Two more iconic pistols on the Face Off today, the legendary Colt Python Black and the Walther PPK/s in 4.5mm BB. The original Colt Python was chambered in .357 Magnum and has been a staple of John Wayne movies for years and Chuck Norris used to carry one of these iconic pistols during many episodes of Walker Texas Ranger.
You can even buy a John Wayne patriotic .357 revolver which may be the most American thing I have ever seen. Quite a resume, I’m sure you’ll agree. On the other hand, the Walther PPK is perhaps one of the most iconic movie pistols of all time thanks to none other than James Bond. Now who would win out between Chuck and James? Not an easy question but here goes.
I Feel Lucky
Picking up both of these pistols, there is a definite difference in weight, the Colt Python weighs the best part of a kilo whilst the Walther PPK feels miniscule in comparison, weighing in at just over 500 grams. Being heavier than the PPK, you might think that I would dislike the Colt, but it all comes down to what I like to call the “do you feel lucky?” factor and the Colt has it in spades.
The Python’s weight gives is a real sense of power and you really forget that you are holding a BB gun, aiming it down the range, I got the sense that anything I shot was going to explode into a thousand tiny pieces. The black finishing on the Python is absolutely excellent and the Colt logo and .357 Magnum lettering down the barrel further enhance a sense of realism.
The PPK is extremely well made and is based around a full metal frame which, despite the lighter weight, prevents the pistol from feeling too much like a toy. The only plastic parts of the gun are the pistol grip, safety lever and outer barrel shroud which is fantastic for reliability and a real rarity for a pistol of this price. Powered by 12g CO2 capsules, the old version of the PPK featured a very obvious knob which had to be turned to screw in the CO2 but this has now been changed into a slimline screw that fits flush to the grip.
A welcome change from my point of view and one that really improves the look of this pistol. The Walther PPK is a different kind of pistol than the Python, one that might by tucked into the inside of diner jacket when playing poker with a table full of the worlds villains and holding it I never got the sense of power that I got from the .357. The advantage that the PPK has is a sense of sophistication and style that is more to my personal taste.
I’m going to give this one to Walther PPK simply because of the added sense of suave that it possess, basically James Bond got way more girls than The Man with No Name.
Winner : Walther PPK
Special Operations
The Walther PPK features a 15 round drop out magazine that disappointingly made of plastic and is a little fiddly to refill. I have never been much of a fan of magazines where you have to compress a spring to load BB’s as without a speed loader, the BB’s often end up all over the floor. The Colt Python is loaded with imitation shells that house the BB’s before they are pushed into the barrel and are less fiddly to refill, but only hold 6 BBs at a time.
The Colt Python only comes with 6 shells, it would have been nice to have spares included but they are easily available. Another accessory that comes in handy is a speed loader which is included with the pistol. One complaint I do have with the Python is the arm that holds the swing out cylinder isflimsy and light and although I experienced no problems when shooting the pistol myself, I wouldn’t violently swing out the cylinder with too much force in case that arm bent or snapped.
The trigger of the PPK is extremely light and responsive and, when combined with the blowback action makes the pistol great fun to shoot. I would have preferred a metal safety switch instead of the polymer one that the PPK is fitted with but it does the job. The safety on the Python has a tendency to stick in the on position, which is better than sticking in the off position, but a bit of annoyance none the less. It maybe because the gun was new and requires a bit of use to loosen up which is often the case with CO2 pistols and revolvers in particular because of the multiple moving parts.
I was actually impressed with the overall finish of both pistols and with the PPK in particular, despite its magazine, looking like a gun that cost several times the price. The Colt is let down by a few niggling features but I am being overly critical for the purposes of this review and these minor issues will not likely be of importance to the average shooter.
Winner : Draw
The Important Bit
Some people buy pistols to put them in display cabinets, but most people buy pistols to shoot things with. The proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say so I set up a range at about 6m and fired about 50 Bbs, some ProShot precision A Grade, through each. The first thing to say about the Colt Python is that its rear sights are fully adjustable and make target shooting so much easier, no such luck with PPK although the fixed pistol sights work well enough.
It is worth saying that neither of these pistols are going to win you any awards in target shooting, nor will they kill a rat, but they are great fun for hitting tin cans in the garden and make great practice pistols or props for home movies, particularly the PPK with its blowback action.
With the Colt Python, I found myself reliably hitting the centre of the target with no issue but the grouping was larger than I would have expected at this range. I think this lack of accuracy comes from the way the pellet is fired from the tip of shell instead of from a regular magazine.
The shells all have to be loaded individually and any slight difference in the way that the BBs are loaded can cause quite a large difference in accuracy, something to bear in mind. Taking aim at the target with my PPK I noticed that this pistol seemed to be shooting slightly low and right but does group surprisingly well and with a little adjustment of my aim I was reliably hitting the centre two rings of the target.
To investigate the problem with the BB’s dropping off a ran both pistols through my own personal Alpha chronograph and found the Python to running at around 2.3 ft/lbs where as the Walther was shooting at less than 1.5 ft/lbs. The reason the pellets were dropping off was because of the Walther’s lack of power. I checked to see if the gun was leaking gas or the barrel was slightly obstructed but no the gun is just a bit underpowered for my liking. Not too much of a problem and could actually be spun as a positive as less power usually means more shots. Unfortunately the Blowback action of the PPK is also powered by the CO2 making it one of the more hungry CO2 pistols I’ve fired. Disappointing.
Trying to pick a winner is a bit of a strange one, the PPK is more responsive, blowback and just more fun to shoot, but the Colt is both more powerful and more accurate. Comes down to what you are looking for I guess, fun or functional. In my opinion the Walther just edges it, yes the Colt is slightly the better shooter, and it is slight, but the purpose of these pistols is not to hit cans, it is to have fun and the PPK is undoubtedly the most fun.
Winner : Walther PPK
In Conclusion
Both pistols are inexpensive but the fact that the Walther PPK/s comes in at under £100 makes it an absolutely essential purchase for any collector or air pistol enthusiast. The Colt is a nice revolver but there are other nice revolvers on the market, the Dan Wesson or the Peacemaker are both great choices and are available at a similar price. With the Walther it is impossible to shoot better for less.
The world of air rifle scopes can be a confusing place for those who are ill prepared. Choosing the right scope for your air rifle can be as important as deciding which pellet or calibre you are shooting with, when it comes to success. Sub 12ft/lb air rifles will kill at ranges up to 50 yards, and trying to judge your impact point at these ranges with iron sights can be almost impossible. Luckily, there are many manufacturers on hand to help you.
Brand Awareness
Deciding on your brand is simple enough when you know what each has to offer. Brands like BSA, SMK and AGS look like the real deal but don’t offer much in terms of magnification or lens quality, and are not really suitable for anything more than informal target shooting. One thing I would say is there is more to picking a scope than just what magnification you want. For example, not all 4×32 scopes are the same and when it comes to picking optics, most of the time you really do get what you pay for.
