Petay

can you elaborate on that?

don't have the bore measurements to hand as I didn't write them down but from memory they were stamped at .729 and are now .731/.732 so mot particularly concerning or bad I don't think? as said minimum wall is 0.25" and other barrel was 0.28: I think. As mentioned the gun comes for a respectable dealer so I'm not worried about other mechanical issues or anything else as such, more a case of trying to have some confidence on being able to use it into the future.

I'm considering an older Damascus BLE, walls are decent with thinest being 0.25" but the Nitro proof is the original 1 1/8oz - markings suggest a 1904 - 1925 proof period but I've not seen it in person yet so could well be the 1925 - 1954 period marks, either way its before 1954. Intended use occasion 21g loads through it for clays and perhaps as a treat on any walked up days I do - no more than 28g 5s or 6s. I'll use lead until I can't and I'm hoping by then there will be more of the bismuth alloys akin to bio ammo available although I know views on standard steel through Damascus are mixed. its from a respectable dealer. Assuming no bulging, dents, pitting to the barrels should I be worried about the older nitro proof or just crack on and buy it and enjoy a beautiful old Damascus gun?

looking at older English SbS. I know anything below 0.20" is what's considered out of proof but how quickly do barrels wear? if I look at a gun and minimum wall thickness is 0.24" is that 5k shells away from dying of 50k shells away from dying? Also assuming walls wearing down can be sorted with sleeving?

No I don’t shoot comps at weekends at present. Started shooting just over 2 years ago and aside from some initial lessons I’ve been very casual with no real frequency to when I go. At a point where I know I’m not consistent and realise I often don’t know why I’ve missed. sorted my gun to a point where I’m happy now after going through various guns over last 2 years. started doing some lessons again and after speaking with the instructor I’ve decided glasses are a worthwhile investment. I can shoot in glasses but after assessing some of my misses in my first lesson it became clear they are not ideal as are probably to dark for all but sunny days. I’ve tried a few of the cheaper glasses including a set of Wiley X that’s I’ve just given away and the issues is they are all tight on my head and often give me headaches. I know Pilla Outlaw x6 fit me but obviously trying to avoid spending that sort of money. the Castelani cmask pro look similar to the outlaws so suspect they would fit but they are again getting on Pilla money. really just wanted some views on cmask / cmask 2 fit as I can’t find anywhere local to try them

Considering a set of Cmask 2 as they are significantly cheaper than Pilla. Led to believe the lens come from the same factory as the Pilla Zeiss lenses. I know the Cmasks have a post but considering I'm using sun glasses at present I don't see it being a massive issue for my level of shooting. Big question is fit.....I know in Pilla world I would need Outlax x7 frames due to having a fat Mellon. any feedback on fit and quality appreciated.

Thanks for the input Graham. on the guns I’ve owned, reality is the first Beretta I had was sold in purely down to curiosity to shoot something else and me having a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket! The Blaser F3 was the wrong choice for me or should I say the non adjustable stocked version was the wrong choice for me. I never got on with it and it genuinely put me off wanting to shoot anymore. the Miroku I bought based on looks and liking how the 525 handled, I actually looked at an ultra XS pro at the time and ultimately was swayed by the prettier look of the MK38 which was stupid. in terms of issue with my mount technique it was actually reasonably quick and easy to diagnose and resolve. issue 1 - I was starting with the barrels to high this not leaving me much room to move them up as I mounted hence I got the see saw motion. issue 2 - speed, I was trying to mount to quickly and this was down to not understanding the need to adjust my hood point from where I’d usually hold if shooting gun up. issue 3 - as I was mounting I was actually bringing my head down to the gun - a hangover of years of target air rifle shooting. We actually had to lower the comb to get me flatter on the rib but once this was done and with a very conscious effort on my pet to not move my head it all started to fit a bit better. I actually tried mounting with a Miroku after the lesson and did find it easier although the Pacmar pad design still snagged occasionally compared to the flat Inflex of design on the XS pro. Now it’s all about spending 20 mins day practicing my mount.

