stevieknuckles

I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to say thank you to the guys who backed up my statement I was only offering help, London best there’s no need to be a ****. The vast majority of real shooters/ hunters use cheap guns/ rifles they are our bread and butter, I could treat myself to a nicer gun, go on driven partridge, pheasant, grouse shoots But for me personally it’s not the essence of shooting you certainly won’t find me trying to belittle anyones knowledge/ experience on here so maybe just read and stick to positive comments.

Have a look at the ejector bar/ wedge it’s pressed tin and bent at a right angle which forces the cartridge out. Mine had loosened there’s a flat head screw holding it in place. It was causing mine to jam and not cycle properly. If the leading edge is catching it could be causing your sons problems. I put some lock tight on it and have had no problems since. They are great guns but very roughly made mainly from pressed tin so a bit rough and ready. A general clean and polish of working parts won’t hurt. 👍

Sipe are good hard hitting cartridges I can’t vouch for the others though.

Thank you for some interesting views, I think my main point is that the only option that I’ve seen that is a positive step forward in lethality is TSS unfortunately this is out of most peoples price range. Every other option is a poor substitute so far as I can see it, yes they work with higher velocity/ pressures/ pay loads admittedly I’ve only used steel shot a few times and didn’t get on with it so now choose to not shoot ducks etc I guess I am also tired of the hype and feelings that this subject drags up and the bluntness that it can bring out in some people hence my first comment.

I don’t normally voice my opinions out loud as there is a tendency to get shouted down, however with the question with regards to lead shot I do feel we are taking a step back. Throughout history the development of weapons/ firearms has always been for more efficient lethality that is why we use lead. By adopting steel or copper we are taking a step back and neglecting our first duty of insuring the most human dispatch of the quarry due to inferior kinetic energy being transferred. I’ve read some of the findings on lead and the environment and I know it’s toxic, however the lead used in shot is in a very stable state due to its manufacturing this is why we have been able to ingest it for years, carry it around in our bodies as shrapnel without any perceived ill effects. The Norwegians have reinstated the use of lead for various hunting scenarios because it was the best most human option, they are a very level headed and well informed nation and would not take this step lightly. The London shooting ground was tested for the effects of lead on its grounds and surrounding area, this club has been shot over heavily for over a hundred years the findings were negligible. I really don’t see a problem with if you are wanting to sell game for the food chain yes use steel or whatever alternative there is out there. But if you are controlling vermin or shooting something for the pot and want the cleanest kill possible carry on using lead until TSS becomes a viable option for the masses this is the only alternative I see to lead as it looks like a massive step forward in performance. A question I have is how useable is a pigeon/ Partridge/ Pheasant carcass that has been shot at 30 yards with 32 grams of no 3 or 4 steel shot? The shot size is large for a smallish quarry and the payload heavy how does the meat damage compare? I’ve seen birds shot with similar payloads in lead and it makes a right mess. We are being pushed into a scenario by the big commercial shoots because they struggle to get rid of their birds, if the shoot you go on can’t use the birds it kills between the guns and beaters how do you morally justify your actions? Again if your moving it on yes use steel it’s not difficult to enforce these rules on shoot days. The more I hear on this subject the more I see us rolling over and selling ourselves out, most of the shooters I know don’t go on big bag days and genuinely shoot what they use for themselves and I expect that is true for most shooters. However the policies are being driven by the organisations who are looking after the commercial shoots. As usual the masses are being over looked for the few before we know it we will be using inferior shot and losing a lot of our smaller calibers .17 hmr, 22 lr, 9 mm garden gun, .410, because there is no commercially viable option. The .22 lr has been pretty much unchanged for over a hundred years for good reason it works and it’s cheap. I guess I’m just trying to say this doesn’t feel like progress to me, in this day and age of sustainability, organic food, growing numbers of people wanting to reconnect with food, to my mind our biggest reason and defence for shooting is that we are shooting for our own consumption you are taking responsibility for your actions and not hiding from the fact that an animal has died unlike most people who have never killed something to eat. We will always have an impact on our environment even if it is just by our numbers, the shooting community is a very small percentage of the population and compared to the damage done by us a nation, fly tipping, rubbish thrown from car windows, fast food wrappers, dog pooh bags look at any lay by/ car park, dog walkers going where they want, scrotes joy riding cars and scooters then leaving them burnt out. I don’t think we as a small community have much to feel guilty about.