At just 18 pounds more expensive than the BSA scopes are the Hawke range of air rifle scopes and the difference in quality is immediate and obvious. The mono tube construction of the scope is made from anodised aluminium which not only makes the scope incredibly strong, but also makes the Hawke range of scopes the exceptionally light and unlikely to affect the balance of your rifle when attached. These scopes are so well made that they are even suitable for centerfire and rimfire rifles thanks to their inherent ability to withstand recoil.
The lenses of the Hawke scopes are multi coated to transfer as much light into the eye as possible, producing a crystal clear image of the target in all light conditions and are available with a range of reticles and magnification options. Available from around £50 all the way up to the mid £800s, there is an air rifle scope for everyone in the Hawke range.
Slightly more expensive than the cheapest of the Hawke range, MTC produce a range of scopes that are not too dissimilar to their lower priced alternatives. Their glassware is not noticeably different from most Hawke scopes but a lot of the MTC scopes come with illuminated reticle as standard, something you have to pay extra for with the Hawke models.
Starting at around the 260 pound mark, Bushnell air rifle scopes are similar in price to the most expensive of the MTC range but their Ultra High Definition range delivers some of the most accurate target selection in any range of scopes. Their glassware is of the very highest quality and the fast focus eyepiece is located at the rear of the scope and is easily adjusted for target acquisition in seconds.
The matte black body of the scope is made from a specially formulated alloy that is water, shock and fog proof and is rugged enough to provide a long lasting scope that is perfect for outdoor hunting. The Bushnell scopes are ideal for hunters and go all the way up in price to the £1000 mark, and are serious bits of kit for serious shooters.
A step up in quality again, the Meopta range, consisting of MeoPro, MeoStar and Artemis models, is ideal for the most serious of shooters looking for a long lasting scope that really can do it all. One thing that stands apart for the Meopta range is not just its image quality at long distance, but also up close and gives you a real indication of the quality of the lenses. MeoStar scopes can be used for target shooting and hunting and are the only serious choice for shooters looking for the very best.
Sig Sauer Scopes
The Sig Sauer range of scopes are another premium air rifle scope brand with prices starting at around 200 pounds and increasing past the 2 grand mark. The Tango 6range are world renowned for being amongst the finest scopes that money can buy and their illuminated reticle actually varies its intensity based upon the external light conditions to ensure you always have a clear picture of your target no matter what time of day you are shooting.
They also use extra low dispersion glass in their scopes to ensure class leading light transmission into the eye and produces incredibly clear imagery at all times. If you have £2,000 to blow on a scope, first of all well done, and secondly, there is no better choice out there than a scope from Sig Sauer.
Reticle
A Mil Dot ReticleAn example of a Duplex Reticle
There are a few different choices when it comes to choosing a reticle but most choices come between either a Mil Dot (see image) or a (See image). The Duplex reticle is essentially a centre cross with a thicker outside to help focus your eye towards the centre. Its simple design prevents it from obscuring the target but it doesn’t offer any other measurements to help judge distance or help with your shooting.
A variation of the The Duplex reticle is the Modern Ballistic. This features lines on the bottom of the reticle to help judge elevation for when you shoot above the target at particularly long ranges although this kind of reticle is more common in centerfire and rimfire rifles as they can shoot many times further than a 12ft/lb air rifle. Snipers at the extreme end of the spectrum even have to compensate for the curvature of the earth! Your air rifle is unlikely to be able to cover these distances so in my mind the Modern Ballistic reticle is unnecessary unless you are shooting a FAC air rifle.
The Mil Dot reticle features, as the name suggests, dots across its centre lines that can be used to judge both elevation and windage when shooting. These dots are available at various increments but the idea remains the same. The Mil Dot reticle does obscure more of your vision when shooting but this is compensated for by its increased accuracy.
Hundreds of different reticles are also available but they are either variations of the Mil Dot or the Duplex or wildly unnecessary on an airgun like the German or the SVD, so bear that in mind while selecting.
Mounts
When selecting scope mounts there is one important thing to consider, the size of the scopes body. The majority of scopes will either be 1 inch or 30mm and this will largely determine what mounts you require. If your top rail is shorter, you may require a reach forward mount and higher mounts are available if your rifle features iron sights that are obscuring your vision.
Retaining pins are included on most mounts and are important on everything but airsoft guns, as the recoil from your rifle can cause something known as “scope creep” which is where the scope moves continually backwards and will require constant re-adjusting to remain accurate.
Most mounts fit onto a weaver base and come with Allen Keys for easy installation and don’t forget, here at Pellpax we offer FREE sport mounts whenever a scope is ordered with a rifle.
To Sum Up
In conclusion, there are many scope available to buy but my personal favourite is the always reliable Hawke Vantage. Relatively cheap, but a truly incredible scope for the money, there is a reason why this little scope has made it onto so many of our air rifle kitsis because we know it does the business. Unless you are looking for something costing the best part of a grand, there are very few scopes that are better for the money.
Shotgun shooting has been a much loved pass time throughout the country for centuries and has developed from a couple of country gents clearing their land into a competitive and regulated sport. Game hunting with shotguns used to be so popular in fact that a 1548 Act of parliament banned “shoting of hayle-shot wherby an infinite sort of fowle is killed and much gaym therby distroyed”. The weapons used in these hunts were often ex military and wildly unpredictable until the invention of the flint lock in the 16th century.
Back then there wasn’t much choice for ammunition as black powder and lead, sometimes stripped from stained-glass windows amongst other things, were loaded directly into the barrel. Nowadays there are many types of shotgun cartridges are available all throughout all of the UK and the various different sports and activities require this different ammunition for their shooters to be effective. A clay is going to need different ammunition from a live goose to be effective for example.
Used cartridge cases
A Shell by its Cover
First of all let’s talk about how a shotgun cartridge works. From the outside there appears to be 2 different components to the cartridge, a plastic outer case and a brass head that ends in a thicker rim. The casing is available in various colours which only makes a difference when retrieving cartridges and you are slightly colour blind like me, then cartridges which I am assured are bright red seem to blend in very well with the mud and soil beneath them. Other than that they have no real relevance except some manufactures make certain gauges different colours, for example 20 gauge is often yellow, to prevent accidental misloading, again not much use if you are colorblind but at least I can appreciate the effort.
There is also the brass which is not actually made from brass and is instead electroplated steel. This is why cartridges can rust when not stored correctly. The brass is available in different lengths which is extremely important when you consider that the brass does… almost nothing. Aside from making your cartridges more expensive that is and I guess they look pretty. But modern shells have no real need for a brass, the theory goes that once upon a time brass was required because the powder used in shells burned much hotter than it did today and so, the higher the brass, the more powder used. Today the advantages of “high brass” shells are marketing gimmicks designed to trick new shooters into buying their products, old wives tales and excuses for when a called clay flies past without being shot. Take your pick, I’ve heard them all.
Gauging Interest
Gauge is an old English Imperial measurement that relates the amount of lead that can be rolled down a shotguns barrel to make a set weight, it all seems pretty over complicated so just remember, the lower the number, the bigger the shell. The exception to this is the .410 gauge which is an American invention based on the .45 colt round, Americans just love to be different don’t they? The size of shell does not always equate to power, as shot size and types of power have a part to play, but a larger shell can fit more shot and gunpowder inside it so it is a good rule of thumb to go by.
