Gerry78
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Posts posted by Gerry78
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On 27/03/2024 at 00:51, tony3 said:
Need some advice on bullet grain I want to shoot my 223 out to 1000 yds on the range and I would like some advice on what bullet grain I would need and bullet make .
regards tony
Tony I use a 222 on a range my max range is 150-300 yards and I’m struggling sometimes at 300 I don’t know if a 223 would be sufficient for 1000 yards but I’m not a 100 percent Would you not think of a 308 or something similar for that distance
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On 27/03/2024 at 19:30, SuperGoose75 said:
Not an easy decision, I'm sure Gerry. I think if fowling is in your blood, then you are never really ''packing it in'' so to speak. Hopefully it will still be there if you ever decide to pick it up again.
Myself personally, I am only a part time fowler nowadays as compared to when it was pretty hardcore. I still am always on the shore but mostly with a wading staff and a pair of binoculars. Some people term it doing the Peter Scott, but I genuinely don't like killing as many fowl as I used too. I have been pretty selective in my shooting this past many year's, but then big bags was never my thing anyway. I done very little shooting this year until January and I really enjoyed being out during a few storms shooting fully plumaged birds.
I could tell you were never a big bag man either, and got your enjoyment from the whole other enjoyments that are unique to Wildfowling. You were aways a respectful poster also and I hope you continue to do so. ATB S.G.
Super Goose thank you for that thoughtful reply I know come the 1st September il be wondering how the lads I hunted with got on As you say it’s a type of sport once it gets in your blood it’s very hard not too fall in love with it I think the early morning sunrises with the dog is what I will miss most 👍👍
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On 28/02/2024 at 20:43, flippermaj said:
Gerry, Keep posting, always looked forward to your input. Go for it on whatever you can still do! Cheers Mark
Thanks Mark appreciate the kind reply 👍👍👍
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7 hours ago, Pushandpull said:
Hang up those decoys but hang on to them ! The time for fowling will surely come again. I have had little "adventures" in my retirement years which I never expected during the years when constrained by work and family. One day you might be the old man who mentors a youngster.
Best wishes for the future.
Thanks very much pushandpull 👍👍👍
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2 hours ago, greenshank1 said:
Hi Gerry
Sorry to hear that but totally understand your decisions.
Please keep posting and contributing always appreciated your posts and we need as many true Wildfowlers contributing as possible 👍Take care
Thank you Greenshank and too all the forum Lads that replied I have not lost the love of the sport and probably never will I actually was watching duck today mallard flying into a small lake 😊but my original post the rigours of my personal life have now taken priority i know come the 1st of September il be wondering how the first morning flight went I enjoy this section of the forum especially reading some of the older gentlemen’s Wildfowling tales What I probably will miss the most is standing in my waders mud up to my knees with my old fox red lab DUKE Watching the sun rise 🥲🥲But I will continue to read and if I can contribute to the chats on wildfowling Fantastic photo Greenshank 👍👍
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2 hours ago, marsh man said:
Sorry you have called it a day Gerry , this will happen at some time with everyone who take up the sport of wildfowling , it's not a sport where you can expect a lot of shooting and it can be carried out in adverse weather conditions , who in there right mind would get up early and sit it out on a wind swept marsh in the pouring rain with only a slim chance of getting a shot , well people do and I have done it 100s of times but there will come a time where you have to face facts and think is this the right thing to do when you are the wrong side of 75 , I cut down a lot last season and never really missed it , I did go down a few nights when I fancied a duck but I only wanted a Mallard and any other duck I would leave alone , this morning I am just back from walking around the estuary wall and I enjoyed seeing the fowl in the bright sunshine as much now as when I had a gun under my arm , and now I can see myself hanging up the decoys over the next couple of years , but who knows , 80 is fast approaching and that might be my next deadline
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Thanks marsh man I still have the desire as I loved the sport But in my post I just don’t have the time with family commitments Thank you for the reply Gerry 👍👍👍👍
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10 minutes ago, 6.5x55SE said:
Sorry to hear you are packing up Wildfowling Gerry. Wish you and your family all the very best for the future 🤝👍
6.5x55 thank you very much for the reply I’ve other shooting/hunting when I get the time I’m enjoying the clays as well 👍👍👍
