quentyn Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 hi all i will be someones loader for a shoot in october, the problem is that whilst i have had a loader i have never loaded someone elses shotgun. Any tips or advice ? we arent double gunning and so will have to resort to stuffing (i think thats what its called) is it worth grabbing a box if intert training rounds and practising with the gun ? lastly, i presume as a loader i am treated as a gun... or will the gun be supping their champagne and i will be shoved in the back of a landy ? Q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Firstly ..you just drop 'em in those two holes and hope you come away with all your fingers Entertainment varies just make enquiries beforehand so no embarrassment. My wife almost always travels with me and stands with me and has always been made extremely welcome at shoots I have been on. She is a pianist and refuses to risk her fingers however Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadorna Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Who asked you to stuff? The gun or the keeper. If the gun, probably treated as a gun. If keeper, you will be with the dogs in back of truck possibly. Take a cartridge bag and slip in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Don't run out of cartridges. Don't offer advice unless asked. Put a couple of plasters in your pocket just in case. You will be treated as one step up the social ladder from a picker up but you wont be treated as a gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Dress like your a gun Kit you'll need Spare slip Cartridge bag Bag for empties (may not need it but better prepared) Mag stick as above if you have one Cleaning kit your normally expected to clean the gun Lunch if not provided I load a fair bit in the season (on peg coaching/minding) you get treated in a really mixed way sometimes as a gun others as a spare dog. often this depends on your gun and the shoot personally some I won't go back to. Watch your fingers Watch what your guns doing safety and getting lost. Don't offer advice where it's not asked Be good company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Echo all the above. You have to play it by ear sometimes. Like welshwarrior I am mainly minding so your having to be safety officer, loader and coach. Safety being paramount of course and you have to be able and willing to step in if the gun acts un safe regardless of who they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Just practice with the wife or mate. Short inside,(Empty gun).. Outside swing,,DO NOT CLASH BARRELS.. Try it with the Gun a few times before Drive starts.. Take loads of cartridges,Running out would be a NO,NO,. Stand by Gun with your mouth closed unless spoken to,in which case be Civil. Clean his guns at the sessation of shooting. Just in case take your own cleaning kit. Just have fun watching the Gun shoot.. And your own Lunch.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 And one other point, if your gun shoots well, tell him so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 And one other point, if your gun shoots well, tell him so! But don't comment if him or her were rubbish 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Indeed, that would be churlish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 👍 I loaded for a very experienced gun last season who incidentally had recently dismissed there usual loader for running out of cartridges' mid drive, and when on a hot seat 😞 Having missed a pheasant turns to me and says "did I hit that Ian" "no sir" replies i. "I admire your honesty Ian, I hate it when loaders lie" !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Fair point, honesty and being quiet at the right time are very important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quentyn Posted August 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 thanks all for the advice ! really helpful i will practice with "the gun" as its my wife and she is the one that has nominated me as her loader. Hopefully she wont fire me or send me to the beaters / picker upers vehicle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quentyn Posted August 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Dress like your a gun Kit you'll need Spare slip Cartridge bag Bag for empties (may not need it but better prepared) Mag stick as above if you have one Cleaning kit your normally expected to clean the gun Lunch if not provided I load a fair bit in the season (on peg coaching/minding) you get treated in a really mixed way sometimes as a gun others as a spare dog. often this depends on your gun and the shoot personally some I won't go back to. Watch your fingers Watch what your guns doing safety and getting lost. Don't offer advice where it's not asked Be good company. thanks for this will grab a bag and a magstick as I didnt think about this re cleaning - i normally end up cleaning their gun anyway.... is there a particular technique or just "shove them in watch your fingers" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 thanks for this will grab a bag and a magstick as I didnt think about this re cleaning - i normally end up cleaning their gun anyway.... is there a particular technique or just "shove them in watch your fingers" Over and under or side by side Also helps if they have a ejector 😊 Gun should break gun eject empty across you and hold gun at slight angle barrels down and facing forward no need for the gun to move from looking for the next bird they should have both hands on gun and a slight twist of body should put gun in the correct (safe ) place for them to close and get onto the next bird Have a good day Practice!!!! All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 I think dressing like the gun in the circumstances you describe......may not be a good idea! thanks all for the advice ! really helpful i will practice with "the gun" as its my wife and she is the one that has nominated me as her loader. Hopefully she wont fire me or send me to the beaters / picker upers vehicle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 I think dressing like the gun in the circumstances you describe......may not be a good idea! **** 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 thanks for this will grab a bag and a magstick as I didnt think about this re cleaning - i normally end up cleaning their gun anyway.... is there a particular technique or just "shove them in watch your fingers" Yep stuff em in and watch your fingers. You will both quickly get into a rhythm, don't try and rush though as this will slow the job down due to fumbling, nice and calm. I hold a cartridge in each hand between fingers and thumb and have another in each palm of the hand in case you drop one. Stay just behind her shoulder take a step in and load then step back. Be ready to duck if she swings around for a bird. And don't forget to call her ma'am 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Practice your "Oooo's that was close" "Just a bit behind Sir" And "Ide have got that one" And wear trainers and joggin bottoms, you'll probably need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Can I ask why the loader provides the ammo? I would have thought the gun would have had a preferred cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Gun, or the estate/host provide cartridges but its the loaders job having been given a slab with the gun to ensure he/she has enough for each drive. Replenish cartridge bag from slab which will be kept in the guns or estate provided vehicle. The most heinous offence a loader can make is running out mid drive 😞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Gun, or the estate/host provide cartridges but its the loaders job having been given a slab with the gun to ensure he/she has enough for each drive. Replenish cartridge bag from slab which will be kept in the guns or estate provided vehicle. The most heinous offence a loader can make is running out mid drive 😞 Luck you recently had two cartridge bags full to ensure we didn't run out. We often provide the cartridges as days are booked with our sporting agent or on our estate. I never lie if he/she's shots well they get a well done good shot. If the wing one I'll mark it and help them recover the wounded bird. If they miss I won't say unless asked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 If they miss I won't say unless asked! Don't you struggle trying to stifle a giggle. I would lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Cheers I see now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Don't you struggle trying to stifle a giggle. I would lol I'm a true professional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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