There are various gauges that are used for shotgun shells which obviously match the calibre of the shotgun you are using. There are 3 often used sizes and by far the most popular of these 3 is 12 gauge, a great all round size that can be used for both clay pigeons and game and provide great versatility at both. Put simply, there is a reason why it is the most popular cartridge. 20 gauge is the next size down from this and is designed to be a similar power level to the 12 gauge but with less recoil. The .410 is the next size down still and only really suitable for the smallest of targets. There are also other rarely used gauges such as 10, 16 and 28 but the majority of cartridges you encounter will likely be one of 12, 20 and .410 gauges.
Generally I would say use the largest gauge that your shoulder can take. The higher the gauge the more pellets in the shell and the the higher chance of hitting your target but also the higher the recoil rate and the more fatigue you will experience, throwing off your aim after a while. 12 gauge is the ideal choice as there is far more variety in shells out there for a 12 gauge although manufacturers of the 20 gauge are slowly catching up. This point seems incidental but I’ve never seen any 16 gauge shells on the shelf in any gunshop I’ve ever been to so if you’re after a quick point and shoot, a more common gauge might be the way to go.
Its what’s Inside that Counts
The inside of the cartridge houses a variety of different ingredients that work together to produce an effective shotgun spread. Starting at the back, there is the primer. The primer is a small piece of metal in the centre of the rim that creates a spark when hit by the hammer of the shotgun. All primers a pretty much the same and do not effect the overall performance of the cartridge.
The primer ignites the gunpowder which is available in a variety of different formulations that burn a different rates. The basic rule of thumb is, that faster the powder burns, the faster the shot is pushed out the barrel. This means that less lead, how far in front of the bird you have to shoot, is required making it easier to hit a fast moving object. Slower burning powders do have an advantage as well however, they often burn more evenly resulting in tighter spreads. You will also feel far less recoil with slower burning powders. Basically, the slower burning powders push the shot out of the barrel more evenly
My personal preference is to choose something mid range siding on the slower side. Just 6m past the end of the barrel, even the fastest loads are travelling at sub sonic speeds and the bigger the shot size, the faster this slowing effect takes place. Basically the speed of the shot makes little difference to the overall performance of the cartridge except the lead required, that’s lead as in distance and not the metal, and shooters who have been at it a long time can counteract this effectively.
Next up is the wad. This little piece of material is what pushes the shot out of the barrel and is primarily to prevent the powder and shot from mixing and to provides a solid base which prevents gas from passing through that shot as opposed to propelling it forwards. This wadding is available in either plastic or fibre. I almost always choose fibre. The reason for this is very simple, plastic is actually slightly the better wad offering better stability and producing better spreads at distance, but the majority of shooting places do not allow it for the simple reason that it is not bio degradable. I only know of one range near me that allows plastic wadding whilst all the rest require that you use fibre so make sure you know where you are headed before you buy.
Shots at the Bar
The last and most important part of choosing shotgun cartridge is the shot. The shot is the balls of metal, usually lead, that is inside the cartridge and are then fired out of the barrel. Although the majority of shot is lead, steel shot is required when shooting water fowl this is to prevent lead from entering any local water supply where its toxicity can be very hazardous to the environment. In steel you will more than likely as need a larger shot size than normal as steel is a harder metal than lead and has a tendency to pass right through the animal without transferring its energy if a smaller shot size is selected.
Also, just to be difficult, steel shot is sized in a different way than lead so bear that in mind when selecting. Be aware your shotgun will need to be proofed for steel shot as the harder metal can damage the inside of the barrel. Almost all modern guns come with this proofing as standard and most older guns can be proofed for a reasonable price.
Cartridge Shot Size
Shot size is probably the most important decision you are going to make and entirely dependant on what you are going to be shooting (see diagram). Smaller sizes, 9 to 7, are more suited to clays and sizes range all the way up to SG or LG, around 9.1mm across, but unless the zombie apocalypse actually happens, it is unlikely you are going to need any shot larger than AAA or BB for even the biggest of targets.
These are really a guideline as we shooters are a suspicious bunch and tend to stick with what works well for us personally. Any shop that tells you the size 7 shot is significantly better than 7.5 because of its greater mass is just trying to shift some old stock. Try what feels good for you, just bear in mind that when shooting live birds, no one likes wounding animals so it is better to go for bigger shot than usual as the higher mass transfers for energy into the target for more one shot kills.
When shooting clays, I generally find smaller shot to be more effective simply because of the fact that smaller shot fit more pellets into a cartridge, for example 210 size 9 pellets fit into a 12 gauge shell compared to just 120 size 7 pellets despite the size difference being just 0.4 mm. It matters less if the clay is “winged” so generally I go for the smallest shot I can get way with for more pellets in the spread and better chance of scoring.
My Recommendations
For Clay Shooting
For clay shooting, you cant get much better than Size 9 Comp X from Hull Cartridge. Voted clay cartridge of the year in 2012, these are fantastic shells with a small shot size for a greater number of pellets hitting your target and tight groupings coming from the slower burning powder. The plastic wadding also enhances accuracy but is not suitable for all ranges.
If you are willing to spend a little more money, the Sovereign Fibre 28g 8 Shotfeature a slightly larger shot size that has been hardened for competition use. This hardening process reduces the deformation of the lead pellets under the extreme acceleration that occurs when the cartridge is fired. This greatly causes much tighter spreads and makes this ammunition the ideal choice for seasoned shooters. The Sovereigns also feature a fibre wad meaning they can be used on any range throughout the country and a re my personal go to when it comes to clay pigeon shooting..
For smaller guns, I would certainly recommend these .410 Gauge Game & Clay cartridges which are some of the best .410 shells I have ever shot. They aren’t going to be taking down albatross but they are suited to game and clay shooting and make ideal practice round thanks to their low recoil.
In the 20 gauge range there are the Subsonic 23g make great clay cartridges thanks to their low recoil, trust me your shoulders will thank me. These are also suitable for younger shooters as their lower recoil is not only less fatiguing but also more forgiving with your aim. They produce reliable spreads for a slower round and provide a large “kill zone” for maximum effectiveness.
Cartridges For Hunting Game Birds
The High Pheasant Fibre 30g 6 Shot is perfect for, as the name suggests, pheasant but also other similar sized birds. 6 shot is the ideal size for a combination of both power and accuracy resulting in less wounded birds and more food on the table. The Imperial Game 28g 6 Shotare of similar size and weight but feature significantly faster velocities if you are shooting particularly manoeuvrable birds. Their wider spread makes the ideal for beginners all the way through to seasoned veterans and should help you dramatically increase your shot/kill ratio.
In 20 gauge some of the best shells I have ever used are the Remington Premier Cartridges which are great all rounders and are superbly suited for shooting disciplines of almost any kind. Remington is a well respected brand name and these shells live up to the promise of quality. They are superbly smooth to cycle and shoot with minimal recoil, saving your shoulder for many shoots
A selection of Remington shotgun shells and the loading port of a shotgun
to come.
