Dave at kelton

Having a dog trained is a very expensive option. There is a lot of pleasure training your own dog and we all have to start training our first acknowledging we won't get it right, if ever. Now it is easier then ever with books, training videos and online forums to offer advice. Add to that the chance to attend gundog training classes or a local gundog society and you will be surprised how much help and encouragement you will get from experienced trainers. That was certainly the case when I started 40 years ago and I believe more so now. My recommendation is train your own but do the groundwork before you buy so you know which direction you are going in from the start. Good luck

At our keepers day we were treated to smoked duck and pheasant; superb! I was told it was cooked using a bradley smoker. Does anyone have experience of Bradley or other electric smokers? I have used the small Snowbee meths smokers but regulating heat and smoking has been very hit and miss. I am told the electric smokers are by far the easiest to use but they are not cheap. Thanks Guys

Stopped using a gamebag years ago in favour of a rucksack. You can get good waterproof one in camouflabe. If you are worried about getting it off your back adapt the strap on one side so it connects at the bottom with a carabiner. I much prefer carrying a few pinks in the rucksack to a gamebag. I pick up three days a week and lugging a full gamebag around is hard work

Speak to Claygame their electronic scales are priced well below £100. I use them for all my big bore loading.

Look out for a John Macnab sideplate. Made by B Rizzini they are a fraction of the price of a new Rizzini, handle fantastically and the semi pistol grip stock gives it a real game gun feel.

Not the question you are asking but I am a little puzzled by what you have read. I have trained dogs for nearly 40 years and never heard this one although many books recommend a 410. I have always begun with a starting pistol at distance and graduated to a 12 bore over time. Pistols can be daunting to young dogs and I do not consider gun shot until 12 months old and I know that the ear is fully developed. I have had dogs that hate dummy launchers and pistols but are no trouble with a shotgun. I start with the dog at 100 yards or so feeding titbits and move the shooter closer only when I note the dog is still unconcerned at the sound. Any adverse reaction and I stop and leave it a week or so. It can also help at a shooting ground that is not too busy. You can walk the dog, feed it the odd biscuit, and vary the distance according to the dogs reaction. On the point you make I shoot a 28 and have had 20 bores. They are no quieter just a slightly different bang. This is particularly noticeable when picking up behind a team of guns. They are generally, as has been said, quite expensive whereas you can get a 410 adapter for the 12 bore on ebay for about 50 quid. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

I have found this with a few cheap o/u and sxs over the years. One of the gunsmiths will doubtless tell you the cause but I think I was once told it is down to poor jointing. May be a cheap fix for someone in the trade. One trick is to hold the stock very slightly up in the air at an angle so the forward weight of the barrels pulls the gun fully open. Worked on some cheap guns I had. Fortunately I have gravitated to better quality where it is not a problem. Good luck

Not a solicitor so bow to their knowldge but have experience of CC. It is very easy to deal with this yourself online. Your solicitor has probably said you can serve an Acknwledgement of Service and Defence. In essence your defence is that you have no liability as the contract was written with the company. You can include a copy of the correspondence contract, invoice and detail what happened. Conclude by saying it is for the claimant to prove you have a liability and has not done so. Ask that the claim be dismissed and you are awarded costs. Make sure though you get the defence in on time or you could be found liable in its absence. Good luck

Choice of make model is up to you but the suggestion of a good car for the miles and a cheap 4x4 for shooting is my way of doing things. Do you really want to do the miles in a car that has had wet dogs and shooting gear in it for a few days. Done that and wouldn't do it again.

Thanks all for your advice I will now get loading!

Was trying to buy one is it still available?

The important thing is that you had a great beaters day a fitting reward for a hard seasons work. Just accept not everyone agrees with our legitimate legal sport and ignore it. It is not worth debating with someone whose mind is closed. Just carry on enjoying what you do and being appreciated by the team you work for.

I agree got to be a typo those dimensions are paper thin. Hope you get a good response from the gun shop.My concern would be they come back at 17 and 19 thous in which case I would walk. Obviously the reverse would be the case at 27 and 29. Dave

Still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up after 40 years!

Thanks I will have a look and see if they stilling making calls. I found one of his videos after posting and it looked/sounded an impressive call.

Glad to see Benjamin Wild is still going with Bryan. Call in and see Bryan!

Teague did barrel lining, I have two, but no longer does it so back to traditional sleeving. I would go to the trade in Birmingham. I highly recommend Benjamin Wild in Price street but sadly Colin Wild is no longer with us. There are seveal good Gunmakers in that street and I would call in and see one of them.

Any recommendations for a good pinkfoot call? Have lost the reed out of my American call so looking for a new one.

Had three, two diesel and one petrol. All did the job, plenty of space and comfy. Last one however let me down as diesel injectors went and I had to scrap it with about 80,000 on the clock. Not sure if this is a one off but may be worth checking. Aside of this would recommend as had them all off road in moderate circumstances

Yes, but dont' be tempted to put heavy loads in it as you might as well stick with a 12. All they will do is knock you about due to the lighter gun weight. A load of 24 or 26 gms will do fine on game. I shot a John Macnab side plate, lovely lightweight, pretty and well balanced. Have kept them in 12 and 28 bore.

Look on pets4homes there are plenty on there. I picked up a cracking dog off it last year.

A few points on English 10 bores. Firstly I assume this is for wildfowl so you will most likely have to use non toxic shot. So, do not underestimate the cost and the fact you may have to load your own cartridges subject to the next point. English 10 bores were originally 2 5/8 or 2 7/8 inch chambers. If longer they will have been re-proofed and definitely at 3.5 inches which is an Amercan thing originally. The latter will be easy to get cartridges for but the former probably have to load your own. Chokes wil be up to you. I personally prefer less choke and a decent pattern shot at sensible ranges. Lastly I have a Willam Evans of Purdey double hammer ten with damascus barrels by Lewis. 2 5/8 in chambers so will not take a heavy load but patterns brilliantly with just under 1.5 ozs 3's. Was going to sell but at present sitting in the collection. In practice I now only shoot 1.5 ozs in steel in my browning ten so not really an issue. Good luck.

Not listed in "British Gunmakers" volume one London so possibly a retailer adding his name to others guns. Good luck with the search.

Thanks guys will look at that when there are a few pennies after Christmas

Keepers up here use K9 strapped down