Nathan White Talks to Pellpax about the Midland Game Fair

As the Pellpax team prepares for their first ever visit to the Midland Game Fair, I thought it would be interesting to have a chat with Nathan White, Marketing Manager at Countryman Fairs, the company responsible for this incredibly successful show. Nathan was kind enough to take the time to tell me a bit about the Midland Game Fair and his own role in this remarkable annual production.

In the beginning …

Predictably, the first thing I wanted to know was, when and how did the Midland Game Fair begin?

“Well, it was down to two men: Philip Poole and John Chatwin. They were driving home after visiting the CLA Game Fair in 1982, and they decided it would be a great idea to hold a similar event in the Midlands. And what better venue for a game fair than Weston Park? So, on their way home, they turned up at Weston Park and knocked on Lord Bradford’s door. Lord Bradford thought it was a marvellous idea, and the Midland Game Fair was born.”

Organising the Midland Game Fair

Each year, tens of thousands of people visit the Midland Game Fair, and hundreds of people are involved in exhibiting. It must take a lot of organising! I was curious to know about the logistical headaches behind this successful event.

“One of the most difficult and frustrating elements can be the weather, as it’s entirely out of our control. When the weather is good, the atmosphere at the event is great, and the whole process of organising is fun and enjoyable. However, we’ve had our fair share of inclement weather over the years, which brings its own challenges. That said, we’ve become experts at delivering events, regardless of the conditions.”

And the fun part …

“One of the great aspects of working on events is that no two days are the same. In fact, I’m still experiencing firsts after 14 years! For me personally, the most satisfying – and fun – element of what we do is seeing a whole range of people from different backgrounds, with different interests, having fun together as a community. You know you’ve done something right if you can see that people are enjoying their day out. There really is no better feeling. Also, I very much enjoy a catch up with old friends over the weekend of the show … and I enjoy meeting new ones.”

What’s new this year?

The Midland Game Fair offers a wide range of fun activities, retail opportunities, and stunning spectacles. So much go

es on here, that it’s hard to imagine that there’s anything to add. I asked Nathan whether there’ll be anything new this year – anything that’s never been included before.

“Funny you should ask! We’ve completely refreshed our show layout and added many new elements to our portfolio of entertainment. New for 2019, we’re delighted to welcome the World Hunter Field Target Championships – 360 shooters from over 10 different countries, vying for the chance to be crowned World Champion.

“We’re also delighted to introduce the new Members Enclosure, offering visitors a little more luxury to enhance their day. The package of benefits includes forward parking, fantastic views of the Main Arena, VIP toilets, a private bar, and fine dining.

“The all-new Kids Zone adds a host of new activities for the younger generation to enjoy, completely free of charge. This includes face painting, the Panic Circus games, balloon modelling, a giant deckchair, mini farm, and the chance to meet a unicorn.”

A unicorn! Yay!

“We’ve complemented this with new activities that the whole family can get involved with, including the K9 Aqua Sports (or Dock Dogs). If you haven’t seen or competed in this before, it is a must! Your dog launches itself from a platform into a huge pool to retrieve a tennis ball. The dog who jumps the largest distance will win a prize. Simple, yet so entertaining!”

Old favourites

Wow! And all this is in addition to the old favourites, such as the Festival of Shooting, Airgun Expo, the Working Dog Village, Gamekeepers Row, the Falconry Village, three live music stages, live Chefs’ Demo, and the Food & Beer Festival.

Sporting championships include the Chudleys Gundog Championship, the BASC National Clay Shooting Championship, the Countryman’s Weekly Terrier & Lurcher Champion of Champions, the European Field Target Championship, and the World Stick-Making Championship.

Caring for the venue

Over the weekend of the Midland Game Fair, the ground is trampled by a lot of people and equipment. I can’t help wondering about the state of the grass after the weekend.

“Weston Park has been home to the Midland Game Fair and a host of other large-scale events for over 30 years. The estate has invested significantly in infrastructure over the years, resulting in one of the finest and most robust outdoor venues in the UK. We meticulously plan the layout and manage the site to ensure the public aisleways are always protected and in perfect condition to welcome our visitors. We recognise our responsibility to protect the spectacular historic parkland, and usually return the venue to the estate with little more than superficial wear and tear, which recovers quickly.”

Nathan’s role

Nathan began working for Countryman Fairs in 2005, and since then, he’s learnt about all the aspects of the company and its processes. Having spent some considerable time accumulating in-depth knowledge of all the roles within the company, Nathan is now Marketing Manager – a position he’s held for three years. He told me a bit about his work.

“I oversee all aspects of marketing – including advertising, customer experience, and social media – and I explore new and innovative ways of reaching our target audience, and ways of identifying new markets. I’m also the ‘voice’ of our customers; I try to implement what they would like to see at each of our events.”