For larger birds I would personally recommend the Extreme Hunting 50g BB Shot there is not much on the market that is more powerful than these particular shells. Filled with shot that is around 4.1mm across and with velocities in the region of 1375 fps, hit something with one of these and it stays dead. These shells possess the power to take down even the largest of targets and with their larger shot size ensure all of this energy is transferred into the target for maximum damage and a quick, humane death. It is a good job that these kill with one hit as your shoulder is not going to thank you for being inefficient. It takes a lot of force to move pellets of this size so pack a thick shooting jacket.
Hunting Water Fowl
Where steel shot is required, these Solway Steel Magnum shells are ideal for mallard and other ducks and their larger shot size should prevent the pellets from passing straight through the bird. For smaller water birds, the Steel Game 32g, are going to be ideal and are very reasonably priced, especially when you consider that steel shot can outstrip the price of lead shot, sometimes several times over.
These Pro Steel shells are another cheaper alternative steel cartridge although be aware they do contain plastic wadding and are not suitable for everywhere. They are high velocity shells that decrease lead times making them ideal for faster moving targets and are a great all round shell for someone looking to do a bit of everything.
D.I.Y Your Own Shells?
It is also possible to reload your own shells. Since the price hike in lead a few years back, reloading your own ammunition has never been more popular. Savings of up 60% compared to buying pre made cartridges are nothing to be sniffed at and with todays, modern reloading presses, a surprisingly high level of quality can be achieved. To be able to do this you will first need an explosives license to buy the gunpowder required. Theses are simple enough to obtain for those who already own a shotgun certificate and no extra authorisation is needed for nitro propellants.
Once you have got your license, you are ready to go to work. There are various tools required but favourites of mine are the de- and re-capper which allow old shells to be re-used so you can do do your bit for the environment before you blow it apart.
We stock a variety ofpowders that range in how hot they burn from Korma all the way up to Vindaloo and produce various pressures for shot of all sizes and metals. Sticking with the food analogy, they say there is nothing tastier than food you have made yourself and there is certain level of satisfaction that comes from taking down a pheasant with your own shells. If you can afford all the shooting equipment to get started then it is something I highly recommend, that equipment will pay for itself with in the year, depending on how often you shoot, so think of that initial outlay on the equipment as an investment in your continued shooting success.
To Sum Up
One final note, shotgun shells are made from a variety of different components that can beeffected by environmental conditions such as temperature and moisture so always store them in dry conditions and at room temperature. IE on the floor in the garage is not the best idea, for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps only secondary to choosing your shotgun, the choice of your shotgun cartridges are of the utmost importance. They can have an extreme effect on your shooting ability and at the very least can be your excuse for when you’re having an off day, the one about the lucky underwear gets old fast.
When it comes to specifically choosing your ammunition, I cant really tell what is going to be best for you. Essentially shotgun cartridges are down to individual preference, need and availability so instead of carrying on reading this blog, and well done getting this far, go buy yourself a few shells and get shooting.
BSA (or Birmingham Small Arms company) are one of the oldest gun manufacturers in the UK, and throughout their history they have produced everything from firearms to bikes, cars and aircraft, so you can be sure that the standard of engineering that goes into each and every product today is top notch.
Some of the notable firearms that were produced at BSA were the.303 Browning Machine gun, of which they made 568,100 during WWII, and 1,250,000 .303 Lee Enfield Rifles during the same period. Of course, this was a massive help towards the war effort, and set BSA up with the knowledge and machinery to continue making some of the best rifles after the war finished.
A common name in the BSA air rifle range is the BSA Airsporter. The first model was produced in 1948, making the examples left today quite a collectable. Unfortunately that isn’t a model still in production today, but the BSA Meteor is the closest, with the first models being produced back in 1959.
The BSA Guns company which is trading today was purchased by Gamo back in 1986, and since then have been producing a range of air rifles in spring, gas ram, and PCP power plants for the demands of the modern shooter. They have also more recently introduced a range of accessories such as rifle bags, targets, shooting rests, slings and scopes to accompany their air rifles.
BSA Spring Rifles
BSA’s spring powered range consists of a few models such as the BSA Lightning, the BSA Meteor EVO, BSA Comet EVO, and the BSA Supersport SE. All are available in both .177 and .22 calibre andare ideal for uses such as hunting, pest control and target shooting.
The BSA Lightning is available in a few different models such as the Lighting SE, and the Lightning XL SE. The main difference between the two, is that the SE model has a silencer mounted on the end of the barrel, and the XL SE has a shrouded barrel with a ½inch UNF thread for the fitting of a standard silencer. The XL SE also has a slightly redesigned stock for improved ergonomics. Both rifles feature a Cold Hammer Forged barrel made in BSA’s Birmingham factory for excellent accuracy, and consistent for a wide range of uses.
Here’s a review of the Lightning SE, by Rick Eutsler, of Airgunweb:
Other rifles in their spring range such as the Meteor EVO and Comet EVO are ideal for those on a smaller budget but still looking for a high quality rifle for pest control and hunting purposes. Both rifles are full power output and as such will be capable of humane dispatch at ranges up to around 40 meters. These two rifles are available in a Silentium model as well, which is a moulded silencer fixed to the end of the barrel to reduce the muzzle report when firing which is especially useful for stealthy shooting.
The Supersport SE is one of the more classic rifles in their lineup, and is a standard break barrel hunting rifle, with a sleek appearance and fast handling for those who demand the best from their spring rifle. The stock is made from a high grade of beech, which is finished in a dark stain for a quality look and finish, and fine checkering to the pistol grip and forestock make it perform effortless in both wet and dry conditions.
BSA Gas Ram Rifles
As well as their great range of spring rifles BSA also offer the Lightning in a gas ram rifle. The Lightning SE GRT and Lightning XL SE GRT are the models which incorporate this technology and the benefits over a standard spring rifle are that the power output from shot to shot is more consistent, and the gas ram doesn’t lose power over time like a standard spring, which can suffer fatigue.
The gas ram rifles look identical on the outside to a standard spring, but the insides are greatly different and perfect for those looking for a long term spring rifle that requires minimal maintenance, yet still delivers outstanding results.
PCP Rifles
Of course if you’re looking for the best products in BSAs line-up, then the PCP rifles are the best that they offer.
BSA introduced their first Pre Charged Pneumatic rifle back in 1999, and they have been refining and improving them ever since. Their range is some of the most competitive ones available on the market today. All BSA rifles use the same, reliable 10 shot magazine actioned via a bolt action system for quick and easy reloading.
Their base model today starts at the BSA Ultra SE, which is a compact yet high specification PCP that is very lightweight and easy to manoeuvre for both young and older shooters. The rifle has a very short BSA Cold Hammer Forged barrel, which is threaded with a ½inch UNF thread for the fitting of a silencer, and even though it is short, the accuracy is awesome and can land pellets within an inch group at 40 meters, and even better with a bit of practice. The only downside is that as the air cylinder is short, the shot count is around 50 in .22 calibre.
