Psyxologos Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 As some of you might be aware, this year is my first as an associate member for Morecambe Bay Wildfowling Association. I get three free passes a year (Sept-Oct, Nov-Dec, Jan-Feb) and on Sunday morning I used the first one. I arrived at Cockerham marsh at 05.15 to meet the five full members who were to accompany and supervise me. We got changed in our waders and headed up to our posts. No decoys, just waiting for the wildfowl to show up. As soon as we arrived there were some ducks flying from inland but we were nowhere near being ready for them so they went passed. I got to my post and loaded my gun, and four mallard got over me, only managing to take one safe shot but sadly, missed! No more ducks showed up. Around 500 yards from us there must have been a couple of thousand geese, as we could hear them getting ready to raise. Sadly, no geese came any close to where I was stationed, but one of the party managed to bag a pinkfoot. We had five shots between us, one pink in the bag. I know it does not sound too pleasing, but I definitely had the time of my life. No doubt! I think I need a new gun though. As soon as I got back home my Miroku MK 70 sporter was as if it suffered the German measles. Full of spots. I had to spend 90 minutes cleaning it back to it's glory. A friend suggested I go for a Hatson Arms escort synthetic, anyone has any experience with these? Needless to say i am TOTALLY hooked on wildfowling... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Sounds like a good day. Something very very special about foreshore wildfowling. Rust is an occupational hazard on the marsh, I personally prefer two barrels but there are plenty of cheap Hatsan escorts out there which will do the job well if you point them in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Quick spray of oil before you go?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Quick spray of oil before you go?? Yea, I did not do this! :( :( :hmm: I am certain to spray the gun with oil well next time, no doubt about that. It is fine now, seriously. I spent meticulous attention on cleaning it, it is 100% now. But I did get the scare of my life. I thought I have ruined the gun! Sounds like a good day. Something very very special about foreshore wildfowling. Rust is an occupational hazard on the marsh, I personally prefer two barrels but there are plenty of cheap Hatsan escorts out there which will do the job well if you point them in the right direction. It was a great day, I do not care that I only got to shoot once and missed! I think a Hatsan escort is in the cards soon, provided I can amass the funds... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 if you are serious about coastal fowling the only way to go is 10bore, either 2 barrel or a semi auto, must be modern steel proofed, you will be glad of the extra range and stopping power more than you will curse its extra weight, to sit and watch streams of duck and geese just out of 12b range flighting over is disheartening when you know you could bag one or two birds with a more suitable gun, just MHO having shot the shore for the last 20 years mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Thanks mikee. What sort of price am I looking at for a 10bore? I realistically do not have loads of money to spend right now. I am an associate member, which means 3 trips a year plus any days I buy separately, so I am looking at maybe 6-7 trips to the marsh a year or so. I was hoping I could get something with £250-£300 or so. Hatsans seem to be ~£300-£450 depending on what you go for. I was thinking of going for a 3 1/2 inch 12bore. Cammo seems to make the gun more expensive, so I think I will just go black synthetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 if you're sticking with a 12b keep your existing one just make sure you look after it well, with the number of trips you're going on its not worth buying a hatstand for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 (edited) if you're sticking with a 12b keep your existing one just make sure you look after it well, with the number of trips you're going on its not worth buying a hatstand for it. After what I saw when I brought the gun back home it is difficult for me not to get another gun. I mean, the barrel was full of spots and it took me very long to clean it up. Needles to say I was really worried with what I saw. I do not know. I would rather get a synthetic gun that can last the weather and the salt than risk ruining my Miroku. I am between minds really! You reckon I should get a 10 bore then? Edited October 12, 2009 by Psyxologos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 a good gun oil on the outside of the barrels is all you need, if you think about it the metal bits on the hatstand will get the same treatment the synthetic only protects the stock, as for the 10bore I'm not a wildfowler so couldn't comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Yes buy a synthetic stocked semi auto, don't worry about a 10 bore just get a 3 1/2" chambered 12 bore. Fill your pockets with Remington Hi speed steel 3 1/2" cartridges and you will be away. I use a beretta Extrema on the marsh and love it to bits, a mallard and wigeon didn't yesterday morning. Get yourself a can of Browning Legia oil (the one in the red and black tin) It is a pump type aerosol and once it is sprayed on and the excess wiped off it leaves a film of oil. Mind you however careful you are you won't stop the mud and salt getting on your gun so get yourself one that will withstand a bit of abuse. If you are a budget keep an eye out for a Winchester SX3 or a Browning Gold Hunter. You can get one for not much more than a new hatstand and they will certainly last longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Thanks MC. This is very helpful. I shall keep my eyes open for what you mentioned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 you can pick up a tidy 2nd hand s/s 10b for that sort of money if you look round, 31/2" 12b is nothing compared to a 10b, ive had a couple and got rid, they are ok if its the only gun you have and want it for pigeon, clay and rabbit shooting etc, if you want a dedicated fowling gun for the shore get a 10, it'll put birds in the bag on a day when any 12b wont mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Although I have never owned a 10 I do not understand how you can claim the extra range. I understand that you have more shot and denser patterns but if the shot leaves the barrel at the same velocity and is the same size as used in a 12 they will still only have the same energy and effective range. Also by saying you can shoot further encourages shooting at rangey birds and that should be discouraged at all costs. I have never found the need to