Remove the variables !

We all have our favourites.

When it comes to shotgun cartridges, most shooters eventually settle on a brand or load they know, trust and feel comfortable using. You know how it performs, you know what to expect from it, and perhaps, most importantly, you have confidence in it.

But here's the question:

Does that confidence actually help you shoot better?

Does confidence = more hits?

Lets get into it.

Is the .243 still the ultimate all-rounder with the introduction of copper ammunition? Let's get into it.

Its been a week or so, here's an update on the FX Leopard, did you note in the photo it now features a Hik Micro Alpex 4k !

Have you ever wondered who cuts the grass, repairs the pegs, clears the paths, trims the vegetation, or carries out the countless jobs needed to keep our waters looking their best?

The answer is simple – it's a small but dedicated army of volunteers from Haig Angling Club.

I have been a firearms dealer for around six years and, during that time, have always had access to FAC-rated airguns. However, I never really gave them much thought or felt the need to explore them further.

Well, that's changed.

So, let's read on and see what all the fuss is about.

When I sit and think about what a pleasant day's fishing looks like, you'd probably imagine the sun high in the sky, a gentle breeze over the water, a few fish on the bank, and maybe even catching a tan!

Scrap that idea when it comes to wild brown trout. I won't leave the house to go trout fishing unless it's grey and overcast, and if we can drum up a few waves, even better!

Cast out a small Toby lure and let it sink. I tend to keep the rod tip up while reeling in, giving the rod tip an occasional flick to introduce a bit of extra movement to the lure.

Don't make the mistake of thinking the trout will always be in deep water. Some of the best fish can be found surprisingly close in. Explore the shallows and pay attention to any structure in the water, such as rocky areas, weed beds, drop-offs, or submerged timber. These areas provide cover for baitfish, and where the baitfish seek shelter, the predatory trout will rarely be far behind.

Cover plenty of water and don't be afraid to fish the margins. You might be surprised just how shallow a wild brown trout is willing to venture in search of its next meal.

A long, hard day’s fishing on Windermere, with the help of our able guide and skipper, Warren.

Hours passed, casts mounted, and patience was tested. Just when it seemed the lake wouldn't give up its secrets, everything changed.

Have a little read and discover the story behind “the fish of a thousand casts.”

An old .30-06 barrel removed from an action and milled to expose the chamber and bore. It was modified as a visual training aid to demonstrate how a cartridge sits within the chamber.

The work was carried out by Simon at Precision Rifle Shooting, whose careful machining and attention to detail produced an effective educational display piece.

Some words from Simon,

Looking inside the chamber helps us understand how case sizing works and the relationship between OAL (overall length), bullet seating depth, and the rifling. With handloads in particular, bullets are often seated close to the lands (rifling) to find the optimum level of precision.

The view inside the chamber shows the bullet seated within the leade area, where the rifling begins. Rifle chambers have different neck IDs (internal diameters), with some deliberately cut smaller to reduce case neck expansion during firing. This can improve brass life and may also enhance precision.

Some chambers even require case necks to be turned down to reduce neck thickness and maintain a safe minimum clearance, although this is generally limited to benchrest-style applications.

After firing, cases are resized to closely match the chamber dimensions. Ideally, chamber clearance should be around 0.001–0.003 inches, although the exact amount is often a matter of personal preference. The goal is to avoid excessive resizing, which can overwork the brass and increase stretching during firing. Excessive brass stretch can eventually lead to case head separation, where the brass fails near the base of the case.

By looking inside the chamber, we can better visualise the relationship between these dimensions and how they influence cartridge fit, brass life, and accuracy.

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This blog has been a long time coming.

From the occasional product review and the odd guest blogger to interesting tales from the bank, who knows what might turn up?

Be sure to check in regularly for updates on what's hot, what's not, who's catching what, and where and how they're doing it.

Tight lines!