It has been well written many times all about my love of the Air Arms guns I love them all. As I have said before it started off way bay back in the late 80s early 90s with a simply brilliant gun called the Air Arms Camague (I think that’s how it was spelt) and I did a lot of hunting with that gun.

So when I was asked by the magazine that is The Countryman’s Diary (www.countrymans-diary.co.uk) what my thoughts were on modern PCP (pre charged pneumatic) air rifles and in particular the Air Arms S510 and the Daystate Regal I thought ohhhhh I can see a review with a difference coming on here.

Some may look at this as I have a biased approach but NO, I always review everything impartial and give my honest and humble personal thoughts on everything I test or review. I must admit I could not wait to get out and have a bash with these two top Air Rifles from two top gun manufacturers. I knew what to expect from an Air Arms and I was not be disappointed as I know what I was getting quality made precision engineering with a style I was accustom too. But the Daystate I knew nothing about and this intrigued me and fired a passion in me like a mysterious lady in the desert at sun down in our camp at the oasis.

First I fitted a couple of scopes not good ones just a couple of spares that were knocking about the place as I was waiting on a delivery from Deben/Hawk of a couple of my favourite scopes available from www.hawkoptics.co.uk .  I just could not wait to get out hunting with these rifles so I gave it a go with the spare scopes I already had. I also fitted to both guns The simply brilliant Hugget sound moderators available from www.milbro.co.uk or www.huggettprecisionproducts.co.uk these really are the shizzle and now use them on all my rifles.

I did a pellet test up with my ole Mucker Air Gun Gear TV if you have not seen his channel I recommend you take a look on Youtube.  I laugh and enjoy every time I watch his channel his wicked sense of humour and the way he presents the show just keeps me entertained let alone all the amazing guns etc he reviews and oh so much more.

Well the pellet test after zeroing with Air Arms Field Diablo pellets (in my opinion the best pellet there is) I set up some of the Jack Pyke target cards at 25 yards and 50 yards with a left to right crossing wind.  Now I know this is not the perfect way to do it but I wanted to test it like out in the hunting field not like in range with no wind etc as out in the hunting fields you never get perfect conditions.  Also I don’t do a technical article I have said this before if you want all that technical stuff you can read it all elsewhere a thousand times over.

My reviews are from the hunting field where I am going to use it and does it do what it says on the tin for me.  I often find better results this way as what you do in a range etc often won’t work out in the field as everything can change in the blink of an eye and often does.  Targets don’t move but a pigeon or rabbits head does and how long will a tree rat hang about for a shot. not long I tell you.

The Air Arms S510 was in sub 12ft lb .177 and the Daystate Regal was in sub 12ft lb in .22.  I know you will say how is that equal well in some ways yes and some ways no but I wanted to see what the 2 calibres in each gun could do head to head? I will say I was not disappointed as both guns worked very well against each other.  I have also done this test the other way around and there was nothing in it at all. But for now I will write about the review in question as with the results from all the tests I could write a book about.

As you can see from the target cards there simply is nothing in it between the two guns. And if I was out hunting I would be happy with both guns as I know I would have a bunny or a pigeon or three in the bag and won’t be going hungry that night. Oh the pellet at the bottom of the Regal 25m card was a miss shaped pellet I thought it looked a bit funny when I loaded it but kept it in to show how you must keep your pellets in good order and that pellet drop proved the point so well. 

I then took the guns Verminating on a farm that was plagued all around its yards with woodpigeons/collard doves/ferals/rabbits/corvids and rats and put the guns to a hunting test on live quarry. The farm in particular was a haven for vermin and the poor farmers animal feeds were getting smashed and costing the farm thousands in lost yield etc.

I started off with the Daystate as this is a rifle I have never hunted with or knew much about.  So this was a learning curve for me too as both rifle feel and shoot ever so subtlety different.  I think of it like having two favourite pairs of slippers and putting one from each set on at the sometime even though they are comfy they feel just a little different and for me it’s the same with guns.

As I snook around the vast farm yard and outlying grain barns/mills and cattle sheds with the Daystate Regal at the ready I thought you know this is quite a long gun and needed a sling. My first target was a woodpigeon sat on the end of a silage trailer letting his breakfast settle so I lined up nice and slow using a gate post to steady my shot.  There was a light left to right wind and as the rifle was zeroed at 25m and the pigeon a good 30m or so away I had to give just a touch hold over (aim high) and wind age (aim into the wind) to be able to drop the pellet on the pigeons head.