extend my range and any duck within 50 yards or goose within 30 is dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 you can get the extra range because you can shoot a pattern of larger shot, i shoot 42g "T" steel doing almost 1700fps at geese in my ten through a full choke and can get a dense enough pattern at well over 60yds, the pellets have easily enough energy at that distance to penetrate far enough into a goose to kill it, the same load of BB will do for a duck at equal range, factory loads in 89mm 12b certainly wont do that and good home loads would be hard pushed mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfa taf Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Glad you had a good day on Wildfowling I know exactly what you mean,it never stops giving me that special filling waiting for the first birds to show themselves just before the sun comes out. I have done quite a lot of Wildfowling in the north of Greece in the Evros rever-you should know about it if not visited- and I rate it as one of my favorites. As far as getting your gun in a bit of a mess , as others have pointed , a film of a good make of gun oil will help if applied before you venture out. Now I never had or used anything but a 12 either O\U or an S\A and never felt the need for a 10 bore. But that,s just me.As some of you might be aware, this year is my first as an associate member for Morecambe Bay Wildfowling Association. I get three free passes a year (Sept-Oct, Nov-Dec, Jan-Feb) and on Sunday morning I used the first one. I arrived at Cockerham marsh at 05.15 to meet the five full members who were to accompany and supervise me. We got changed in our waders and headed up to our posts. No decoys, just waiting for the wildfowl to show up. As soon as we arrived there were some ducks flying from inland but we were nowhere near being ready for them so they went passed. I got to my post and loaded my gun, and four mallard got over me, only managing to take one safe shot but sadly, missed! No more ducks showed up. Around 500 yards from us there must have been a couple of thousand geese, as we could hear them getting ready to raise. Sadly, no geese came any close to where I was stationed, but one of the party managed to bag a pinkfoot. We had five shots between us, one pink in the bag. I know it does not sound too pleasing, but I definitely had the time of my life. No doubt! I think I need a new gun though. As soon as I got back home my Miroku MK 70 sporter was as if it suffered the German measles. Full of spots. I had to spend 90 minutes cleaning it back to it's glory. A friend suggested I go for a Hatson Arms escort synthetic, anyone has any experience with these? Needless to say i am TOTALLY hooked on wildfowling... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 In the majority of places a ten is a disadvantage. I have a double eight, double ten and a double twelve and it is the twelve which gets chosen 90% of the time. If I think about it the ducks which make up the majority of my bag are the twenty to thirty yarders, sometimes even closer. With geese I would say the majority are thirty to forty yards. With the duck they are often twisting and turning as they either drop into a flash at last light or decoy in full light, a ten is just not quick enough for this kind of almost snap shooting. The ten bore is perfect for flighting geese and duck, those which are going from A to C and you are at B, but if you are on the receiving end at C then a twelve is all you should need. It all depends on typical situations you find yourself shooting on your particular marsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Thanks guys. I appreciate the help. Yes, I am truly confused now. Many people hate Hatsan, others love them. I just need a gun that is reliable, will shoot when I pull the trigger and will not cost me much. There are people who say I do not need another gun, just a good spraying of oil on my Miroku and it will be fine. I honestly do not know what to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 If you take pride in the appearance of your current gun then I would look at getting a dedicated wildfowling gun, as the saltwater will get to it in the end. Only takes one time when you forget to oil it before a session or wipe it down afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 If you take pride in the appearance of your current gun then I would look at getting a dedicated wildfowling gun, as the saltwater will get to it in the end. Only takes one time when you forget to oil it before a session or wipe it down afterwards. I am generally very good with taking care of the shotgun, oiling and cleaning it. But you are right. A dedicated gun sounds like the best way forward. See how it goes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 After what I saw when I brought the gun back home it is difficult for me not to get another gun. I mean, the barrel was full of spots and it took me very long to clean it up. Needles to say I was really worried with what I saw. I do not know. I would rather get a synthetic gun that can last the weather and the salt than risk ruining my Miroku. I am between minds really! You reckon I should get a 10 bore then? you can get the extra range because you can shoot a pattern of larger shot, i shoot 42g "T" steel doing almost 1700fps at geese in my ten through a full choke and can get a dense enough pattern at well over 60yds, the pellets have easily enough energy at that distance to penetrate far enough into a goose to kill it, the same load of BB will do for a duck at equal range, factory loads in 89mm 12b certainly wont do that and good home loads would be hard pushed mikee When you look at the ballistics charts for 10b home loaded steel, you will find that BB's @ 1680 ft per sec have an effective killing range on geese of 62 yards....... Swap 46g of steel BB's for 60g of Hevi shot 2's and it gets even better..... As said by the man himself, Ian Charlton from clay and game, '10B and steel are a match made in heaven' Adding to MC's view point, a 10 is normally owned by people who have a surplus 'gun to use ratio'-i.e, they have others in the cabinet and do a broad range of shooting disciplines and they can pick and choose on the day. However In your case Psyxologos, having another gun when you have only one other I would say a 3" or 3 1/2" 12 is for you. Buy the best you can afford and an extrema or 391 is a good starter. You can also use for pigeons when you want to as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnybgood Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 cockerham marsh, you were about 400 yards from my front door, i also am a member on morecambe bay, but as a junior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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