This is just the best gunshop in the SE, bar none!!!!
If you look up the words 'Aladdin's Cave' in the dictionary, it should refer you to Andy Allwood's premises in Bracknell. Whilst he trades from his home, with visits by appointment only, the amount and variety of stock he carries is amazing.
OK, so you ring ahead and arrange to collect some powder or whatever . . . You arrive at a cul-de-sac in the middle of a residential part of Bracknell. At the bottom, there's a fence with a doorbell on it. When you push that, there's often a disembodied voice that shouts out 'Hang on a sec, I'm in the casting shed', or 'Come in, I'm with another customer, don't mind the dog'. Or suchlike . . . Anyway, eventually Andy will appear. Ever since my second visit, I get treated like a long-lost friend (and I haven't even spent that much money with him), cup of tea, banter etc etc. And nothing's too much trouble. Ever.
Large stocks of ammunition - PRVI was the order of the day last time I was there, but in more calibres than I knew to exist. Then there's the reloading components and equipment . . . Andy's speciality (if he's got one) is reloading. Particularly Lee presses, Accurate powders, Lapua bullets & brass. He runs reloading courses if you're new to the game. Last time I was there we spent about 2 hours going through his loading procedures and I learnt lots of tips and tricks (despite having been reloading myself for nearly 25 years). Whilst I don't necessarily agree with the way he does everything, nor all of his opinions (and he has lots!), there's no bu!!sh!t here: he knows just what he's talking about.
In the strongroom, the number of rifles he has is almost bewildering, particularly military and sporting rifle. I've seen high-end sporting rifles with beautiful walnut alongside ex military one in plain beech, with everything in between. Deal-of-the-day are the 7.5 x 55 Schmidt-Rubin rifles he has, which I've seen produce MoA groups straight out of the box with PRVI ammo. Also muzzle-loading pistols and Andy produces his own range of cast bullets for these (and for rifles).
I'm not aware that he does his own gun-smithing, but he arranged for threading of a rifle for me via a Scottish gunsmith, and I've absolutely no complaints about the workmanship there.
Oh yes and prices . . . well, check out his website for yourself. Why go to the well-know gunsmiths at Bisley and get treated like you've got "D!ckhead" written on your forehead, when Andy's is only ten minutes up the road, so you'll get served sooner. You know it makes sense.
Triffid
68 Wroxham, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8QR. 01344 484 215
http://www.tfsa.co.uk/Allwoods%20Stocks%20&%20Mouldings.htm