Touchstone

Are you able to provide a source for your reference to only needing a clean medical history for a period of 3 years? I'm confident that the requirement relates to your full medical history. Kind regards, Tim

I reckon that it's difficult to go wrong with either an RCBS Rockchucker Supreme or Redding Big Boss II. I have the former, my brother the latter. My only niggle with the Rockchucker is that the primers occasionally miss the primer catcher when de-capping but it is easily sorted by packing the catcher out a bit with Blu Tack or Plasticine. I believe 3 D printed replacements are also available on e-Bay from an enterprising sort. Tim

By way of an update, I have just collected my shotgun from Hopkins and can say that I am very pleased with the result. The ding has been lifted out such that it's impossible to tell where it was. All is like new! Tim

Thanks Peter, I'm intending on dropping in on Hopkins later today. Branthwaites also look good but are second on my list for no particular reason other than they aren't as local to me. Thanks all, Tim

Thanks Gents, I haven't been to Hopkins for years but it's the nearest to me being about 20 minutes away. Looking at the opening hours, I get the impression that he's semi-retired. Tim

The shotgun in question is a 425 with a standard factory finish. I'll bear Branthwaites in mind as I'll be working in Handforth over the next few days and so wouldn't be too far away. I was considering dropping in to Hopkins in Sandbach myself. Kind regards, Tim

Gents, I managed to ding my stock over the weekend. It's a very small indentation that hasn't broken the fibres but is disproportionately annoying as you will understand. Who would you recommend to raise it out in the Cheshire area? Thanks, Tim

This is the correct answer. For a youngster, it is not necessarily about hitting targets be they game or clays. It is about being able to hold and handle a shotgun for long enough periods to practise. Targets can be tailored to suit the gun's and shooter's ability to sustain enough interest. With a larger gauge, the weight also increases and little arms soon get tired. My son took a while to shoot some of the heavier loads from his Yildiz .410 as he wasn't keen on the recoil. At 13, he moved up to an Armsan 612 and loves it - lightweight and very soft recoiling. Kind regards, Tim

FH1, I have a pair of sticks in very good order if you're still interested? Kind regards, Tim

It's a nice resin Dave. I came close to buying a Conway Stewart Churchill in Honey Noire at one point but deferred to a blue chased Onoto Magna Classic at the time. I subsequently picked up a Churchill in Bracket Green at around the time Conway Stewart went bankrupt for the final time. Best of luck with your pens. Tim

Dave, Your workmanship appears to be excellent although I would say that the design is not for me with having that thin section. Are they made from Conway Stewart Honey Noire resin? Kind regards, Tim

I suspect McMillan might be your only option for a palm swell. Alternatively, I have had a few Bell & Carlson stocks on Remingtons and a Howa. They don't have a palm swell but are much better value overall than a McMillan and would be a significant improvement over the factory stock especially if you have the factory plastic which is truly dreadful in my opinion. I had two T3 Lite rifles once upon a time and they didn't stay around for long, mainly because of the stocks. You might be interested in the below websites as well for aftermarket parts if you don't know about them already: High Desert Rifle Works Home - Mountain Tactical Company (tikkaperformance.com) Kind regards, Tim

If the rifle means that much to you, the option above is the correct answer or buy a new bolt. Whichever works out to be the least expensive I suppose. Checking the headspace isn't an issue to a riflesmith. Headspacing would need to be checked whichever way you go. Tim

Yes, I believe they have been bankrupted a few times before. The interesting thing this time is that all products have been removed from its website excepting ammunition. I believe that Vista Group has bought the ammunition arm together with the name and trademarks whilst Roundhill Group has bought the firearm manufacturing. Various other parts have gone to other parties including Ruger that have taken Marlin as I understand it. Tim

Meanwhile back at the ranch and Centrepin’s question...... I would say you need an air rifle for the rats and a .22-250 or .243 for the foxes depending on whether you might get a chance at some small to medium deer as well. Good luck, Tim