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After chasing ducks for more than 20 years on foreshores and inland loughs I’ve decided to stop my pursuit as off this year multiple reasons being my old fowling buddy has retired a man I learned a lot from just not shooting but weather readings using boats and just a great old fashioned guy my old Labrador Duke 12 years old has arthritis over he’s shoulder and needs retirement and I don’t have the time to recruit a new pup and give it the proper training Also family commitments off looking after my severely disabled son has took it’s toll on me making the time to get out And regarding characters I used to meet who would help you out in the hide there’s not the same people out hunting duck the new ones are only interested in big greedy bags I’m posting this as I did enjoy the wildfowling section of this forum and still will post on it with other members regarding debates I think I can contribute too Good luck to everyone who’s keeping this great pursuit Going in the upcoming future 👍👍👍
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Now that’s a proper Gun 😌
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Top class Big Al 👍👍
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On 31/01/2024 at 09:52, Grandalf said:
Yet another era of my life has ended. I've decided to give up fowling. I am going to be 85 in June and, though still being fairly fit and active, the motivation has gone. Whilst still loving being out on the marsh, or anywhere else that's rural for that matter, I've decided that the thrill of the hunt is not what it used to be in the case of wildfowl. Went out yesterday for what will probably be the last time - carrying a shotgun. I had the marsh to myself, slight drizzle but nothing bad, and there were ducks and geese about. What was missing was my urgent appeals to mother nature to send them over my way. I saluted each flight as it passed by and did a lot of thinking. I have been fowling since the early 60's, when I left the army, and have enjoyed every moment of it. My original mentor was the legendary Sid Wright on the Wash marshes near Long Sutton. My headquarters was the Bull with Mrs Mitchell. (Another legend). Frank Harrison, another professional guide, Wild Goose Man Kenzie Thorpe and fowler/punter James Robertson Justice (the actor) were all part of the scenery in those days. Heady days to be fowling on the Wash as a newbie.
I got hooked very quickly and it led to many years of fowling along the East Coast and Norfolk Broads. Later I had a small fowling boat on the Alde and have been a member of just about every local club and syndicate. For the last 25 years I have been with a small syndicate on the Blythe estuary and that is where I was sitting and pondering yesterday afternoon.
I came to the conclusion that I had shot enough wildfowl. Simple as that. The 'Memsahib' is now in a care home so there is only me and Noodle, the obligitory labrador, to feed, so I don't need much more than the venison that I still obtain from my deer control activities.
So the decision was made. Fowling has followed the game shooting that I gave up, for much the same reasons, three years ago.
I still go beating. I assist the young keeper that is now doing the job that I did for more than 25 years on my local shoot when ever he asks. But mainly I go deer stalking. The deer numbers are increasing all the time where I live in North Suffolk. Farmers are asking me to 'thin them out a bit but don't exterminate them' which is local speak for Deer Control as practiced over the rest of the country. They always add 'and if your see Charlie, knock him down too'.
So I am never at a loss for something to do and Noodle and I just love venison.
To all of the many friends that I have made during my fowling life I say enjoy your sport while you still can, spend every spare minute you have planning your next trip or being on the marsh. The antis are winning I'm afraid. When I started you could fowl just about anywhere you wanted. Scruffy looking men, mud splatted and wearing ex army clothing whilst carrying a gun and sporting a cartridge belt never even got a second look. It is all just a little bit different today.
Grandalf that was a lovely post to be fowling for that amount of years is fantastic I’m in my late 40s and to be honest due to family commitments I’ve found my mornings out on the shore to be getting less and less I think now I’m more addicted to the sunrises than actually shooting any fowl And with my old fox red lab Duke getting on a bit I’m seriously thinking of hanging up the Wildfowling coat and waders Thanks again for a lovely post Gerry Belfast
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Lovely Big Al you can’t beat a relaxing day with a group of friends and dogs some lovely shooting 👍
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On 30/12/2023 at 21:57, Cawdor118 said:
I recently bought some Gamebore White Gold 28gm 7.5 Fibre Quad Seal hoping for decent results from a relatively premium cartridge. These were quite expensive compared to the Fiocchi FBlack Sporting 8.5s Fibre I usually use. I opened one up the other night to have a look at the quad seal. The first thing I noticed was the shot was meant to be 5x graded… It contained shot from 2.2mm to 3.0mm - not very uniform and noticeably all over the place. In fact, some pellets weren’t even round. Secondly, the quad seal was rock hard. I have no idea how it was expected to seal a barrel? I expected it to be more like nylon in feel allowing for expansion. I know these came from a supplier who has stored them properly, as I collected them from a sound environment.
