The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Porcupine wrote:Thanks for that, Steve. When you say I couldn't go to game shoots with a semi, does that include duck and geese on the foreshore and around rivers, ponds etc? I would have thought FAC semis would be top choice for duck!

Theres no particular law which would prevent you from using a semi at a game shoot (pheasant/partridge etc),but you'll be hard pushed to find one which will let you use one.Either a S/S or O/U are the traditional gun.

As for duck.Thats a big fat no with an FAC semi-auto/pump action shotgun im afraid and this is the law.You can only use a normal section 2 shotgun for wildfowl and remember also you cannot use lead shot on wildfowl.A normal 3 shot semi/pump is fine to use and are probably more common than doubles these days.Just make sure whatever gun you choose is proofed for steel shot if you plan to go wildfowling-you'll see a fleur de leyes stamp on the barrel and has atleast a 3" chamber to take magnum cartridges.

Slipping your shotgun between stands just shows to others its in a safe mode-even though technically it could still be loaded inside the slip,but its also good etiquette.Just remember-the emphasis of safety is always on the shooter.

I really have no idea where the slip thing came from for me, in fact it was/is a subconscious thing until quite recently when someone mentioned it to me and said they did it as well.