Lyalvale Express Factory Tour

As part of our current move towards the expanding of our Firearms Certificate we were invited by the lovely people at Lyalvale Express for a tour of their factory in Staffordshire so that we could learn more about Shotgun cartridges in the hopes of stocking them in the future.

Established in 1983 Lyalvale has had a long history with Shotgun Cartridges and pride themselves on being able to deliver Gold Medal winning ammunition at a competitive price.

Our journey begins with the outside of the factory, split between two buildings. Lyalvale really gets into the nitty gritty when it comes to cartridges, sourcing the best casings, powder, and wadding all from various places across Europe to make sure that every cartridge they produce is of the highest quality. The sheer size of the storage room alone would have many people in shock but what grabbed our attention was the fact that the whole room would only last Lyalvale just a few weeks of Cartridges at most! Moving on to the lower floor we watched each of the cartridges being put together with their large machines making quick work out of an afternoon's worth of reloading to the casual shooter. Each batch of cartridges is tested and changed to make sure that the same level of consistency is across all their range, no need to go hunting for batch numbers now.

Moving onto the main storage building we were met with what seemed like a mountain of boxes of all their different kinds of cartridges, from the entry level English Sporter to the more bespoke Ultimate Steel, Lyalvale seemed to have it all, even a friendly rat protector. In this building many different orders are put together on palettes ready to be shipped all across the UK and we hope that very soon they’ll be adding Drapers Gun Centre to their growing list.

Overall we left Lyalvale with not only the information we needed on Shotgun Cartridges but also the knowledge that the team at Lyalvale would be there to help us and our customers with anything we needed as we expanded our Shop Licences. We’d like to thank Lyalvale Express for the wonderful tour of their factory and look forward to working with them in the near future.

- Team Drapers

BASC Guide to Airgun Shooting

It is estimated that there are over six million air rifles in England and Wales, the vast majority of which are used in a safe and responsible manner. This code, provided by the British Association for Conservation and Shooting (BASC), offers guidance to those who shoot with them. It does not apply in Northern Ireland or Scotland where firearms laws are very different.

THE FOLLOWING GOLDEN RULES APPLY:-

  1. Always know where the muzzle of your air rifle is pointing and NEVER point it in an unsafe direction.
  2. The safe conduct of air rifle shooting must meet the standards described in this code, show respect for the countryside, due regard to health and safety and consideration for others.
  3. Before you shoot, make sure that a safe backstop is present to capture the pellet.
  4. Consider a live quarry; do not shoot beyond the bounds of your ability. Do not take chance shots.
  5. REMEMBER – ignorance of the law is no excuse. If in doubt, always ask.

Behaviour in the Field

BASC promotes and insists on safe and sensible behavior by all shooters in all disciplines. By acting on these points you will reassure shooters and non-shooters alike that you can be trusted with an air rifle.

  • Always check with the landowner, in good time, if you want to go shooting.
  • Always confirm with the landowner what quarry you may shoot.
  • Always respect the owner’s property, crops, livestock and fences and follow the Countryside Code.
  • Always treat an air rifle as though it is loaded and keep its muzzle pointing in a safe direction.
  • On picking up or being handed an air rifle, check immediately to ensure it is not loaded e.g. that it is un-cocked and that there is no pellet in the breech. Be particularly careful when checking pre-charged pneumatic air rifles.
  • Before you fire your rifle, consider where the pellet could go. Be sure that no damage can result if you miss your intended target.
  • Always bear in mind the possibility of a ricochet.
  • Never put down a loaded air rifle or leave it unattended.
  • Use of a sound moderator can minimise disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other countryside users.
  • Remember that all shooters will be judged by your actions and ensure that your conduct is always above reproach. Encourage the same attitude in your shooting companions.

Above all, be safe and be sensible.

What You Can Shoot

Target shooting

There are numerous clubs catering for this growing sport throughout England and Wales, and they can offer great help and shooting opportunities to both the novice and the experienced shooter alike. You will find contact details on the BASC website in the airgun section.

If you want to practise on your own premises you must have an effective backstop. This may be an adequate soft soil bank, without stones, or a brick wall on which an old piece of carpet can be hung to prevent ricochets. Do not use chipboard, plywood or any thick composite material with a polished surface, as there is a risk of ricochet.

Remember that you can be prosecuted if any pellet goes beyond your land, whether it is directly fired or an accidental ricochet.

Live quarry shooting

Many people shoot live quarries, either on their own land or where they have permission. The species which you can shoot are limited by the law and by the effective power of an air rifle.

