Sandbank

I have two Beretta semi autos, an elderly AL390 and a newer A300 Outlander both owned from new. Usage primarily clays plus some pigeon i.e. relatively light loads. I shoot at Greenfields, Sturry, Kent typically twice a week so the guns are well used (but regularly cleaned). A few months ago the AL390 came to a juddering halt when the rear lug on the breech bolt assembly snapped off. To be fair after 100,000+ shells I guess something was bound to fail. Only previous issue was a broken connecting rod about 6 years ago. It took Beretta 2 months to supply the part, received three weeks ago. They would only supply the complete assembly including the cocking lever and connecting rod, costing over £250. Today the front lug decided to snap on the Outlander. An expensive coincidence! I was wondering if anyone had experienced a similar failure. Image courtesy of Shotgunworld.

Some merit in hawkfanz comment on using fibre wads. I use mostly plastic wads but find 100 or so of my much loved Saga fibre Eurotrap every week or so displaces almost all of the plastic.

Following a break from shooting for some years, working abroad etc. I purchased a grade 1 Browning B325 back in 1991. For a while this was my only shotgun, in regular weekend use on local clay grounds. I subsequently purchased a Beretta AL390 Gold Mallard and more recently an A300 Outlander. Since retiring about 7 years ago I have been able to spend even more time shooting, however the pins and springs on the Browning had become tired and prone to misfire (bit like its owner). As a consequence the two Beretta semis were in more regular use and the Browning relegated to semi-retirement in the cabinet. Following a broken hammer putting the Outlander out of action for the time being, I thought I had better bring the B325 back into service. Congratulations to Darren at Greenfields, gun now performs as new. I had forgotten what an excellent, well balanced gun it really is. Scores have gone up as well, too easy for arthritic old arms to stop the gun with a semi, the Browning seems to swing itself! ...... And less spent cases to pick up.

I guess I am ambivalent regarding the introduction of Claymate. I certainly agree it could be a pain to wait to shoot behind 5 or 6 others despite an otherwise empty ground. Also useful to more intensively practice problem targets. But do miss being able to see a pair if the first to shoot without using clay allocation. Please let me know how they are dealing with genuine no-birds, I don't think they are planning to give the +10% sometimes operated on other grounds.

Greenfields at Sturry (Canterbury) have gone over to Claymate as of this week for mid-week practice. Took me a bit by surprise today as there was the usual squadded shoot last Saturday. I am familiar with the system from other grounds and recognise the advantages of avoiding a lot of waiting when part of a large squad. However I did miss some of the camaraderie and the discipline of having to shoot a fixed set of stands and a score card by which to compare previous visits. I guess we will adapt and adopt the golfers approach of forming our own small groups with a bit of friendly rivalry.

Can add a 'retro' price to this resurrected thread; Greenfields, Sturry sometimes do specials on bundles of practice-only cards. £13.33 for 80 birds a pretty good price ........ mind you, have to buy 30 cards i.e. £400 up front! As I do a lot of mid-week shooting still represents a good deal for me.

Greenfields at Sturry shoot 6 days a week (closed Monday). During the week there are always squads going round, any certificate holder can tag along. JJ's probably a bit closer to Medway however Greenfields not too bad a run down the M2 then come off the Thanet way onto the A291 near Herne Bay.

If like me you are too old and lazy to pick your own spent shells then delegate the task!!

Congratulations eredel on your purchase of a Beretta AL390 Gold Mallard! My impulse buy coincidentally relates to a AL390 Gold Mallard. The connecting rod on mine broke about ten days before Christmas a couple of years back. My local gun dealer placed one on order for me but reckoned it would be well into the new year before my Beretta would be back in action. On the strength of that I immediately bought an A300 Outlander which had just been released. As it happened GMK got a replacement to me within a few days. No matter, the Outlander has proved a great gun which I use in wet and muddy conditions to which I would not expose the Gold Mallard. Not sure I will always follow my RFD's advice in future however, "lost a snap cap sir? I would recommend a new Beretta SO10 sir, which happens to come with a pair of free snap caps!" P.S. I now carry a spare connecting rod which will fit either gun.

Yes agree with remmyman. Assuming we are talking 12 ga, pretty well all 24/28g carts 7.5 or 8s will break sporting targets. However what suits you and/or your gun can only be determined with experience. Confidence that a shell is doing the job for you is vital. A perfectly adequate shell will not break clays if you do not 'believe' it will.

I usually put my two Beretta semi-autos in the washing machine (Persil non-bio, 40 C, cottons, 1200 r.p.m. spin) then in the tumble-dryer (set to cupboard dry). On a serious note, agree with CaptainBeaky, exposure to damp salty conditions would seem only justification for washing the mechanism with water. I guess residual water could be displaced by a water miscible but volatile organic solvent e.g. meths or surgical spirit. Followed of course by suitable lubrication.

Can understand your frustration but maybe take some comfort that a number posts are somewhat tongue in cheek. But back to the subject smoke in barrels .... from a Daily Mail article addressing this contentious issue: Marijuana's prominence escalated during the Vietnam war, both in the U.S. and abroad. This video still shows soldiers smoking marijuana using the barrel of a shotgun

A few years back I decided to follow the flock and install Teague extended chokes in my two Beretta semi-autos. I could not bring myself to disturb the classic lines of my Browning B325 O/U which remains with the Browning originals. i) One consistent observation I have made is that if my scores are below par for a while with my Browning I get an immediate 10% increase by switching to one of the Teague choked semis. ii) One consistent observation I have made is that if my scores are below par for a while with my Berettas I get an immediate 10% increase by switching to my Browning. After many years of shooting I am slowly coming to the conclusion that killing a target has as much to do with where you point the gun as the gun you use or the chokes you install. Also pointing the gun in the right direction has a lot to do with state of mind, self belief and belief you are not being 'held back' by your equipment. But agree with the wise words of Timps ...... My AL390 has a Teague Skeet choke almost permanently installed which will achieve impressive breaks on even quite distant Sporting targets. A tight 'Skeet' it certainly is. A bit like fancy clothes shops flattering the ladies by selling them a size 10 which is really a generous 12!!

Having got a couple of lung fulls of smoke from my Saga fibre wad Eurotraps recently I am now convinced blowing the smoke away from me is a good idea. Also increases the chances of seeing the next pair of clays!

I frequently shoot at Greenfields, Sturry. Being close to the Channel ports we get quite a few shooters coming from the Continent. A suitably accented 'Mark' seems to be quite common. Some French/Belgians calling 'Tirer' the Spanish/Portuguese, 'Plato' or 'Tira'.