The last thing I noticed, is they are very ‘thumpy’, in fact overly for their use. They haven’t shot well either compared to the Fiocchi. Has anyone else experienced this? I generally steer wide of Gamebore game cartridges as I have had similar experiences in the past. A considerably expensive letdown.
I actually bought a slab of white gold for DTL Just to give them a try first they are expensive second your correct they were very thumpy I actually shot better using cheaper cartridges
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14 hours ago, alan123shooting said:
Hi it’s cylinder and quarter which I don’t mind, as it’s will be a walk around gun.
Top class mate be perfect for walking up hedgerows
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On 02/01/2024 at 11:38, alan123shooting said:
Just picked up a bargain from Holts this morning, a J. Hobson 12 bore Side xSide eject in good condition. Nice tight action, well figured stock and unmarked bores, still has some of the colour case hardening all for the princely sum of £39 all in, just needs a better recoil pad and a bit of left hand cast
Alan that’s some bargain lovely looking gun £39 😁😁What’s the choking on it I’m sure when you get it altered the way you want it be the best £39 you’ve ever Spent 👍
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20 hours ago, impala59 said:
My ‘68 Greener, budget buy from Holts cleaned up ok and in pretty good order internally too. Not sure what I’m going to use it for but is nice addition to the cabinet!
I have always wanted to try one of these brilliant addition to your cabinet
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On 09/12/2023 at 22:25, GREENGRASS said:
Shot hand held managed 30 frames in one burst. Each image was tak sharp...for a change.
Mythical creature fantastic photo
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On 01/01/2024 at 08:32, gamekeeper1960 said:
Hi Gerry, I have a Browning XSH which is basically a trap dimension sporting gun...it shots a bit higher than normal but that's the way I like it..and although I'm never going to win any competitions it fills me smiles all day long..and of course shooting high you get to keep the clay in view ..so I d say use your MK you'll soon get used to it...😉
Gamekeeper thank you I think I was worrying for nothing with me shooting trap then taking up sporting I was a bit concerned but shouldn’t have worried my sporting scores aren’t Olympic but I’m doing fine with mk38 trap I’ve just put more open chokes in the gun On a side note one of the lads who shots high scores on sporting is actually using a browning pro sport I’ve had a look at it and to be honest it’s built more like a trap gun he thinks the same as some of the lads on the forum have pointed out Just go and shoot the gun you’re using thanks for the reply 👍👍👍
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On 09/12/2023 at 23:22, lanky148 said:
Going on my first game shoot in January but don't know what load to use, I have a 12 guage but need some advise as to the specific load to use for partridge and pheasant as I am very new to the sport, any advice would be greatly appreciated
Ps. Any general advise would also be welcome
Is it Driven or Walked up 28g 6s are perfect brand is up to you !! What’s more important is safe shooting if it’s new to you And Enjoy yourself
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1 hour ago, London Best said:
Yup! A quick point and squirt fills the bag whilst others are faffing on.
😀👍
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I Agree with LB my 22lr and 222 both have Schmitt@Bender 6x42 fixed magnification on them Too much faffing about for me with zooming in or out so just bought two off the same and learned to shoot both rifles with the same scopes
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21 hours ago, DEL123 said:
I got a 3/4 chessie from a lad in Northern Ireland. There is a wo.an called Mary Murray who breeds chesapeakes in Ireland
👍👍
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On 05/12/2023 at 12:25, Scully said:
I used one of my trap guns on our little syndicate at the weekend, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was the first time I’d done so, so was very selective, and only used trap loads, but it was very effective.
I often use it in the hide also; not as nippy as other guns for pigeon, but devastating on crows. Great fun.
I may take it on beaters day at the seasons end; we get some very high birds.Agreed Scully I’ve been shooting the crows 🐦⬛ with my mk38 trap your right wee bit more cumbersome in the hide but once you’re on the crows it’s very effective 👍
On 05/12/2023 at 12:19, martinj said:A mate of mine has been using a MK38 trap gun for sporting for many years, he was a AA at his peak
It’s more common than I first thought I’ve seen other shooters using trap guns on the sporting layout now that I’ve been getting down to the clay club more regularly 👍👍
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For that price point try and get yourself a beretta 302-03 there brilliant guns for the money very well made
Time to hang up The duck decoys
in Wildfowling
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Manish thank you my love for the sport hasn’t diminished in my mind But with family commitments and a old tired Labrador I’ve had to give it up 👍👍👍The first category I visit on PW is always Wildfowling 👍👍👍