If you’re looking for something with a great shot count, but still just as compact, BSA have recently released the new BSA Ultra XL.
The Ultra XL has a slightly longer barrel and cylinder, a redesigned valve for greater efficiency, and a longer stock along with an adjustable cheek piece to improve shooting comfort. The XL allows around 80 shots in .22, which is much more appropriate for those longer shooting trips, meaning less time recharging, and more time shooting.
A step up from the Ultra is to the BSA Scorpion SE, which has a similar yet elongated stock, and the barrel and cylinder are much longer to increase the shot count to 100 shots per fill in .22. The resulting accuracy is far greater. The barrel is similar to the Ultra in that it is threaded for the fitting of a silencer, and comes fitted as standard with an air stripper. The Scorpion is available in a few different stock options, such as Beech, Walnut, Black Tactical and Camo, so there is a colour and finish for everyone!
The BSA R-10
Moving up from the Scorpion is the R-10 SE rifle, which a fairly new addition to the BSA line up, and is actually a redevelopment of a now discontinued rifle, the R-10 MK2. The BSA R-10 SE is a full size hunting rifle, with a large 200cc buddy bottle to provide over 250 shots in .22 calibre! This makes the R-10 ideal for those long hunting trips where you are often far away from a dive bottle to top it up.
This latest incarnation of the R-10 features a customizable shroud system, so you can have it with the shroud and silencer, or just the silencer to suit your requirements. An improved regulator system also means that it uses the air more efficiently and produces better accuracy over each fill. The stocks come in 4 choices, Walnut, Black Tactical, Camo, and Black Pepper Laminate.
The R-10 is a very impressive bit of kit, but if you’re looking for the flagship in BSAs range then look no further than the Gold Star SE. The action resembles the Scorpion SE, but features a range of improvements such as a new, super-efficient valve and regulator to provide more shots per fill, and unrivalled consistency and accuracy.
The barrel is an Enhanced Cold Hammer Forged barrel for better accuracy and precision, and comes as standard with an adjustable air stripper. The stocks come in 3 options, Red White & Blue Laminate, Black Pepper Laminate, and Walnut and all are finished to immensely high standards for the discerning shooter. The stocks are all multi adjustable and have an adjustable butt pad, cheek piece, and palm rest so you can adjust the rifle to your requirements.
The trigger is an improved match accurate unit which is multi adjustable, and everything is polished and tuned to very high standards for a smooth and enjoyable shooting experience.
BSA: A Quintessentially British Brand
All in all, BSA rifles are very well made in Birmingham in the UK which also assists if any problems should arise with your BSA rifle, although the quality they are made to ensures a very high level of reliability. Whether you’re looking for a low cost springer, or a top of the range PCP rifle, then BSA have something for everyone.
The Paralympics Took place in Rio earlier this month (Sept 2016), with competitors from around the world all contributing to the success of the games.
Team GB performing particularly well in the archery events. Jess Stretton won gold, defeating fellow Brit Jo Frith in the individual archery by 137-124. The 16 year old spoke to the BBC. “I had to try to tell myself to keep calm because I did feel under pressure and sometimes I can freak out because of that,” she said.
“I had to trick myself into thinking it was just another shooting session which was quite difficult – but I managed it.”
Frith’s appearance in the event was made all the more impressive by her health prior to the event. As she told World Archery:
“I’ve got a neurological problem. I couldn’t move and I was in more pain than usual. It was really chronic pain. The doctors here did everything they could and in the end it was getting pretty serious so they sent me off to the hospital for about two days,” Jenkins told the website.
“And then we came this morning to see whether I could pull my bow back and to see Whether I could shoot. It looked okay and not too painful. And so I just went for it really.”
Victoria Jenkins won bronze in the event, completing an impressive three medal haul for Team GB in the event.
Paralympics Shooting
Meanwhile, Iran’s female sporting shooter Sareh Javanmardi won a second gold in the P4 mixed 50-meter pistol SH1 in Rio, scoring 189.5 points to finish champion in the event. China’s Yang Chao, finished second with 186.5 to win silver, while Oleksii Denysiuk of Ukraine finished in third place to win bronze.
Indeed, women were strongly represented throughout the shooting events. Out of the six mixed shooting events, four gold medals went to the ladies, including Slovakia’s Veronika Vadovicova in R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1) and Slovenia’s Veselka Pevec in R4.
Choosing a shotgun is something that can be both a long and enjoyable process, with so many brands and models out there it is easy to get overwhelmed. Resident shooting enthusiast Steph Brooks is here to help you to navigate you through this maze of terminology and make the right choice….
There are 5 kinds of shotgun available that are all used for slightly different disciplines :
Over and Under : These shotguns were once considered horrible aberrations compared to side by side shotguns but eventually won people over thanks to their single sight plane. They are mechanically similar to the single barrel shotgun, but over and under shotguns feature a break barrel mechanism, and often come with ejectors, making reloading them easy. These shotguns are so called because they feature one barrel mounted over the top of the other and are often used for serious clay pigeon shooting such as skeet and trap shooting disciplines. Check out our range of Over and Under shotguns here.
Pump Action : These types of shotgun are used all across the world and feature some of the most versatile models in existence. They are used for everything. For example, the police in some American states use a Remington Model 870. Pump actions have traditionally been derided for their mass production and use of cheap materials. However, this is no longer the case, as people continue to want a versatile all useful shotgun all the way up the price range. Check out out our range of pump action shotguns here.
Semi Automatic : Semi automatic shotguns are perhaps the most recognisable of all and are just as versatile as pump actions. The main advantage over pump actions is the semi auto mechanism which will fire shells as fast as you can pull the trigger. Gas cycling shotguns are also great at minimising recoil especially into the shoulder. “If you start to flinch, you might as well go home”, the saying goes, among shooters. Semi automatics definitely help to reduce this, and makes them suitable for all activities and can keep you in the field for longer. Check out our range of semi automatic shotguns here.
If your shotgun has a capacity of more than 3, you will require a firearms license (FAC) to possess it. To see which one is for you, the easiest thing is to try. Very few gun shops worth their salt will try to pigeonhole you into a type of shotgun before you know what you want to do with it.
Gauge the Situation
Shotguns are typically chambered in gauges instead of calibres and this is the next thing you must decide when picking your shotgun. The gauge, sometimes called bore, is a measure of how many lead balls it takes in the barrel to make a pound, and therefore smaller gage numbers equals a bigger chamber. Gauges usually range from 10 up to 28 but the most common gauges are 12, 20 and .410 so I’ll take you through those. Here’s the full range of our shotguns….
12 Gauge : Over 50% of all shotguns sold are 12 gauge, making it by far the most popular choice. This is due to a good balance between accuracy and power, and makes this gauge extremely easy to find ammunition for. Birdshot, slugs, buckshot, they are all found in abundance in 12 gauge ensuring these shells can be used for almost all applications.
