Cartridge bags are somewhat of a necessity in driven shooting and indeed some forms of walked-up days when you are alone on a hill chasing grouse and don’t have the luxury of filling up your pockets after a drive. The Field presents its guide to the best cartridge bags. BEST…
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The Field interviews Jimmy Doherty
Asked to describe himself, Jimmy Doherty takes a big intake of breath. “I suppose I am a farmer, conservationist, TV presenter.” He gives a self-deprecating laugh that invites friendship. “Or maybe broadcaster sounds better?” Doherty, who is a youthful 50, first rose to prominence for his flyon- the-wall series in…
Venison sausage pinwheels
Combining all the things that help make elevenses such a joy, these venison sausage pinwheels are a perfect sturdy treat to have out in the field. When choosing a cheese, Red Leicester or a strong cheddar will both work well but I am rather partial to Sparkenhoe Red Leicester, England’s…
Beretta 688 Performance
Here I look at a new competition model from Beretta – the 688 Performance. It has 30in Steelium barrels (there is a 32in option), 3in chambers, high-performance steel proof and Optima HP multichokes, and weighs in at 8½lb: substantial but typical of modern Sporters. The selective single trigger is adjustable…
When a Macnab becomes a Macnot
Unlike Buchan’s protagonists in John Macnab, this sporting adventure has its origins in an excess of ebullience rather than ennui. At the Countryside Day held at Cheltenham last year, a fine lunch crossed with a winning horse produced a successful bid in the Countryside Alliance auction. These charity fundraisers are…
The importance of cartridge selection
Along with ‘walked up or driven’ and ‘side-by-side or over-and-under’, cartridge choice is something deliberated by sportsmen the world over. The job of a cartridge is to propel shot through the air consistently and effectively at a target. There is a bewildering variety on offer, as diverse as the types…
Macnab Challenge rules
The Field, in association with Westley Richards and Delaney & Sons, challenges you to bag a Macnab between 12 August and 10 November 2025. Join the club and take part in The Macnab Challenge. Here are the Macnab Challenge rules. THE FIELD’S MACNAB CHALLENGE RULES All Macnabs to be…
The Field Macnab Challenge 2025: a triumph of conservation and sporting prowess
The Field, in association with Westley Richards and Delaney & Sons, challenges you to bag a Macnab between 12 August and 10 November 2025 THE 2025 MACNAB CHALLENGE Any sporting sort knows what a challenge it is to undertake a proper Macnab, by which we mean the modern classic iteration,…
Shooting invitations: your company is requested
The etiquette surrounding shooting invitations can be difficult to negotiate. There is something about a shooting invitation that distinguishes it from all other forms of communication. For a start, it is usually received with the greatest of pleasure. Even if it is not possible to accept, always regrettable, it is…
Double gunning
The art of double gunning began in the 19th century with the advent of driven shooting. A method for those sporting Victorians to deal with high volumes of game, it sits among the greatest traditions of British game shooting. Few techniques combine heritage, skill and utility quite like it. Rooted…









