I think the 50ft rule has got to be taken in context. If you are shooting on your own property, even if it is within the 50 ft I don't think someone complaining to the Police would result in a prosecution. They would surely have to outline how they felt "endangered", and if you can demonstrate due diligence in how you keep pellets within your boundary a prosecution would be unlikely to succeed.

In a rural area there is also a lot less likelyhood of someone complaining as shooting is usually more a part of life. I've shot 12 bore beside a road, O.K. a road over moorland but the same conditions apply.

As long as common sense is used I can't see a problem arising. There are people who will say I run my gun at 11.999fpe because the chances of getting caught and tested are very remote. The 50 ft rule is similar. For both it only matters if you are caught, or you exercise caution and act accordingly.

ATB
Ray.