As my Pappy (grandfather) always taught me “See the shot feel the shot” as I squeezed the trigger and the rifle made a very quiet pheeeewt. That’s one thing I will say about these Hugget Mods they really are quiet even on my FAC Air Arms S410 and they don’t disturb the entire area of quarry that is a massive bonus as a hunter. I can see the shot in slow motion now as I write this and remember seeing the pellet go out of scope and back in and strike the pigeon perfectly in the head.

The pigeon lifting off in slow motion flapping at the pellet strike with a puff of feathers and that shock wave running right through it. If I had a camera rolling that would of made some impressive footage. Also how quite all this was a magpie popped up on a tyre on the muck pit to see what was going on and some fast shooting from me quickly re loading the Regal and getting on target put a magpie in the bag too.  Alas I could not retrieve it as it was floating un retrievably out in the muck after me knocking it back a few feet off of the tyre deep into the muck pit.

I thought to myself this Daystate regal packs a mighty punch and is very sweet to hunt and I was satisfied with it so far.  Now it was the turn of The Air Arms S510 so I stalked stealthily back to my truck to get the other gun. On the way back a rat presented itself to the Regal and well let’s just say that big sow rat sat feeding on my farmers grain never knew what hit it.

Back at the truck I boxed up the Regal and got the Air Arms out but not before the farm workers all came over to have a look at what I was using today and loved the look of both guns. Right time for another stalk about and well it was like stalking with an old familiar friend as the Air Arms just felt at home in my hands and this was for no more reason than spending a long time using them.

I first saw a magpie sat high up on the end of the barn some 50m away. Using a metal rail going over a drinking trough to steady my aim I had to allow for a reasonable wind coming from right to left and about a mill dot and a half hold over and squeezed off the trigger. The distinct phweeeeet of the Air Arms through the Hugget sound mod was like music to my ears with the pellet sailing true and striking the magpie at the base of the neck as it dropped like a stone off of the barn roof.

I went over to retrieve it but it had fallen deep inside a massive bramble bush so I could not retrieve it. I decided I needed a coffee so I went back to the truck and sat in there with the Air Arms out of the truck window covering a silage pit some 30m away while I drank my coffee and had a breakfast bar.  As always I call this playing my joker how often to you open you flask or lunch box whilst out shooting and everything comes out to play?

This time was no exception as a flock of Collard Doves descended upon the pit right in front of me, so I put my coffee down and sat forward and watched for the best shot? The first on sat perfect right at the bottom of the silage lined up straight at it and squeezed the trigger. It folded on the spot and gave a little twitch the others just looked at it so I lined up another target 2m to the right squeezed off the shot phweeeeet and this gave a back flip spooking all the other doves and they flew of startled.  I retrieved the birds and took some pics of both rifle and my kills that I could retrieve.

A phew days later Chris a shooting buddy of mine came over and I fitted the Hawk Scopes on both rifles and that coupled with The Hugget Sound Moderators also fitted to both guns.  I actually think I may have found the perfect hunting combo of a life time, Either Air Arms S510 Hugget Hawk combo or Daystate Hugget Hawk combo is quite simply awesome.

My final words on these two amazing guns from two brilliant gun makers are they are both as sweet on the eye as they are to shoot.  Both smooth as silk and deadly accurate and if I had never owned a PCP air rifle I would not be disappointed to have either of them in my Cabinet.  However My love for the Air Arms is still as strong so for my own personal preference and nothing else I would choose and Air Arms first as they fit me like my favourite slippers.

I have not been paid to say any of this and this review is just my personal humble opinion of two brilliant, no awesome air rifle combos that I put together, If you would like The Ole Hedge Creeper to review your product please drop me a line either through www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk or www.countrymans-diary.co.uk and I will be only too happy to give it the ole once over country boy style.

Please keep the sea of wonderful emails and letters coming in as we try our very best to get back to you all personally.

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
Aka: Rob Collins.

Well when I first heard there was going to be a new gun shop opening in Bristol, I thought to myself I have seen this before so nothing to get excited about!? Oh how wrong could one man be? It opened in a part of South Bristol I knew very well as I grew up there and was born there as many of my family were before me. My first thoughts were blimey this is going to be a rough and ready sort of place, put together on the back of a beer mat sort of shop! I was so pleased when I was proven wrong. I will say the place has really grown on me as The Dan's as they are known always make you feel so welcome. They are simply known as The Dan's because both of their names are Dan if you catch my drift.

My first visit to the shop was by way of picking up sponsored guns that the amazing Air Arms gun company  had sent us for Pass It On Young sports. Needing them to be delivered to a Registered Fire Arms Dealer (RFD) Braces kindly agreed to take them in for us. I must admit I was wondering what sort of place I would find when on my way to the shop to pick the guns up! From the outside it looked pretty good but were looks going to be deceiving?

