In the first of a new series from The Gun Shop, the team at Botley Mills take us through some gun maintenance essentials now the game season is over.
The last elusive pheasants have finally found their roost for the spring; the partridges have nested down for the season; and the guns have fallen quiet... But alas, now is the time for action! Although you may be looking forward to some ‘quiet’ time and putting your feet up, there is still work to be done – now is the perfect time to get your guns in order and ready for next season.
Here at The Gun Shop, we have a close team of gun enthusiasts who are passionate about fieldsports and the promotion of responsible shooting. Our aim over this series is to bring you an insight into the world of gun care and gunsmithing through the eyes of our resident gunsmith, Jonny, and the rest of the team. You’ll follow us through various projects, learn what to look out for on your own guns, and how to care for them.
Spring cleaning (the end of the season)
Going from heavy usage straight to storage is not a realistic option for any gun. Although modern guns are generally considered indestructible –given that they have chrome barrels and coated actions – they really are not. Lack of cleaning and routine maintenance can lead to costly repairs further down the line, or worse, the gun failing while out shooting, making for a ruined day out. So please, give your guns some TLC!
Regardless of whether your guns are serviced by a gunsmith or not, the start of the procedure is the same: a routine clean. The following method is a fairly good guide of how to clean your gun after every shoot. Firstly, disassemble your gun into the three major components – barrels, fore-end and action – then follow these steps...
The barrels
Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Sporting Shooter.
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Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Sporting Shooter.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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RSPB gives mixed message on shooting
Having recently attended the RSPB’s virtual AGM, Conor O’Gorman discusses the outcome of the charity’s year-long review of game bird shooting
Causeway for concern
Alan Jarrett’s renewed interest in reading takes him down memory lane to an offshore island duck flight that very nearly ended in disaster
Through a purple patch
The Garrows Estate is taking a conservation-focused approach to restoring the wildlife populations and biodiversity on the Scottish heather moorland.
When the wheels fall off
Losing form on a day’s shooting can be infuriating, especially if you’ve been shooting like a god up to that point. Simon O’Leary looks at some common causes and how to remedy them
Beaches, books & bad behaviour!
The annual Kay family vacation to Northumberland offers a chance to give the cockers a blast on the beach – although they don’t always shower themselves in glory, as Ryan Kay recalls...
Using the Stop whistle
Now you’ve instilled the basics, it’s time to up the ante with some more tricky distance work. Howard Kirby explains how to take the core Stop whistle command to the next level
The humble teal
They may be tiny, but as far as Rupert Butler is concerned, the appeal of this little duck is huge. He recalls some of his most memorable nights in pursuit of these aerial acrobats
Fab all-rounder
Mike is impressed with the Fabarm Elos B2 Field Notte, which offers great value for money, is suited to fieldwork or clays and is future-proofed for use with steel in all choke constrictions
CALL OF THE WILD
Dom Holtam reconnects with one of the purest forms of shotgun shooting as he walks-up woodcock over pointing dogs in the Scottish Highlands
A yen for the Fens
Tony Jackson recounts a memorable duck flight over an area of Fenland in Norfolk with his friend and author, the late Alan Savory
