Now we are coming out of lockdown things are slowly returning to normal, and no more so than in our sport.

Our Clay Shooting Classic is taking place at Orston Shooting Ground just as we are going to press and we will give you a full round-up of that event in the next issue.

This issue of Sporting Gun was lucky enough to be the first magazine to shoot the new Purdey Trigger Plate in 20-bore. At £69,000 plus VAT, I’m not suggesting we all buy one. I like to think I live in the real world and I know most of us will never have that sort of spending power, but it’s exciting to think that great British gunmaking is thriving. The company combines the best of traditional gunmaking with new technology and you can read all about that on page 96. It’s good to showcase the best of British gunmaking in these pages.

The Italians are also famed for their shotgun-making heritage and in this issue Becky McKenzie takes us through the merits of the Breda Zenith Sporter, which proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a gun that performs. What is more, it comes with parts that can be easily swapped if they wear, so you will get a sporter that you can pass on.

It’s great to be back shooting again, as I’m sure you will agree.