I pressed the buzzer to be let in the security door and walked in to meet Dan (the boss) with a firm handshake a smile and impeccably dressed, this impressed me right from the start talk about great first impressions. I have been all over the world in all sorts of gun shops and well quite frankly many English gun shops are unwelcoming and to say the least stuck up and stuffy. Not here at Braces they treat every customer with the very same hospitality whether you are browsing or buying a tin of pellets, or spending an obscene sum of money on one of their fine English or outstanding quality guns from other countries, Quite simply I loved this new modern gun shop with the old world traditions and they really have done a fine job on the shop too if I did not know better I would swear I was in the Holland & Holland or Purdy shop with all its finery.

I have held off doing this review until I had been to their pre Christmas 2013 open evening, I was kindly invited along for the grand official opening of their new gun room. So donning my tweeds and Sunday best I went along with another friend from the field sports industry Giles (Airgun Gear TV) who was also invited along to this suaray. Right from getting there we were made to feel welcome with nibbles and champagne and well not one to refuse a glass or several of champers I tucked right in.

Looking around the shop and newly built gun room the cream of the field sports community were there with many old faces I knew from either working with over the years or shooting with and beyond.

WOW what a place this shop is, It literally screams class and culture and traditional elegance with a modern twist, I simply cannot do this place justice with mere words. The wooden style of luxury with leather and purple felt backed gun displays make the amazing quality of the guns they have on show stand out to the eye, with all the elegance of dare I say royalty and sheer beauty. The wooden floors and walls and elegant lighting really does make this place sweet on the eye and for you to feel this you must visit this gem of a gun shop that is hidden in a sea of rough that is Bristol.

Even the budget shot gun section that is well stocked with quality second hand guns just simply jumps out at you, as for the rifle and air rifle section I don't think I have enough space to do it justice. I will say that there is something to fit any ones purse and above all quality you will be hard pressed to find else where. The shop is so well stocked with everything a shooting, hunting, fishing or countryman could ever dream of at reasonable prices too. Ammunition from rifles to shot gun to air rifle pellets the choice is so vast you will struggle to choose what you would like. If they have not got what you are looking for they can order it in or advise of an alternative, this shop and the owners really go above and beyond to service all their customers needs.

I will say this is a shop where you will only ever get quality whether its clothing or anything else field sports related, you wont find any rubbish in this shop! Whilst at the Official Open evening of the gun room and shop I had a chat with Dan and he had this to say about how it all started.

Braces Shooting is a family business opened in 2010 by Daniel Pool, Daniels father John is an international standard shot, travelling worldwide to compete and shoot for Great Britain in FITASC competition. Daniel has been around shooting all his life and has keen interest in All areas of shooting from air rifles through shotguns to centre fire rifles.

Braces Shooting School is based just fifteen minutes from the centre of Bristol and is fully equipped with top of the range traps that can be adjusted to suit the needs of any shooter. John Pool is head coach and can take groups or individuals for private lessons.

Braces have a clay shooting club that operates a 50 bird sporting shoot with a barbecue on a bi weekly basis, all welcome  enquire for details.

As Dan mentions they also have their own shooting ground approx 15 Min's from the shop. I took a trip up there to see the ground and my ole mucker Robert Eaton a top shooting coach and resident coach for Shooting UK was ground giving lessons/advice etc. Robert is an amazing coach and what I will say he is brilliant with the ladies and young sports, anyone who knows Robert or had lessons with him will confirm that he really is an out standing coach and all round good egg with it. The ground is as exquisite as the shop and you will always be made to feel most welcome.

If you want to find out about lessons with John or Robert or just go along to the ground or indeed the shop then here are their details (shop). 

427 Wells Road, 
Bristol, 
BS42QW 
Tel: 01173009956 
Email: info@bracesofbristol.com
Website: www.bracesofbristol.com

My Final words on Braces Shooting And Country Supplies and Shooting Ground are you will always find a professional, friendly, amazing shop that balances old world refinery and tradition with a modern world approach. The whole place from the welcoming and friendly greeting that awaits you, to the shop that literally oozes grandeur of the finest quality no matter what the size of your purse or field sport discipline. You will not be disappointed with a visit to Braces and I guarantee you will come out carrying something with a lighter purse smiling like a Cheshire Cat.

I hope you have enjoyed this review I have not been paid to say any of this and it is my honest humble opinion written from the heart as always. If you would like The Ole Hedge Creeper to review your field sports product/shops etc then drop us a line and we will only be to glad help if we can. Or see us over on The Countryman's Diary  and please keep the amazing and positive emails and letters coming to the Countryman's Diary Offices.

