Browning

Nice clip Peltman You've had more success than me with calling Munties! Which call did you use?

I'm seeing the same thing on the shoot I keeper on. I'd say I've seen approx 30 dead pigeon over the past couple of weeks, mostly they seem to be isolated to two particular areas of the 1900 acres on this particular farm. I've never seen anything like this amount of dead birds over the past three years I've been looking after this farm. The acorn and mast crop this year has been incredible around here, so it's likely that the acorn disease is the culprit.

Same here, I've put many SG's through my AL391 and full choke with out any problems.

Happy Birthday Mike. Have a good one.

Kip, I drew my own using Photoshop, very simple 1", 2", 3" and 4" concentric circles and 6" crosshairs. I drew them with fairly thick lines so I can see them clearly at 300mtrs.

Excellent Frank No feeling quite like a beast that drops on the spot eh?.

I have two Tikka T3's. One in .243, and one in .270. I bought the .243 first as it just seemed to fit me well, it's seen plenty of work on foxes an Munties and has never let me down. An excellent, accurate out of the box rifle IMO. When I came to get the .270 it was a no brainer. Get yourself round to Adenbourne Fieldsports in Witney, they're up for doing a deal!

What type of deer are the "occasional deer" ? If it's Munty and/or Roe, then I would go for .243 to handle both, thats what I use. This round is a fantastic all round caliber for fox and smalle deer species. If it's Fallow/Red and Sika then I would follow the advice of mry716 and trixx.

Probably one of the worst ever reasons for getting a dog? Dazzyboi. How do you practice/zero? off a bench or good solid rest? How are most of your hunting shots taken ? Off a bench or good solid rest?...probably not. Maybe the answer lies here. You need to practice, practice, practice on paper, using the same awkward stances that you are likely to use in the field. Then when you are very happy with your paper accuracy, venture out into the field again.

Darebear, I run an L200, 54 plate, and average between 350 and 400 miles to the tank (£52). The majority of my driving is very steady, on local roads, tracks and fields.

I use Sit Heel/Here (Never sure wether they can distinguish the difference between these two as they sound alike) Wait (Stop there until I give you another command) Stay (Stay there until I come to you) Seek 'em (Hunt) Fetch it (Retrieve) Go Back (Send them back) Over (For sending left or right, along with arm directions) Get Up (Jumping into the truck or over a fence etc) Also whistle commands Single short pip - stop what you're doing and look at me for another command Three short pips - Come here Single long blast - STOP!!!!!!! and sit down.

Well done Cat. If you're the tall tanned one, then you're stood next to my mate (the fat hairy one), a thoroughly nice chap (as long as you know how to take him!) who's helped me a lot with both my clay and game shooting.

Hammy, I can't offer advice on the cost etc, but if you do decide to go with the .22-250 and you want to re-load your own ammo, I have a set of RCBS dies and a load of once fired brass you can have for the price of postage.

Hi Villager, Welcome to the forum! I run a couple of GSPs, a dog and a bitch, and so far I've not experience problems with cold weather affecting them. However I do try to keep them moving, and not let them stand still for too long when they're wet and it's cold. I always dry them off when we break for lunch and after we've finished shooting, and they have girlie fleeces to wear after we've finished....much to the amusement of the hardcase spaniel owners. They make good all round shooting companions, both working in the beating line (light cover), picking up, and best of all as a rough shooting dog, and will run their socks off all day long. I've just started training mine to follow a bloodline, so can't comment just yet, but having seen how excellent their scenting capabilities are with birds etc, I have no doubt in their capabilities to find shot deer. My pal runs two GWPs and I have to say they are harder than mine, entering denser cover and never hesitating at water, even when it's icy, whereas mine really don't like icy water. One thing I've noticed over the years is that the GWPs seem to have a fairly aggressive tendancy towards other dogs, I've noticed this with four out of the six GWPs that I get in contact with, both dogs and bitches, so this may be worth looking into deeper before you deside to go ahead.

Graham, Just checked the T8 mods on my .243 and .270 (both Tikka T3), both bushes are a snug fit when cold, and I've never had the problems that you are experiencing.

Varget, I'm one of the 'Don't have one' crowd.....BUT......I have been shooting a pals since he got his approx 6 months ago, and since I first zeroed it for him I haven't had my .22 out of the cabinet. It is definitely a superbly accurate round when used under the right conditions (i.e. very little wind) and is more than capable of outshooting me. Between us we reckon we've put 1500 rounds through it, and it still performs better than either of us can. I've only ever shot one fox with it, called in to 45 yards, and it died on the spot. The only things that is stopping me from buying one is funds........hopefully that will be resolved soon.

FM, I've shot Silver Pigeons for years now, game, vermin and clays, and I can honestly say I have never had a problem of any kind. As long as it fits you go for it! I'm currently looking for a 20g for Mrs Browning, and I will get a Silver Pigeon if it fits her as well as her Silver Pigeon 12g.

Same goes here if you go for the .22-250, I have approx 150 once or twice fired cases you can have FOC + P&P.

No Skinkus, I learned a lot about stalking from friends and professional guides, but I guess you don't really learn until you get out there, make mistakes, and learn from them. I'm lucky to have permissions that have different deer species so I tend to get out and about a lot. I've just booked my DSC1 for October so at least I'll be able to wear the T shirt. As far as courses in Oxfordshire go, I couldn't find any, I'm doing mine in Leicestershire.

I have 100 to buy, 150 to hold for centrefires.

Naaaw Ive, she's a pussy cat! To be honest I don't notice the kick any more. As long as it's pulled firmly into your shoulder it's fine. I do have a T8 on it, so that will probably help slightly.

Cheers lads, they're all special, but the first is always that bit more special. It took me all weekend to stop grinning! Mark - it was indeed a stalk to remember, over dry stubble much of the way, very noisy, but I had the wind on my side. Luckily it hadn't been baled yet, so had plenty of rows of straw to crawl behind. Hopefully my high seats will be here this week which should help matters. Elma Fud - Cheers EF, good luck in Gods country, you're invitation stands when you get back. Frank - Yep, 1st August for us over here.

NOt really sure Dave. I've never been one for trophies really, I purely shoot for control/management and the freezer. A pal of mine may take the head for mounting. This beast was nothing compared to the lead buck, he was magnificent!

This lad was in a group with 5 other bucks and a couple of does. It took me 90 minutes, crawling on my belly for much of the time, to get a safe shot. I took this lad at 135 yards with the T3 .270. He was one heavy buck !

Got mine PB. Spot on. All I need now is a decent bone saw...........