Bear68

Has anyone seen the press reports that Morrissey told the audience at a recent gig in Beunos Aries (spelling?) that the Falklands belong to Argentina? There is also a photo of his band members all wearing "we hate William and Kate" t-shirts (would put the picture up if I knew how). What a ****.

Thanks, reply sent.

There may be a vacancy arising in our walk & stand syndicate. We shoot 8 days (all Saturdays except for Boxing Day) plus a walk round day at the end the season. 650 poults released. This is a woodland shoot, with pretty thick cover in places, so a good working dog is a real advantage. Please pm me for more details if you are interested.

Although I can see the practicalities of a synthic stock, I prefer oiled wood. It might be a different story if I was out on the hill in all weathers.

I've bought and sold too many guns and rifles over the years (and lost money on most of them ) but would probably get tempted again...a pair of David McKay-Brown 20 bore o/u's to start with, and maybe a new rifle? A Scottish sporting estate, with stalking, grouse shooting and a salmon river would be top of the list, and a trip out to Africa to shoot some plains game. Apart from that, I think I'm pretty well sorted!

It may be that it was shot and regulated by Holland & Holland (although that seems quite a bit of expense for a boxlock non-ejector) or just retailed by them (I had a Webley & Scott 700 which was had Jeffrey's of Guildford stamped on the rib).

I'm looking for a day's pigeon shooting ideally between Monday 9th and Thursday 12th July. I'm in North Wiltshire, and am happy to travel an hour or so. I've been shooting for about 30 years, but haven't decoyed for about 7 or 8 years. I've not got any kit now (other than a gun and a dog), but will get a few bits and pieces as necessary. I don't expect a free day, and will also buy the beer/steak at the end of the day. I'm a full BASC member.

6.5x55 (but with 7mm-08 a very close second).

My Browning 525 is currently being adjusted to fit me. My length of pull is 15 & 3/8", which is significantly different to the original stock length length, and I could not mount the gun consistently without this alteration being made. I also need 3/8" cast off, otherwise I shoot up the left hand side of overhead birds; I either miss or wing them. If the standard dimensions of a gun don't suit you, then you will struggle to achieve your ptential. It doesn't cost much to have a gun, and at least you can't blame your kit when you're having an off day.

Alan Rose at West London Shooting School. I shot a round of clays with him using a try-gun, it cost a bit(£175?), but it's worth getting it right from the start.

This one will take some believing. In 1970, we moved into a 500 year old farmhouse. I was 2 years old, and was happily oblivious to the following events:- 1. Footsteps coming from upstairs when no one was there. 2. The ballcock for the cold water tank was jammed down with a piece of wood to cause an overflow. 3. My brother (late teens, but sensible) felt his bed rocking one night, and jumped onto the window sill. 4. My sister awoke when she thought her mattress was being rolled up; this stopped when she recited the Lord's Prayer. 5. My grand mother felt her nose being pinched by icy-cold fingers one night The final event happened when some building worjk was being done. The builder's moved a grandfather clock which had been bought from the previous owner of the house. For some reason, my parents always thought the clock had something to do with these happenings. The next morning, during summer, my mother was walking across a concrete yard and was pushed hard against a blockwork wall, breaking her wrist; no one else was nearby. My parents are very down to earth, and are not prone to flights of fancy.

I've got a broody bantam at the moment, and would like to try and hatch a few pheasants. If anyone has a few eggs (upto 10 or so?)they can sell to me, I'd be grateful. I live near Chippenham - just off J17 of the M4.

Thank you for the responses. My Browning is now being converted to auto safe, as I think it will suit me better for the types of shooting I do.

I bought a Browning 525 a few months ago, mainly for game shooting. The only thing I don't like is the manual safety. Can these guns be converted to an auto safety?

I've just bought an HW77 after a break of about 25 years from using air rifles...I've always gripped the forestock firmly; will certainly be giving this a go now.

Thanks. Is tungsten OK through 3/4 chokes?

I have a fixed choke (1/4 & 3/4) Browning B525 12 bore. As far as I know, it isn't proofed for steel shot (unlike the multi-choke versions). What would be the best non-toxic shot to use for inland duck shooting? Would it be worth having the 2nd barrel opened out to 1/2 choke to use certain non-toxic loads?

I've had to have every shotgun I've owned altered to fit me; the cast, comb height and length of pull generally all need adjustment, and usually by a fair bit. It makes a big difference to my shooting, as I need 3/8" cast off, and a 15 and 3/8" pull...and there aren't many guns that come with those measurements. I normally pay well under £100 to have the work done. Most competent shooting instructors should be able to advise new shooters if there are any significant changes that would help them. A session with try-gun to get exact measurements usually costs and, as has been said, is probably only really worthwhile when yu've gained experience and have a gun that you're going to keep hold of for a while.

Pretty much clean my 6.5x55 each time it's been fired. If I'm out again in a few days, I'll just put some dry patches through it, if not, it gets a full clean with wipe-out accelarator and patch-out; these don't seem to affect its zero.

hedd-wynn, I know what you mean - I put it down to nostalgia for my long lost (and miss-spent) youth! I do quiet a bit of deer stalking, but am looking forward to wandering around a few fields with an air rifle when I've only got an hour or so free.

Interesting thread; I've just bought an HW77 in .177, and a few plinking sessions have taught me that I have a lot to learn about trajectory before I try to blood it. Haven't used an air rifle in years, but I don't think I'd feel competent to shoot at more than 25 yards at the moment.

That's what I do.....all under the pretence that 1. you were winding her up and 2. you couldn't book a table/baby sitter etc for the day itself.

Just been into my local gunshop, which had an LEDray for £56 (there was a more powerful one for about £76). Alternatively, I can order a clulite MG125, which seem to start around £40. Any views on how the two compare would be welcome. I'll also investigate the ultrafires.

As far as I know, the MK60 wouldn't be proofed for steel shot, but neither is the fixed choke Browning B525 I bought new in January; all the fixed choke Miroku's I've owned have been 1/4 & 3/4; you can get the chokes opened out for not much money (Nigel Teague charged me about £30 per barrel). I believe steel is meant to be ok in anything upto and including 1/2 choke. I'd go for the MK60 - it will almost certainly have had less use.

Hi Brad, rifle shooting and shotgun shoting are very different disciplines. I'd try both if I were you. It isn't easy to become proficient at either, it takes time and a lot of practice; and, just when you think you've got it mastered, you will fall flat on your face...at least I do after 30+ years. Have fun, stick at it and you'll be ok. Try and find some local game shoots to beat on during the season. If you live in the country, joining the local youg farmers club wouldn't be a bad idea - I'm not involved with farming, but I still shoot over a lot of ground owned by people I met through yfc...plus there is a good social side to it as well.