Will Nathan be at the Midland Game Fair this year? And what will he be doing during the weekend?

“Yes, I’ll be there. My main role is overseeing competitions, demonstrations, and attractions – making sure that they have all they need for the weekend. I’ll also be ensuring that features such as the Chefs’ Demo, the Kids Zone and the Members Enclosure all run smoothly.

“In between all this, I’ve occasionally been known to sample a pint or two at the bar, which gives me an opportunity to catch up with exhibitors and visitors about their experiences.”

See you there!

It was a real pleasure to talk to Nathan White about the Midland Game Fair, which will take place on the weekend of 14 and 15 September. Pellpax will be there, in partnership with John Rothery and Umarex. Come and say hello!

Contact Pellpax

For more information, just give us a call on 01263 731 585 or email [email protected].

And why not check out our wide range of Umarex CO₂ rifles and pistols.

Air Rifles for Sale, Delivered to Your Door

Whatever kind of airgun you’re looking for, you’ll find it here, at Pellpax. If you’re new to shooting, you might have some uncertainty about what these airguns actually are …

What is an Airgun?

The term airgun encompasses all guns that are powered by compressed gas: either carbon dioxide (CO₂) or air (mainly nitrogen and oxygen). Most airguns have a muzzle energy of 12 ft/lb or under, which means that you don’t need a Fire Arms Certificate (FAC).

What is a spring-powered air rifle?

Spring airguns are powered by compressed air. Before each pellet is fired, a spring is compressed by a lever. This process is called cocking. In some cases, the barrel acts as the lever (break barrel), and other spring-powered air guns have fixed barrels, with a side lever or under lever. When the spring’s tension is released, it pushes a piston with a washer on the end, and the ambient air inside the air chamber is compressed, creating potential energy that will propel the pellet when the pressure is released.

A sub-category of these rifles is gas-ram, which, instead of a spring, uses a pneumatic ram – a device much like the closing mechanism on your car boot.

What’s the most popular spring-powered air rifle?

The Stinger Starter Kit is a big favourite with Pellpax customers. This single-shot, break-barrel rifle is perfect for target practice and for small vermin control. Along with the rifle, this kit includes a 4×32 scope and mounts, pellets, targets, and a gun bag.

What’s a good spring-powered rifle for new shooters?

Gamo Hunter 440 .22 Air Rifle

For razor-sharp precision, power, and consistency, the Gamo Hunter 440 is perfect for small-game hunting and vermin control. This rifle has a 12 ft/lb muzzle power, adjustable two-stage trigger, and a finely adjustable steel rear sight. The raised scope rail will accommodate even the largest airgun scopes.

Pellpax Huntsman Kit .22 Air Rifle

With its anti-shock fibre stock, ventilated butt pad, and pistol grip, this rifle offers an all-round comfortable shooting experience. The rifle also features an automatic safety The Pellpax Huntsman Kit includes a 3-9×40 scope, a tin of pellets, and targets.

Air Arms TX200 Mark 3

Used by competition target shooters around the world, the Air Arms TX200 Mk3 features a two-stage, adjustable trigger, fully shrouded barrel, and automatic safety. You get excellent shot-to-shot consistency from this rifle, which is available in both .177 and .22 calibre.

How do PCP rifles work?

Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) guns are also powered by compressed air. However, a PCP gun is pre-charged. Compressed air, at a pressure of up to 300 BAR, is contained within a cylinder or buddy bottle, ready to be discharged in controlled, measured amounts when the trigger is pulled.

Re-filling a PCP

The thing with PCP power is that the cylinder must be periodically refilled. This can be done with an air rifle pump – a simple piece of machinery that compresses ambient air as it’s forced into the cylinder. Alternatively, you can refill your PCP’s cylinder from a charging tank of ready-compressed air.

In many cases, the cylinder is an integral part of the rifle. Some PCPs, though, have a detachable buddy bottle, which can be removed from the rifle for refilling. This is a convenient feature for long-lasting shoots, as spare buddy bottles can be taken along to replace emptied ones.

Some great PCP air rifles for beginners

Because there’s so little recoil, accuracy is a big advantage with pre-charged pneumatics; but they are, in general, the most expensive type of air rifle. Here are a few PCPs for under £500. The power of these rifles is under 12ft/lb, so you won’t need a Fire Arms Certificate (FAC).

Air Arms S200 Sporter MK3 Air Rifle

The 920.75mm-long Air Arms S200 Sporter MK3 has an ambidextrous beech stock and an adjustable, two-stage trigger. This rifle has a scope rail that can be adjusted to fit any length of scope, and is ideal for all kinds of shooting, from plinking to target shooting, to vermin control. It’s available in .177 and .22 calibre.

