doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How was the UK Game Fair?

From those here who attended, how was it?

I went on the Friday, and spent almost all of the day wandering up and down Gunmakers Row with a friend.

I didn’t find time to look at any of the events in the show rings, parades of hounds, falconry , gun dog displays or the like.

I enjoyed my day at Gunmakers Row, and was made welcome at the stands of Longthorne, Manor and Co., Oxford Gun Company, Holland and Holland, Boss, Francis Lovel, B. Rizzini, Bonhams and others.

It is not as good as it was in the past, and Purdey, Westley Richards, Fausti, Holts amongst other past exhibitors no longer have stands there.

As a member of B.A.S.C., who had a good display, I had a 3 day free ticket but didn’t feel the need to go back on the Saturday.

I splashed out £20 on a raffle ticket to try to win a day’s shooting in Shropshire for a party of 8 guns.

If I win I will probably find have at least 7 more friends than I ever realised.

The ticket sellers treated my friend and I to a Gin and Tonic each, although we only bought the one ticket. At the Game Fair £20 for 2 G&Ts is not bad value even if my ticket does not win.

It was on Fieldsports Britain last night.
BASC and GW CT both looked good for once.

I'm a friend, really....

I also had a free ticket option plus a free ride there in a Rang Rover, but decided not to go. I doubt that I will ever buy a new shotgun now, and whilst the 'lead ban' issue is still hanging over us like the Sword of Damocles then I am buying nothing significant, except bismuth cartridges.

HB

I didn't go this time. I can certainly say that three days is barely sufficient to see but half of it. One full day on Gunmaker's Row or one full day on Fisherman's row is needed and then perhaps a further day to see a bit more of what is on offer. Certainly worth the trouble to attend for those who have never been before. Lagopus.....

I didn't go this year (despite it being quite a short journey for me), but in recent fairs (Ragley and Hatfield) I have been to, Fisherman's Row is a mere shadow of it's former self with very few stands.
Perhaps it was revived this year?

Not being a fisherman I just walked past Fisherman’s Row on the way in but I did notice that it seemed to have shrunk since my last visit some 4 years ago.

I dislike the prospect of a lead ban as much as the next man (especially if the next man hates it), but I am told that it need not be a great practical concern in the shotgun world.
I've seen no evidence myself (and if there actually is some evidence, please point me to it) that standard-pressure steel loads harm nitro-proofed barrels, especially if "eco-friendly" cup wads are used.
And for those still anxious about steel, or with BP guns, the least expensive non-steel substitute for lead, Bioammo's proprietary alloy, has a hardness mid-way between standard lead and nickel-plated lead shot. Regrettably, it isn't available on its own for ML use or cartridge-loading (except, so they tell me, by the ton!)

This is also my view. I can spend 3 days around Gunmakers' Row alone. The physical objects are often of great interest (and sometimes of such compelling interest that I find myself reaching for my wallet!), but what I most enjoy is talking to all kinds of experts and learning something from them.