Dan_Smiff

The general consensus is that bitches work better and are generally more focused and obedient. This is not always the case of course - I'm sure others will be along soon to tell of their own experience

Be honest about everything on the forms and in your interview and you might be ok. You will need to come decent person who's not likely to behave in the way you did 4 years ago - if they think you have a good, responsible attitude to guns and the safe use thereof then great, if they suspect you've not changed much and your attitude sucks then it'll likely be a no. Best of luck - being a gun owner actually helps you to stay out of trouble, knowing that if you mishave you lose the lot.

I have a CZ style with SAK mod and have been very happy with it, well made for the money (cost me £295 new 3 years ago). I have the 16 inch barrel version which is an ideal length, I shoot from the truck alot so the shorter the better (I'm not paying to have it any shorter though!).

Hi Ned, I've just seen this epic thread for the first time and spent the last two days reading through it - great reading! Really paints a good picture of what is obviously fine hunting. Makes a nice change from the usual threads about hatson escorts and 22lr vs 17hmr in the gun forum! Keep up the good work (and the updates) - it's good to see you've been recognised for your skills, knowledge & effort by getting a job involving what you love to do. Here's hoping your old punters haven't let their gardens get too scruffy!! Thanks & best regards, Dan

I use them for everything and they aren't as fragile as people on this board make them out to be. I have shot foxes and rowe with them and both drop to the spot every time - I prefer neck shots as my stalking is always on the edge of thick woods but when I do shoot heart/lung I have no issues (have knocked a few ribs out before without any 'surface explosions). The round is very efficient at delivering energy, hydrostaic shock kills very quickly!

I've got one in 243 and so has a my father in law (I've got the shorter mountain, he's got a full length stainless) and they've always delivered the goods for us. You will get a few people that say they are not accurate due to the flex in the fore end but I shoot mine off sticks, off a bipod, off gate posts (and my lamping mates shoulder!) and it's always been bang on. Very good safety system and smooth, well fitting bolt.

I too used FAC holders for my refs - I dodn't have to but I figured it looked better that 2 existing shooters held me in good regard. The refs can come from anyone who's known you long enough though.

I'd rather find a nice light 12 bore that he can handle with a good, soft recoil pad. The recoil with 21g & 24g carts is very low - I first used a shotgun around the same age and only ever in 12 bore (infact I was in my mid 20's before I ever shot a 20 bore). This way there will be no messing around with different catridges, not to mention the cost difference (even between 12 & 20). Try him with a beretta ultralight or if cost is an issue try a Yildiz - a chap in my syndicate shoots one and it's like a feather!

Re the comment about Pheasants; Just think of them as the most free range meat bird on the planet. They are fed, protected from natural prey, given a good enviroment to live in (roaming hundreds of acres) and at the end of the day a lot of them live to see another year. You can't say that about even the most free range, organic, freedon food chicken. Most people that are against shooting will still happily eat cheap meat from the supermarket every day without thinking of where it came from, thus making them stinking hypocrites!

As atf say - O/U guns are generally fired bottom barrel first so the tighter choke will always be in the top. I have the same gun with the same chokes and I love it - I always used to tell myself that a multichoke would be better but I knew deep down that I would end up sticking 1/4 & 1/2 in and never changing them! I use it for everything but its a game variant (non vented barrels) and it did get a bit hot at our syndicate clay days in the summer!

2 x green plastic coated metal garden canes fixed together 7 inches from the top with a kitchen cabinet bolt. I've not invested in the rubber yet but it will get added soon!

I'm 6' 2" and started out with a 30" 682 sporter and was always told that (30" sporter) was an ideal alrounder for someone my height. I ended up chopping it in for a 28" game silver pigeon as I shoot a lot more feathers/fur than clays and I'm chuffed to bits with it. I would say that 30/32" is better for general clays trap and DTL stuff but for sporting clays and game shooting the faster swing of a 28 is better suited - thats how it's worked for me anyhow. The lighter weight of a game gun helps when you're carrying it for most of the day too - I wouldn't say I notice any greater recoil for

I'm delighted with mine and never had any issues with the stock flex. I can shoot an inch off sticks with it and tighter with a bipod so it's more than I need for hunting. The bolt/safety system is one of the best going and the set trigger is lovely out of the box too. The bolt was much smoother and better fitting that any of the new Tikkas and Sako that I looked at when I was shopping. My father in law has one as well and he speaks very highly of them. I'm amazed as to how many negative comments are made about them, the experiences I've had with them are nothing but good!

Bag for anything from a peg/hide/vehicle and pockets for walked up and rough stuff.

You boys really need to get out more!