20 Gauge : This is the second most popular choice of gauge and is designed to be just as effective as a 12, but with greatly reduced recoil and makes this type or shotgun more suitable for younger or smaller shooters. Essentially if you can’t handle the recoil of a 12 gauge, try a 20 although note you are sacrificing some lethality by doing this.
410 Gauge : A newer, American invention, the .410 gauge is based on the .45 Colt round and even come in subsonic varieties. The recoil of these shotguns are even less than their 20 gauge counterparts, but often contain less shot. For example a 12 gauge 000 shell contains 10 pellets where as a .410 gauge contains just 3.
Shotgun Shells
Shotgun cartridges come in multiple varieties with varying loads and shot sizes that are all used for different activities, so your choice of cartridge largely comes down to this.
Birdshot : Similar to gauge, when categorising bird shot shells, the smaller the number, the larger the shot. This, as the name suggests is for birds such as pheasant, partridge or quail, but can also be used for clay pigeon shooting. Birdshot is also used for targeting waterfowl as well, but steel shot must be used due to the animal’s proximity to water. When shooting steel shot, lower power or larger shot size should be considered, as steel shot, being significantly harder than lead, has a tendency to pass through an animal. This leads to a slow death rather than a humane one. Also check that your barrel has been proofed for steel shot, most modern shotguns have been, as the harder shot can damage the internal chamber.
Buckshot : Used to hunt larger game, such as deer, buckshot contains larger sizes of shot that must be carefully packed into cartridges rather than being poured. Different countries use different systems for sizing, but in the UK it goes : LG, MG, SG, SSG, SSSG, SSSSG, AAAA, AAA, from biggest to smallest. Why not use numbers? Who knows, but learn it because it’s important. The larger size of this shot decreases spread but vastly improves lethality. Because of the size of the projectiles that are moved in buckshot, the recoil felt by these cartridges is significantly greater than birdshot shells. Reduced recoil cartridges have recently become available and are made for practising without shoulder fatigue.
Slugs : Unlike the other cartridges on this list, slugs are not made from multiple balls of lead shot but are instead one large projectile that are used to hunt large game in populated area where rifles are of a concern because of their long range. Slugs have devastating power but have maximum ranges of around 400 years compared to up to 2 for rifles. Slugs are often rifled which aids their accuracy as shotgun chambers are usually smooth. Slugs are usually shot from shotguns with a straight choke, or even no choke at all, and are usually just 12 gauge, although there are also .410 slugs available.
It is worth noting that as slugs exceed 0.36 in diameter they require a firearms certificate (FAC) to posses. You can find a good choice of ammunition if you wish to buy shotgun cartridges here.
Shotgun Added Extras
There are also several items that are designed to improve your shotguns performance. These are not essential to be able to shoot shotguns but could improve your shooting and make the difference between a hit and a miss.
Chokes : A choke is a tapered constriction of the end of a shotguns barrel that is designed to tighten the spread of the pellets and increase range and accuracy, chokes are almost always used when hunting to ensure humane, one shot kills. There are many different sizes of choke ranging from Cylinder, which offers no constriction and is usually reserved for slugs, to Turkey, which constrict the barrel by over 0.05 inches. This may not seem like a lot but this constriction is magnified over the shotguns range and can produce incredibly tight spreads. Check our our shotgun chokes here.
Silencers : Depending on where you are shooting, a silencer, or moderator may not be necessary. But in residential areas noise is a valid concern, and the muzzle noise from a shotgun can also cause considerable damage to hearing. Even though hearing protection is recommended, a silencer can also help drastically reduce noise. Only shotguns with 1 barrel (single barrel, semi auto, pump action) shotguns are capable of having silencers attached, and some of them require modification due to a vented top rib.
Cleaning Kits : Shotguns usually experience a build up of lead and other deposits inside the barrel that needs to be removed every so often. The amount of and the speed at which this builds up largely depends on your choice of cartridge, but if left unchecked this build up can drastically affect accuracy, and even cause misfires and other problems. Most cleaning kits will be set to a particular gauge and will consist of either a chamber brush or a pull through, which has stiff wire bristles to scrape the chamber clean.
Keeping a shotgun well maintained is one of the most important aspects of ensuring a long working life and consistent shooting accuracy. Gun oil is ideal for all the moving parts and stock finish is also a good ideal if you shotgun features a wooden stock that needs protecting. You can take you pick by perusing our range of shotgun cleaning kits here.
Protective Clothing : If shooting at serious competitions, you might want to consider your apparel. Padded gun vests can help negate the fatiguing effect of recoil, whilst ear defenders and ballistic glasses protect your eyes and ears against things going wrong. Glasses are even sometimes colour to help you pick out clays against the sky. You can check out our range of ear defenders here.
Hopefully this has guided you through some of the tricky terminology that can make picking a shotgun difficult. For more help and advice, stayed tuned on our blog, or give us a call!
Once you’re proficient in the sport of shooting an airgun accurately and consistency, whether for field target shooting, or match shooting where each millimetre counts, you might want to look for an airgun that will serve you reliably for the years to come.
This fantastic Buyer’s Guide by our resident airgun enthusiast Joe Meakin covers some of the best air rifles and best air pistols that are currently available on the market. We hope it will guide you along the right path to you buying one with everything you need, and nothing you don’t.
Best Spring Air Rifles
If spring is your thing then we have a great range of top quality models from the finest makers around today such as Air Arms and Weihrauch. Air Arms is a British based airgun firm who make everything in house to an incredibly high standard and this certainly does show when on the target range. Their range of spring powered air rifles consist of the TX200 and the Pro-Sport.
Air Arms
The internals of the TX200 feature some very advanced features that would normally only be found on a ‘tuned’ target rifle such as the bearing rings on the piston itself. This means the piston has very low friction and a constant contact surface which makes each firing cycle very similar, to minimise any fluctuations in the muzzle output.
Air Arms also install one of their CD trigger systems which can be finely adjusted to your requirements to eliminate any trigger creep and the possibility of you ‘pulling’ the shot if the trigger is set too heavy.
Air Arms also offer the Pro-Sport which is very similar to the TX200 in terms of the internals, but differs on the exterior. The TX200 has a standard underlever, positioned under the barrel out the front, and the Pro-Sport has an underlever which is smartly incorporated into the underside of the stock. This dramatically improves the balance of the rifle which helps in target acquisition and steadiness when shooting. If you’re looking for Air Arms’ top model, then the Pro Sport is the model to go for.
Weihrauch is a marque of quality in the world of airguns
Weihrauch are a German airgun manufacturer, and are one of the longest established airgun firms around today. Through being in business for many years, they have seen how the airgun market has changed throughout the years and refined their products to a remarkably high standard and matched them to the needs of today’s shooters.
Their top end spring air rifles consist of the HW97K, which comes in many different models with different stocks and action finishes, and the HW98. The HW97 is an under lever air rifle, similar to the TX200, and has a standard spring and piston system on the inside. The HW98 is a break barrel rifle, but has features such as an over sleeved barrel, and target stock, to cater for the target shooters.