Little update on this one had a lesson last week with the coach I used a couple of years ago when first learning. Whilst my technique was clearly prt of the issue it does seem changing the the MK38 out for an Ultra XS pro was the right thing to do. comb height heeded adjusting and some cast was also added. I have the thinnest pad on at present although suspect I could have a thicker one in summer months now I’ve started to perfect my technique. either way the MK38 gd5 was a stunning gun for the most money but the ultra xs pro is the better fit thus better tool for the job.

So paid a visit to the RFD today and had a feel of both the Ultra XS Pro and the 694. Did love the palm swell on the 694 but the XS mounted flatter and was more consistent in how I brought it up and mounted it. They both mounted better than the Miroku and the owner of the shop also said it seemed to be the pad on the mk38 causing the issue. We discussed changing it for something slimmer and looking at adding some cast to try and stop my head rolling over the comb but given he was prepared to give me what I paid for the gun in part ex if I took something else I ended up changing it out for the XS pro... I know I like how the 525 action shoots and the palm swell wasn't a deal breaker for me. lesson booked in on Friday to get the gun set up.

My technique will 100% be letting me down at times but I would not saw I am deliberately trying to seesaw the gun up. When using the missus gun I still push forward and up ensuring the off hand is also working but with the MK38 I have to really exaggerate that movement in order to get it up cleanly. I have also found I need to have my hand further back on the fore end which is not ideal for me. My feeling is the tighter radius pistol grip of the Gold E means my hands sitting further forward resulting in a more natural forward movement as I come up....no scientific backing on this, just a theory.

hoping to pick the collective brain. I have been shooting a couple of years casually and I have a mk38 gd5, only had it a month or so and initially really liked it. previously I had a 690 as a first gun which was trade in for a Blaser F3 which I never gelled with. My issue has come now I've started to transition to gun down shooting more. Firstly I find the MK38 really hard to get up into the shoulder without catching my clothes despite the LOP as measured from trigger being spot on for my measurements. I suspect its partly down to the shape of the pad but what's really weird is when I set up the other half 12g 682 Gold E to the same LOP it comes up so much better..... What I am wondering now is does the Beretta come up better due to the shape of the pistol grip and stock making the gun feel shorter vs the Mk38?? Does that seem feasible or am talking nonsense? I'm considering a 694 now as I've read it feels a lot like the Gold E (also like the idea of a palm swell). Also wondering if an Ultra XS Pro is worth looking at as I do like the browning / Miroku action and the Ultra seems to have more target orientated stock swap even if it does lack a palm swell.

Little clear out of odds and ends 2 x Slabs of Hull Superfasts 7.5s - £95 1 x slab of Hull Pro Fibre 28g 8s - £65 Collection with your Cert from Goffs Oak Hertfordshire No silly offers please, I'll use them eventually but having the space back would be useful.

Think it was around 9 weeks for the FEO but I spoke to the office via email a few times before that to sort out payment so helped me get some updates.

I got my SGC in Hertfordshire start if Feb. Hearts, Cambs and Beds are all a single team now days. I was pretty much bang on 12 weeks by the time the cert dropped on the door mat. They did say they were very busy whenever I spoke to them throughout the process, I think the fact my missus was also applying helped as it meant 2 for 1 closed off from a single visit plus our shooting coach also coached the FEO for our area.

A ban for clay shooting will come as sure as night follows day. In fairness a lot of clay grounds only allow fibre now unless it's a competition day. You'd have to consider the fact it's a legit Olympic sport so bans could disadvantage Team GB comp shooters until shot and wad are better developed. I also suspect the move to clay shooting will come once the price comes down. Most club shooters don't usually pay more than £220-230 a 1000 where as game shooters I guess are used to paying more for cartridges? Just a guess on my part.