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CHOOSING A SUITABLE FIREARM
There is no single firearm that will suit all purposes and no ammunition that will suit all purposes. If you are hunting, the bigger and stronger the game the more powerful the cartridge must be to kill animals humanely.
For a beginner a .177 calibre air rifle is inexpensive and will provide plenty of cheap, safe practice. Anyone who brandishes one in public, even in fun, is placing him/herself in danger.
Those younger than 16 or those under 18 who do not have a Firearms Licence may not possess a gun and can use one only under direct supervision of someone who is either a Firearms Licence holder.
Shotguns are used for clay target shooting and to hunt small animals such as rabbits, hares, and vermin. They are the only firearms allowed for hunting game birds on the wing. There are about 200 pellets in a 12 gauge cartridge which spread out when they leave the muzzle and at 30 metres will strike in a circular pattern nearly a metre across. Shotgun cartridges are loaded with different sizes of shot: Numbers 7, 8 and 9 for smaller birds, 4, 5 and 6 for rabbit and duck, 3 and 2 for larger prey, and buckshot or a single solid slug for pigs and deer at close range.
Different size shot issued for clay target shooting depending on the competition.
A rifle normally fires a single bullet and, rifles generally range in calibre from .22 to .45. All are used for target shooting. The .22 rimfire is suitable for small game such as rabbits, hares while centrefire .22's are suitable for hunting goats.
The .243 is about the smallest calibre that should be used for deer hunting. Some cartridges are not suitable for hunting pigs and deer. The following ones are recommended: the .308 Winchester (7.62 NATO), 7.62 x 39 (the Warsaw Pact military calibre) .270 Winchester, 30.06, .303 British, 6.5 x 55, 7mm and 8 mm Mauser and the 30.30 Winchester.
FIREARM TYPES
All cartridge firing firearms used for target shooting or hunting have the following things in common: the cartridge is inserted into the chamber, it is locked there by the action, the action is cocked, it is fired, it is unlocked, and the empty cartridge case is ejected. One of the simplest and most trouble-free firearm actions is the bolt action. Starting from the unloaded condition, the action is unlocked by lifting the bolt handle and pulling it back. A cartridge is fed into the chamber by pushing the bolt forward. The bolt handle is then turned downwards, locking the bolt and cartridge in place. A firing pin is usually cocked by movement of the bolt or bolt handle, and when the trigger is squeezed the pin is released, firing the cartridge. The empty cartridge case is then ejected by once more lifting the bolt handle and pulling the bolt back.
The lever action works on the same basic principle, except that a lever is pushed down to unlock the bolt and move it backwards. This movement also cocks the action. When the lever is pulled upwards again it feeds a cartridge into the chamber and locks, ready to be fired by the trigger. After the cartridge is fired the empty case is ejected by once more pushing the lever down. A pump action is again similar. A pump slide is pulled backwards to open the action and cock it. When the slide is pushed forward the action feeds a fresh cartridge, locks and is ready to fire. A semi-automatic, also known as a self loading action, operates in the same way as the above firearms except ejection and loading is carried out automatically by the force of either the recoil or by gas pressure. Because of the automatic reloading a cartridge is ready to be fired each time the trigger is squeezed. A hunter with a semi-automatic rifle or shotgun must either hunt with his firearm cocked and loaded, relying on the safety catch, or he must cock and load the firearm when he sees game. It is dangerous to rely on the safety catch and game may be frightened by the noisy loading and cocking mechanism so the semi-automatic firearm may be less suitable for hunting than the other firearms described here. Most shotguns are the break-open variety in which the barrel or barrels hinge downwards. There are over-and-under, side-by-side and single barrel shotguns. Some shotguns are semi-automatic or pump action.
Airgun means any air rifle or pistol, from which a projectile can be discharged by the use of gas or compressed air, and not by force of explosive.
Pistol means any firearm that is designed or adapted to be held and fired with one Hand, and includes any firearm that is less than 762 mm in length.
Military style semi-automatic firearms are firearms which require an R Licence and are subject to special security conditions. Because only an R licensed person may have or use it is an offence for anyone without this endorsement to fire one, even under supervision.
FIREARM MAGAZINES
Beware of a cartridge sticking temporarily, perhaps because the tube has been dented, and later coming free and being fed into the action without the shooter being aware of it.