The HW97 is a heavy rifle, which most shooters prefer, as it helps steady the rifle on each shot. The 97 is also available with a thumbhole stock so you can get a really solid grip when taking each shot. Of course, it is fitted with the Weihrauch Rekord trigger unit for an excellent shot release each and every time.
The HW98 has a target stock, which has an adjustable cheek piece, adjustable rubber butt pad, and textured inserts on the fore stock and pistol grip for a really affirmative hold in damp conditions. This stock makes it the perfect choice for target shooters as it can be tailored to the individual, and the action with the over sleeved barrel offers great accuracy as all the Weihrauch air rifles do.
PCP rifles offer advantages over spring rifles because they have no recoil, and the high pressure air that they use provides excellent shot to shot consistency. The main drawback to PCP rifles is that they do need an air source to recharge them such as a dive bottle or a stirrup pump, but once you’re all set up the ongoing costs are minimal. There are quite a few top manufacturers for PCP rifles and these consist of Air Arms and Weihrauch again, as well as Daystate.
Air Arms
Air Arms’ top offerings in the PCP range are the HFT500 and the FTP900. The latter is an out and out target rifle, with a multi adjustable stock and regulated action.
Both rifles are only available in .177 calibres and have a shot count of around 100 shots. The HFT 500 has a match grade Lothar Walther Barrel for superb accuracy, whereas the FTP900 has a specially selected match grade Lothar Walther, to give it a slight edge over the HFT.
Both rifles have a laminated stock in colours that are unique to Air Arms, and the stock of the FTP 900 is adjustable in about every angle possible to allow the rifle to fit the shooter, whereas the HFT 500 does have some degree of customization in the cheek piece and butt pad, but nowhere near as much as the FTP does.
Weihrauch has the HW100 PCP air rifle, which is a truly excellent piece of engineering, and when you purchase one of their rifles it comes complete with 2 magazines, and on selected models a silencer is fitted. The rifle is available in several different options with either carbine or rifle length, with a choice of stocks such as Sporter and Thumbhole, so you can choose the perfect model for yourself. Weihrauch also recently released this air rifle quite with a laminate stock and an adjustable cheek piece, and it has been a firm favourite with top shooters since its release.
The action of the rifle is regulated and it sources air from a quick fill, detachable air reservoir. This air then fires pellet down one of Weihrauchs own barrels, which offers awesome accuracy, as you would expect. Plus, if you pick a model that comes with a silencer, they are one of the quietest air rifles that I’ve ever heard!
Daystate are a British based manufacturer, and combine Italian design and production with quality British craftsmanship, to assemble and fine tune the rifles here in the UK. Daystate are also one of the few airgun companies to offer an electronically controlled action, which increases shot count and consistency, and should definitely be considered by all you top end shooters out there.
The current line-up of electronically controlled air rifles in Daystates line up consists of the Daystate Pulsar, and the Daystate Airwolf. The Pulsar is the latest release from Daystate and incorporates the latest electronics for a super quick firing cycle, which leads to an incredibly low lock time. The Pulsar is a Bullpup-style rifle, which means the action is seated at the rear of the stock to improve the balance, and make it a lot more manoeuvrable.
The Airwolf is based on a standard airgun frame and has a large 400cc bottle, which can be upgraded to a 500cc to improve the shot count, but the 400cc offers 400 shots in .22, which is nothing to be sniffed at! Another advantage of the lightning lock time of the electronics is also the trigger. This is because it’s a switch which activates the action, so the pull weight is incredibly light, and is far less than is achievable with a mechanical action.
Some accessories that you’ll need for your top end air rifle, if you don’t have them already, are a scope, and depending on whether you go for a PCP rifle or not, a dive bottle or pump. Other accessories that I’d recommend are a gun bag / hard case, to keep your purchase safe in storage and transportation.
Air Rifle Scopes
Your choice of discipline will ultimately determine what type of scope you’ll need. A good ‘all-rounder’ option is scopes such as the Hawke Airmax 30, which come in a few different models with varying magnifications. The good thing about the Airmax 30 is that they were specifically designed for use with airguns, and as such the reticle, and all the features about them, work effortlessly on top of an airgun.
Another choice is the MTC Viper Connect which bucks the trend completely and has zero eye relief. This basically means that you have to put your eye right up against the ocular lens so that the image has a much wider field of view than a traditional scope. A word of warning on this scope though, as the eye piece is right up against your eye – it’s not suitable for recoiling rifles, and really only suited to PCPs.
As well as a scope you might need an air bottle, or if your budget permits, a compressor, to recharge your PCP rifle when it’s low on air. Dive bottles are charged up to 300 BAR, and the number of fills that they provide depends on how large the air cylinder is on the rifle. Once they won’t charge the rifle above 200 BAR, then they need a refill which is normally around £5 at a local dive shop. Of course, if you purchase a compressor then you’re completely self-sufficient.
I hope this guide has steered you in the correct direction for purchasing a long term air rifle, which will hopefully become your shooting companion for many years to come, and help you win many competitions!
‘Team building’ can be a term that evokes a chorus of groans and a feeling of dread around the office. Usually involving ‘trust falls’, pointless games and awkward icebreakers, what should be an office adventure usually ends up being rather dull. This year, why not do something completely different and learn archery together as a team?
On target for a great office day out
Aside from Scout camp, it’s unlikely that many of your team will have tried archery, especially as adults, and it really is a great sport to give a go for so many reasons.
Archery is such an all-inclusive sport. At a low level, it requires very little cardio and can be taken part in by those who may have limited mobility.
Although it can be enjoyed by disabled persons, it is also great for improving coordination, strength and muscle building for people of all abilities.
There are both indoor and outdoor versions which means that you are not relying on the Great British weather being on your side.
A bit of healthy competition is good for office morale and you may help a colleague discover their hidden talent in the world of archery! Set up games, competitions and tournaments and the day will be far more fun (and achieve a whole lot more team bonding) than a third party company organising the usual day of activities.
Types Of Bow
There are various types of bow in archery, but the type you’re most likely to use in an archery day is a recurve bow (where the limbs bend back towards you when the bow is unstrung), or a compound bow (made up of different materials). These come in different lengths depending upon your height, and there are left / right hand variations, too. These are typically provided for you on these big ‘experience’ days out. If you get caught with the archery bug, you can of course head to our archery supplies store and grab your own…
The various types of Archery for beginners
The concept of archery is pretty similar across the different types – use a bow and arrow and aim at a target – however if you look closer at the different areas of archery there are many differences.
James from the Pellpax team takes aim
Target Archery – This is the type of archery that most people imagine. The archery target has ten rings and you get more points the closer your arrow gets to the bullseye. Men stand 100 yards away from the target and women 80 yards, and fire a recurve bow or compound bow.
Clout Archery – Clout is very similar to Target in many ways, however men stand 180 yards away and women 140 yards and the target is actually a flag on the ground. Again, different landings will earn you different points.
Flight Archery – Flight is the long jump of the archery world where the aim is to get your arrow as far away as possible. This is not quite as common as it requires a whole lot of space.
Field Archery – Field archery uses a longbow and is often done in woodlands. The focus is more on ‘realism’ and is more like hunting than a competition, although the aim isn’t to hit animals of course!