FX Airguns Typhoon Synthetic

The Typhoon Synthetic by FX Airguns is a lightweight air rifle with a well-crafted, ambidextrous stock. The air cylinder has a capacity of 185cc, which gives you around 100 shots per fill. This rifle is available in .177 and .22 calibre.

Zbroia Hortitsia

This good-looking and relatively light-weight PCP rifle has delighted many Pellpax customers over the last couple of years. The Zbroia Hortitsia has an integrated barrel shroud for effective silencing, a sensitive trigger, and smooth probe engagement. It’s available in .177 and .22 calibre, and there’s an option of short (330mm) or long (450mm) barrel. You can easily get 100 shots from a full reservoir.

Do air rifles use CO₂?

Some do. CO₂ rifles work on the same principle as PCPs, in that compressed gas is stored in a cartridge – also known as a capsule – ready to be discharged in controlled, measured amounts when the trigger is pulled. CO₂is available in 88g or 12g capsules.

What is the most powerful CO₂ rifle?

Very few CO₂ air rifles have the muzzle energy of the best spring/gas ram or PCP rifles. One exception is the Hammerli 850 Air Magnum, by Umarex. The power of this CO2 rifle is close to the 12 ft/lb legal limit, above which an FAC is required.

What’s the best CO₂ air rifle for beginners?

Here are a few suggestions – all under £500.

Sig Sauer MPX – .177 CO₂ Air Rifle

Powered by an 88g CO₂ capsule*, the Sig Sauer MPX has a large shot capacity. The belt-fed magazine holds 30 pellets, which can be fired in quick succession, and accessories can be mounted on the multiple picatinny rails. With the advantages of a double-action trigger and no recoil, you’ll achieve amazing accuracy when you shoot this rifle.

*For this rifle, you can purchase an adapter for 12g capsules.

Crosman 2250 Ratcatcher – .22 CO₂ Air Rifle

The Crosman 2250 Ratcatcher weighs just 1.5kg and is powered by one 12g CO₂capsule, which is enough for 30 full-power shots. This rifle is great for target shooting and for small vermin control.

Umarex Legends Cowboy Lever Action – 4.5mm BB CO2 Air Rifle

This Cowboy Lever Action rifle from Umarex Legends features a firing cycle that realistically mimics the real thing. If you’re looking for an authentic shooting experience, this is the perfect model.

Contact us

If you’d like to talk to one of our sales team about air rifles, just give us a call on 01263 731 585.

Olivia Hill is Selected for the Junior World Cup

Exciting News

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Hill is going from strength to strength. At the 2019 ESSU Championships at Bisley on 27^th and 28^th April, Olivia qualified 1^st in Juniors and 4^th in the Open event, giving her a place in the final. Finishing 2^nd overall, Olivia was the highest scoring junior, and came home with the title of English Junior 10m Air Rifle Champion.

With A level exams just weeks away, Olivia now had to focus on her studies. However, one afternoon in May, Olivia received some exciting news that drew her focus right back to shooting. She’d been selected for the 2019 Junior World Cup.

Junior World Cup 2019

On Friday 12^th July, Olivia will travel with her team mates and coaches to Suhl, Germany. During the following week, she’ll compete in two 10m Precision Air Rifle events – individual, and mixed pairs – at the Suhl-Friedberg Shooting Centre, a venue that’s considered to be one of the world’s most attractive shooting facilities. Olivia will be shooting her Walther PCP rifle.

For hundreds of years, Suhl has held a significant position in the world of firearms and shooting. During the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Suhl was a world leader in the production of cannons, and in 1751, the famous firearms manufacturer, Sauer & Sohn, was established in the city. Suhl’s largest producer of firearms today is Merkel GmbH, manufacturer of rifles and shotguns.

Olivia’s Coach, Paul Goater

Olivia’s training programme is a never-ending regime; it’s a way of life. But with an important competition approaching, Olivia must raise her game.

Paul Goater, manager of the England Rifle Academy and lead air rifle coach for the Rifle Talent Squad (part of the GB Olympic Shooting Pathway), is Olivia’s primary coach.

“We’re currently in prep mode,” he explains. “But now we need to switch to comp mode. In competition mode, the emphasis is different. We generally don’t make changes, but just concentrate on ways of making sure Liv can deliver her performance in a match. So, we’ll look at tactics, balance, stress management, endurance, nutrition, mental skills … the things that will allow her to do well.”

Paul has known Olivia for about two years. Her progress, he tells me, is impressive.

“Liv is still developing quickly and exhibits all the behaviours and attitudes of a potentially great athlete. She’s been a real pleasure to coach, and if she keeps working hard, is certainly capable of great things.”

