stupidsalmon Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 (edited) Im just about to apply for my FAC (or SGC, im not sure, please telll me) for a shotgun. Probably a 12 gauge for use on pigeons and rabbits mostly. Good choice? What would be the best type, semi, O/U, SbS i dont know? I think maybe a S/H semi from guntrader. Also what would be your favoured choke, barrel length and cartridge?? cheers barney Edited September 17, 2005 by stupidsalmon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.McCormick Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 I recomend you get a o/u shotgun first, for the SGC. With the over and under it takes more skill than with a semi.(altho they are fun) semis are also frowned apon if you go game shooting and at some clay sites. also i personaly prefuer 3''- 3 1/2'' chambers. just incase you need to go foxing or use a larger load. also i like long barrols , just personal tho realy. multi choke are always good but my main gun at the mo has full and full choke and it does the job perfectly. Oh you could always get a co-terminous lisence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 (edited) A.McCormick Posted on Sep 17 2005, 07:44 PM I recomend you get a o/u shotgun first, for the SGC. With the over and under it takes more skill than with a semi more skill ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Edited September 17, 2005 by magman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.McCormick Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Sorry i dont mean to insult any one. but i just find o/u more difficult to shoot than semis'. Sorry. perhaps i worded it a bit rong. never mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 no offence taken i always find its in the mind < personal opinion> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupidsalmon Posted September 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 (edited) Im new to shotgunning so dont quite understand when you say you like a chamber size of 3inch-3 1/2inch. Is the chamber not made to take any length cartridge?? Edited September 17, 2005 by stupidsalmon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 hi there where do we start 1, try local clay grounds to find what sort of gun suits you 2,think about your main quarry? 3,try the gun before you purchase it chamber lengh 2 3,4 is the max length of cartridge u can fire through it ie 70mm hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 the length of the chamber is made to accept cartridges up to but NOT exceeding that stated on the barrel.most modern shotguns are chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells,magnums for 3 inch and some for 3 1/2 inch.it is vital you never put a longer shell in the gun than specified as it will not open properly when discharged with nasty results.for 99% of shotgunning a 2 3/4 inch chamber is ample. remember,you can fire a shell that size in a 3 inch magnum no worries but not the other way round. to stay safe if you have a standard gun,never buy 3 inch shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 stupid salmon,if you are in Lancashire you are more than welcome to come as a guest to our club,there are all types of guns in this easter line up....if the lads are up you can shoot all the guns...( that pair of birds still got through ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupidsalmon Posted September 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Very grateful for the offer mikky, but im in shropshire and will be visiting minsterley ranges (local shooting club/range) quite shortly to try out some of their guns and hopefully will be able to decide on one there. Cheers to everyone else for the instant replies, been a great help. So just to get this straight i need an FAC and an SGC to be able to purchase a 12 gauge? Also, any suggested places to get a cheap quality gun safe would be much appreciated. Thanks again Barney aka SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham20g Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Hi S/S you only need a SGC to get your shotgun.!! but if you are intending to get a rifle [i.erimfire .22 or somthing larger] then a F.A.C is needed. Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 (edited) You don't want any of that great clonky modern nonsense, get a good old fashioned hammer gun, slim as a virgin's wrist and chock-a-block with history. Try game shooting like it was meant to be before all that new fangled tech stuff made it boring Edited September 18, 2005 by Snotty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white fox Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Barney - Here's my two penny's worth - If you are going to shoot loads of clays, then the heavier O/U will probably be best for the reasons of steadier mounting, and less recoil, but if you are walking around after pigeon and rabbits on a farm (as you originally posted), then the lighter S/S will be much better. I use a 12g and 20g S/S and a .410 auto. I got rid of my 12g O/U years ago, and have never regretted it. The 20g is a little lighter than the 12g and after a long day the diference is notable, also I can honestly say that I shoot just the same with the 20 as with the 12. There was a saying that "twenty is plenty" and I think it still holds. However my 12g is a really nice looking and handling gun, so it also gets its fair share of action on big shoot days. If you do choose an auto, you would not be too welcome at a pheasant shoot should you get the lucky opportunity, autos are still considered non-traditional, just one of those quirky things. I have never used multi chokes, more things to get fussed about. I say this as an observer of other shooters getting in a knicker twist about the chokes rather than thinking about pointing the gun in the right place. My thoughts are - No multi-chokes - No worry. Spend as much as you can afford on your first gun, make sure the gun fits you well, your gun dealer should be helpful here, if he is not helpful then find a different dealer. Snotty's idea isn't that bad either. Then pay for a few lessons and then practice, practice and practice, it will all come together. WF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupidsalmon Posted September 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 (edited) So you would suggest a 20g S/S. For what reason are the o/u more heavy. I personally prefer their look to the s/s. What length barrel length would you suggest?And what about a 16g?? Edited September 18, 2005 by stupidsalmon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white fox Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 So you would suggest a 20g S/S. For what reason are the o/u more heavy. I personally prefer their look to the s/s. What length barrel length would you suggest?And what about a 16g?? This is all down to personal choice, for one persons ideal there will be many different ideas and reasons from other people. A S/S is probably a pound lighter than O/U, on an O/U there is more metal between the barrrels and more woodwork in the fore-end where it wraps round the lower barrel. 