Fellside

…. while till the clay breaks on the ground. Couldn’t resist finishing that sentence. 😄 Sorry, you’re probably a world champion for all I know…. ?!

My main gun these days is a Browning 525 which was made in 2008 - and it’s been out in every type of weather imaginable. Glad to say I’ve never seen a single spec of rust on it. Similar for later Mirokus. I’m pretty sure it’s just the older ones which don’t have chrome lined barrels.

All of the new models have chrome lined barrels, and those manufactured from a certain year onwards. Can’t tell you precisely what year it was, but probably late 1990s to early 2000s. Somebody might be able to tell you the actual year..?

I just use the frayed edges of an oiled patch - until it comes back out clean.

No - can’t tell the difference between two different cart’s.

If the question is ‘can you notice any time delay at 50 yards?’ then yes is my answer. I have frequently noticed a slight gap in time between the bang and then the bird being hit. I have no idea what the real length of time lapse is - but it’s definitely different to a seemingly instant kill at say 25 yards. It’s also possible that some birds are beyond 50 yards. Certainly some patterns are feasible at 60 yards (just).

As others have said - just go through the application process. It’s straight forward. As the process is currently quite delayed, I would recommend that you get some basic level beginners coaching while waiting. Keep this going until your certificate comes through. By the time you’re ready to buy a gun, you will have a head start. With any luck, you will have also tried a few different coaching guns and have a reasonable idea about which one suits you best. Enjoy.

That would certainly be a solution for some. Of course a custom made stock, made to measure like a tailored suit, would be ideal. I am seriously tempted….?!

Personally speaking, not many guns fit me straight off the gun rack as I’m quite tall. The one size fits all just doesn’t work for me. I had my first fitting at Dixon and McNoughton in Edinburgh many moons ago. It was such a revelation to suddenly shoot with a gun that actually fitted - night and day. I agree though, confidence that it’s right is a major factor too.

Good value! A person would spend many times that figure on wasted cart’s if the gun doesn’t fit them.

I had a gun once where the wood sprung back to its original zero cast position (after having cast-off applied). It happened gradually over the course of a day’s pigeon decoying. My shooting got progressively worse and worse as the day went on, to the point where I was missing nearly everything. This was the only gun that ever did this. Not the stockers fault, it just happens sometimes. I couldn’t be bothered with more work, the waiting and expense, so just sold it. From experience, if they don’t budge after a couple of days, they’ve ‘taken the set’ for good.

I have to have extra cast in any gun I buy. Not being ‘Mr average’ re dimensions, it’s either that or miss a lot. It’s fine if you use a known stocker who’s properly skilled. Quite a routine job for them. Find a good one - who can’t do it tomorrow because they have a waiting list.

Gunman has it spot on. Marketing claims re back boring are….well….just that really….marketing. Re the Miroku guns. I really like them and have shot with them a fair bit over the years. The MK60 and 70 (I can’t comment on the 38) both became back bored from a certain date onwards, perhaps 2012….? The only advantage I could discern with the later type, was that with an extra 10 to 12 thou taken out of the bore, the barrels were lighter and handling was a tad livelier - and all the more pleasant for it. Not part of the marketing message, but a reasonable plus. As far as ballistics…….. well…. if I was on them I hit, if I wasn’t I missed. Simple as that. With the longer forcing cones, they were slightly more cartridge fussy, but I found the soft Eley fibre wads gave a good seal and nice patterns. That’s my two penneth for what it’s worth.

Probably a bit of both. When I was a boy I mainly shot at pigeons on branches with the 410. Even then they often just flapped and flew away. Mind you, it was an old service rifle bored out - so no choke and 2 inch cart’s. Now I sometimes shoot with my young son’s Yildiz 410 O/U and with the 14 gram Eley Trap, shooting pigeons (flying ones….!) is an absolute joy.

Another vote for Eley Trap here. The 410 is much more capable than when I was a boy - cartridges have advanced so much since then.

Perhaps that’s what we all end up doing then - a little bit of home food scanning. Cheaper than dental work anyway.

Thanks wymberley. 👍

I never normally notice recoil with my 12 bore - unless I use a lot of cart’s in quick succession. The thrill of the shot seems to take over. However, I do conversely notice the lack of recoil when using a 410 - a very pleasant shooting experience. Very light handling too. Mine only weighs 5lbs 3oz. 14 gram cart’s for decoying all day long - marvellous way to shoot.

Lead is much softer and from occasional experience doesn’t shatter teeth. There isn’t any ‘give’ in steel though…! I wouldn’t like to bite a steel pellet - it just screams dental hazard. Logic dictates (for me at least) that a steel shot bird is only edible with the pellets removed. Interesting that supermarkets detect metal in process, but I’m wondering what the average ‘hunter gatherer’ can do at home in their kitchen…..?! Small hand held detector/scanner? I honestly don’t know, as have no experience in this regard, hence the question.

Not a good look in front of dinner guests…..😁 Seriously though, there must be some sort of solution. Food specific metal detectors? I honestly don’t know…..?! Just wouldn’t want to take the risk of biting in to meat containing steel pellets.

Yes agreed - not in to barrel jewellery either…..😁

Yes the Americans seem happy with steel. As much as I definitely don’t want us to loose lead shot, I also take some comfort from the Danish experience. They are equally fine with steel. However, ballistics aside, what about potentially biting down on a steel pellet…! What solutions do the Americans have (apart from good dental care)? Does anyone know??

Agree. I find Teague chokes measure out to within 4 thou of barrel diameter (for my Browning anyway). With this and the continuous taper they produce lovely patterns. I really like them. Think Hatsan use the Remchoke type (?). There must be a few aftermarket choices available. Perhaps an extra little treat from the OP’s pocket money - a new shiny choke. Which one though……?

Ha ha….🤣

As Lloyd90 is considering a Silver Pigeon ‘field’ 12 bore - it’s worth pointing out that there isn’t a big difference in weight between this and the sporter version. The sporters typically weigh about 7 3/4 lbs and the field version about 7 1/2. The weight can vary re wood density by a couple of ounces, but not much more. There’s just no getting around the fact that mass produced O/Us are fairly chunky items really. I do agree with the above comments that a gun weighing about 7lbs, with pleasant handling, makes an decent game gun. How you achieve this and what fits/suits you best is a personal choice.