By The Ole Hedge Creeper,
Aka Rob Collins

When I was asked to review The Crossman Rat Catcher by a local gun shop, I thought how can I review a gun I basically know nothing about?.  However as if his ears where burning a Mucker who has just purchase one of these guns asked me to fit a scope and zero it for him, so this was the perfect opportunity to spend a little time with this little gun and review it for the gun shop who are hoping to stock them.

As an RFD, gun tester and tough old country boy I get to play test & review all sorts of products such as clothing, decoys, hides, lamps, night vision and all sorts of guns. You name it and over the years I have either had some input into it or tested it and in many cases I have given ideas on how to improve these products.

I have never been paid for my reviews and in this way you can be assured you are getting my honest humble opinion on a product.  If  I have not reviewed something then either I have not been asked or it probably has not done what it said on the tin for me so I send it back and say try harder etc.,I am not overly harsh as whatever I am reviewing for me it has to be able to do what it was designed for within the limits of what it is.

So going into the Crossman Rat Catcher review I went in with no pre-set ideas or convictions. I have heard all sorts of rubbish from all sorts of people on many things and what I say is this; if you ask something to do something either more than you are capable of or the product is capable of then what then you can expect nothing but poor results.

So with this in mind I set my longest shot limit at 30 yards, which is a perfect distance for walking about around the farm yard dealing with pests like rats, feral pigeons, rabbits and corvids.  But in reality I wanted to use field craft to get within 20 yard and really see what this little gun could do.  

I also did a static test after zeroing the gun with the range set at 25 yards and then did a pellet test with three different brands of pellets, namely the Air Arms Field Diablo, AccuPell and the cheap budget Bull Dog Pellets. And I will say I was pleasantly surprised with them all.

The Pellet Test.

I started off in the barn at 25 yards and zeroed it with the Air Arms Field Diablo which are my favourite pellet on the market.  I know you all have one that works for you and I am not saying mine is better I am just saying it hits the nail in the hole every time for me.  In this small test the Air Arms was by far the most accurate and consistent with a 5 pellet shot on each target. Next I used the AccuPell and again these performed very well. That being said I got the occasional flyer (shot off target) with these but that’s nothing un usual with pellets and it could of been a slightly deformed pellet or a bit of wind.  Next came the Underdog or in this case the Bull Dog pellets, and I will say my result with these cheap pellets were quite astonishing and they held a good tight pattern in this little CO2 gun.

The Crossman Rat Catcher takes little CO2 silver canisters to power it and this is something to think about as cold and heat affect them? As the day was quite cold I kept the little silver CO2 canisters from Umerex in my trouser pocket to keep an even temperature and this seemed to help? Why? I don’t know I don’t go in for all that technical stuff like I have said before I look for weather it works or not. For me this means does it kill small vermin humanely out to 30 yards.  If you want all that technical stuff go on the forums and you will get everything a thousand times over about pellets, their weights, barometric pressures etc. but that’s not my bag at all.

Well after the eye opening pellet test I chose the last of the target cards for the pics as I got a feel for the gun after each pellet had five shots each of the three targets.  You can see the groupings in the picks and there isn’t much in it really so I decided to start the hunt with the Air Arms pellets around the farm yard and in the grain mills.  I must admit I was a little apprehensive to whether or not this little gun had enough power to deal with the vermin I was after and weather it would kill humanely with one shot.

I stealthily stalked into the grain mill to see if there was any vermin sat in there feasting on my farmer’s expensive grain and as always there was. I had the choice of two targets a feral pigeon sat up on a rafter or a rat sat cleaning itself on a wall ledge.  I decided to go for the rat as it had a nice back stop as I slowly raised the gun I positioned the cross hairs on its head and squeezed the trigger. The gun made that distinct CO2 pop as the Air Arms Pellet struck the rat just below the eye at 18 yards and it dropped stone dead without even a twitch it did not know what had hit it and it was a big bore rat too.

No time to sit and ponder as the feral didn’t fly out it hopped onto another beam next to the wall. So I re loaded another Air Arms pellet lines up on its head approx. 20 yards away and squeezed the trigger again that distinct pop of the CO2 as the pellet left the gun and struck middle for diddle on the feral’s head as it fell flapping to the floor. I took a breath and walked over thinking bugger I am going to have to dispatch this one but no the pigeon was as dead as door nail.  That made me breathe easier and again this little gun impressed me.