A Very Special Girl

Between now and 12^th July, Olivia will take the remainder of her A level exams; she’ll continue to work part time at Carberrys café in Norwich; and she’ll train for the Junior World Cup. As this very special girl shows me her kit bag (how on earth will she carry it? – it’s enormous!), I feel incredibly lucky to know her.

My sentiments are echoed in Paul Goater’s words:

“I hope that I am fortunate enough to remain part of her support team moving forward.”

Very best wishes, Olivia, from all at Pellpax!

Give us a Call

For information about any of our products, or for advice about shooting or archery, just give us a call on 01263 731 585. Our experts are always pleased to help.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Air Rifle With ProShot

Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head

Metal and wood are vulnerable to rot, rust, and wear, so it’s important to keep these materials dry. Ensure that your gun is well protected in storage and in transit, and that it’s wiped down immediately whenever it gets wet.

Besides providing a firm and comfortable support for when you’re firing the rifle, the stock acts as a protective casing for the internal mechanism; if water gets inside the stock, the gun’s mechanism can rust and seize up. However diligent you are in caring for your gun, there’s always a chance that it will suffer water damaged at some time. If this happens, we suggest that you take your gun to a reputable gunsmith for repair and service.

A good lubricant, like the ProShot Precision A Grade Silicone Gun Oil, does a good job of protecting the wooden stock and the metal barrel exterior against moisture. This anti-corrosive oil is highly water repellent and completely nontoxic. To keep your rifle looking smart and new, use a soft cloth (we recommend the long-lasting Pellpax micro-fibre cleaning cloth) to apply oil sparingly, on a regular basis, to the stock and the barrel.

Cleaning your air rifle is not an everyday job. Keeping it dry, though, is.

Grease is the Word, is the Word, is the Word …

Now, although gun oil is marvellous stuff for the exterior of a gun, the barrel’s interior should never be oiled – in fact, your cleaning regime should include keeping grease out of the barrel.

A build-up of oil in the barrel can cause dieseling. Dieseling is when oil in the barrel combusts as a pellet is fired. Over time, this process can cause damage to the gun’s seals, resulting in leakage of air.

However, the bore does need occasional cleaning. We suggest that, after finishing a tin of pellets, you fire one cleaning pellet to clear the barrel of any deposits of metal or traces of grease from oiled pellets. A cleaning rod is very effective for clearing solid debris and blockages.

What You Get is What You See

A neglected scope can cause problems when you’re lining up your shot, so it’s a good idea to keep it clean! For a clear, clean scope, use a soft cloth (Pellpax Lens-Cleaning Cloth) with ProShot Precision Advanced Optics Cleaner, which is perfect for removing grease, water, and dust.

This top-quality fluid, which comes in a spray bottle, is also ideal for cleaning television, computer, and mobile phone screens.

Take Good Care of My Baby

Here are some general guidelines for caring for your air rifle:

Always wipe down your rifle after every use; it may look perfectly clean, but it’s bound to be soiled in some way, even if it’s only a few greasy finger marks. When transporting your rifle, keep it in a gun bag to avoid knocks and scrapes. And when you’re not using it, store your rifle in a dry place where there’s no risk of it coming into contact with water or chemicals. If your rifle is stored on end, make sure it’s standing on the butt end, rather than on the muzzle.

An alternative way of sourcing all the tools and products that you need for looking after your gun is by purchasing an all-inclusive cleaning kit, like the ProShot Deluxe Airgun Cleaning Kit, which contains everything you need to maintain your gun in tip-top condition.

Hanging on the Telephone

If you’re in any doubt about how to look after your air rifle, please don’t hesitate to call us on 01263 731 585. Our experts will be happy to help.

Ragna Elite Team Member, Jett Pease, Reviews some Elite Airsoft Pellets

There’s a brand of pellets that’s really making headway in the popularity stakes. It’s a brand that’s gaining a reputation for consistent accuracy and form – a brand that’s affordable and has something for everyone – including airsofters. The brand is ProShot.

Take, for example, the ProShot Precision Tracer BB – a 6mm 0.25g BB pellet that glows in the dark, a pellet designed to give you the greatest accuracy and power. Or the ProShot 6mm 0.20g BB, which is ideal for airsoft pistols, such as the ASG M92F Gas-powered pistol. These pellets are becoming more and more in demand in the world of airsoft.

Here are a few words about the ProShot brand from our very own Jett Pease, of the Ragna Elites Airsoft Team.

ProShot Airsoft Pellets: Review

ProShot is manufactured to exacting standards in safe working environments, and each ProShot product is the result of expert design, high-quality materials, and top-performing machinery. Having passed through rigorous testing processes and long periods of development, ProShot products are guaranteed to be of the highest standard and unbeatable value.

ProShot is a great product. I tested the 0.25g biodegradable BBs. The label reads “Grade A Polished Surface, High Accuracy and Power & the Perfect Sphere Technology”. This is not an understatement. Performance of these BBs is great for everyone – from the beginner to the advanced players out there.