All wild birds are protected, and although there are seasons when you can legally shoot game, and certain wildfowl, they are not suitable quarries for air rifles. However, as long as you are complying with firearms law, you can shoot certain pest bird species. These are covered by general licenses which, in simple terms, mean you can shoot the birds listed, provided you have the landowner’s permission and provided you are doing it for one of the reasons allowed by the license.

These reasons include:

  • to prevent serious damage (e.g. to crops and livestock) or to prevent disease
  • to protect and conserve flora and fauna
  • to preserve public health or safety

The general licenses vary by Country and are annually reviewed, so BASC recommends that anyone wishing to take these species should regularly read BASC’s advice on general licenses, which is available online at basc.org.uk/shooting/general-licences/

You can shoot mammal pests at any time provided you have the landowner’s permission. Air rifles are suitable for: brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits.

Respect for the quarry

Always shoot well within your capabilities. Practice on targets, never on live quarry, to establish the maximum range at which you and your rifle can consistently hit the point of aim that will ensure a clean kill; this is usually the head, and normally has a maximum diameter of about three centimeters (1¼ Inches). Practise regularly to improve your shooting and stalking skills.

Make sure you know where the kill zone is for each species that you are going to hunt. For mammals, the side -on head shot should be the preferred shot placement. For birds, head shots are effective but difficult because the target area is very small and rarely remains still. Shots to the breast or body cavity give a bigger target area but remember that dense feathers or a crop full of grain will limit the pellet’s effectiveness. The area under the wing is a good place to aim for.

You should zero your rifle and sights (check their correct alignment) before starting any hunt; usually a rifle scope will come with instructions; otherwise there are many books which explain the principles.

It is your responsibility to be able to recognise your quarry and know when and where you may shoot it. Never shoot unless you have positively identified your quarry.

Wounded quarry should be despatched quickly to minimize suffering, either with a second shot or a sharp blow to the base of the skull. Be particularly careful when dispatching wounded rodents as they can bite and scratch with a risk of serious infection.

DO NOT TOUCH RATS. They may carry fatal diseases, so you should lift them with a fork or shovel.

At the end of the day

Always leave your shoot in the condition in which you would like to find it. Make sure that you collect all your equipment. It is courteous to thank the landowner and to offer him something from the bag if you have shot any edible quarry. Take care of your edible quarry – remember it is food, store it in a cool place and never waste it.

Non-edible quarry should be disposed of discreetly, carefully and should not create a health hazard. This is a legal requirement. Under most circumstances deep burial beyond the reach of a carnivorous animal would be appropriate.

The displaying of carcasses on fences or on a gamekeeper’s “gibbet” serves no useful purpose and may offend other countryside users.

The Air Rifle

Always ensure that your air rifle is powerful enough to achieve a clean kill of your chosen quarry and do not attempt a shot of more than 30 metres. Generally the ideal power level is just over 11 ft lb (15J). For an air rifle that is more powerful than 12 ft lb, (16.25J) you must have a firearm certificate.

Never shoot at partially obscured quarry or shoot at quarry which could escape into cover before it can be retrieved. For example, do not shoot rabbits which are less than two metres from their burrow.

Certain types of air rifle are more suitable for hunting than others. Avoid those air rifles which take excessive time to charge, load and fire. Repeating air rifles give an immediate second shot which is always an advantage. All air rifles must be well maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. If in doubt, consult your local dealer.

Choose pellets which are designed for hunting. These will produce a cleaner kill than those which are intended for target shooting. Check every pellet before loading to ensure that it is not damaged or deformed.

Care and Maintenance

Take care of your gun; it is built to precise standards and damage or mistreatment can seriously affect its performance and safety.

Do not attempt to strip an air rifle without having the proper tools, facilities and knowledge to do so safely. Many air rifles contain powerful springs which can cause serious injury if released in an uncontrolled manner. After shooting, ensure your air rifle is dry and free from dirt before storing it.

Metalwork may benefit from a wipe down with a lightly oiled rag or a silicone cloth. The barrel should be cleaned using a proper barrel cleaning kit, and again lightly oiled. Only use the correct lubricants in accordance with the rifle manufacturer’s instructions. Always carefully wipe the oil from the bore before shooting.

Law

The law makes no distinction between air rifles and more powerful guns for which you need a licence – they are all classed as firearms. This means that any offence you commit can carry a very heavy penalty, and there are at least 38 different offences. Following this code will help you to keep on the right side of the law, but, if you have any doubt, seek advice from BASC (www.basc.org.uk) or your local police firearms licensing department.