I disposed of the rat and feral into the farms incinerator and loaded up with Accu Pell pellets this time.  Oh I also before going hunting put a brand new CO2 canister in the gun as you don’t want to run out half way through a hunt.  I always carry a spare and considered 20 shots adequate from one canister as I wanted to know I had maximum power when hunting. On targets I was not so worried as that’s only paper not taking an animal’s life.  You see even a rat deserves a humane dispatch I know many a person who says oh it’s only a rat but that’s not how my Pappy (grandfather) taught me.  He said to hunt every shot must be humane and whatever the animal you hunt it deserves your best and respect too.

I decided to have a stalk around the calf sheds as there is always some vermin in there what with milk and feed always about as well as warm bedding and shelter. I was not wrong as I snook around the inside of the barn I could see a magpie hopping from feeder to feeder so I knelt down and waited for it to come to me as I had a clear view of a shot on a feeder with a perfect back stop.  Right on cue this murderous corvid hoped onto the feeder that I was already at the ready on as it looked up and saw me but too late the pellet had left the gun as it starred down the barrel of the rat catcher, THWACK the pellet sailed true just under its beak catching it in the throat and breaking its neck as it fell stone dead to the barn floor.

I didn’t move as the calves startled at the pop of the gun some other movement caught my eye it was another rat that dashed under a water trough.  I could see it clearly so I re loaded with another Accu Pell pellet put the cross hairs between its eyes and let rip.  The rat jumped in the air with a load squeak as the calves startled again but settled down as fast as before.  I got to the rat and it was stone dead as was the magpie so I used a shovel again and disposed of them into the incinerator with the other rat and feral pigeon.

I decided I need a coffee so sat back in my truck with the Crossman Rat Catcher sat on the crook of the wing mirror and this time I loaded it with the Bull Dog pellets just in case any vermin decided to land in on the silage pitts. I call having a coffee playing my joker card as you can bet as soon as you have a sarnie or a coffee everything comes out to play its always like that when I am pigeon shooting and pigeons pitch in the decoys.

Well this time was no exception as the huge flock of Collard Doves that plague this farm descended upon the silage pit not 25 yards from me.  I put my half-drunk mug of coffee down and picked the closest bird that presented a good shot approx. 22 yards away. I lined up on the back of its head and squeezed the trigger pop goes this little gun as the pellet struck the dove just at the base of its head and it flipped over doing back flips then dropped stone dead.

All the other doves took off in a startled flight, circled and landed again with the nearest being approx 30 yards away. I re-loaded with a Bull Dog again and lined up on this nearest bird going for a head shot.  I squeezed the trigger and there was that distinct pop of the CO2 as the pellet sailed towards the doves head.  Just at that point a sharp draft of wind came from the right and a big puff of feathers came from the dove as it bowled over backwards.  The pellet had struck it in the crook of the wing as the wind had blown the pellet off target and all though it had been mortally wounded the dove  was not dead so I dispatched it quickly and humanely by hand.  Thus proving for me the only shot is a head shot with this gun.

My final words on the Crossman Rat Catcher are; She is a sweet little feisty gun and accurate too.  Not a bad starting gun for a hunter of small vermin or occasional target basher and she definitely packs a punch if used within her limits and no further than 30 yards.  On the day it impressed me and I may have to get one to grace my gun safe. I know my daughter Emilie will love to splat a few targets with this little gun and possibly do some hunting with it as I found it quite fun to use.  All in all a good value little gun with a modest price of around a £90 or £150 in package that includes the gun, scope, mounts, bag, pellets and some CO2 canisters.  This is the deal my local gun shop is putting together but prices may vary depending on where you go.

I hope you have enjoyed this review and if you would like something reviewing then please get in touch and I will only be too happy to take a look and give you The Ole Hedge Creepers thoughts on your products.

Regards Rob Collins(Chairman) 

One of the reviews I have always thought needed doing here in Englandshire as well as the rest of the country is a gun shop or field sports shop review in each area.   Well there maybe more than one in an area so I will do my best to cover them all or get some of you to send in your reviews of your local gun shop’s.   This should benefit us all and allow your fellow hunting/fishing shooting or field sports enthusiasts to see what is around and go visit them there selves.

Now you may say if they are local then they will know the gun shops ,  but what about people who have newly move to an area or maybe visiting family, friends or on holiday and need some supplies?

Well where better to start than one of my own local gun shops here in my beloved North Somerset  and a shop I have been associated with my entire life. The shop in question is of course Newavon Arms (The Bristol Gun Shop as they call themselves) a shop steeped in tradition for us North Somerset field sports folk.