I wouldn’t recommend this for you snipers out there, as the weight isn’t good enough for your 450-500 fps sniper rifles.

Diameter is 5.95 ± 0.01mm, and out of the 50 BBs I measured, all were consistent in size and had no air bubbles inside, which adds to the quality that the brand advertises.

If you’re looking for a great all-rounder, then look no further than ProShot Precision Airsoft ammo.

You can check out the range of ammo for skirmishers and airsoft needs in the Airsoft section at www.pellpax.co.uk/ProShot. If you’d like to know more, feel free to contact them via Chat, email them on [email protected], or just give them a call on 01263 731 585 to speak to one of their experts.

Jett Pease, Ragna Elites

Three Great Break-Barrel Air Rifles for Rabbit Shooting this Spring

There’s nothing quite like a delicious, old-fashioned rabbit stew. Just think about tasty root vegetables simmering in a rich gravy with fresh rabbit meat that’s been marinated in sweet cider and seasoned with black pepper and thyme …

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First of all, we need to catch some rabbits.

The rabbit, formerly known as the coney

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) first came to Britain with the Romans, and, just like the Romans, this highly sexed little mammal has made a great impact on our culture. Over the last 2,000 years, there have been hundreds of children’s stories starring high-profile characters such as Peter Rabbit, Little Grey Rabbit, Roger Rabbit, and Bugs Bunny; and hundreds of children have enjoyed owning a rabbit (or bunny) as a pet. In wartime, hundreds of men have clutched a rabbit’s foot (for luck) as they died in battle; and hundreds of country people have feasted on delicious rabbit meat.

A female rabbit gives birth to approximately five kittens at a time, and she’ll produce as many as five litters a year; the gestation period is just 30 days. Rabbits live in complex systems of purpose-built burrows, called warrens, which provide first-class shelter from the weather and from predators. So, with secure housing and a tendency to breed like … well, you know … this evolutionary champion exists in abundance, chomping its way through crops as fast as farmers can plant them.

Rabbits are pests all year long. There are always too many rabbits around, which is a great nuisance to farmers, but a gift to pest controllers and recreational shooters.

Now, rabbit fur is a pretty poor source of insulation, and so these creatures don’t take kindly to cold or wet weather. In extreme conditions, rabbits hide away in their burrows, and you’ll be hard-pressed to spot any at all. However, if you’re out with your gun at a time when bad weather is moving in, rabbits will, in all likelihood, be scurrying about, frantically searching for food and shelter before holing up for the duration of the cold, wet weather.

Be vewy vewy quiet. I’m hunting wabbits!

There are so many superb air rifles on the market, and they all have their plus points. But which of these rifles would you choose to take out hunting?

That’s a loaded question. So, with our sights set on .22 calibre break-barrel rifles (which we recommend for novice shooters), we’ve taken a shot at selecting the three best ones for rabbit shooting, along with some choice pellets.

Here they are, then, in no particular order:

Storm X Deluxe Kit

***Shooting rabbits with a Norica Storm X***

This is Pellpax’s ultimate pest dispatch rifle kit. The Storm X, from Norica, is a powerful air rifle with a muzzle energy of between 11 and 12ft/lb, designed for the dispatch of all small pests, including squirrels, rats, pigeons, and rabbits. This gun’s high power and pin-point accuracy ensure a humane, one-shot kill.

The Storm’s stock, which is made from stained, vaporised beech wood, features ornately textured grips to ensure a secure hold. The adjustable trigger has an automatic safety, and the ventilated butt plate minimises recoil, preventing damage to your shoulder. This beautiful rifle has a barrel length of .454m, a total length of 1.190m, and it weighs 3.2kg.

Rabbits are at their most active at dawn and dusk, and for these low light conditions, you’ll need a good-quality scope with a large lens, which will let in enough light for better contrast and improved vision. So, as well as a super Norica break-barrel rifle, the Storm X Deluxe Kit includes a 3-9×50 scope and scope mounts. The huge zoom range is ideal for hunting rabbits and other pests from a long distance, although we recommend that you shoot from no more than 40m from your target.

The Pellpax Storm X Deluxe Kit includes a .22 calibre air rifle, 3-9×50 scope with scope mounts, a screw-on silencer, padded gun bag, clip-on bipod, and a tin of hunting pellets. It’s a great buy at just £229.99, only from Pellpax.

Walther Classus

With its Lothar Walther barrel and Minelli stock, the ambidextrous Classus really is a smooth operator. Elegant checkering on the forestock and pistol grip ensures a secure grip, and the rubber butt plate absorbs a good deal of the recoil.