WHO CAN SHOOT

18 years or older:

If you are 18 years or older there are no restrictions on buying an air rifle and ammunition, and you can use it wherever you have permission to shoot.

14 – 17 years:

YOU CAN

  • borrow an air rifle and ammunition
  • use an air rifle, without supervision, on private premises where you have permission

YOU CANNOT

  • buy or hire an air rifle, or ammunition, or receive one as a gift. Your air rifle and ammunition must be bought and looked after by someone over 18 – normally your parent, guardian or some other responsible adult.
  • have an air rifle in a public place unless you are supervised by somebody aged 21 or over, and you have a reasonable excuse to do so (for example, while on the way to a shooting ground).

Under 14 years:

YOU CAN

  • use an air rifle under supervision on private premises with permission from the occupier – normally the owner or tenant. The person who supervises you must be at least 21 years old.

YOU CANNOT

  • buy, hire or receive an air rifle or its ammunition as a gift, or shoot, without adult supervision. Parents or guardians who buy an air rifle for use by someone under 14 must exercise control over it at all times, even in the home or garden.

It is illegal to sell an air rifle or ammunition to a person under 18 years of age.

Where you can shoot

Where you intend to shoot, always ensure that you are authorised by the landowner or person with the sporting rights and that you know precisely where the boundaries are. Get permission in writing, if possible, to remove any doubt.

Whenever you are in a public place you should carry the rifle in a gun cover and always ensure that it is unloaded and not cocked.

Security

From February 2011, the Crime and Security Act 2010 makes it an offence for a person in possession of an air gun to fail to take “reasonable precautions” to prevent someone under the age of 18 from gaining unauthorised access to it.

The legal advice contained within this publication remains unchanged e.g. 14 -17 year olds may still use air guns unsupervised on private premises where they have permission etc.

For further advice about reasonable precautions for storing air guns not in use please contact BASC or see www.basc.org.uk for a copy of our fact sheet ‘Young People and Airguns’.

Trespassing

Intentionally going on to private land, or water, where you do not have permission is trespassing, and if you are carrying an air rifle it becomes armed trespass. Whether the gun is loaded or not, or whether you are carrying pellets, is irrelevant – armed trespass is a serious criminal offence carrying heavy penalties.

Only shoot where you have the permission of the landowner or tenant.

Firing pellets beyond your boundary

It is an offence to fire an air rifle pellet beyond the land where you have permission to shoot, unless the person holding the shooting rights of the neighbouring land has given you permission. Where someone under 14 is shooting, both the young person and the supervising adult can be prosecuted.

It is also against the law to discharge any firearm (including air rifles) within 50 feet of the centre of a highway (which consists of or comprises a carriageway) IF in consequence a user of the highway is injured, interrupted or endangered. These offences could be committed, for example, when someone is shooting in their garden close to a public highway and the pellets ricochet onto the highway injuring someone.

How do I know I am Shooting Safely?

BASC has a simple assessment carried out by accredited assessors called the Airgun Safe Shot Award. It is not a test of competence. The assessment takes just 20 minutes and can be done at a game fair or organised by you anywhere in England and Wales. To find out more about the Airgun Safe Shot Award please contact BASC Training and Education department on 01244 573018.

If you require an airgun coaching lesson or want to learn more about shooting sports contact your local BASC Accredited Airgun Coach. Details of your nearest coach can be found on the BASC website.

Insurance

It is advisable to have adequate legal liability (third party) insurance when shooting. Membership of BASC currently provides such insurance.

Further Information

sportsmanship and courtesy, with full respect for their quarry and a practical interest in wildlife conservation and the countryside.

Never guess at what the law allows. If in doubt, contact BASC or your local police firearms licensing department. Training courses are available from BASC on the safe and proficient use of airguns, for further information contact BASC Sporting Services on 01244573018.

BASC is a representative body for sporting shooting.

Drapers and the Gun Trade Association

Late last year we at Drapers were delighted to have been interviewed by the GTA for those of you who missed the article we’ve decided to archive what we said here.

Having been in Nottingham since 1975 and specialising in the airgun trade, I would like to think we know our customers very well by now.  All ages and from all walks of life, we welcome parents/grandparents coming in with their children to start teaching them this sport, along with older customers wanting to relive their youth!  Airguns are also the perfect solution to vermin control without the need of a licence.