Any form of archery would be great for a day out, although it is probably best to start with either Target or Clout to learn archery at a base level. Target is suitable for indoor use and is the most common form so it is easy to find!
Where can you do it?
You can check out Archery GB for more information but there are hundreds of archery clubs across the country. Whether you choose to go to a dedicated archery club such as St Helens Archers or one of the many corporate event companies who can offer you a package deal.
If Barbara from accounts or Steve from IT suddenly find themselves wanting to become regular archers, why not point them in the direction of our archery supplies sale?
Check out our archery equipment store to get your crossbows, compound bows and accessories today.
Let’s face it, taking a date to a restaurant or the cinema is nice but dull. To really make a first date go with a ‘bang’, why not try something new and exciting, and go Clay Pigeon Shooting instead?
Steph from the the Pellpax team tests out a Webley and Scott shotgun
What is Clay Pigeon Shooting?
One thing you may have to clarify to your date is that no actual animals are hurt in the act of Clay Pigeon Shooting – you’ll be surprised at how many people think that it actually involves shooting pigeons. Certainly not ideal if your date is a vegetarian so best to get that cleared up quickly!
Why is it good for a date?
Is there anything more powerful and masculine than a firearm?! Not to mention the Lara Croft vibe than women with guns can give off – amazing.
It’s an activity, which means you avoid awkward silences and boredom, but it is still able to have a nice conversation and get to know your date.
Shooting is a lot of fun and accessible for everyone as it is not cardio-focussed. In fact, there is an official Disabled Shooters Group who are recognised by the British International Target Shooting Federation and often compete.
Then, of course, there is the low-maintenance fashion choices. No stilettos and miniskirts here, just good, classic earthy tones, tweed and sturdy boots – natural beauty and so cute! Not to mention your own opportunity to wear a themed tie!
Which type of shooting should you try?
There are a surprising amount of variations of Clay Pigeon Shooting under the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association, however they all fall under the three main areas:
Trap Shooting With activities that fall under trap shooting, the clay targets vary in speed and direction and shooters tend to be around 15m away from the traps where the targets are thrown from. Trap shooting is great for beginners and gives you the opportunity to watch your date at work and evoke some healthy competition!
Skeet Shooting Skeet shooting involves two trap houses, around 40m apart where targets are thrown from. Shooters stand in one of seven shooting positions in a semi circle. Skeet shooting is ideal for a group date but not so much one-to-one.
English Sporting Clays This is of course, competitive shooting and is more advanced, with targets varying greatly in every way. If yourself and your date are seasoned professionals in the Clay Pigeon Shooting game, this is a great form, however, otherwise it’s probably best to work up to this.
Tracking a clay pigeon
What will you need?
Clay Pigeon Shooting ranges will have all the equipment to rent and of course we have a huge range of guns and cartridges to purchase if you find that you love the sport. Other than the obvious, you will need ear defenders, waterproofs and snacks – why not pack a picnic over which you can discuss who was best and plan the next date!
Where can you go?
There are a whole host of Clay Pigeon ranges where you can try out trap shooting and skeet shooting across the country who offer great deals for beginners. For example, Manchester Clay Shooting Club offers packages from just £40 per person for those wanting to give it a go and provide all equipment and a professional instructor.
Ribble Bank Field Sports charge 30p per clay for non-members of their club and have facilities to cater for all abilities, as long as they are able to hold the gun correctly.
If you are based further South, West Kent Shooting offer taster sessions and lessons for shooters of all levels.
Wherever you are based, chances are you won’t have to journey far to find your local Clay Pigeon Shooting arena – all that’s left to do now is find a date!
Airguns are a low cost form of shooting, and great fun for all, thanks to the instant feedback from hitting a target. However, they do come in all shapes and sizes, and can be something of a minefield for the new shooter, so we’ve put together this blog post to guide you through the pitfalls!
We here at Pellpax strive to be one of the best air rifle shops in the UK, and provide all the essential equipment that you require to start shooting. Furthermore, with our UK airgun delivery service we can deliver airguns and accessories to your door!
The first thing that you’ll need is an airgun. This is the catch-all term for air rifles, or air pistols, and these come in different power types and calibres. For newbies, I’d recommend an air rifle, as they are more accurate than pistols, and easier to shoot accurately, as they have a longer barrel, and benefit from a stock to hold them steady. Once you’ve mastered the basics of shooting then you can add a pistol to the collection, but when starting out it’s very easy to be disheartened with a pistol.
For a Newbie, a spring rifle is definitely the way to go. Spring rifles require minimal maintenance and no power source such as CO2 capsules, or an air bottle. The only power source is yourself, breaking and cocking the barrel on each shot. Spring rifles have recoil when fired, but this teaches you how to shoot and hold the rifle correctly to deal with this recoil, ultimately making you a better shot!
Entry Level Scopes
When it comes to firing the rifle, you can either shoot with a scope, or open sights. Open sights are more of a challenge than a scope is, but if you’re ultimately looking at a sporting event such as 10 metre or bell target shooting, then only open sights are permitted. For anything else such as hunting, Field Target or Hunter Field Target shooting, a scope is a much better choice.
As well as a rifle and scope, then other accessories are pellets and possibly a bag to keep everything safe in. Luckily we have put together several cheap air rifle kits which include a rifle, scope, bag, and pellets to get you started and shooting, as soon it is delivered by our fleet of vans.
Price Range
Rifle kits start from around the £100 mark and increase upwards from there. For £108.99 the Stinger UL Starter Kit .177 includes the rifle which fires at around 7 ft/lbs, which is more than enough for target shooting, and includes the rifle, 4×32 scope with mounts, gun bag and a tin of pellets. A great choice for those looking for something which won’t break the bank.
If you’re looking for something a bit higher quality, and harder wearing, then we can offer the Rabbit Sniper Kit, which comes with a full power .22 rifle, a hard and durable wood stock, a 4×32 Scope with Mounts, a tin of pellets, and a gun bag. Again this is everything you need to get started, and also it benefits from a little bit more muzzle energy, meaning it can be used for pest control and hunting up to ranges of around 40 metres.
Other Markets
Other areas to consider are second hand stores such as online websites, and your local gun shop which might have a selection of second hand goods. You can quite often pick up an older rifle such as a Weihrauch or BSA which has had a fair bit of use, but these are still plenty good enough for target shooting.
Of course, you can have it refurbished and returned back to its former glory with a service. Most gunsmiths should be able to offer this but it depends on how much work is involved, and their standard charges.
The Law
Before purchasing anything, though, I would recommend making sure that you know what the law is regarding air rifles and air pistols, so check out our Airguns Laws to ensure that you’re brushed up on the latest rules.
of John Wayne movies for years and Chuck Norris used to carry one of these iconic pistols during many episodes of Walker Texas Ranger.
diner jacket when playing poker with a table full of the worlds villains and holding it I never got the sense of power that I got from the .357. The advantage that the PPK has is a sense of sophistication and style that is more to my personal taste.
To Sum Up
