Hi All & thanks for having me,
I'm a life long shooting man, based in Devon, SW. I shoot clays, driven game & pest control. That may be enough for an intro, but if not, please read on below!
I'm predominantly a clay shooting man, shooting mostly FITASC sporting at a competitive level at home in the UK and abroad for the various European GP's & World Championships e.t.c. I have been loading/coaching at local shooting estates and shooting grounds for the last 9/10 years.
I grew up pottering around with Air rifles (still have my .177 Daystate Harrier X and its going strong), and helping local farmers with feral pigeons around barns and rabbit control. From there I progressed onto a CZ .22LR, and had a .223 Sako 75 for foxing. I also had a slot for 6.5x55 on my ticket, but having shot and butchered a Roe doe with a friend (using their .243win) I decided stalking was best left to those who really love it, as the work really only starts when you pull the trigger!
I kept and used the .22LR & .223 for around 10/15 years, but gradually the intensity of work and the increase in distance that I needed to travel for clay shooting meant that my rifles were sadly cabinet bound and my ammo use was minimal. My FLO picked up on this at my last renewal and as I didn't see anything changing in the immediate future, I took their advice and let my FAC go & sold the rifles.
As you can imagine, this is something that I now deeply regret! During the various C-19 lockdowns I have been getting back in touch with the landowners that I used to help out, and walking the hedgerows with the shotgun for a bit of exercise/pest control/whatever was legally allowed at the time. Having chatted with them recently, it seems that they are all very keen for me to get back out on the Foxes!
I'm awaiting the grant of my new FAC, and should have slots for .22LR, .17HMR & .223. Thankfully as more than one of the farmers has offered me paid work, my local constabulary is working on my application currently, and it has not been returned due to short staffing/C-19 issues.
I have put in an order with my local RFD ( https://www.thegunroom.co.uk ) for a Tikka T3X Tac A1 .223 (20") & CZ 457 MTR .17HMR, Planning to use Riton X7 Conquer 4-32x56 ED FFP scopes on both rifles (seem to be an absolute steal from Optics Warehouse | The UK’s Largest Range of Riflescopes and Mounts ) & I have always been more of a fan of heavy setups.
I have also ordered Wildcat Mod's for both (Predator 12 Scout & Panther) & an Atlas PSR bipod to swap between the rifles.
Not sure if that is too much info, or not enough! Hope you are all well and safe, and if anyone is down my way it would be good to hear. Much the same if anyone has a similar setup, would love to hear what you would change/keep.
Kind regards
ShooterB
I'm a life long shooting man, based in Devon, SW. I shoot clays, driven game & pest control. That may be enough for an intro, but if not, please read on below!
I'm predominantly a clay shooting man, shooting mostly FITASC sporting at a competitive level at home in the UK and abroad for the various European GP's & World Championships e.t.c. I have been loading/coaching at local shooting estates and shooting grounds for the last 9/10 years.
I grew up pottering around with Air rifles (still have my .177 Daystate Harrier X and its going strong), and helping local farmers with feral pigeons around barns and rabbit control. From there I progressed onto a CZ .22LR, and had a .223 Sako 75 for foxing. I also had a slot for 6.5x55 on my ticket, but having shot and butchered a Roe doe with a friend (using their .243win) I decided stalking was best left to those who really love it, as the work really only starts when you pull the trigger!
I kept and used the .22LR & .223 for around 10/15 years, but gradually the intensity of work and the increase in distance that I needed to travel for clay shooting meant that my rifles were sadly cabinet bound and my ammo use was minimal. My FLO picked up on this at my last renewal and as I didn't see anything changing in the immediate future, I took their advice and let my FAC go & sold the rifles.
As you can imagine, this is something that I now deeply regret! During the various C-19 lockdowns I have been getting back in touch with the landowners that I used to help out, and walking the hedgerows with the shotgun for a bit of exercise/pest control/whatever was legally allowed at the time. Having chatted with them recently, it seems that they are all very keen for me to get back out on the Foxes!
I'm awaiting the grant of my new FAC, and should have slots for .22LR, .17HMR & .223. Thankfully as more than one of the farmers has offered me paid work, my local constabulary is working on my application currently, and it has not been returned due to short staffing/C-19 issues.
I have put in an order with my local RFD ( https://www.thegunroom.co.uk ) for a Tikka T3X Tac A1 .223 (20") & CZ 457 MTR .17HMR, Planning to use Riton X7 Conquer 4-32x56 ED FFP scopes on both rifles (seem to be an absolute steal from Optics Warehouse | The UK’s Largest Range of Riflescopes and Mounts ) & I have always been more of a fan of heavy setups.
I have also ordered Wildcat Mod's for both (Predator 12 Scout & Panther) & an Atlas PSR bipod to swap between the rifles.
Not sure if that is too much info, or not enough! Hope you are all well and safe, and if anyone is down my way it would be good to hear. Much the same if anyone has a similar setup, would love to hear what you would change/keep.
Kind regards
ShooterB