We find that even despite huge advances in airguns since opening the shop, still popular with new shooters are break barrel air rifles.  A basic package averages around £200.  This sets it far below the entry cost of a PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) rifle which can cost up to several thousand pounds. These are powered from a tank of compressed air fitted on to the gun and can legally run up to a limit of 12ft/lb without the need for a licence.  New shooters can get to grips with the hobby before investing in bottles or compressors.

Covid has hit every industry hard this past year, but we were surprised to register an increase in the garden shooting side of the hobby, with most of our Click and Collect orders being done by those wanting to buy their first gun to shoot targets in their back garden during the periods of lockdown.  We now find many of these new shooters are returning to the shop to take up more serious target shooting as clubs re-open.

Among the younger shooters we have seen an increase in the replica CO2 pistol market with many wanting to own something close to their favourite action movie star or video game character.  With the advances of realism in modern air pistols, owning a Beretta or Glock has become more feasible.  But the line between replica and real steel has become more blurred and we worry about those wanting to own an airgun who may not know the law surrounding the hobby as a whole.

I am hoping to work very closely with Lin and the Gun Trade Association to get some clarity for all of us as Registered Firearms Dealers to ensure our security within the law, as we feel some areas are rather sketchy and difficult when we want to find answers.  We have questions regarding the posting of guns, both repaired and new, and the couriers we use.  Also blank firing guns and postage.  Plus the home defence guns that are on the market now.  These are some of the questions that we ourselves have asked the GTA, who know the ins and outs of the dos and don’ts!

Being part of the GTA has helped us tremendously as a company and we encourage other RFDs to be part of this great team.

Drapers are moving forward and expanding in a positive direction for our shooters, by expanding our RFD to sell more gun specifications so we can cater to more of the marksmanship hobby.  We look forward to working closely with you and your team.

Airsoft the Law and You

Since officially opening up our Airsoft section last year we are often asked why so many of the guns we stock are Red, Blue or Green especially by those used to Airguns. Here at Drapers Gun Centre we want to expand into all different forms of shooting while making sure our current customer base can also enjoy all that it brings along with us, to help with this we've listed a few common questions we often get asked about our Airsoft section.

How are Airsoft Guns Powered?

Unlike Airguns, Airsoft guns are powered through a few different means. While there is the standard Spring, CO2 and Compressed Air like Airguns, many Airsoft guns are powered by Green Gas, or Red Gas in the colder months, this works much like CO2 but is usually filled in the bottom of the magazine in a similar fashion to a standard butane lighter. Another common method of powering Airsoft Guns is AEG or Airsoft Electric Guns these run off of Battery Power commonly 7.4v Lipos, these batteries are fixed to the gun with either a Tamiya or Deans connection (It is important to know which batteries your rifle takes before purchasing an AEG as many higher end guns will not be supplied with their own).

Why Two-Tone?

According to the Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2006 (VCRA) any Realistic Imitation Firearm can only be sold to those with the appropriate licence such as a UKARA licence but don’t worry for those of you that are not planning on getting a UKARA or wish to buy your own airsoft guns before getting a UKARA any Imitation Firearm that has at least 51% of it coloured a “Non-Gun” colour (aka transparent, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright blue, bright green, bright pink, or bright purple). Here at Drapers Gun Centre we offer a wide range of Two Tone or Non UKARA Airsoft Guns from Pistols to Rifles, and for those of you wanting to get into skirmishing don’t be afraid Two Tone does not always mean back garden plinking with many of our offerings being available in both Two Tone and Real Steel colours.

What is a UKARA Licence?

A UKARA Licence is The United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association, it was formed in response to the 2006 Violent Crime Reduction bill to enable a safe method of selling Realistic Imitation Firearms (RiF's) to the UK Airsoft player market by confirming the eligibility of purchasers. Player registration is free, to become a registered airsoft player you are required to take part in Three games at the same UKARA registered game site over a minimum of two months, e.g. the third game being 56 days or more after the first.

You must be over 18 years of age, live within the UK and able to provide identification such as Passport, Drivers Licence or Bank Statement.

Is there a power limit?

Unlike Airguns, Airsoft guns measure their power in FPS and Joules rather than Foot Pounds. Their legality can change from skirmish site to skirmish site and while the limit for an automatic is 1.3 Joules and 2.5 for everything else each skirmish site will set their own limits. Most sites will limit AEGs to 150 FPS , DMRs to 300 FPS , Snipers to 500 FPS but this can vary.

We hope this week's post has been able to answer a few of the more common questions that we get here at Drapers Gun Centre but if you do have a question about Airsoft that wasn’t covered don’t hesitate to phone up or ask one of our friendly staff members in store.