All repeating and semi-automatic firearm actions have a magazine in which the ammunition is held before being fed into the chamber. Most bolt action rifles have box-type magazines with the cartridges placed one on top of the other. Many lever action and pump action firearms, and some semi-automatics have a tubular magazine in which the cartridges are placed end-on, one behind the other. A tubular magazine can be dangerous.
OLD SHOTGUNS
Shotguns with any pitting of the barrel should not be fired. Beware of using modern ammunition in a very old shotgun. The barrels of some old shotguns are not strong enough for the high pressure of modern ammunition. There are also some moderately old shotguns around which have strong enough barrels but not the chambering to allow for modern star crimp cartridges. The chamber is the slightly enlarged section of the barrel bore where the cartridge is locked up before being fired. In the case of a star crimp shot cartridge the chamber needs to be long enough to allow the crimp to peel right forward out of the way of the shot and wad.
ANTIQUE FIREARMS
Antique firearms should not be fired. They are valuable and may be damaged. Sometimes they may be in poor condition and dangerous. An antique firearm is normally suitable only for display, or as a collector's item, or because it is an heirloom or has some special significance. The Arms Act specifically describes an antique as a firearm which is not designed for firing, and is not capable of firing rimfire or centrefire cartridge ammunition.
Black powder shooters usually fire replicas of the original firearms. Their replicas are working models of original firearms made of suitable materials and can safely be fired with the correct ammunition. Remember that a black powder firearm can be as lethal as a modern firearm. In fact, their loading and firing is more complex and requires more care.
MUZZLE-LOADING FIREARMS
The term muzzle-loader is an obvious one, because of the way that the firearm is loaded: through the muzzle. Black powder or Pyrodex is poured into the barrel and a lead ball or bullet is put into the barrel on top of it. A small hole is at the closed end, usually at the side, just above the trigger. Through this hole a flame enters the barrel, and ignites the powder charge behind the bullet. Some actions fire by way of a percussion cap. In others a mechanism may send sparks from flint into a flash pan where there is a small amount of fine powder to carry the flame down the flash hole. In other actions a slow-burning match is pressed down into the flash pan.
RELOADING AMMUNITION
When you have gained experience you may wish to begin reloading ammunition yourself. Besides saving money (if you fire a lot of rounds) this can add a great deal of interest to your sport. Be warned, however, that you need the right equipment, powder and projectiles. You must first seek the advice of an experienced reloader in addition to reading one of the many excellent books on this subject. Unless you obtain a special licence, it is unlawful to load or reload ammunition to sell or give away to another person. Only the smallest quantities of propellant should be stored.
EYESIGHT AND HEARING
It is important to have good eyesight for shooting. You must be able to identify your target and shoot with accuracy. Even colour blindness can cause problems. If you have any doubts, have your eyesight checked by a specialist. It can be wise to protect your eyes by wearing protective glasses while shooting.
Ears are easily damaged, especially on a range where others are firing alongside. Hearing protection is essential on ranges, and elsewhere when possible.
SIGHTING IN OR PATTERNING
Before you use a shotgun for hunting it is useful to see what sort of pattern it fires with the cartridges you intend to use. Tack up a large sheet of paper or cardboard at a distance of 40 metres. See where the pattern of shot hits. Sighting in with a rifle is even more important. If your rifle has a telescopic sight a dealer or gunsmith can check for you that the sight is correctly set according to a collimator but it will still require checking on a range or suitable rural area with the ammunition you intend to use.
Sighting in is best carried out on an established range. In any case it should be in a place safely away from people, stock or property which could be damaged and with a safe back stop. Shoot from 25 metres and adjust sights until the point of aim and the bullet impact are the same. If you are using iron sights always move the rear sight in the direction you want the shot to move. The foresight is the reverse of this. With a scope, follow the arrows on the scope adjustment. (But beware that some scopes have the arrows reversed.) Next go back to 100 metres, fire shots in pairs, and adjust sights. Most high powered rifles are best zeroed so the bullet hits the target about 75 mm high at 100 metres. Get to know your own firearm thoroughly; learn how it works, and how to look after it properly. As long as a firearm is in good condition and handled properly, it can not hurt anyone. You are responsible for making sure your firearm is in good condition and for handling it safely.
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