The Classus has the same cocking rod as the Walther LGV, as well as the adjustable Walther XT trigger. The action uses a smooth and consistent spring-and-piston system that’s been tuned for low recoil and accurate power levels. The Walther Classus – which is 1.07m long, weighs 3.1kg, and has a muzzle energy of 11.5ft/lb – is available from Pellpax at £369.99.

Now, what about pellets? To complement the Walther Classus, we recommend the 18-grain ProShot Precision Perdere, a hollow-point pellet ideal for hunting and pest control. Upon impact with the target, the hollow-pointed nose drives air back into the centre of the pellet, causing rapid expansion of the pellet, which increases the size of the wound channel. This ensures a quick, clean kill.

These high-quality ProShot Precision Perdere .22 calibre pellets are fantastic value, available from Pellpax at £8.59 for a tin of 250.

Black Ops Tactical Sniper

Great for all shooting disciplines, from pest and vermin control to target shooting and plinking, the Black Ops Tactical Sniper packs a mean punch. With a sturdy, tactical frame and a massive 11.7ft/lb muzzle energy, this great-looking break-barrel airgun comes with a folding bipod and 4×32 scope included in the price. The fully adjustable stock means you can tailor it to suit you for the perfect shot every time.

Another nice feature of the Black Ops is the storage facility concealed in the fake magazine, where you can store pellets. At 1.11m long, with a barrel length of 0.45m, and weighing 4kg, this rifle has an awesome price tag of £171.99.

And pellets? Well, how about the ProShot Precision Magnum, a 17-grain domed pellet with a bit more point than the average dome! This best-of-both-worlds pellet is an all-round performer, suitable for any kind of shooting, and you can pick up a tin of 300 for just £8.99.

… Or there’s the Gamekeeper Long Range Special, a high-quality domed pellet that ensures consistency and accuracy for those long-range shots. These pellets are fantastic value at £8.99 for a tin of 500.

For more information about any of the products featured on the Pellpax website, give us a call on 01263 731 585 to talk to a member of the sales team or to one of our gunsmiths.

And one more thing: If you’d like to send us your rabbit recipes, with a photo, we’d love to share them via social media with Pellpax customers all over the UK! Just drop us an email at [email protected].

British Shooting Show 15th-17th Feb, Birmingham NEC

This year’s British Shooting Show promises to be the jewel in the crown for fans of shooting. It takes on the 15th to 17th Feb, at the NEC in Birmingham.

The huge show is the biggest event of its type in UK and Europe during the calendar, open to both trade and retail attendees.

Huge Range

It takes place over three huge halls, and covers a host of shooting related products and industries, with over 600 retailers, manufacturers, and distributors in attendance.

The range over goods covered is broad and includes shotguns, rifles, pistols, air rifles, airsoft, optics, night vision and thermal imaging equipment, hunting knives, bushcraft, wildfowling, gundogs, gamekeeping hall, country clothing & footwear.

Exhibitors from the airguns industry will include Air Arms, BSA Guns, Daystate, Umarex and Weihrauch. Shotgun exhibitors will include Browning, Eley, Holland & Holland and Boss & Co, and will be joined by many more. Meanwhile, rifle exhibitors include Accuracy International, Mauser, and many more.

Whether you’re an enthusiast or a professional, the show has something to offer. For those intent on shooting abroad, it’s a great opportunity to outfit yourself accordingly, and for farmers, hunters, competitive shooters, and many more people, it’s a great chance to see and get your hands on some of the newest equipment by the finest brands out there.

Demonstration Area

There will be all kinds of special features to the event, including a Demonstration Area, where well known experts will be on hand to discuss and Q & A on a variety of topics.

Professional dog trainer Andy Cullen on hand to answer all your questions on gundog training. Chris Green ‘The Cornish Countryman’ will be on hand to explain wildfowling and decoying, Meanwhile Ralph Skripek ‘The Wild Chef’ will be demonstrating the art of pigeon decoying, and also providing a live cooking demonstration.

With these and other events happening across the Show, there are ample opportunities to browse, learn, and buy, as well as make new friends and connect with shooting professionals.

Tickets start from £18 for a single day advance adult ticket, £36 for 2 days, and £54 for 3 days. Car parking is free, and dogs are not allowed. Tickets can be bought online, or by calling 0844 338 0338.

The British Shooting Show takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 15th to 17th Feb, at the Birmingham NEC. For further details, head to the official site: https://shootingshow.co.uk

Choosing Your Compound Bow

Some of you may have already read our Guide to Choosing Archery Equipment for Pros – even if you have we want to help you with your compound bows too. Despite the mechanical advantage that the cam system provides, a compound bow is still just a tool, and, ultimately, all the power of a shot comes from the archer. The energy in the speeding arrow is transferred from the bow, and the energy stored in the bow is transferred from the archer’s body. Even a ‘powerful’ bow won’t do the work by itself!

