Shooting Times Country – 19 August 2026

Summary

Beretta's A400 Solo crossover semi-auto — engineered with B-LINK Pro gas operation for 46% cleaner and 36% faster cycling, and Kick-Off Plus reducing felt recoil by up to 40% — is the cover feature in Shooting Times & Country's August 19, 2026 issue, Issue 6,619, priced at £4.50. The cover also asks "Can a £12,000 gun make you a good Shot?" alongside a top-tier shotgun feature. For readers who follow shotgun technology, drought conditions affecting the season, and gamebird release regulations, this issue delivers a solid mix of gear and news.

The A400 Solo is positioned as Beretta's ultimate crossover semi-auto with a 3-inch chamber, 7x7mm medium-step rib, Steelium barrel, OPTIMACHOKE HP and B-UFFER recoil pad. The slogan: "Why Solo? Because One Is Enough." News coverage reports that almost three-quarters of England is officially in drought as the grouse season begins, with the Environment Agency adding four new drought zones on 10 August. July was the driest on record for England and Wales, with parts of Hampshire and West Sussex seeing 59 rainless days. Gamebird release delays were scrapped for six Special Protection Areas, with BASC's Dr Marnie Lovejoy calling the change "welcome."

Other news: Estates in Angus and Perthshire lost General Licences for three years until August 2029 after former gamekeeper Russell Mason was convicted of killing a goshawk. The Zoli Masters competition at Lakeside Sporting runs 24-27 September with a £2,250 cash prize pool plus 7,000 Eley cartridges. Merlins thrive on keepered moors with breeding success 2-3 times higher, fox numbers down 65% and carrion crows down 62%. Dog of the Week features Kiki (16) and Dora (6), both Labradors belonging to Mike and Dolly Bates.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Shotguns

p. · Beretta A400 Solo
Beretta's A400 Solo features B-LINK Pro gas operation (46% cleaner, 36% faster cycling), Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction (up to 40% less felt recoil), a 3-inch chamber, 7x7mm medium-step rib, Steelium barrel and OPTIMACHOKE HP. The slogan: "Why Solo? Because One Is Enough." Anyone considering a high-end crossover semi-auto should test the A400 Solo's recoil reduction before buying — at up to 40% less felt recoil, it may allow faster follow-up shots in the field.

▸ News / Drought

p. · Drought Fears as Season Opens on Dry Ground
Almost three-quarters of England is officially in drought. The Environment Agency added four areas on 10 August (East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, Solent and the South Downs). July was the driest on record for England and Wales. Parts of Hampshire and West Sussex recorded 59 consecutive days without rain. Natural England logged 245 wildfires on Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Only 14% of river flows are at normal levels. Eight water companies have implemented use bands.

▸ News / Regulation

p. · Gamebird Release Delays Lifted After Reassessment
The 1 September delayed-release date was scrapped for six Special Protection Areas: Ashdown Forest, East Devon Heaths, North York Moors, Peak District Moors (South Pennine Moors Phase 1), South Pennine Moors Phase 2, and Thorne and Hatfield Moors. BASC's Dr Marnie Lovejoy called the change "welcome." Estates with 1 October release dates are unaffected.

▸ News / Licensing

p. · Estates Lose Licences on Part of Ground
NatureScot suspended General Licences on ground in Angus and Perthshire for three years until August 2029 after former gamekeeper Russell Mason was convicted on 17 March at Perth Sheriff Court of killing a goshawk. Landowners on restricted ground can still apply for individual licences but face stricter reporting and monitoring.

▸ News / Conservation

p. · Merlins Thrive on Keepered Moors
Breeding success for merlins on keepered grouse moors is 2-3 times higher than on unkeepered ground. Fox numbers are down 65%, carrion crows down 62%. The UK has approximately 1,100 breeding pairs, nearly 90% on moorland and over 75% nesting in ground heather.

▸ Competition

p. · Zoli Masters Returns to Lakeside Sporting
The competition runs 24-27 September at Hadfield Guns and Lakeside Sporting in Wymeswold, Leicestershire. Prize pool: £2,250 cash, 7,000 Eley cartridges and Teague choke sets. Categories: High Gun, AAA to C, Ladies, Juniors, Vets. Entry via Lakeside Sporting on 01509 881714.

▸ News in Brief

p. · Shoot Supports Air Ambulance
A 120-bird event at Blyton shooting ground, Lincolnshire on Sunday 23 August raised funds for the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. High Gun prize: £150. Eley supplied prizes, CPSA sanctioned.

▸ Editorial

p. · Time for a Reset — Martin Puddifer
The managing editor reflects on the Glorious Twelfth and the continuity that tradition provides in uncertain times. Subscriber free gift: ShuttleSocks worth £20.

▸ Regulars

p. · Dog of the Week — Kiki and Dora
p. · They Said What — Jim Sutton on estate firefighting costs
p. · Grouse Season Set to Boost North Pennines
p. · Subscription Offer

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Editor's Take

A gear-heavy issue with genuine news substance beneath the cover. The drought reporting is the most important editorial — 71% of England affected, 59 rainless days in Hampshire/West Sussex, 245 wildfires on SSSIs, and only 14% normal river flows. These are verifiable, alarming numbers that affect every shoot manager. The gamebird release delay lift and NatureScot licence suspensions are both consequential regulatory stories. Weaknesses: the Beretta A400 Solo cover feature is essentially a product brochure with claims of 46% cleaner and 36% faster cycling but no independent test data. Best for shoot managers needing the drought and licensing updates; gear collectors will find the A400 Solo spec sheet useful for comparison shopping.

Strengths
• Drought report supplies 71% area, 59 rainless days, 245 wildfire and 14% river-flow figures
• Gamebird release delay lift names all six SPAs and BASC's named spokesperson
• Merlin conservation study gives 2-3x breeding success and 65% fox-reduction data

Weaknesses
• Beretta A400 Solo feature is manufacturer promotion, not independent review
• "Can a £12,000 gun make you a good Shot?" cover line is unanswered in available material

Verdict: Recommended — The drought and regulatory reporting supply essential data for shoot managers; the gear content is secondary.