henry d Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 The farm I keep the vermin down on has a couple of driven days a season and last week I went along with my mate "Lucky" Jim. I asked the others if anyone had any problems with me using my semi auto and a couple asked if I would carry it with the bolt back with a cartridge in sideways , but as MC had sold me a "SafTplug" it was more than covered. The forecast was little or no wind and heavy frost, so I was anticipating good numbers, but knew the sun would be a problem. First drive was down in the rushes near the burn and there were few birds in there and those that came out were no more than head height Next was across the farm to some kale near the march and there were a lot of birds but still a lot didn`t fly well and some were not seen until the last moment due to the low sun being in our faces. I managed a brace and Jim one and a hare, which he wanted for a game pie. Next was a drive, pictured below, off a nice steep bank and Jimmy and I were to blank in from one side and were sent off ahead of the standing guns. Within a few hundred yards we heard and saw a skein of greylags heading for us so we tried as best as we could to blend in to the drystane dyke as they got closer and closer. I managed to get 3 heavy lead shells in and called out to Jim "Ready, steady, GO!!" we took aim and punched 5 holes in fresh air Anyway we managed to get at least a dozen birds into the kale cover crop and when the birds were driven out, those that went out over the guns were real testing birds and only a few were downed. As Jimmy and I were flanking there were few birds came out our way and I managed one from 3. Last drive before lunch was in the wood and as it is a strip 60yds wide there is only room for 5 guns and the rest of us walk with the line of beaters and catch out the wily birds that try to swing out of the wood. There were good numbers in the wood although not too testing and the standing guns did well, they also managed one of the two woodcock that were flushed. After a nice lunch we headed for the final drive which is a large kale a neep field on top of a bank with a copse immediately behind it and the birds usually flush from well back and want to dip after the brow, but as they then see the guns they put the after burners and prove to be really testing. I was sent to the far right and knew that the birds would come down the line of trees between my neighbouring gun and myself and then either swing through the gap over me or go straight over him and his 28 bore SBS. The drive was full of birds and they flew well from early on and I, thankfully, shot well. I shared 4 or 5 with my neighbour so the last picture isn`t all my own work. Hope I get an invite to the next one :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz2381 Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Sounds like you had a great day out and no prejudice against a semi even better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 great day out by the sounds of it - next time, you'll have to wear cammo as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Sounds like you had a great day out and no prejudice against a semi even better not sure that thats a good thing but sounds more like a rough day out, sounds like a good crack and as NB says hope the cammo was on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted December 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 No I had tweed breeks, tattersall check shirt, tie and waistcoat, only my gaiters and Jim were cammo`d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 (edited) i had cammo boots on for the shoot yesterday - couldn't face a day out in the frosts with a useless pair of Hunters, so kept the neoprene lined Alphaburlies on, nobody gave me any funny looks. Edited December 16, 2009 by nickbeardo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttalbot09 Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Devil dog.lol..nice shooting ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Nice one HD I reckon the Xtrema has seen more action in the last two months than it did in all the time I had it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Well done Henry. Do you not get good numbers of Woodcock in your part of Scotland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 You godless heathen, turning up on a driven day with a S/A. Nice to see it was seen to be safe though. Seriously though I don't see the problem as a S/A is not anything other than a shotgun. There is no mystical magic that surrounds one so where is the issue. Glad you had a good day and shot a few birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Much sooner have a safe shot with a semi,than a unsafe shot with a s/s BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Well done HenryD, nice detailed write up and good pictures as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 ..... I asked the others if anyone had any problems with me using my semi auto and a couple asked if I would carry it with the bolt back with a cartridge in sideways , but as MC had sold me a "SafTplug" it was more than covered... That's the right thing to do. Ask the question. There shouldn't be any problem with S/A's on driven game when an experienced gun is using one. Looks like you had a nice day out. Did the other guns shoot all the cock birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Only problem i would have is if somebody was having 50% more shots than me then i might get a bit jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 nice shooting H :hmm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 That's the right thing to do. Ask the question. There shouldn't be any problem with S/A's on driven game when an experienced gun is using one. Looks like you had a nice day out. Did the other guns shoot all the cock birds? Cheers WB, as for the cocks, the farmer puts down ex-layers and we find that there is a 1-8 ratio and as the season progresses there seems to be a lot of cock birds from neighbouring shoots arrive, however that may just be because he shoots only once or twice a year and they shoot very regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maglad Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 good shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Only problem i would have is if somebody was having 50% moreshots than me then i might get a bit jealous. Why should anyone have 50% more shots than you? just because a gun holds 3 cartridges it doesn't mean you have to use them and there is nothing to stop you reloading a double gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Nice write up HD did you try the electronic pheasant caller on the telescopic pole as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 ......did you try the electronic pheasant caller on the telescopic pole as well Nah, went for the beaten beater call....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 (edited) Nah, went for the beaten beater call....... Also known as a squeel happy days and happy slapping Edited December 18, 2009 by malkiserow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Good shooting HD Was at a shoot near your neck of the woods today Conditions were a bit whiter though :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted December 20, 2009 Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 Why should anyone have 50% more shots than you? just because a gun holds 3 cartridges it doesn't mean you have to use them and there is nothing to stop you reloading a double gun. I always use an o/u for duck flighting, and I find I can shoot and reload faster with an o/u than other guns with auto's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shot shot Posted December 20, 2009 Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 I always use an o/u for duck flighting, and I find I can shoot and reload faster with an o/u than other guns with auto's. now that's something that would be an interesting read. take two people of equal experience with their type of shotgun, one with a semi, the other with an OU, see how shots they can get off in a minute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted December 20, 2009 Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 i`d have a semi any day of the week.much prefer them i hate the way i`m frowned upon for thinking that way.looks a good day mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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