rich_morris

Hi, I took my son clay shooting at the weekend for the first time. He used a .410 with 2" 9g load and got on ok with that. His grandad is now keen to buy him his own gun, and seems set on a 20b. Size wise, I think it will be fine (he has an eye on a junior size stock) but I am concerned that maybe the recoil may be a bit of a step up from what we used yesterday, and maybe put my son off. He's tall, but not in any way bulky! I thought maybe a 28b might be a good starter...but... In the event we end up with the 20b, what cartridges would you advise with least recoil? Any help appreciated. Rich

I think the Pilla ones look like they might do the job. But I'll need to sell my gun first to afford them. I'll check out some of the other suggestions first. Or go back to plugs.... Thanks

Hi, Can anybody recommend some shooting glasses with arms that fit well under ear defenders. I have been wearing a Napier set for a while, but stated wearing defenders instead of plugs, and find the arms quite hard and thick, and uncomfortable under my defenders. Ideally with interchangeable lenses. Thanks Rich

B25modelman, I think you are 100% right, and if I had the time and patience, I might do it myself too. I am also in engineering, but not so "hands on". If I was talking about a £300 gun, I'd have taken a file to it already. Right now the hassle of arguing over warranty or not with either browning, or a gunshop, is probably much greater than the cost of the work, so thanks for another recommendation on a gunsmith! Thanks Rich

Hi bornfree, No, its definitely not lack of grease. The top lever itself, when the barrels are not fitted is ok. Only when the barrel is on and the gun closed normally does the problem occur. The gun is greased well on those mating faces. Thanks Rich

Hi bruno22rf, I make absolutely no claim to understand the law in this case, and not wishing to start an argument... Just what is an appropriate length of time for something the cost of B725? And following the logic that price relates to waranty should my car have a warranty of 50 years (being 10-20 times the value) The original warranty claim was not for this issue. Again, admit I don't know the laws, but my experience is that most retailers would only warranty something for 12 months. Incidentally, the original purchase is closer to 4 years. My main issue here is less the warranty, and its cost, more the hassle involved with the process for a fix on a gun that might only cost £50, rather than weeks of backwards and forwards with a shop or browning... I'll try and read up on my statutory rights in respect of this issue.. Thanks

Thanks biketestace, I was hoping for something a bit closer to home, but Doveridge is kind of on the way to where my parent live... I'll bear that in mind!

I've just read the warranty, after reading your question, panoma1, and the warranty issue may be a non-issue..... The Gun is covered by a 3 year warranty - now passed. The "action frame" is covered by a "special" 10 year warranty, which doesn't cover "wear and tear" or "surface treatment" - so I guess only if the main action lump/casting/forging cracks due to a flaw... not worth much then! I didn't pay much attention to that then when I bought the gun. So, I think I've just answered my own question - A decent Gunsmith is needed.... Thanks.. Rich

I have had my B725 just over 3 years. It has never been serviced, but has not been shot heavily. The last few times I have shot, I have noticed that the top lever seems to be binding when opening the gun, making it quite stiff. The gun is well cleaned and maintained, and the lower bolting/bite greased with good quality gun grease. I have read a few issues of Browning top lever issues, and that they can usually be solved by a competent gunsmith doing a bit of fettling in the right areas around the barrel/action bolting? As the gun is still in warranty (actually this is a gun that has already been replaced once under warranty!), would you send it back to Browning, and wait a month for it to come back, possibly with a "no fault found" or let a gunsmith look at it? If the latter, can anybody recommend somebody trustworthy local to mid Bedfordshire?? Thanks Rich

Maybe not. To be honest, I gave never fired a auto with ejection across my face, so no real idea if it is something that is noticeable, distracting or even dangerous? I have read of a few issues, so would rather avoid all those possibilities. Thanks

Thanks for all the advice. We will give the beretta more of a look. Does anybody know how much drop at heel can be achieved with adding the stock shims.

Hi, Which Semi Auto, that is available in Left Hand Ejection, would have the lowest felt recoil? My dad is looking for one, but not sure whether Gas, or Intertia has least recoil. Was looking as a LH Beretta A400 with kick off, but consider anything. Thanks Rich

Personally, I would go for the adjustable pad. It helps get eye alignment with the scope more easily in the field I found. Consistency of hold is the key when shooting springers, and repeatable mounting is easier with the curved pad. (I do not think the edges are quite so severe as shown on the CS one) The CS800 came with that as standard I thought? But that was a few years ago when I got mine.

Atkin Grant and Lang is not far from you. Not a set course, but plenty of stands and you pay per clay.

Does £300 include the rifle, the scope, silencer and charging bottle?? Or is that just the rifle? A S/H S400 or S200 would be my choice. The S200 can be converted to multi shot, and I think the S400 too, but manually indexed. Should get 40 consistent shots from either rifle before the ME starts to drop.

I think it might be nearer £80. And can be DIY fitted. I am not talking about the full on recoil reduction thing. I'll see what my instructor thinks next time we meet. Thanks. Rich

They do look good value. I was looking at the X8 high rib sporter, as potentially an interesting gun for me, but will consider some other alternatives first I think.

I am arranging to meet up again with him to discuss - just looking into options myself... Hopefully not - IF a ) I am just doing something wrong still, that can be easily rectified. b ) A £50 butt pad can solve the problem?

Hi all, Having had a lesson, and been practicing my mounting, I am consistently getting the butt pad a little too high in my shoulder for comfort. The sight picture is ok, and the shooting position comfortable, apart from the shape of the pad not matching the pocket of my shoulder. Has anybody fitted an adjustable butt pad to solve this? I looked at the Isis adjustable but pad, but it seems quite expensive - are there any alternatives? I am not having an issue with recoil so much as a stock position issue. Cheers Rich

Thanks all. Perhaps Ill give it a miss for now. Rich

Hi all, What us the general consensus on Bettinsoli shotguns. Are they generally reliable, and reasonably well made, and good value? Or are they cheap for a good reason? Rich

I imagine that seeing an advert for a B725 Black Edition at the top of the page every time he logs on must irritate just a little...

Hi, Just a quick post of endorsement for bakerboy (Terry). Having had a few problems with some of my shooting over the last few months, I decided to take the plunge and get somebody to take a look at things for me. Following recommendations of this site, I booked a session with Terry at the A1 Shooting Ground (Also, well worth a visit if you have not been there before.) Terry spent some time to get to know me, and my problems over a cup of tea. We then went through eye dominance, and gun fit. Terry found a couple of issues here for me, and explained their consequences, and what to do about rectifying them. It was all done in a way which was easy to understand, and then apply. We then hit the clays, and again Terry helped me to hit some targets that I was not hitting, or have struggled with previously. Again all done in a clear manner which I could then apply myself, and recognise when the issue occurs again. The session did not feel rushed, and was conducted in a friendly and approachable way. If anybody is new to shooting, or has been shooting a while, and needs some help with progression, then they would do well to give Terry a try. Now I need to put it into practice! Thanks Terry Rich

Welshwarrior seems to have some stocks, try him.

Mine is the same.