Theduckman Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Hi all Iam after people's opinion on the use of a semi at a clay ground . Is it something you guys use yourselves or is it a big no no . Reason is iam looking for my first gun which will (to start with) be used as an all rounder with wildfowling involved . Opinions much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super sharp shooter Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 The only thing with a semi at the clay ground is the empty shells going everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B391 Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 and they invented a magnet stick that clears them up very quickly and neatly. Nothing wrong with a semi. I shoot with a very mixed crowd of SxS's. O/U's, semi's and even the occasional pump. Everyone respects their choice and we have some fun. I regulary see mixed game and waterfowl shooter using their semi's at a clay ground of several different makes and they all break clays, hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malmick Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Just go for what you are happy with and get on with it. I initially got a Miroku Mk70 o/u which I love and used it regularly for clays. When I started shooting game I added a Remington Versa Max for wildfowling. The latter is a heavier semi auto and swings like my Mk70 so it's good on clays and the action feels great as it cycles between shots. The first time I used it on clays I beat my personal best with the o/u. One of my mates loves using it on clays. I've also handled lighter semi autos on clays, a Benelli and a Franchi and both felt great. Go with what suits you and ignore any negative snipes. Cheers, Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theduckman Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Thanks a lot It helps to get honest opinions from people who aren't trying to sell you something. It's the fact I don't see the point of buying an o/u for clays and a semi for pigeons and wildfowling when I could be getting a better shot with one tool so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theduckman Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 P.S Anything you would recommend as first gun for under £400 don't mind s/h or new , just something decent quality which should last . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 depends on which discipline you want to shoot.i will say if its dtl it is annoying and concentration breaking to have the gun on the peg next to you showering you with empty carts.on skeet you need to clear the ground of the empties and you obviously need to wait until everyone has shot that stand as you cant be scramling around whiles someone is shooting it.i do not know of any grounds that will not allow semi's just a pain picking up the empties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontastic Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Is it Steve smiths you will be shooting clays at, I often see people using semi autos there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theduckman Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Either Steve smiths or bywell mate . Will by trying to get as much practice as possible before getting out . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 As long as you pick up your cartridges and are safe couldn't care what you use really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovercoupe Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 As long as you pick up your cartridges and are safe couldn't care what you use really. Spot on advice just dont go heading out of the cage to collect empties, one guy decided to do just this right next to a trap that would no doubt have broken his leg if a clay launched and hit him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Before anyone condems auto's out of hand, I see just as many break open gun users ejecting cartridges all over the place, but I suppose that is preferable to seeing someone waving the blasted gun around trying to eject the fired cases into the bin. One day they will fire just one barrel and then ...................! As far as using an auto for trap, I have shot plenty of trap with both an auto and an O/U. I do not have a problem with empty cases, apart from, on some ranges, too many loose cases on a concrete path can be dangerous if you stand on one. You will find that the regular 'Trappies' only moan about an auto AFTER they have missed a target, having said that the same ones will moan if a cow in the next field as much as ****s when they are shooting. If they are that easily distracted, perhaps they should shoot alone ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B391 Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Before anyone condems auto's out of hand, I see just as many break open gun users ejecting cartridges all over the place, but I suppose that is preferable to seeing someone waving the blasted gun around trying to eject the fired cases into the bin. One day they will fire just one barrel and then ...................! As far as using an auto for trap, I have shot plenty of trap with both an auto and an O/U. I do not have a problem with empty cases, apart from, on some ranges, too many loose cases on a concrete path can be dangerous if you stand on one. You will find that the regular 'Trappies' only moan about an auto AFTER they have missed a target, having said that the same ones will moan if a cow in the next field as much as ****s when they are shooting. If they are that easily distracted, perhaps they should shoot alone ? I wish this forum had a 'Like' button is so I would have pressed it for this reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Hi all Iam after people's opinion on the use of a semi at a clay ground . Is it something you guys use yourselves or is it a big no no . Reason is iam looking for my first gun which will (to start with) be used as an all rounder with wildfowling involved . Opinions much appreciated I use a sx3 with 3 1/2" chambers good all round gun at a reasonable cost, not yet done any wild fowling or pest control with it. As already mentioned as long as you are seen to be safe with the guns handling and pick up your spent cartridges where possible (not always possible as where they eject could be out of bounds). I have used s/a's for several years at clay grounds without any problems, don't load a s/a at a clay ground with 3 cartridges as that can cause problems. Some grounds do allow full use of a s/a (3 cartridges), though these are normally special events, one ground I do go to will allow full use, but I rarely do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malmick Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I wish this forum had a 'Like' button is so I would have pressed it for this reply. +1 Had a grin on my face when I read both of those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southman1 Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I use browning fusion , I ways pick up used cartridges they may be not mine, but it shows that I'm thoughtful ,sum shooters moan and say thank you,and you get others say why are you doing that when they pay staff to do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ugb25 Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I went from a krieghoff k80 back to a semi auto after a shoulder problem now own 5 semis love them all lol I mainly use a beretta a400 unico for clays every week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 No problem with autos . However if you shooting a trap comp it can be off putting having empties slung in front of you . That said some autos can be a lot worse than others throwing the shells 5 and 6 foot haha . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontastic Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 P.S Anything you would recommend as first gun for under £400 don't mind s/h or new , just something decent quality which should last . Give weldon gun rooms a look they normally have a good selection of guns, and they are easy to deal with. You can also find their stock list online so you can have a browse to see if there's anything you fancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Last time I turned up at my clay ground with a semi, everyone looked at me a little odd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 (edited) Last time I turned up at my clay ground with a semi, everyone looked at me a little odd You should've done up your fly then! Steve Smiths are fine with semi-auto's and considering most people that shoot there with O/U's just eject their empties over their shoulders (DESPITE there being cartridge bins on every, single, stand ) i wouldn't worry too much about it. Personally i'd pick them up if i was using a semi but there you go. FYI I hold the club record at my strawbaler with a Benelli M2, and a proper EVIL Section 1 one at that Edited December 4, 2015 by Breastman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 (edited) I started clay shooting with a semi back in the 90's a Remington 11-87 Premier it was a great gun and I got to a pretty reasonable standard with it. I then went onto O/U's but always had a soft spot for auto's. I ended up buying and then selling a Beretta A391 Urika which was superb and a really flexible gun I regret selling that one but chopped it in towards a scope or something else to do with rifle shooting. I would thoroughly recommend the A391 you can pick them up pretty cheap and they are solid and reliable. As for whether Auto's are in some way frowned upon I can tell you that in my experience I shot with mine at some pretty exclusive grounds and private shoots and never had anyone question it... Pumps on the other hand are another matter great for rough shooting or in a hide but will certainly raise some eyebrows at some of the more "formal" shoots or shooting grounds.... Edited December 4, 2015 by Wingman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super sharp shooter Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I do get a few looks/comments when i use the pump but if you are breaking the clays who cares.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry Bear Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 ^^^^ This. I've had a few dirty looks at the clay grounds when I take my auto, but it is always flagged when not in use and I always pick my (and all the other people who can't be bothered to) empties up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehb102 Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Autos are expected in sporting and skeet. It's trap where people get upset with semi automatic users. See various threads on ShootClay about shell catchers, loading and ejecting setting off the voice activated traps etc etc. So long as you aren't intending to do serious OT or anything and you are considerate and safe you'll be fine. Let them glare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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