Shooting Times & Country

Time to buy an English classic?

If you are anticipating a drop in the price of English guns in the wake of the announcement that lead shot should be phased out over the next five years, and are considering taking advantage of the situation, there are some considerations you need to mull over before parting with your money. The first, of course, is the ammunition you’re going to use.

The advice coming from the authorities at the moment is, frankly, unsupported by data and is over-simplistic in delivery. The latest missive from the Gun Trade Association and the Proof Houses is that you can shoot standard steel loads in your 2 ¾in nitro-proofed British gun. Hopefully, you will note the caveat to do so only in guns with 2 ¾in chambers, good wall thickness and in good condition.

“We are being told standard steel is fine in guns proof tested with lead. That’s not proof, it is assumption”

Suitability for various types of ammunition has always been gauged via proof

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