Essential Shooting Kit Check List
I found this list in my dad’s briefcase and thought it was an excellent way of ensuring I never forget any of my kit when I go shooting. There is nothing worse than arriving at the shoot and realising that you’ve forgotten your cartridges; its sunny yet you’ve no sunglasses, or even worse its pouring down and you’ve forgotten your over-trousers!! We have all been there.
I thought I would share this list with you, and I have also listed some great options that we have available online and in store if you’re in need of any new or extra bits of kit.
Waterproof Coat Lightweight - Ideal top layer & early season shooting
Many great options available now.
Schoffel Ptarmigan Ultralight Coat £299.95
Schoffel Ketton Jacket £199.95
Musto Fenland BR2 Packaway Jacket £175.00
Seeland Tarnock Jacket £139.99
Waterproof and Windproof Coat with Insulation
These are perfect for later in the season when there’s a real nip in the air, or if you'd rather wear a coat than lots of separate layers.
Barbour Swainby Jacket £299.00 (Features a warm microfleece lining) Schoffel Ptarmigan Extreme Coat £439.95 (For extreme weather protection) Harkila Pro Hunter X Jacket - £469.99 (Waterproof jacket made from 100% polyamide tough canvas, with DWR finish.)
Shooting Waistcoat or Gilet (with big pockets for your shells)
Schoffel Gunthorpe Shooting Vest The Iconic Oakham Fleece with shooting pockets
Musto New Retrievers Vest £149.00 The Retrievers vest is ultra-tough and versatile for shooting, picking up and dog training. Seeland Weston Club Waistcoat £39.99 Traditional waistcoat with an elegant fit and style.
Gun
(obvs - plus a spare if you have it!)
Cartridge Bag
Fill it up before you get there, then you’re ready to go.
Barbour Wax Leather Cartridge Bag £79.95 Easy access and holds 75 12g cartridges
Croots Byland Leather Cartridge Bag £154.00 Top quality leather, in either 75 or 100 cartridge capacity.
Polytex Cartridge bag £19.99
Cartridge Box Holder or Cartridge Magazine
I like my cartridges loose ready to fill my cartridge bag between drives.
Croots Malton Bridle Leather Cartridge Magazine £328.00 Holds 300 cartridges, its stunning quality and will only get better with age.
Beretta Retriever Cartridge Box Store either 4 or 8 boxes of cartridges from only £49.95. Selection of shot if shooting a variety game.
Cartridge Belt
These range from £28.95 up to £125.00, coming in various sizes, styles and materials. Browse our selection - we're sure to have one to suit!
Sunglasses/Eyewear
For your protection and to highlight the birds on those sunny or grey days. I like to have a couple of lens colour options.
Beretta Shooting Eye Protection £37.99 Clear - eye protection Black – very sunny day Yellow – Low light day Amber – The all rounder Costa Del Mar 580p These feature the ultimate polarised shooting lens in a variety of styles and lens colours - the best on the market. View the full range.
Neck Warmer
Neck warmers are great against the wind or the rain as it stops drips from going down your neck. Our own-brand one is on special offer - MRP £9.99, sale price only £4.99
Gloves
I like fingerless or really thin ones that I can keep on when I'm shooting.
Barbour Suregrip Sporting Gloves £32.95 These gloves are moisture-wicking and made from a clever technical fabric, with a soft suede feel that grips more the wetter it becomes.
Harkila Proshooter Gloves £45.99 Best-selling shooting glove, with leather palms for grip and Windstopper fleece on back of hands for warmth. Barbour Fingerless Gloves £16.95 7 gauge knitted lambswool for extra warmth, with elasticated rib finish on cuff.
Cap or Hat (depending on your preference)
This will protect you from the glare of the early season sun and keep you dry.
Towel
For drying your gun between drives.
Shotgun Certificate
Gun Cleaning Kit
It’s much easier to clean your gun at the end of the day so you can store it away easily in your gun locker when you return home. Gun cleaner is also a great idea if you cartridges start to get stuck during the day.
Beretta Presentation 12G Shotgun Cleaning Kit £47.95 Gunmark Deluxe Boxed Cleaning Kit 12g or 20g £26.99
Wellingtons or Leather Boots
Must have protection against the elements and terrain - each to their own here.
I wear Dubarry Galway Boots £299.00 James wears Musto Buckden Shooting Boots £350.00 Dad has Le Chameau walking boots as he likes extra ankle support.
Le Chameau Arran + GTX Walking Boots £280.00 Le Chameau, Hunter Balmoral, Dubarry and Seeland/Harkila are the leading brands in the fields. View our full range of footwear
Shooting stick
Great to perch on when waiting for the birds. The ones with the magnetic end make collecting your cartridges easy at the end of the drive.
Various styles and prices available; click the images for further info.
Waterproof Trousers/Breeks/Leggings/Gaiters
Easy-on ones are my favourites. Waterproof breeks are brilliant as you get the best of both worlds, but they can be too warm early season. Our waterproof trousers are available in various lengths and styles. Here are some of our favourites.
Schoffel Saxby Overtrousers £119.95 Lightweight, with zips and Velcro up the side for easy entry and elasticated ankles to grip around your footwear. Barbour Sylkoil Leggings from £59.95 Long or short, ideal for beating as they are thorn-proof. Seeland Crieff Short Overtrousers £74.99 Wind and waterproof, with full length zips which allows you to wear them over regular trousers. Seeland Keeper Trousers £129.99 Waterproof and windproof trousers, rather than over-trousers, are very popular. Key areas are reinforced for extra protection. Barbour Endurance Gaiters £59.95 Ideal for any country pursuit where your boots will get muddy but you don’t want your trousers to. Seeland Crieff Gaiters £34.99 Made from strong Oxford-nylon, with polyurethane coating for extra toughness.
Ear Defenders
We have ones that go in your ear or over your ear, depending on what you prefer. Below are some of the best.
Deben Supreme Pro Hearing Protection £199.99
Deben Pro Basic Ear Protection £124.99
Deben Stereo Electronic Hearing Protection £54.99 Sonic 2 Ear plugs £11.99
Welly or Boot Bag
Protect your car or home from mud.
John Norris Welly Boot Bag only £14.99
Sophie Allport Pheasant Boot Bag £30.00 Barbour Boot Bag £21.95
Boot Jack
Keep a boot jack in the back or your car to slip muddy boots off with ease.
Harkila Boot Jack £10.99
Gundog
For gundogs, we recommend this kit.
Water bowl £9.99 The Non Spill Road Refresher is ideal. Dog Transporter from £59.99 No need to struggle any more with heavy metal cages - these strong, lightweight and quickly collapsible transport boxes are a dream for carrying in and out of vehicles.
Terrier, Spaniel and Labrador
Tether Attach your dog to this during the drive
Whistle Various pitches and colours available. We also do lanyards so you can keep it around your neck without losing it. Leads Lots of slip leads. I tend to lose at least one a day...thank goodness we do a special offer on a pack of 3!
Dog Rope Twist Slip Leads - 3 pack only £12.99