I just don’t know where to start? I first went into this wonderful gun shop with my Pappy(granddad) Dad and my uncle Dave (a local farmer/gamekeeper) when I was just a small boy.  The shop first opened in a part of South Bristol called Bedminster and the shop back then is not all that different to today.  However in recent years the new owner Richard has moved the shop to the sleepy Village of Pill set just off of the banks of the majestic River Avon just outside of the city Bristol. 

Back in those early days I used to look forward to my trip to the gun shop as it meant we would be going shooting the following weekend. I remember the smell of pipe smoke from Old John god rest his soul who always used to give me a minto from his pocket if he saw me coming in. I remember the smell of wood leather guns .cartridges and a Christmas list I could only wish for as Young Hedge Creeper at the time. My Pappy always said one day son you can have that gun when your big enough.  He was referring to an 8 bore hammer gun that I fell in love with that was mounted in a lovely glass fronted cabinet. It was to me a cannon that I could go after those magical ghost riders the wild geese I always dreamed of as a boy and well still dream of today when I hear that ghostly echo in my sleep especially just before wildfowling season starts.

Well the new and modern Newavon Arms although in a new location still has these old time memories for me. As soon as I walk into the shop I am transported back all those years to a young boy again. You see that shop has always been an Aladdin’s cave for the field sports enthusiast it matters not whether you are a ferreting man, a deer stalker a wildfowler, a pigeon shooter or a driven game man there is something for everyone in this shop. I just found a friend a Damascus side by side twelve bore tucked away in there. The gun almost jumped out at me it’s a sweet little gun of British craftsmanship that is simply stunning and in pristine condition for a gun well over a 100 years old. That’s the sort of thing you just don’t find anywhere else but at Newavon Arms.  Like I say it’s an Aladdin’s cave and indeed I have found so many rare gems in there over the years whether it be guns or something else field sports related.

The shop itself is now vastly bigger than the original shop in Bristol but still has that small back street gun shop feel with a modern twist.  I think this has been balanced out by Richard and his team very well indeed.  I could write all day about this shop but you must experience it for yourself.   The vast shelves fully stocked with all a country boy could want or need and all at a very reasonable price too.  Richard or Matt are always at hand to advise demonstrate or just have a chin Wagg with and you will always be made to feel welcome here with our famous West Country hospitality.

The racks of air rifles from Springer’s to PCPs (pre charged pneumatics) are always well stocked with new and second hand air guns and indeed air pistols too. The big bore rifle section is a hunters or target man’s dream again with new and used guns all in amazing condition and with prices to fit any budget.  Boasting a vast scope section to choose from with both new and quality second hand scopes to go with the rifles or air rifles.  Then there is the shot gun section with everything from fine quality game guns to clay shooting guns to the budget range and everything in between.  You will always find something to fit any taste or budget and you will always know you are getting quality.

As for ammo, weather you are a re loader or a black powder man this shop has it all as well as a vast off the shelf stock of everything.  You can get anything from air gun pellets right up to big bore bullets. The cartridge selection is vast and you will find it very hard to choose. In addition to the equipment there is a great selection of clothing and is all countryman, woman or young country folk could ask for.

There is also another string to the bow of Newavon Arms.  They also have in the shop a hardware store with all you could think of so you can kill two birds with one stone as it were. As I did just the other day I snapped off the key to the gate to one of my conservation areas and did not have a spare for the lock.  I had to go to the gun shop to buy some steel cartridges for that very evening’s wildfowling.  I was cussing as that key snapping really put me behind but Bowl me over I got a new key cut whilst I was there.  So as you can see this really is a handy shop to know.

What I will say if you are a local, here on holiday,  visiting friends or just here for the day don’t go away without paying a visit to Newavon Arms what I consider to be The Aladdin’s Cave for all field sports enthusiasts.   If you want to find them click on their website: www.newavonarms.co.uk and go in and see for yourself what so many of us West Country Boys and Girls already know.   They also have ample parking and good access for right outside the shop.

This review is just my humble opinion and I have not been paid to say any of this.  I have written it from the heart.  If any other gun shops would like me to come along and write about your shop please drop me line and would only be too happy to pay you a visit.  

Please keep the amazing and positive emails and letters coming as we do try to answer you all personally.


By The Ole Hedge Creeper
Aka: Rob Collins

I felt it was time to do a review of some of my favourite air rifles but rather than being a technical article I will give you my humble thoughts on the fit, feel, looks and more importantly weather it does what I want it too.  I won’t go into all the technical stuff as you can read that a hundred times over else were on every forum known to man and to be honest that is not my bag at all.