20g vs 12g Well for a start, there are less pellets in a 20g cart, more pellets in a 12g, more pellets more chance of one of them connecting with a bird! 20g being a somewhat lighter gun will give more recoil, in my experience people just accept it. 20g carts are more expensive than 12g. You mentioned 16g, I have a couple of mates that use old 16's and they love them, but the carts are much more expensive, again they just accept it. 16's are not so easy to find. As for the look of the gun, well that is purely your own choice, a basic boxlock S/S can look plain or very smart, a side-lock with decent engraving will stand out further, then if you choose blued or bright locks, it goes on and on. Then there is the woodwork, plain straight grain is fine but then there are some models with really nice figured stocks that look fabulous, even on a basic gun, the woodwork can make the difference. Then you might want functionality as the main criteria, this is what many wildfowlers go for, they just want a good reliable gun that will take some/much abuse. Barrel length, tons has been written about this over the years, skeet shooters tended to use 25 inch barrels with open choke, down-the-line used to use 30/23 inch barrels, a good compromise is 28 inch for general sporting. but again don't get bogged down with all this. My 12g S/S is 25 inch with churchill rib, in my opinion shoots no different to any 28 inch barrel gun, but perhaps steer away from the very long barrels as they can be a bit too long when working in a hide, for a first gun go for 28 inch. Sounds like I havn't answered your questions, just given you some more. Go to the gunshop and handle a few guns, like buying a puppy, one will jump out at you, wanting you to take it home. Good luck, and let us know what you end up choosing. One other thing we are asking that new members put their location on their profile, some people may not be responding to your posts until you add this. WF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupidsalmon Posted September 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 (edited) Thanks very much for all the advice lads. What about choke or should i just experiment myself?? (Questions keep popping into my head!!!) Is a gunsafe necessary???Where's a good place to buy one?? Edited September 18, 2005 by ernyha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Check your PM's Tam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 dont forget, if you are going for both licences at the same time...go co terminus...it will save you money and only one police visit..make sure your cabinet is SECURELY bolted to the wall..the officer was actually hanging off mine :thumbs: ...try a few guns,but like the lads say,,make sure it fits..i was told to put the end of the butt in the crook of my elbow with my forefinger curled around the trigger.....your local gun dealer will help...try before you buy B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 http://www.minirifle.co.uk/frames/advertise_free.htm...copy this link to your browser... typical ad.... Contact name Robert Contact E Mail robertgutteridge@hotmail.com For Sale: 1 baikal over under 12 bore 1 BAIKAL SINGLE BARREL 12 BORE 1 SINGLE BARRELL HAMMER GUN DATED 1900 AMERICAN 1 DOUBLE BARRELL SIDE BY SIDE 12 BORE HAMMER GUN NO MAKER STAMP OR ID VERY OLD GUN APPROVED BY POLICE SHOWN ON MY LICENCE TWO GUN CABINETS ONE WITH TOP BOX AND MUCH MORE ITEMS CERTIFICATE HOLDERS ONLY NEED CONTACT £400 advertise for free...they had some gun cabinets for sale as above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbitbosher Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Thanks very much for all the advice lads.What about choke or should i just experiment myself?? (Questions keep popping into my head!!!) Is a gunsafe necessary???Where's a good place to buy one?? What i'd do is go along to your local range and try a few guns and get a lesson or two . Its a bit late in the year now you could of gone along to a BASC youngshot day. Its been said an O/U would suit the beginer better but that is up to you Try the shorter barreled ones , the less choke the better (you will hit more) go 12 bore for your first gun with 24g cartridges,, four reasons Cheeper guns available, cheeper cartridges , more guns to choose from and a 12 bore will tend to be a heavier gun so it wont hit you as hard Then as you get better you can change to a 20 or 16 O yea i forgot (not that i'm bias) Join BASC , if you want to progress into pigeon shooting most farms wont let you on without it or something similar WB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbitbosher Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 heres a good place for cabinets Delivered to your door WB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbitbosher Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 You don't want any of that great clonky modern nonsense, get a good old fashioned hammer gun, slim as a virgin's wrist and chock-a-block with history. Try game shooting like it was meant to be before all that new fangled tech stuff made it boring Get in there Snotty Bring on another Hammergun fan!!!!!!!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM HAMMERGUNSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! WB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Get in there Snotty Bring on another Hammergun fan!!!!!!!!! Yoh WB Do you think he's ready for the skinny pictures yet? Of course antique 10 bores like this Pape don't even require a SGC until you want to shoot 'em. This one was expensive at £390 from Bonhams, usually under £200 so shop 'till you drop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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