer.....say 'hello' and I'll buy you a pint.

Another one for Bob Parratt. Low enough prices for me to buy a second pair of breeks; the total cost (including jacket and waistcoat) was under £300.