Fellside

Yes - just more shallow in drop from nose to come than the average. Not truly parallel.

Don’t know anything about ‘stocked to fences’ LB - I’m just one of those O&U heathens….🙂

Yes there was / is a purpose. It provides a near parallel comb with out the need for a Monte Carlo stock and the downward sweep of the underside (roach belly) gives the stock its depth without needing a pistol grip. Hope that makes sense. As I’ve said above, I really like their classical style. They are of an era. I appreciate that not everybody will feel the same way.

I personally think the roach belly has tonnes of personality - looks great like a classic car. That’s just me, I suppose you will either like it or not.

I have a sad feeling you’re right on that Scully.

Yes perhaps that’s it. There is a strong case for vermin shooting with a 410 being an ‘optional derogation’. In other words for continued lead shot use…..if common sense prevails…..??!!

Am I missing something here? We shouldn’t be subject to EU REACH restriction proposals - as we are no longer an EU member state. Some countries have restricted lead shot by a maximum percentage calculation. In other words the larger calibers make up the vast majority of shot use, so they have focused on those, thus the 410 is exempt. See New Zealand’s excellent example. There seems to be no reason why we can’t adopt similar.

Well done that man 👍 It sounds like you’ve found a hitter.

You raise a valid point Johnny - I think most of us pattern geeks are on board with this. The OP was however trying to measure his choke tubes relative to bore. To be honest, for most popular mass produced O&Us the info is available on the net anyway. I still think the best use for a brass choke gauge has been developed by wymberley above. Have a look.

The old mobilchoke are close to the presumed nominal per choke gauge. To be honest there are so many different bore measurements and choke variations - the choke gauges are often more trouble than they’re worth. Only a micrometer is of any real worth if curiosity gets the better. There’s nothing quite so effective however as putting the pattern in the right place. Ha ha ha…..excellent..🤣

Hi Winyard, This is a common cock up. As mentioned above Invector Plus barrels are ‘backbored’ i.e larger diameter than usual. Your choke gauge measures relative to a nominal (approx’ 729 thou) 12 bore. However with your ‘Invector Plus’ barrels being about 738 thou - you are whole choke nomination out. I would forget the choke gauge. It won’t take long to find the Invector Plus choke measurements on line. The 1/4 is 8 thou. Can’t remember the 1/2. If you’re getting decent scores though, you may have found your favourite combo anyway……?! Nice gun BTW.

I strongly agree with your last point. BASC seem to be a little like the UN peacekeepers. All observation and reporting - no fight. Where’s their fight gone??

Yep - if it’s not consistent and trustworthy…..?! I moved on to Eley Superbs when they started messing about with Supercomps. Still like the Superbs a lot, but I’m finding that the Fiocchi FBlues are very similar and less money.

I understand the pragmatism behind your point. However think on this: 60% of small woods in farmland Britain are used for pheasant shooting. How vulnerable would they be if they didn’t ‘earn their keep’ for shooting? Anyway, as well wildlife/habitat benefits, personally I’d rather kill pheasants when their going like rockets at a good height. If chickens flew like that, we’d be releasing those too……🙂

Yes agreed. When I shot Express years ago, the Supercomp was a brilliant and popular shell. I used many thousands. They did it in a number 6 shot for a while, with high antimony pellets, for the Japanese market I believe. They were great for pigeons and crows. I paid £122 / 1000 for them…..!! By eck thems where the days lad….. etc. etc. I think part of their decline generally, was due to them messing around with the clay cart’s too much. I also understand that the Vectan propellants they relied upon were somewhat tricky re quality control.

Strange - never came across any problems. Bad batch…?

Buy a heap of them while you still can.

No tin hat necessary LB - you have your pet products just like the rest of us. I think what did it for Express years ago - was a major product failure which they didn’t support very well. I personally had used their cart’s for about 5 years prior to this. I think a lot of the RFDs and end users consequently shopped elsewhere. I’m using those Fiocchi FBlue clay bangers at the mo’ - a very high end cart’ at the price of a cheapie. I have to say I’m impressed.…..even though they’re made by Johnny foreigner……😀

Express has been a dying brand for years - despite having its diehard followers. Loosing so much market share it was ripe for takeover. I do hope that Fiocchi can use the Express base as a manufacturing platform to strengthen their position in the UK. They make great cartridges and if (IF?) they can keep their prices competitive, they should shake things up. Good move! As an afterthought, I wonder if they have secured an MOD contract. They are an important ‘defence’ supplier. I suppose we’ll never get to know the ins and outs of that one…..?!

That last pie must have just been too much for the seat 😄

I’ve never known anyone on a farm, doing a few clays now and then, receive a noise abatement order from their local authority. This seems to be a relationship management scenario (re neighbours) more than anything else.

If you want to tie things up in a formal let agreement - it will cost a fortune via agents and law firms. If possible strike up an informal agreement whereby the old fashioned ‘folding stuff’ changes pockets once or twice a year. There isn’t any tax liability on you and if game habitat is degraded you can walk away.

Agree. Or in my case pay someone who’s much better than I am with that sander……🙂

I think Gunman’s post is spot on - reflects my findings also.

Speaking as someone who needs a lot of drop on my stock (being taller than Mr average), I have been through this scenario a few times. I have learned that stockers don’t like bending - i.e persuading the stock downwards - by more than 4 or 5 mm. I have spoken to some of the best and they are cautious about the wood departing from the top strap and leaving a gap. They tend to prefer a combination of removing wood and bending if there is a lot of extra drop needed. These days I will only entertain buying a gun if it isn’t far off my required measurements. Also by the way, if a lot of bend is applied this can alter the gun’s pitch. You then end up with a different problem. I would say visit a really good stocker and take their advice.