Fellside

Yes I know what you mean re gravel guards. They help. I’ve been using stocking foot breathables since they were a thing. They’re great for walking big distances. For me it’s not walking through mud which is a problem, but more a mixture of mud and water - above ankle deep. It leaves a layer of fine mud inside - despite the guards. Not so bad in just mud alone. It doesn’t do any real harm, but gets a little messy when taking them off. The mud inside the boots isn’t big deal breaker for me, but the prices have got silly, especially as I wear them out a lot. When I look at them, there appears little expense involved in manufacturing. The margins must be huge, especially Simms, which I used to buy (I use other brands now). I also find the PVC types easier to wash down when they’re caked in mud. The fine fabric texture of the breathables is harder to wash off. Both types will tear on sharp ice and need equal caution. There you are, I don’t think there’s a right or wrong choice, it just comes down to personal preference and terrain. That’s my wader ramble for what it’s worth. If anyone has stayed awake to this point, we’ll done……🙂

I’m no expert at all - but it looks too regular in distribution to be pitting. Just my two penneth. I would expect there to be some knowledgeable gun smiths on PW who could advise better.

I like ‘breathables’ for summer fly fishing. If worn heavily (I do fish a lot) they don’t last however. I can easily wear them out in a single season. They may last OK for occasional wildfowling (?), I don’t know. I also find that the boots fill up with mud. I suppose it depends on just how much muddy water you’re trudging through. Just my experiences, for what it’s worth……🙂

Tuck the bottom of your trousers in to long socks. They should hold all day.

This is true re cheaper ones ^ I wear waders heavily, as I do a lot of wading in rivers and marshes re fishing and shooting. The expensive ones don’t last longer than the cheapies. The ‘Ocean’ or ‘Vass’ PVC heavy fabric (750 I think) are good and easy to patch. They perish along the seams eventually, but it will take a lot of hard ware to to this. Neoprenes - I’ve given up with them. They’re harder to walk in and too hot for my liking if there’s any distance involved. Snowbee used to be a decent brand for these, but I haven’t bought them for years. Hope that helps. P.S I recommend cleated soles for muddy terrain.

Yes you make a fair point rbrowning2. Call me over optimistic if you like, but if the consultation has any worth whatsoever (and I know this is questionable) the draft proposal has to be open to change. It may well be that the ‘socioeconomic’ opinions they seek could become relevant. It will be interesting to read the BASC response.

Yes I understand the process and the point you make. My reference to politics was the ‘political environment’ which always has an effect of sorts. Still we speculate…..?!

I can understand your reasoning, however it would seem that we don’t have a done deal yet. We are still in ‘anything could happen’ territory. Trying to remain positive here….. 🙂. I did hear a whisper, from a fairly good source that the 410 might be spared and that this is being pursued. Like you however I am cautious, but I am also hopeful. As much as we all like to indulge in speculation, predicting the future is very difficult, especially where politics are concerned.

Still confused.com Where does the absolute assurance that a total ban (including 410 lead cart’s) will actually happen? I know these are the stated aims of the HSE, however their proposals at the moment are just that - proposals. Unless I’ve missed something….. I may have done. I am aware that our orgs are pushing hard for necessary derogations, so the outcomes, I believe, are far from certain. I remain a ‘glass half full’ optimist until (or unless!) the 410 becomes extinct. 🤞

Hi rbrowning2, Have you heard anything about these small bores? I understood there was a potential derogation for the 410.

Ha ha ha ha 🤣. Good point.

Yes - good practice. This is what I keep saying, if it’s open it’s safe, if it’s closed it’s not.

I think it was me that mentioned ‘it gives a little extra safety’ or some such similar words. Please let me explain. Sometimes when walked up shooting through thick cover, I do like the safety on just in case a branch touches the trigger. As most safety catches prevent the trigger moving, I find this useful. It just gives me a sense of security. I still have the habit of cupping the trigger guard in my hand to prevent contact with branches etc - belt and braces. These have become died in the wool habits really. I’ve enjoyed a fair bit of this type of shooting over the years - and I also think it has a lot of accident potential. I will emphasise however, I do not wholly rely on the safety and would never consider the gun to be absolutely safe, just because the safety is on. I still consider pointing the old thunder stick in a safe direction to be the most important aspect! I can’t think of any other types of shooting when I have genuinely found it useful. In all other circumstances (driven days, duck/pigeon hides, flight line shooting etc etc) I find an autosafe to be pretty redundant really. So in essence my preference for using one is restricted to a narrow niche - that of ‘walked up’ in thick cover. That’s it really.

If you want REAL and RECENT examples of labour’s attitude to the countryside - look no further than Wales…… !! P.S Thanks for sharing John. I appreciate your optimism and desperately hope that my assumptions re Labour are wrong - and that we don’t become another Wales.

I know, but the the OP was from 2008….! Never mind, who doesn’t like a bit of choke chat …..🙂

I wonder if it is possible for a wealthy estate owner to sue the Guardian for libel - re harm to their reputation and business.

Just realised this thread is ancient history…..!

The manufacturers play around with their choke definitions constantly. Sometimes cylinder has a slight degree of choke (?!) and sometimes skeet is cylinder…. or even negative. Enough to drive choke fiddlers mad…..😁

Like the Kentish pile - and the write up. Well done!

Where you’re shooting will make a difference re lead or non lead. If Scotland away from water then 1 1/2 oz (42 gram) of lead number 3 are good. Everybody has their personal favourite however. When someone asks a question like this they usually get as many different answers as there are cartridges…..🙂

The Guardian has recently gone way beyond a subtle left leaning. They are now essentially a promotional unit for Labour and the so called Greens.

Yes I think that’s the ‘gold standard’ which we all need to reach for. To be honest, if muzzle awareness and safe direction become a habit, it’s normally sorted. It’s the people who have virtually no muzzle awareness at all which cause most alarm. We’ve all seen those from time to time.

Fair enough Scully. My personal opinion is that they may add a little extra layer of limited protection, but not much. That’s just my opinion - of course others are entitled to theirs. However, like you, I have very little trust/faith in the value of auto safes as an absolute solution. My main emphasis: elimination of dangerous muzzle sweep is far more important. In fact it is vital.

I’ve been looking at this argument (sorry discussion…or debate… ? 🙂) for a while. Here’s my two penneth. Gun safety - regardless of auto/non auto safety catches - is much less complicated than in many of the aforementioned comments. That is to say a gun is safe when open, and dangerous when it’s not. In addition it mustn’t be pointed at another human (or dog) AT ALL. An autosafe catch gives a little extra protection in the field, but mustn’t be wholly relied upon. That’s it really. There isn’t a great deal more to it. Most of us are acutely aware of these basic principles. This is what I drum in to new starters and they are more than happy to be reminded. The biggest safety problem in our community is careless muzzle sweep - which is noticed but often not addressed. It should be! These perpetrators demonstrate the greatest potential for tragic and unnecessary accidents - regardless of their safety catch type. For what it’s worth, I have observed this problem equally in both clay and game shooting.

For clay shooting competitions disabling your auto safety is advisable. The reason being, that if you call for the clay and your safety is on, it counts as a missed bird. This is why most clay bashing guns are non auto safe. As Scully alluded, our guns are really only regarded as truly safe when broken anyway. Re the technicalities of disabling your Laurona auto safe, I’m afraid I can’t help. I would advise however using the skills of a reputable gunsmith - not an expensive job I believe. It would appear that mine and Countryman’s comments came in at about the same time. Great minds think alike…..🙂