What is the Right Draw Weight?

A compound bow reaches its peak draw weight before full draw. This is due to the letting-off mechanism, which releases much of the pressure at the final stage of the draw. So, the peak draw weight occurs before the bow is fully drawn.

A compound bow’s draw weight is usually adjustable within a range of 10 or 15lbs and is adjusted by tightening or loosening the bolts that join the limbs to the riser. A bow that’s advertised as having a 60lbs draw weight can be adjusted to a draw weight of anything between 50lbs (or possibly 45lbs) and 60lbs. If you’re new to archery, don’t try to shoot with too great a draw weight to begin with. Start on the low side; upper body strength will soon build up with practice.

This is a generalised guide to appropriate draw weight:

Children (6-9 years): 10-20 lbs
Children (9-12 years): 20-35 lbs
Teenagers and smaller women: 35-45 lbs
Women: 45-55 lbs
Men: 55-70 lbs

How to Measure Draw Length

Draw length is the distance between the grip (on the riser) and the centre of the string at full draw. Unlike a traditional bow, a compound bow must be drawn to its maximum capacity, and no further. This means that your compound bow must be the correct draw length for you.

To find out your draw length, use this simple formula:

arm span divided by 2.5

Measure your arm span, which is usually equal to your height, and divide by 2.5. If your arm span is 68”, your draw length will be 28” (68/2.5). If your arm span is 73”, your draw length will be 30” (73/2.5). If your arm span is 60”, your draw length will be 24” (60/2.5) … and so on.

The longer the draw length, the longer the power stroke, which equates to higher arrow velocity. In fact, 1” of draw weight is worth about 10 feet per second (FPS) of arrow speed. A bow’s speed is always tested at 30” draw length. So, if your bow’s speed is advertised as 300 FPS, and your draw length is 25”, you can expect to shoot arrows at a maximum velocity of 250 FPS.

What is the Brace Height?

A bow’s brace height is the distance between the deepest part of the riser to the string (at rest). A shorter brace height means a longer draw stroke, which means more stored energy.

The brace height is related to the overall draw length. If your draw length is 26”, and your bow has a brace height of 6”, the distance over which you’re actually pulling (and storing energy in the bow) is 20”. A fellow archer, who has a draw length of 28” and a bow of 8” brace height, will also be pulling over a distance of 20”.

Because the other chap’s arrow remains in contact with the bow for longer, his arrow will have more stability. If your bow has a brace height of 8”, your pulling distance will be 18”, and your arrows will be more stable … and they’ll be slightly slower.

Choose Wisely

Does speed really matter?

Yes, of course it does, to a point. But don’t let a desire for speed take priority over comfort, accuracy, and safety. Go with your correct draw length. A slight loss of speed is insignificant when compared to the consistent accuracy that can be achieved with a well-suited bow.

Take a look at our range of Compound Bows here from manufacturers such as Ek Archery and Barnett.

For more information about archery equipment, phone 01263 731 585 and speak to James, our in-house expert.

Alternatively, talk to James on Live Chat at https://www.pellpax.co.uk/

How to Zero a Scope

It’s all about you

Remember that you are zeroing your air rifle scope for you. If possible, carry out this task over a distance that you normally shoot; use your usual pellets; and focus the lens to suit you. It’s important to zero your scope in windless conditions.

Setting up

Place your target against a secure backstop. Using a steady and comfortable rest – to eliminate as much human error as possible – fire three to five pellets, aiming for the centre of the target. Hopefully, your shots will be in a cluster; if they’re very spread out, try again.

Adjusting the scope dials

There are two adjustments to make: windage (left/right), controlled by the dial on top of the scope, and elevation (up/down), controlled by the dial on the right flank of the scope. Work on one at a time.

Printed on the dials will be instructions. There might be, for example, an arrow indicating clockwise, with the word ‘left’, or an arrow indicating counter-clockwise, with the word ‘up’. There will also be a guide to the increments of adjustment – for example, ‘1 click ¼” 100 yards’. This means that at a distance of 100 yards, each click in a counter-clockwise direction will adjust your sight ¼” upward … or that at 100 yards, each click in a counter-clockwise direction will adjust your sight ¼” to the right.

A shooting scenario …

So, let’s say you’re shooting at 25 yards, and your pellets have landed approximately two inches below the centre of your target. If one click of the elevation dial in a counter-clockwise direction will adjust your sight ¼” upwards over a distance of 100 yards, then at 25 yards, one click will make an adjustment of 1/16”. You’re two inches out, so you need to turn your dial 32 clicks in a counter-clockwise direction.

Once you’ve done this, take a few more shots. If your pellets are landing on a horizonal line with the target, you’re there on the elevation front. If you’re still shooting too low, or too high, repeat the process.

