Inside the Perfect British Shoot Day, According to Thousands of Guns

The perfect day, peg by peg, as revealed by the 2025 GunsOnPegs Shooting Census, proudly supported by Lycetts.

Thousands of you shared your answers in this year’s Census - and the results are a wonderfully mad mix of tradition, humour, strong opinions and even stronger sloe gin. Here’s what we found.

It starts with tea – and then gets serious

By far the most popular expectation? Tea and coffee on arrival. A full 69% of respondents said a steaming brew was a must before the pegs are drawn. But the real joy of the morning comes a little later: mid-morning refreshments, expected by 68% of you.

Your preferences painted a glorious picture – sausage rolls, pork pies, hot soup in chipped enamel mugs, dogs hoovering up crumbs below, and of course, a healthy measure of homemade gin. One respondent simply wrote: “A good bottle of sloe gin.” Another, with slightly different priorities: “Toilets.”

Lunch, like everything else on a shoot day, splits opinion. Some want warmth and shelter – "a shoot room where you can take your boots off" – others just ask for something "wholesome. Not three courses, just proper."

There were a few cameo requests of their own too: bacon butties, cake at the end and the occasional flask or picnic. If it's warm, filling, and ideally served somewhere with a roaring fire, you're on the right track.

Peg-side company: guns, royalty and action heroes

You were asked which living person you'd most like to shoot with. Top of the pile? Vinnie Jones. Perhaps it's his countryside credentials, perhaps his shoot-day banter, or maybe just the vague threat of a celebratory headbutt. Either way, the man is beloved.

Close behind:

• King Charles
• George Digweed
• Jeremy Clarkson
• My Son(s)

Honourable mentions include Chris Packham, who quietly clocked up 39 votes. We'll assume the sentiment was entirely convivial.

Among the dearly departed, Winston Churchill absolutely dominated, taking nearly 20% of the vote. Prince Philip followed next, and the rest of the table reads like a grand shoot guest list from a different age: Jack Charlton, John Wayne, Lord Ripon, Archie Coates, Sean Connery. A few wistful entries simply read: "The Queen".

Churchill’s runaway lead tells you everything you need to know: when the clouds roll in and the birds fly high, we want grit, humour, conviction, and maybe someone with a cigar and a strong opinion on cartridges. Prince Philip’s presence reminds us that elegance, edge and the occasional gaffe are all welcome in the field.

Dream destinations: Scotland leads, Argentina flies

When it comes to where you’d shoot if the world were your sporting oyster, Argentina edged out Scotland – likely on the strength of its famous dove shooting. Combined, they claimed almost a fifth of all responses.

Also frequently mentioned:

• Spain
• Canada
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Yorkshire (we salute you)

One entry simply read: "Anywhere with my friends." Quite right.

The 4x4 still reigns (just)

Transport-wise, the 4x4 remains the ride of choice – with gunbuses not far behind. Over a third of you said you don't mind how you get there, so long as you get to the peg.

A few hardy types opted to walk. Presumably uphill, in fog, with dogs and optimism. We'd guess they're wearing leather boots older than their beaters.

Who would build your dream gun?

We asked: If money were no object, who would you get to build your gun?

• James Purdey & Sons claimed 26% of responses
• Holland & Holland followed with 22%
• Beretta, Browning, and Longthorne also featured heavily

There were a few idiosyncratic dream builds: “Luciano Bosis”, “Tony White”, and one person who declared: “I'd have a gun built to my specs by outworkers from the top three houses.” We hope they own a private jet. And if they do, we’d appreciate an invite.

As for cartridges? Gamebore was the favourite. Eley Hawk followed, then RC and Lyalvale Express.

And when it comes to looks, game scene engraving remains king at 48%, followed by traditional scrollwork at 36%. A plain action attracted a few fans. One person asked for gold inlay. We suspect they also picked Vinnie Jones.

The Perfect Day, According to You

Your dream shoot day, as imagined by thousands of fellow Guns:

You arrive inside to a spread of hot coffee and bacon rolls. Someone's forgotten their ear defenders, and the jokes have already started. The shoot manager is quietly eyeing up the oddballs, wondering who might need a gentle word before lunch. The mood is buoyant and eager.

Then it’s time to load up. You jump into the host’s 4x4 – no real ceremony, just whoever ends up where – and swap stories about the various guns. Excellent ammunition for banter later.

The first drive sets the tone. High birds, solid shooting, and enough excitement to get the dogs properly twitchy. Before the convoy winds toward the next drive, you make a half-hearted attempt to wipe your boots on the verge before clambering back in – to no avail. Hard luck, upholstery. The teasing begins. Someone missed the first bird – an absolute sitter – and will now be reminded of it hourly. The stories are rolling already, gaining inches with every retelling.

Elevenses arrives in true style: enamel mugs of steaming soup, flaky pork pies, and homemade sloe gin decanted into mismatched shot glasses. There’s laughter, dogs scrounging, and hands warming on mugs as the beaters march off.

Back to the pegs. You unsleeve your Purdey, give it a once-over, and check your belt is reassuringly full of Gamebore cartridges. On the peg to your left, Vinnie Jones is threatening to sort out the next flush “the old-fashioned way” — and it’s unclear whether he means shooting or shouting. Churchill, meanwhile, on your right, is already on his second cigar and quoting Kipling, entirely unprompted. The birds come high, hard and fast. Some fall. Some don’t. But everyone sees a good one.

Lunch is everything it should be: hearty, hot, and with a fire lit in the grate. There’s whisky, a pint or two, cigars pulled from coat pockets. Someone’s staying the night. Someone else probably should. The stories get louder, the birds get higher in the telling, and no one quite wants to head home.

Because a shoot day isn't just about pulling the trigger. It’s where British heritage, old friendships and new stories collide. Guns are cased, dogs fed, boots by the fire – and still, no one’s quite ready to say goodbye. The best days don’t end just because the guns are cased.

What would your perfect shoot day look like? Tell us in the comments!