bud84

I think i am massively missing something here? I don't see how these are any different to the bead on the shotgun? If you have patterned your gun you should know where the centre of the pattern is, you shouldn't need a dot to show you. As for the comments like "not everyone can afford a fitted gun" Buy one that fits to start with, you wouldn't buy shoes that are too big or small, a golfer wouldn't buy clubs that are too long or short, yet people just seem to buy shotguns and use them. Alternatively, change the length butt pad, put a sticky comb raiser on etc etc. Poor gun fit comes with more problems than not aiming in the right spot. If your gun does not fit you you are likely to suffer more from the recoil, putting one of these dot sights on will not change that, sure it might make you shoot in the right place but it won't help you soak up the recoil. These might help a few but they are not a substitute for proper gun fit and technique. I have never seen a top class clay shooter (or any good shots for that matter) using one of these. I personally feel these could make your shooting sloppy over time as proper a mount will not be as important as it would without. That said, each to their own, it seems some are having success and enjoying using them but these are just not for me.

I have been doing a bit of research and came across these data tables from Gualandi. Most loads have both plastic and fibre wad options, in every load that has the option the powder measure is increased for the fibre load. I have posted a link rather than the tables as it is pages long. http://www.gualandi.it/docs/tabpolv_2013_eng.pdf

Small Bore Manual, Ballistic Products

Sounds cheap enough to get loads tested then. Why in the USA do they favour these lighter faster loads? What's the advantage? Some very fast loads in the manual, some of them only 9 gram. Is there some way of roughly working out pressures or is it just trial and error?

Thanks for the replies. I emailed Ballistic Products with this question, here is their reply Good morning Paul, It is definitely NOT recommended to swap a fibre wad in for a plastic wad. The two styles will generate drastically different pressures. The .410 uses very slow burn rate propellants. Without the obturation provided by a plastic wad, it is very difficult to achieve combustion and generate the necessary pressures to avoid squib loads in the .410. This is not a loading application that we provide data for. Doing this seems to get very different views, i guess ballistic products are erring on the side of caution to cover themselves? Does anyone know how much it costs to get a load sent off and tested?

So in theory going from plastic to fibre should be ok?

Thanks for the reply. I have been to see him actually and do use one of his loads. I wanted to try some others just as a comparison really. I use a star crimp and have the same issue as you, the cases are not reloadable unless i cut them down to 2.5". I was told using a roll crimp would stop this, obviously not. I want to shoot a lot more .410 so would like a few different loads to try.

Hi all, i have recently got hold of the Small Bore Manual from Ballistic Products. It is packed with load data for the .410 but all the loads seem to use a plastic wad. I like to use a fibre wad and a couple of places i shoot require them. My question is, can fibre wads be used in place of plastic or will this be dangerous? I have tried looking up on other forums but have found quite conflicting views on the subject. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

I use dinsmores powerdrive bank sticks. They screw into hard ground and stay put.

When i bought a 14Ah from a battery shop local to me the guy that owned the shop (a shooter himself) advised a 1.0 amp trickle charger, so that's what i have. I use it on my 7Ah and 15Ah batteries with no issues

I always used a loomis needle and started off on a triangle rather than on the ring. That way you can stitch a whole purse net with no joins. Try Agouti nets, very nice helpful guy and provides a good service, also has everything you'll need.

I am a tree surgeon so come across a lot of nests each year of various species. I have found young pigeons in the nest while there has been snow on the ground so i don't think they have a nesting season really. There are obviously lots more during spring and summer but we do find them year round. Haven't found any so far this year strangely, only found magpies.

Have you considered an Investarm 20g hushpower? An over/under with fully shrouded barrels, I imagine it would be quieter than a mossberg? I have a mossberg in .410 and it is still pretty noisy to be honest. I think a pump action would take a bit more getting used to when it comes to taking a quick second shot?

Hi Matty, i recently purchased the ultra lightweight rotary from uk shoot warehouse. I can't comment on how long the battery will last as i've not used it yet. I can say it is nice and light and seems very well built. I was torn between this and the sillosocks one as that looks extremely light. I went for the ultra lightweight in the end as it will take dead birds unlike the sillosocks rotary. It has 3 height settings. I also added remote speed control to my order so it can be sped up or slowed down, or turned on and off from the hide.

Thanks for the replies. I have seen that one Davyo, how do you find it? The main thing i like about the Sillosocks is it looks so lightweight, anything to make the kit bag a bit lighter. As for price it is £150