Before we get going I will put my hands up and confess that this piece is all about my Air Arms rifles as yes I can stand up and proudly say “MY NAME IS ROB COLLINS AND I AM  AN AIR ARMS FAN BOY”

I started off with a love for Air Arms back in the late 80s early 90s with a rifle called The Air Arms Camargue. This gun was smooth and to be frank I have not used an Air Arms Rifle yet that is not been smooth like a well-oiled British made machine.

I know I have sang their praises from the roof tops but credit were credits due and they have never let me down.  This is unlike some of the foreign makes including a well-known German brand which literally fell apart in my hands.

I expect a gun to not only be smooth but take a pounding and give me 100% reliability.  I hunt in all weathers from high heat to freezing cold and monsoon rains and the Air Arms range has never failed me not once yet.  I do look after them with a regular service.  I also clean and oil them before and after every hunt which keeps them in tip top condition. My Pappy (grandfather) always taught me to look after your gear and it will look after you.

The four main air rifles I use are of course all Air Arms, each one in both  .177 & .22 calibres.  These are (in no particular order) TX200 (Springer), S200 (PCP), S510 (PCP), S410 (PCP).  I have both the Sub 12 ft lb and the FAC versions of the S410.  It is well documented that my favourite air rifle is the Air Arms S410.  Be it the sub 12ft lb or FAC it matters not, that gun is a sweet lady and feisty to boot.

This gun is very heavy I find this good as it helps with any recoil but I would not say this is a good starting gun for a Kid or Lady (oh dear perhaps I should not say that).

This is what I call a Man's Air Rifle. She is pretty on the eye and as feisty as an Italian house wife, but as my Pappy always taught me hold your woman firm and treat her right she will show you passion like no other.

This is so true of the TX200 as whatever you decide to shoot weather a live target or paper when you squeeze that trigger she whispers a voice like a passionate kiss from a lover in your ear and sends the pellet straight and true to target.  As you can tell I am a pretty big fan of the spring powered TX200 and weather its in .22 or .177 when you hear the impact ahhhhh its like sweet music.


The TX200  is pretty on the eye accurate, reliable and powerful. Loading can be a little tricky at times with cold fingers but you will get used to that.  Because of its weight if you are out hunting I would say get a sling put on it. But all in all a great all-rounder for the target man or hunter alike.

Wow what a sweet little gun light, pointable, durable, reliable and deadly accurate. This gun punches way above and beyond its weight.   After using one I liked it so much I bought my daughter Emilie one to use. She loves it above out of all her shot guns and other air rifles and actually I have written several articles about her with that sweet little gun and how successful she is with it weather on the target range or out hunting with her old dad.

I would say this is a good starter gun for any kid or indeed anyone for their first PCP (Pre Charged Pneumatic).  It is packed with all what I have come to expect from a Brilliant British Company although this one is made for them in Czechoslovakia. But don’t let this put you off by any means. Emilie often out shoots all the others in the club with it and now her older brother wont shoot against her as she beats him every time, well that will teach him to take the micky out of her and call her gun a toy gun.

My final words on this gun is whether multi shot or single shot in .177 or .22 you won’t find anything better for your starter gun or life time one as she sure is an addictive little gun that you can pick up at an amazing price.

Above all this is my favourite gun in the Air Arms range as it feels like a big bore rifle in your hands and it looks stunning.  When it catches the light it looks like a chestnut mare (female horse) in a sun glazed Autumn paddock.  This gun is pure class in my eyes, she mounts like putting on your favourite slippers with that ahhhhhhhhh factor of comfort.  I am sure you guys will know what I mean with this when I say this gun just simply fits well and if I did not know better I would say it was tailored to fit me by Savile Rows finest.

To the eye she looks like a proper hunting rifle but would be as easily at home on the target range, in the hunting field were we dance together time and time again we are called upon by landowners to go and deal with vermin problems each and every time the S410 does the job asked of her with grace elegance, power and deadly.

The smoothness of the Air Arms magazines are one thing that has always impressed me as I have chunky hands they are easy to load even when freezing cold and I can’t feel my fingers. The smoothness of the action loading each pellet time after time I cannot fault.  Saying this I keep my guns well serviced and have no problems but I have heard of those that don’t and do have problems? Again I suppose this comes down to what my Pappy taught me.

My Final words on the S410 weather in sub 12ft lb or FAC, it's simply a must have for any air rifle shooter. I am hearing constantly people telling me it’s the worst thing they ever did swapping in their Air Arms for something else.  Well what can I say there will always be one in my gun cupboard.  As a proud Englishman this brings a smile to my face as we are in my opinion still a world leader in the design and manufacture of air rifles and this no small part to my beloved Air Arms.

