MisterGain

Key security wasn't an issue when I renewed my SGC earlier this year with North Yorks police. They didn't visit me or have any other contact, it was just a case of send off the renewal papers and get renewed SGC about 6 weeks later. Looks like an example of regional disparity/lack of consistency in licence requirements.

I have just written to my MP. From a quick check i couldn't see his record on any shooting related matters so will be interested in the response (if any!)

I must admit that "guidance" such as that would wind me up and bring out my contrarian nature! In my view, a tip is just that ie it's based purely on my enjoyment of the day/the effort that the shoot has put in and not a strict mathematical function of the purchase price/bag. Whilst the whole tip thing does, to a relative game newby like me, seem a bit arcane and tied up with lore it's useful to have a ready-reckoner for an appropriate level of tip IF you you're happy with your day and the service receievd. Bottom line, I was happy to tip £40 last Saturday for a 130 bird day where we slightly exceeded the bag (no overages), had been well looked after, the shoot was friendly and inclusive, worked hard for us and the birds well presented, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I'd also prefer not to be thought of as a tight-wad for the sake of a tenner

I bought a cheapo T Newton SxS BLNE for fun and the first time I took it out I hit almost nothing - quite depressing!. If you normally shoot a modern OU then with an older SXS you're likely talking about a different sigting plane, different weight, different stock and two trigers so that's throwing quite a few variables into the mix! As the LOP was a bit on the short side I fitted one of the rubber butt extenders mentioned above (stop sniggering at the back!) which helped gun fit and also made it more comfortable to shoot with the SXS being lighter than my Browning 725. Next thing was to pattern plate it and it really did highlight that i was shooting low so I mofified my rib/bead "picture" accordingly. The butt extender and the pattern plate cost very little and did make a difference. Now i'm a bit better with it and have "bonded". I've not shot any game with it but its nice to have a bit of variety on the clay ground and it's fun to play with generally. Perhaps try those 2 points before moving your gun on as it'll add a bit of variety to your gun cabinet and, as with my Mossberg 500, its nice to have something a bit different on the clayground from time to time!

An ironic statement as I thought he'd ended the cycle of "boom and bust"...

This certainly used to be the case but post 2011 credit card companies' priority of allocation of customer payments is geared towards paying off the highest rate of interst first. It gets more complicated if you use the same card for balance transfers, purchases, cash advances. So, if you're looking at this sort of thing then best to read the small print around allocation of payments.

Thanks all, have been looking at the Seeland Woodcock breeks so think that may be the way forward.

Thanks for the advice Walker 570. I was thinking moleskin breeks to avoid the matching tweed vest and breeks look which felt a bit sartorial overkill for me! I'll have a look at waterproof options...

With aplogies for any thread hijack, I too am looking to get some new kit as I've a couple of driven pheasant shoots booked this season. Not looking to spend a fortune and whilst wanting to look smart I certainly won't be attending any grand shoots. If possible I'd prefer not to look like an utter newbie even if that's pretty much the truth ! I'm sorted for wellies, shirt, tie, hat and waterproof coat so thinking of olive/loden moleskin breeks and some sort of green based tweed vest (Hoggs of Fife Harewood) - would that be generally acceptable? As an aside, my Browning 725 sporter has extended chokes - is this a game shooting faux pas? Comments and generally sensible comments welcome! Thanks

[tongue in cheek mode] indeed, but you have to remember anything left is inherenty trendy so deemed "good" whereas anything remotely to the right of that eg centrist/right of centre politices is "bad" and all lumped together with EDL/Combat 18 and any discussion comes rapidly up against Godwins law as the screeching prepetually offended types go into overdrive...

I'm relatively new to shooting and without shooting friends/relatives have had to figure out a lot for myself. That said, there's plenty of info out there that's not difficult to find, such as this splendid site(), that makes it much easier to cut through marketing guff. Seems too many people get hung up on technical stuff like chokes/carts/barrel length etc when the weakest link in the chain is, in most cases, the bloke behind the gun! I like reading technical stuff but in the end like to keep things as simple and consistent as possible whether shooting game or clays. To me, Hull's new cart just looks like a more expensive cart for people doing more expensive shooting - a good way for Hull to ramp up its margins with some new packaging/branding.

Still love corned beef slatherd with English mustard in my sarnies! As a kid always used to wipe some bread around the grill pan after cooking bacon - very tasty indeed. Afraid that spam fritters are still the stuff of school nghtmares - it still makes my stomach lurch remembering the amount of grease that oozed out when I sqaushed one with a fork (ironic i know given the bacon related point above). I like decent food but too but there's some staples that stay with you!

Purely anecdotal I know but I recently chopped my 1993 Beretta 686 special for a Browning 725 sporter black. From my research on both guns I felt I got both a good PX on the Beretta and a good price on the Browning (plus cash back offer!). Also noticed that the Beretta sold within 2 weks from the RFD. Problem now is that I can't stop looking at old SxS despite having recently picked up a 1930's T Newton 12g...!

good work getting it going! To help with the stopping (!) as mentioned above, definitely some new tyres a the current ones will likely be squared off /cracked/past their best plus brake fluid change as the current stuff may have absorbed moisture/have air bubbles - both of which reduce effectiveness. Are the brake pads ok?

thanks everyone - good to be onboard.