I’ve got the .410 hushpower pump and I think it’s brilliant, yes you do have to think about your range but once you get your eye in that’s fine. Over this past year I’ve used it more than any of my other guns, I like the fact that I don’t wear ear protection with it and decoying it will do all you want. The subsonic cartridges are very quiet, I’ve only used the Eley ones and I do limit my range with them. But I mainly use normal 3 inch magnums either Eley in 6 or 7s or Hull high pheasant 6s fibre wads are quieter than plastic. It’s the right tool for the job if noise is your concern, just remember to get in close. Have a look on you tube there are some good videos of them being put to good use, I think uk small bore hunter is one of the main people on the tube 👍

Hi I’ve got the .410 Mossberg pump hushpower, it took me a while to get the hang of it but now really rate it. Yes you have to be sensible with the range, but decoying they are a joy to use. I use mainly Eley 3 inch magnums they are noisier than the subsonic carts but kill better, the subsonics are very quiet. There are quiet a few videos on you tube have a look and see for yourself, I’m sure your dog will be fine with one of these. 👍

Thanks, I was in the right spot at the right time. Sometimes it takes weeks to catch up on one!

Primos tripod trigger sticks for me, I shot eight Wednesday night all standing. My mates Ewes are lambing so a fair bit of walking around on hilly ground. They are quick, self levelling, and light most shots I take are within 150 yards I’ve never tried clamps or quad sticks so can’t vouch for them.

Keep persevering I bought one in February and really struggled at first. A friend of mine who is a very good shot also got one at the same time, I went out with him and watched him shoot and that gave me the confidence in the gun. I found I was shooting low but once I got the hang of it I’ve had some great days shooting with it. It’s a proper tool for pest control and where to ya nice and quiet I don’t wear any ear protection and your not disturbing anyone with it. I’ve been able to shoot a lot of places I can’t with a normal shotgun, I’ve another .410 and it’s so loud compared to the Mossberg. Another thing with the weight of the moderator it really helps maintain your swing on flying/ moving targets. I would set some decoys up 15-20 yards away and get yourself well hidden, I find it I sit in my hide with the butt resting on my thigh it’s easier and quicker to get onto birds coming in. keep at it you will find the knack at some point and you will be glad you kept the gun. if you go on YouTube there’s a bloke called the smallbore hunter he shoots really well and it should help your confidence with the gun. Steve

I use Eley 3 inch magnums in 6 and 7 they are a little bit noisier than the subs but kill very well, I’ve shot plenty of pigeons and corvids with them you won’t be disappointed. Fiocchi are also good a little louder I think that’s due to the plastic wadding and one of the reasons I don’t use them anymore.

I can’t vouch for the 20, I’ve got the .410 Mossberg and really rate it, so far all of the ammo I’ve used has been good 3 inch magnums in Eley and Fiocchi 18 gram 6 and 7. The subsonic is very quiet but you do need to keep range sensible, the .410 isn’t that heavy or ungainly. if you can have a go on both before you buy.

I use a 410 Mossberg hushpower they are full choke I pattern tested mine with Fiocchi and ELEY 3 inch magnums both 18 gram and no 6’s and 7’s. This was out 30 yards and up to that point the patterns were consistent on all of them and there was plenty of energy to flatten the pellets. I don’t push my luck past that. 👍

I’ve got the Mossberg Hushpower 410 it’s a great gun, I’ve been using mainly 6’s and 7’s 18 grams from ELEY they are the 3 inch magnums. I’ve also used the subsonic ammo there is a marked difference in noise they are very quiet. I use the normal magnums most of the time as they are harder hitting, they kill really well and I have been very impressed by the 410. It’s the gun I take out most, I’ve also got a twenty and a twelve but they are gathering dust at the moment. I don’t see any point in making loads of noise if I can get the job done quietly. There’s sub good videos of people using them on Colvin’s and pigeons so you can see what they are capable of 👍