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Fellside

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Everything posted by Fellside

  1. I’ve no idea where that is, but have a very pleasant day, whatever you decide upon.
  2. Yes most from abroad. Don’t know why they can’t print the UK equivalent size on cart’s and packaging however. For example a continental 7 1/2 (2.4mm) becomes a 7 when loaded in the UK and if an imported 6 is 2.7mm the cart’ is stamped 5 1/2 …..etc, etc. My pet theory is that they want their cartridges to appear to have more ‘umph’ than expected….the pellets being larger than stated….perhaps…?! As you say - I think the metric sizes would help. I’ve noticed Fiocchi do this.
  3. That’s pretty much what I use for decoying these days, although a different brand - Fiocchi actually. Some of these Italian jobs are stamped 7 1/2 but are 2.4 mm, so UK 7. Usefully they have the pellet diameter on the box - unlike the British loaders. They’re quite quick and brilliant for pigeons. Mine are 24 gram 12 bore. I can shoot them all day long and don’t notice the recoil.
  4. Good rant though wymberley… 😁 I think while you and I (and I’m sure some others) know about the shot sizing shenanigans, some people are caught out. I know some people who are quite convinced that because a number ‘5’ is stamped on the packaging and cart’ - it must therefore be a true UK 5…..?Why wouldn’t it be? I’ve even had gun shop staff tell me that’s the case.
  5. Even if not plated or ‘washed’, there just aren’t enough so called 5 (3mm) pellets in the ounce for rangy stuff. They are almost a UK 4 really - the shot count is similar to a 410 3” magnum number 6. Incidentally, it would be good for UK cart’ suppliers to use UK pellet sizing…..for their UK market….!
  6. I must admit - and the reason I’ve taken an interest in this thread - is that I am quite tempted by the 20. Those who take the plunge never seem to want a 12 again.
  7. Sure, not all birds will have listened to the brief, and fly as high as they should…🙂 I shoot with a pal where the birds are a bit lofty shall we say. He does in fact use a 12, but his cartridges are 1 oz (28 gram) UK 5s. Never more. He’s a decent shot and has no trouble knocking them down. Food for thought….?
  8. If you shoot on hilly ground - steep slopes and deep valleys etc - you will certainly see plenty of genuine 50 yard birds. I think much higher than this and they aren’t too useful anyway. I have been on some low ground shoots where there are wild exaggerated claims of range, because the guns just aren’t used to seeing tall stuff. Just about anything kills average birds - even a 410. You might not need heavy ammo…? As Jimbo Yorks points out 26 grams are often fine for the average tree toppers. It’s just a thought - as I don’t know what kind of topography you’re used to.
  9. I would buy a single box - and pattern them. If you like the patterns and they hold together at range, then you have you’re ‘confidence cartridge’. If you’re gun likes them buy a boat load, because they’re going up in price every five minutes it seems…!
  10. Sorry - just seen your post re limited supply. This is strange as they are popular. I buy my 12 bore Hull cart’s from a farm shop and they have plenty of 12s and 20s.
  11. I can’t speak from direct experience of using a 20 bore. However, the syndicate where I regularly shoot has 3 guns using 20 bores. They seem to have settled with Hull High Pheasant Extreme 6s, which I believe are a continental 6, so about a 5 1/2. These are 28 grams. I have seen them kill some impressive high birds - out to about 50 ish yards. That’s all I can offer.
  12. I think it’s only ‘overwhelming’ because it will burn more staff resource than anticipated. How the HSE respond to the so called public consultation (public appeasement could be a more accurate descriptor), is still entirely their call. This is when their recommendations will get very interesting ….. and our org’s will be tested to the full. Still good that they’ve been surprised by the number of respondents. It sends a message that they won’t have an easy time of it. However, I do share Scully’s disappointment that response numbers should have been much higher.
  13. The HSE accompanying document is frankly a load of clap trap. It is nothing more than coercive bias - to influence the form content.
  14. Just about everything puts woodcock on the menu really. I have heard it said that foxes are fairly efficient in finding them at night - as with any ground birds.
  15. The UK breeding pairs (which is what all the fuss is about) have either bread well or not before the pheasant poults are released from pens. Poult numbers aren’t really a factor. The winter migrants may be disturbed by high densities - but are well adapted to disturbance and can look after themselves pretty well. It’s also worth bearing in mind, that they often don’t even need to roost in woods. If the weather is mild they will choose to roost in long grass or rushy ground. I have often bumped them up in rough open areas. As mentioned above, predation is a much bigger problem.
  16. I think the pheasant densities have to be quite high before disturbance becomes a factor - but yes I’m sure you’re right.
  17. I was on a lovely shoot up in the wild north today - mainly pheasants. On one drive I had 8 woodcock dash past me, but too low for a shot. Throughout the whole day I saw dozens, and that was just me. Other guns reported similar. On the last drive, a fast high one jinked over. I took the shot and was lucky enough to see it tumble. Tomorrow’s breakfast: honey glazed woodcock on toast. Delicious!
  18. As mentioned above, the Bedale was initially designed for equestrian use - quite short. It was trendy for a while. However fabric technology has moved on a long way now. I remember my old Barbour Solway. It was the main outdoor coat of its day and kept me dry (mostly), however it was like wearing cold cardboard. I definitely wouldn’t have one now.
  19. I quite agree with all you say. We all know the profound biodiversity value of game habitat management. The main problem is that the general public don’t. They have been sold a wrong steer - that is to say you’re either a ‘conservationist’….or you shoot. This basic binary message is being exploited by Packham and WJ, the RSPB and the BBC, which are virtually the same organisation currently. Re the Woodcock, the only significant declines in UK nesting pairs are in the South East. Numbers are stable in the north. Equally, once the migrants are here, there is a non-significant 2% probability of shooting a native UK bird. Given that the Eurasian population as a whole has been classified as ‘stable and not under threat’, this is really a non issue, and nothing more than yet another trumped up attack angle for Packham. It is a shame however that some in the shooting community seem to be cow towing to Packham instead of standing by the science.
  20. You don’t need to have a chat with one to test its accent. Just shoot them. You have a 2% chance of shooting a native UK bird after the November moon: statistically insignificant. Too many people are being suckered by the Packham/RSPB propaganda.
  21. I don’t know what all the Packhamesque fuss is about - re shooting woodcock generally. The declines of UK nesting pairs are in the South East. The northern UK breeding pairs are stable - as is the whole Eurasian population. I’m not sure I would shoot one in Essex or Kent, but once the migrants are here in the north, there really isn’t an issue. As Dave at Kelton says, shoot one if you’re going to eat it. Seems like a sensible approach.
  22. Yes a big fall of woodcock this year. They must have had a good breeding year. There were also good easterlies during the full moon phase. The snipe have had a hard time recently, I personally haven’t shot them, but the woodcock (in my area at least) are in fine condition. You can tell when they are getting desperate, as they move during full daylight to find the odd few areas of soft ground. The snipe have been doing this, but not the woodcock yet. Back to milder weather tomorrow anyway.
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