Old Boggy Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 This unbelievable performance happened in my garden yesterday evening. I was sitting having a cup of coffee dunking a few biscuits (like you do) and noticed a flightline of pigeons going over my house. The obvious thing to do was to go and get the gun, which I did. Every bird coming over was a hit, whether straight overhead, to the left or to the right, with some really high birds being taken on. All this from the comfort of my seat at the garden table. However, I must add at this point, no cartridges were fired, the gun not reloaded and no sound whatsoever to upset neighbours. This was purely dry shooting, but nevertheless was still good practice, but isn`t it amazing that not one bird was missed when doing this. This was in stark contrast when actually out shooting when 2 for 1, or half price as Archie Coats would say, would be reasonably good form. Not quite the same as the real thing,but no birds to pick up, no gun to clean and only the wife calling me absolutely bonkers. This was done completely out of view of neighbours seeing a gun being waved about. I`m sure that when driving along, say on a motorway and a pigeon flies over, we all take that imaginary shot ..... and never miss ! Perhaps about 60 years ago had there been the same flightline, this would have been possible as our little block of 3 Victorian cottages, whilst currently still overlooking fields, would then have been totally surrounded by fields. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 (edited) Sorted your problem then! Edited September 14, 2020 by TIGHTCHOKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 (edited) Believe it or not I will occasionally do it when out with the dog and he will stop as he thinks it's for real 😊 Oh and of course I never miss also 😁 Edited September 14, 2020 by B725 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 Beforer reading this I thought your last sentence was going to be, "and then I woke up". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 I have to admit I've 'swung' on a few in the past and thought . should have given that a bit more' ... Equally, I've had some belters also !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted September 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 On a similar vein, I was on the Isle of Wight a few years ago staying on a farm and took a walk out first thing in the morning. I could here Canada geese in the distance getting louder, so I hid behind a nearby bush. On they came and when overhead I raised an imaginary gun and went `Bang, Bang`. Unbeknown to me, there was another walker out and a voice behind me said "Yer missed them two *******". Possibly it was Old Farrier OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottletopbill Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 The Mrs said if i paid as much attention to the road as i do the fields and sky i would not have so many near misses . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacko3275 Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 1 hour ago, bottletopbill said: The Mrs said if i paid as much attention to the road as i do the fields and sky i would not have so many near misses . My mrs can’t say owt about my driving when I’m looking at pigeons as when she drives driving is about 5th on the list of things to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearwater Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 If you want to step it up another level, try it with snap caps. . . . you may only get 9/10 but good practice as it makes you follow through your shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacko3275 Posted September 14, 2020 Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 2 minutes ago, Shearwater said: If you want to step it up another level, try it with snap caps. . . . you may only get 9/10 but good practice as it makes you follow through your shot During lockdown all I did was stand in the garden shooting at pigeons with snap caps and the next time I went out After lockdown shot petty well So if you can and have time it is worth doing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 When at Flamingo Land a few years ago with the family, we walked around the big lake there and a decent flight of Canadas started arriving. I cannot describe the shame and embarrassment my family showed as I hid on the lake edge and took a left and right out of every skein! It didn't bother me one jot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 You chaps are all in good company. When Sir Alec Douglas Home (Later Lord Home of the Hirsel) was Prime Minister he used to shoot a lot of imaginary ducks and geese in StJames' Park. He said it used to clear his mind of political matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 (edited) On 14/09/2020 at 10:28, Old Boggy said: Every bird coming over was a hit, whether straight overhead, to the left or to the right, with some really high birds being taken on. You did well. Whenever I've done so I've maybe connected with 50% or less so I think I must be using an inferior quality of imaginary cartridges. Edited September 15, 2020 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 I always do this with my arms holding an imaginary gun when diving or walking. It must look like I have Tourette’s, even during site meetings if i am up on scaffold and see a lovely crosser I will subtly follow it with my eyes to the kill spot. People sometimes notice but never ask questions. I only realised how much I do it as when my youngest son was about 16 months old on our early morning dog walks he would lean out of the sling and follow the wood pigeons with his outstretched arm and the squeak a tiny “pow” then look at me as if to ask ‘Did I hit it daddy?!’, I’m a biased judge but he never missed 🥰 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted September 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 15 hours ago, enfieldspares said: You did well. Whenever I've done so I've maybe connected with 50% or less so I think I must be using an inferior quality of imaginary cartridges. I was of course using the latest lead, steel and powder free cartridges and they worked a treat. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 30 minutes ago, Old Boggy said: I was of course using the latest lead, steel and powder free cartridges and they worked a treat. OB They sound expensive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 2 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: They sound expensive! It’s when you find out the gun he’s using you’re going to realise the true expense 😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 3 minutes ago, Old farrier said: It’s when you find out the gun he’s using you’re going to realise the true expense 😂😂 Not the Holland and Holland-Boss-Purdey Special? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 10 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Not the Holland and Holland-Boss-Purdey Special? That’s the one a one of a kind 😂😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 I may take mine out for some silent shooting when the gas engineers have finished fitting the boiler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted September 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 Tried again yesterday evening with snapcaps as suggested and didn`t shoot so many. Missed out on loads going over whilst I was opening and cocking the gun. If only I could get the H&H-Boss-Purdey special to non eject. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 1 minute ago, Old Boggy said: Tried again yesterday evening with snapcaps as suggested and didn`t shoot so many. Missed out on loads going over whilst I was opening and cocking the gun. If only I could get the H&H-Boss-Purdey special to non eject. OB I believe there is a small switch type device that needs clicking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted September 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 (edited) 4 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: I believe there is a small switch type device that needs clicking! What, the one just behind the top lever. Both the No.1 and No.2 guns are the same Just shows how much you know about Purdeys, that the safety catch. I`ll have to get the valet or chauffeur to have a look. Edited September 16, 2020 by Old Boggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 Well on my imaginary Holland and Holland- Boss- Purdey Special it is there and it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 2 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Not the Holland and Holland-Boss-Purdey Special? The over and Under Holland-Boss-Purdey? Or the common or garden "everybody has one" side by side Holland-Boss-Purdey? Were you using the trio then? With the two loaders and the cartridge boy? Or just single gunning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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