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Gaz wrote:

Chapuis wrote:Of course, the reason for that may well be that target shooting is a vanishingly small blip, economically speaking, compared to Bambi-bashing!

And you wonder why shooting is such an easy target for the antis when you display such division amongst the various shooting sports.

I'm guessing, not making a statement of fact. Still, I'd guess your average small RFD's turnover would be little more than a rounding error compared with, say, a big Scottish commercial shooting estate's income.

Still doesn't explain why you felt the need to use the term "Bambi-bashing"?

Don't people have a sense of humour around here? :roll:

Mid summer has been and gone we are into winter now.

Gaz wrote:Don't people have a sense of humour around here? :roll:

Yes, but you failed to show any sign of being humorous. You stereotyped members of another shooting organisation and used a highly emotive term to describe a legal type of shooting which many people take part.

You may have found it amusing, but my sense of humour doesn't extend that far.

Actually, no. I'm not going to leave my original reply up - you're clearly on a windup.

Chapuis wrote:Talking turnover here not profit or loss, what would the turnover be for a small viable RFD (Full time not part time)?

I'm guessing that being as firearms are generally high value items the turnover of a small RFD would possibly be a fair bit more than a large Scottish estate's rounding error on income with regard to shooting. There may be large sums of money involved if say several keepers/stalkers/gillies are employed but I don't think many estates will be exactly raking it in. In fact I would think that many would be struggling to break even and are run more for the benefit of the family or to employ locals as has been done traditionally. In either case I don't think anyone is going to become a millionaire through either activity.

I don't know the numbers involved but I would have expected a decent sized estate's turnover to be into the high six or even seven figures, based on the prices they charge and the numbers in the original report suggesting that live quarry shooting is significantly more popular than target shooting - although I accept that not all live quarry shooting is stalking on the Highlands, far from it. But as you say, many estates are run by families primarily for their social benefits rather than as pure profit-making enterprises.

I'm not rude enough to ask small RFDs what their turnover is, even in ballpark terms, but I would guess - for a reseller/end of supply chain type who doesn't manufacture his own goods - somewhere in the high five figure region, given a relatively small and specialised customer base. Once you discount fast-moving items like cleaning supplies, what remains is firearms - which I'm thinking are relatively low turnover goods, unless you're selling something new and innovative like the VZ58 or SGC - and ammo, on which I expect margins are pretty slim.

I agree with you, I don't think getting involved in the supply side of shooting is going to make anyone a millionaire.

If RFDs are limited companies (which they should be if they have any sense) then their annual accounts are publicly accessible. Same will go for most firearms-related businesses.

Gaz I'm not disagreeing with you or trying to pick an arguement but what you were originally comparing was not the turnover of both but the turnover of one and the rounding figure of the other. smile2

I take it that you are refering to the Sportsman Gun Centre when you talk of SGC? Or are you refering to Southern Gun Company who produce rifles that while fairly expensive when compared to many target rifles aren't that much more than many pay for custom made sporting rifles especially when you put a reasonable scope on top, or even bog standard medium priced shotguns.

Gaz wrote:Actually, no. I'm not going to leave my original reply up - you're clearly on a windup.

I'm guessing that was directed at me and if that's the case then there is really no point continuing with this, as you obviously don't think you've done anything wrong...