Sporting Gun Magazine

Guest edited by gamekeeper, champion clay shot and coach John Lee, the February 2026 issue of Sporting
Gun is shaped by a lifetime spent in the field and at the clay ground. Drawing on decades of keepering,
competition and coaching, this issue reflects a deep-rooted passion for shooting and the countryside, and
the satisfaction that comes from sharing knowledge and experience with others.
In his guest editor’s foreword, John reflects on a journey that began as a boy helping out on local shoots
and grew into a career defined by hard work, persistence and opportunity. From years spent keepering
commercial shoots to coaching newcomers and seasoned shots alike, his story captures the sense of
privilege that comes with working in the countryside and the responsibility that goes with it.
Inside this issue, readers will find a wide-ranging mix of shooting sport at its best. There is tradition and
nostalgia in a driven farm shoot with Geoff Garrod, thoughtful discussion around the move beyond lead
and practical advice on gun care by Matt Simpson, training and technique from John Lee. Across clays,
game, wildfowling and stalking, expert contributors offer insight, opinion and guidance shaped by real
experience in the field.
Also in this issue:
Five of the Best: Training aids to improve consistency and performance
The Chalk Line: Ben Palfreyman joins a partridge day in West Berkshire
Clean Habits: How to clean and store your shotgun correctly
The Clay Shooting Calendar: Key events for 2026
Kentish Clays: Fifty years at West Kent Shooting School
Reliable Elegance: Bruce Potts reviews the Beretta A400L
Can Ellena Make It a Hat-Trick? An exclusive interview
Straight Shooting: Bruce Potts tests the Mauser 25 Max and Extreme
Where It Began: Jamie Culpan explores the history of stalking in Scotland