Now, imagine that your shots are landing about ½” to the right of the target. At 100 yards, one click of the windage dial in a clockwise direction will steer your aim ¼” to the left. At 25 yards, one click will make an adjustment of 1/16”. You’re ½” to the right of the target, so you must turn your dial eight clicks clockwise.

Again, repeat this process until you are consistently hitting the target. Be sure to maintain consistent conditions and not to introduce any other variables, such as an alternative rifle rest or a different type or brand of pellet. And always shoots groups of at least three pellets.

Fletching Your Arrows

What is Fletching?

Near to the rear of an arrow, there are three feathers or plastic vanes – two of one colour, and the other in a contrasting colour – collectively called the fletching. The purpose of the fletching is stability. When all is going to plan, and the arrow is flying in a perfectly straight line, the fletches will slice through the air without changing the course of the arrow. If, on the other hand, the arrow is wobbling, and its tail is not perfectly following its tip, it will be brought back into line and stabilised, due to friction between the fletching and the air.

For centuries, fletching was made of feathers – after all, they’re nature’s own design, and they obviously work. Despite enormous leaps forward in technological design, feathers are still contenders in a ‘Who’s best?’ contest. In fact, even the new kid on the block, the compound bow, is sometimes spotted shooting arrows with feather fletching.

Understanding the Structure of a Flight

The rigid structure of interlocking barbs and hooks in a primary flight feather is due to a protein called keratin, which allows the feather to retain its shape when wet. Although the right kind of feather will not be ruined by getting wet, it will, nevertheless, be heavier with the added weight of water. But if you’re set on using feather fletching, you can use a waterproofing powder, designed specifically for this purpose.

The rough, latticed surface of a natural feather is second to none when it comes to creating friction with air, and this is a big attribute when it comes to stabilisation. And despite amazing advancements in the science of synthetic materials, no plastic vane is anywhere near as lightweight as a feather.

If you want to learn more about the things to look for when buying archery items, check out our Buyers Guide to Archery for Newbies, or the Buyers Guide to Archery for Pros.

Feather versus Plastic

However, the most popular choice of fletching for today’s archer is the inexpensive, durable, waterproof plastic vane. Available in a seemingly endless range of colour and size, these soft, flexible vanes can be easily applied in whichever formation you prefer. Even after a fair amount of rough treatment, they’ll pop back into shape; and if they become really warped, you can usually get them back into shape with a bit of heat treatment – a hair drier is the best thing to use.

If you choose plastic vane fletching, you must also make a decision about the angle (or turn) of the fletch on the arrow shaft. Will your priority be speed, or accuracy? Will your choice be restricted by the design of your bow?

A straight fletch is affixed to the shaft in a perfectly straight position, running parallel with the shaft itself. The vane slices through the air, causing minimal friction, and therefore no loss of speed. However, because straight fletching prevents the arrow from spinning, the arrow can become unstable and less able to right itself. This disadvantage becomes more significant the further you have to shoot.

The helical fletch is attached to the arrow’s shaft at an angle, and the fletch itself is also curved, creating maximum wind resistance, and therefore plenty of spin. This spin will help to stabilise your arrow in the same way that a pellet is stabilised by the rifling effect of an airgun. Stability, of course, leads to improved accuracy, but the large amount of friction that causes this fast spin will slow your arrow down.

Which Flies Better – Helical or Straight?

The helical formation is really the only option for feather fletching, as it’s just about impossible to force the naturally curved feather into a straight line. Helical fletching is also ideal for bows of low draw weight. With less speed, there is less stability, so the more spin you can get, the better.

But is there a middle road between the straight and the helical fletch? Yes, there is! It’s the offset fletch.

The offset fletch is straight, but it’s turned at an angle on the arrow shaft. This is an effective solution in cases where the arrow rest doesn’t provide enough clearance for helical fletching to pass through. Contact between the arrow rest and the fletching will compromise speed and stability.

In the case of helical or offset fletching, which way should the arrow spin? The answer is, in general, clockwise – to the right, as you look at the arrow from the nock. It’s all to do with the thread of the tip. When the arrow enters the target counter-clockwise, the tip will unscrew; when it goes in clockwise, it will tighten.

To ensure a clockwise spin, make sure that the upper end of the fletch (the end closest to the tip) is offset to the right as you look down on the arrow from the nock end.

Does Size Matter?

Now, what about size? Does it matter? Well, yes, it does.

When shooting over long distances – 100 meters or more – you’ll do well to use fletches of at least 4” long. The further your arrow travels, the more vulnerable it is to instability. Therefore, every bit of surface area in your fletching will count. Whether you choose to use straight, offset, or helical fletching will depend on other variables in your equipment and environment.

Check out our wide range of arrows and bolts, or you can have a read of How to Become a Competitive Archer on our blog