English doubles will soon……..

Sideshow

AH elite
Joined
Jul 3, 2022
Messages
1,292
Reaction score
2,957
Location
UK
Media
8
Hunted
New Zealand, UK, France, US Texas
Well got the news today that most lead shot and ammo will be banned from 2029 in the UK.
Which means those doubles being built will now have to be regulated with non toxic shot.
What would you chose?
Be NorthFork for me.
 
This has been coming for quite a while. I believe that 'overseas' buyers of double guns will continue to benefit from availability of 'out dated' British guns.
 
Well got the news today that most lead shot and ammo will be banned from 2029 in the UK.
Which means those doubles being built will now have to be regulated with non toxic shot.
What would you chose?
Be NorthFork for me.
In California they banned lead shot and rifle bullets..."because of the condors". Do you have any condors in the UK?
 
Well got the news today that most lead shot and ammo will be banned from 2029 in the UK.
Which means those doubles being built will now have to be regulated with non toxic shot.
What would you chose?
Be NorthFork for me.
I’m a Barnes TSX & Cutting Edge Bullets Safari Solids guy through & through.
IMG_1524.jpeg
IMG_3379.jpeg
 
Talkin’ shotguns right?

I have been keeping an eye on the British and Spanish shotgun makers since about 2000. Ordered a couple Eibar guns, bought another what three vintage Spanish guns in UK.

This topic has been on my radar for a while. I’ve talked to BASC, other experts, the gunsmith and the boss (owner) of a Yorks gun room, making sure.

I don’t know of any modern makers who are making barrels not proofed for steel. Zip.

Buy anything made in the last decade, minimum, check to make sure before you plop down that plastic, and it is a non issue.
Mostly. There are two grades of steel ammo.
Plain jane and 93 octane. Make sure your gun can handle the HP if you intend to use it or think you may want it one day.

Vintage stuff? Different story, though I’ve seen vintage guns with steel proof dating back to what the early 90’s?

The big problem? Choke. Most vintage barrels, am told, can cope with standard steel ammo just fine, so long as they are not choked tight. Anything tighter than (check me here—-BASC) IC/LM is a problem. You will almost certainly bulge your bbls. CYL/IC? Have at it. NOT HP!

So. Want to shoot that pair of Purdeys?
Bi$$$$$muth. Or a trip to the bbl man or Teague then the proof house (required).

The smiths and the choke folks are gonna make bank, and the pheasant, partridge, mallard and teal will continue making that satisfying thump.

Will some, even many, of those guns be available for a song? Yeah.

But they already are. Have been for ages.
 
Last edited:
Now, rifles?

I lack the knowledge.

Is there a variable of internal ballistics differentiating projectiles containg lead as opposed to all copper or whatever?

Muzzle velocity, projectile mass, BC being equal, isnt the POI identical to the nanometer?
 
I’ve seen that several companies are trying to come up with less expensive non toxic alternatives for the vintage guns. Hortonium is one such. If there is a market to keep the vintage guns in the UK fields, the market will find a way.
 
Talkin’ shotguns right?

I have been keeping an eye on the British and Spanish shotgun makers since about 2000. Ordered a couple Eibar guns, bought another what three vintage Spanish guns in UK.

This topic has been on my radar for a while. I’ve talked to BASC, other experts, the gunsmith and the boss (owner) of a Yorks gun room, making sure.

I don’t know of any modern makers who are making barrels not proofed for steel. Zip.

Buy anything made in the last decade, minimum, check to make sure before you plop down that plastic, and it is a non issue.
Mostly. There are two grades of steel ammo.
Plain jane and 93 octane. Make sure your gun can handle the HP if you intend to use it or think you may want it one day.

Vintage stuff? Different story, though I’ve seen vintage guns with steel proof dating back to what the early 90’s?

The big problem? Choke. Most vintage barrels, am told, can cope with standard steel ammo just fine, so long as they are not choked tight. Anything tighter than (check me here—-BASC) IC/LM is a problem. You will almost certainly bulge your bbls. CYL/IC? Have at it. NOT HP!

So. Want to shoot that pair of Purdeys?
Bi$$$$$muth. Or a trip to the bbl man or Teague then the proof house (required).

The smiths and the choke folks are gonna make bank, and the pheasant, partridge, mallard and teal will continue making that satisfying thump.

Will some, even many, of those guns be available for a song? Yeah.

But they already are. Have been for ages.
And open up the forcing cones on old shotguns using steel loads . Up to 1/2 choke not a problem for old guns .
 
Truthfully, I'd rather have a modern Continental double like the Blaser S2 or Krieghoff Big Five that's completely capable of shooting copper expanding and brass solids with little to no regulation needed.

Feel free to enjoy the (relatively) cheap Purdy, Holland & Holland, Boss & Co and Rigby options free of any bidding war on my part.
 
I took delivery of this Westley Richards droplock yesterday. Quality British doubles are selling at very compelling prices in the UK if you are willing to navigate the import. IMG_4467.jpeg
 
I don’t know about the exact rules in the UK, but at least in Belgium we will still be able to purchase lead bullets, if for the purpose of sport shooting, or travelling. Just not for hunting in Belgium.

So also prepare yourselves for lots of Belgian rifles coming available in coming years.

What a load of bullocks this anti lead ammunition laws are…
 
I don’t know about the exact rules in the UK, but at least in Belgium we will still be able to purchase lead bullets, if for the purpose of sport shooting, or travelling. Just not for hunting in Belgium.

So also prepare yourselves for lots of Belgian rifles coming available in coming years.

What a load of bullocks this anti lead ammunition laws are…
Same here also

Lead was already banned for shotgun this year , but legal to buy and have . Not to use . Some ammo types have gotten ridiculous in price and I’m not sure if I will be bothering much with any kind of hunting here in Norway at all if the stuff just get weirder .
 

Forum statistics

Threads
63,773
Messages
1,403,832
Members
126,908
Latest member
5mbaeorg
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

StickFlicker AZ wrote on Matt 72's profile.
I didn't see your request re: ship co’s. My last shipment was 2023. Quotes from SBS Logistics ($1,198), Badger Cargo ($1,184 - used them) & AHG Trophy Shippers ($1,746). AHG owner's an asshole so wouldn't have used him anyway. Eastern Cape - Houston, TX, so your mileage may vary. NEVER use Karl Human Taxidermy aka Wild Africa Taxidermy on Eastern Cape. Trophies arrived shattered with no padding/packing material.
Member of: SCI, NSCA, Life Member NRA
Thank you for the bookings Gents August is now fully booked!

Updated available dates for 2026!

1-27 feb is open
5-31March is open
1-10 April is open
17-30 April is open
1-6 May is open
24-31 May is open
12-18 June is open
24-30 June is open
1-17 July is open
August is now fully booked
from September onwards is wide open!
 
Top