Well there is not much I can add to this gun that I have not already said about the S410, except that is this gun is a side leaver unlike that of the S200 and S410. The S200 and S410 being bolt action.

It is as I have come to expect smooth as silk when using and re loading, So I cannot as get a cigarette paper between the S410 and S510.

But for me it has to be the S410 as I love the bolt action of a traditional gun.  My final word on the S510 is, It's every bit as good as the S410 so you will be hard to beat it with anything else.

I am often asked what are my favourite pellet and that answer is simple the Air Arms Field Diablo 5.52 in .22 16 grain and in .177 8.4 grain 4.52, (that’s about as technical as I get). Its quite simple they do what it says on the tin and kill humanly every time for me. On the occasion I shoot targets well they are the nail that gets hit in the hole every time.

I am always happy to have a go with anything and will give my honest personal opinion every time, but like I say these are what work for me what work for you may be different.

I have not been paid by anyone to say this about my beloved Air Arms guns but love them so much I could talk your ear off all day about them.

What I will say though is if you are new to air rifle shooting or an old hand coming back, try starting off with an Air Arms and you won’t look back,

Air Arms Review

By The Ole Hedge Creeper

Aka: Rob Collins.

The Ole Hedge Creeper was asked could I cast my eye over 4 DVD 's sent over from www.onelife-productions.com entitled The Knowledge Of Hunting. Now I am not one for watching TV or listening to the radio or even reading a newspaper as its all pretty much the same rubbish all the time. There for if I do spend time in front of the TV I do like to watch something either field sports, conservation related or possibly cooking related.

DVD 1 - The Knowlage Of Hunting part 1

This DVD is entitled The Knowlage Of Hunting part 1 and it covers a vast range of traditional skills from Air Rifle Hunting both day and night to Ferreting. It even shows ratting with Plumber Terriers. It follows a day on a chicken farm when they catch well over 500 rats with these Tenacious little Plumbers. One thing that really caught my eye in this heart stopping DVD was something I had never seen done before?

Well that was using ferrets to bolt squirrels to the gun, I was on the edge of my seat as my hunting genes kicked. In fact the whole DVD had me right there with them. The squirrelling was fast action and really got my adrenalin pumping.

This is an awesome DVD and I must have watched this 20 times now and love it every time.

DVD 2 - The Knowledge Of Snaring And Ferreting

This DVD is entitled The Knowledge Of Snaring And Ferreting. I couldn’t wait to see this one if it was as good as other DVD's from these guys.

It covers traditional rabbit control which is a real passion for me above every other field sport. I love Traditional ferreting the most and I was not disappointed with this DVD. Although it was a little slow to start the action soon kicked in and again had me out there in the field with them. I could see myself running the long nets, laying the purse nets, running the the dogs as well as laying and checking the snares. I must admit I really did enjoy this one as it took me back to my child hood hunting with my Pappy (Granddad) and the rest of my family.

DVD 3 - The Knowledge Of Ratting

This DVD is entitled The Knowledge Of Ratting and again with the tenacious Plumber Terriers and as the title says its action packed ratting mania. As the rats bolt the terriers fly in like bolts of lightening dispatching rat after rat. The DVD shows both day and night hunting with the terriers on the lamp. This was a new one on me and I am now excited to give that a go myself. Actually the more I watch these Plumbers in action the more I want a pair in my kennels as they really have caught my eye in a big way. The hooking out of rats out of walls with a special tool was awesome. I wont tell you anymore as I don’t want to tell you the best bits, but what I will say is “GET THIS DVD” and see for yourself. I am now looking into a fine pair of Plumber pups as I write


This is one of the best ratting DVDs I have seen to date.

DVD 4- The Knowledge Of Chickens Cobs And Running Dogs

This DVD is entitled The Knowledge Of Chickens Cobs And Running Dogs. This DVD took me back to my youth when I would help my uncle on his farm with the Gypsy Cobs Game Cocks. During these trips he instilled a passion for the running dog and those of you that have read my article about Running Dogs rabbits and Romani's will know what I mean.

This DVD really passes on some knowledge as well as some of the finest animals I have ever seen with some proper characters too.




This DVD should grace the collection of every true countryman who loves tradition in its purest sense, with some amazing interviews and real life characters that are now a dying breed.

My Final words are that this set of DVDs has The Ole Hedge Creepers seal of approval together with a massive thumbs up. They quite simply do what it says on the tin boys and in fact I am going to get a gallon of cider, light the log fire and watch the set all over again.

Its a proper job I telle boys.


THE OLE HEDGE CREEPER


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Phil Smalley (Owner)
One Life Productions
Web: www.onelife-productions.com