theshootist

I got mine from an advert on the bbs. It was being used for practical shotgun (extended tube etc.). The owner had just got sponsorship from another manufaturer so needed to move it on. It has a 26" barrel, 3" chamber and was made around 1982. Choke is fairly open, probably about 1/4 judging by the pattern, but I've not measured it. It patterns well with the 30 and 32g fibre 6s I tend to use.

Thought I would add this photo from my hide this weekend. You can see how the BPS drops shells right at my feet. I ran out of shells...

The browning auto 5, as well as many other older designs would cost too much to produce today. The more parts that are machined rather than stamped/pressed means more man hours and labour costs. For me it would be great if a manufaturer would take the decent design and just spend the money on producing a gun of the highest quality and finish rather than on advertizing. Really high quality kit would sell itself. I read a review of the new A5 which said it was a perfectly sound inertia operated gun, but that there were sharp edges on the magazine port etc. which indicated a lack of finish. This is where progress (or regression) needs to be made.

It was so windy yesterday the magnet could have been blown over!

Thanks Motty, I'll give the magnet another go then as I will be back again next Saturday for some more. I may try it off to one side rather than straight in front of me (I am setting up with my back to the wind and with a U shape pattern to my front).

Hi, I had an interesting day shooting over a field drilled for peas yesterday. It was the second time I've shot over this field. Last time I used a magnet (with hypaflap decoys) and had little success. Yesterday I forgot the battery for my magnet and just shot over static decoys and a couple of "angels", this was much more successful and I had a good afternoon's shooting taking about 30 birds (don't laugh this is pretty good for me!). Does anyone else find that on a seeded field the magnet is less successful? Of course any number of things could have made the difference, but I was left thinking that the magnet wasn't necessary or actually put birds off on a dark earth field where the decoys stand out so well. I would be interested to hear thoughts!

I recently got one of the Paul Hart ones from his site having seen it recommended in this thread. Used it yesterday for the first time. Its well thought out and very strong. I found the under seat bag very useful, I have the zip open and throw a bunch of shells in. Cartridges are then right to hand. A good bit of kit at a good price.

My advice would be to make best use of your budget and go quality second hand rather than new. Lots of choices out there. Have a close look at a browning gold if you find one.

I stand corrected, inertia not gas operated.

Gas operated too I think... not for me.

Sadly not! Its a Browning BPS which I got for a song on another forum. It was on FAC. A friendly gunshop took it on their book from the seller and arranged the mag restriction and at the same time reblued the receiver and stripped and oiled the stock. The only bit showing wear is the trigger guard which is made of aluminium and painted. This is some form of baked on paint which has chipped away. I'm planning on getting this duracoated or similar. Getting it on a SGC and refurbed meant that it was no bargain, but I like the result. Its a very nice gun, non of the rattle I have in the .410 mossberg at the bottom and no plastic bits. It was made in the early 1980s. It will be perfect for shooting from a pigeon hide dropping empty shells at my feet. It has a 26" barrel and (I think) about 1/4 choke. Its also a great rough shopoting gun as its light to carry and comes to the shoulder quickly.

Herewith my application...

Paradox are certainly S1. As for what use, as long as you get a gun capable of sufficient accuracy there is no reason why one shouldn't be used for boar or deer in the UK. I would imagine that most authorities would very seldom get a variation request for one, so you would have to be prepared to deal with this lack of familiarity.

You may find a older second hand browning 325 much better longterm value than a Lanber. My 325 is still going strong since I got it in 1992. Its still worth something second hand. Great guns.

I agree 100% with Colin's post above. In my Mossberg hushpower I have found express 2.5" 14g the quietest, better than eley subsonic. I have used 5, 6, 7, and 9s depending on what I'm shooting at. I think there is only so far you can push the little . 410 and 19g seems to be too much. It may be different in other guns which are not fully choked.

That sounds like a good deal. William Evans at Bisley have a very nice one for... wait for it.. £1850. Not sure if its made of platinum or not!

Hi, Could anyone help put a rough value on a Browning A5 I have been offered? Its a Belgian made gun with a solid rib and is described as being in perfect condition. It appears to have been held as a collecters piece for many years. The pictures show a POW stock with no marks and perfect bluing, no wear evident anywhere on the gun. I've been on the look out for a nice Belgian made A5 for some time. This one looks good, but its a lot of money for an A5! Many thanks in advance.

I think the slam fire is interesting, but not something that I'd ever use for pigeons or PSG! Mmm the Norinco 1897 leaves me cold I'm afraid, original or nothing for me. I've looked at importing a diamond grade 1897 from the US - but it starts to get very expensive!

Lots of old pumps lacked a trigger disconnect. I think the Winchester 1897 did that. Now there's p.a. I would like to find d!

I''ve never handled an Ithaca m37, but have read that they are well made all steel guns and very robust. Like the bps they are bottom eject too. The supernova is the best modern pump, I have one for psg, but it's a whole lot of plastic and is just a tool rather than something to take pride in.

I spent ages looking for a bps 12 and finally found one 2 months ago. It's currently with a gunsmith being reblued. Its going to be my pigeon hide gun. I prefer being able to load without breaking the gun and the bps will drop empties at my feet rather than spraying them everywhere like a semi. Put one next to a mossy and check the quality difference. If I saw one in 10g I would grab it too.

I think your instincts are right. Every time I ask a gunsmith about having a gun re-colour hardened I get the same answer, which is to leave it as it is. The process risks too much. Would be great to see photos when its done.

English 8 bore doubles are obviously big, big money now. I'm still on the look out for one, it would be great to reload blackpowder into an 8!!. If you just want to try an 8 bore then bored out spanish 10s come up every so often and are cheap. I've got one and to be honest the recoil is absolutely terrific. It doesn't do anything that a 12 bore 3.5" magnum can't do - (it logically must pattern better but the 3.5" 12 can still take 2 1/4 oz of lead or an equivalent volume of non-tox).

For anything where I'm walking a lot, I prefer my 26" barrelled SBS. Its light and comes to the shoulder like greased lightening. You should be able to find a cheap non-ejector as having an ejector is no juge advantage rough shooting. For pigoen (hide) shooting, I prefer a fixed barrel gun. I have used a browning gold SA up to now, but it sprays emties everywhere, which are a ball ache to find. For this reason I've just picked up a Browning pump very cheaply, which will throw shells down to my feet.

Remember that the 2450ft/sec velocity minimum only applies in Scotland. If you're in England all you need is a minimum of .240 cal and 1700 ft/lbs. The .45-70 can double that energy figure and I'd imagine (but don't know) that a double could handle some heavy loads. I recently bought a marlin .45-70 and am in the process of working up loads. Pointed bullets could be risky under recoil in a tube fed gun, but there are some hornady bullets which get round this with a pointed, flexible sythetic tip. The .30-06 still wins on versatility though.