Shotgun, best all rounder

[Axe]

Im looking to get my first shotgun and thought i'd ask you guys for a little advice as I know absolutely nothing about them. And following some of the threads about chokes, cartridge sizes and the like, realise there is more of a science here than I could hope to learn in the outset.

 

Im looking for a good all rounder that will allow me to get a feel for shotguns but also be usable for Rabbits, Pigeons, Pheasants etc. I have seen a few semi's and quite like them, but really have no idea. I don't want to buy a really cheap gun rather something thats going to last and give good service. That said, I dont have a budget as such but I dont want to spend any more than is needed.

 

Any suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.

 

Regards,

 

Axe.

[TX Sniper]

if you search through the forums you will find loads of info regerding, choke, barrel length, type etc. in short chokes effect the spread of the shot that is fired, a tight choke will keep the pattern tighter at longer ranges where as a more open choke will allow greater spread. barrel length is up to prefference but a 28" is the most popular for all riund use. if you are looking to use the gun for game then you need a side by side or an over and under. semis are good guns but i dont think they make an ideal gun for a beginner as it is better to learn how to handle a gun and the safety involved with a break barrel gun. as far as budget its up to you, whether you buy new or second hand is up to you. a new beretta silver pigeon is a great allround gun but if you are looking to buy secondhand then there are pleanty of great guns available, try the for sale section (i have one for sale) seriously though your best to try a few guns and see what configuration you like the best.

[Hardy]

If you can pop along to your local clay ground a few times & have a chat to folks. They will undoubtably have some club guns which you can have a try of & most people are more than willing to let you have a go with thiers. Unfortunatley, unlike a car, it's not quite so easy to take a shotgun for a test drive

 

Quite often what works for someone else won't work for you as much depends on the fit (which can be adjusted) & the feel of the gun.

 

I still use my first gun the most despite it not being an expensive one at the time (Rotweil Supersport - now branded as a McNab Lowlander), although I did have a go with a Browning Cynergy at the weekend which I an very tempted by!

[Cranfield]

A 12 bore, over and under, 28" barrels, multichoke, is a good all round gun that will allow you to efficiently shoot vermin, wildfowl, game and clays.

 

Your financial budget will determine whether you buy new, or good secondhand.

The quality of the "cheaper" range of shotguns is very high and they shouldn't be ignored.

Just look at the number of posts there have been signing the praises of Lanber (for example).

[Sargeant Bang]

Hi Axe

My first shotty was a good old Browning Medallist, 12g 28" multichoke. paid £300 for it and it was fine. Finally upgraded a year ago to a virtually brand new Browning B425 for £750 as I wanted to get a "shotgun for life" and was getting more into rifles anyway. My shooting improved slightly as it fitted me better than the 28" Medallist, but the Medallist was a decent gun and got the job done nicely for very little money. I'd suggest perhaps a Browning 325 for maybe £500-£600 second hand. Have a look on Gun Trader to get an idea of prices.

Depends on your size but 30" is good for most people, multichoke is handy. Make sure the ejectors work OK also, and you'll be fine.

I'd be the first to admit that I'm no shotgun expert though! ;-)

[magman]

axe

the first gun i owned was a second hand lincoln no 2 game 28" barrels 1/4 & 1/2

choke 3" magnum. over a few years i have bought quite a few more but i find that the lincoln is my main weapon of choice it will fit at home on all my shooting needs from decoying to wildfowling.this gun must be over 20 years old now perhaps its an addiction.

 

just find a gun that fits and dont buy because it looks nice? :*)

 

 

 

 

 

ps dont do clays

[Dunkield]

Axe,

 

The first thing to get clear is no science to it folks like to think that because it gives them something to do.

 

Forget all about chokes/cartridges and all that stuff.

 

Barrel length is a variable, the right length to suit you will depend on how you swing (oo eerr) your build and what type of shooting you intend to do most of.

If you get a O/U, it will be either 28" or 30"

 

Try as many as you can before you buy, and once you are happy get the best you can afford, rather than buying and selling 2 or 3 before you get to one you should have bought in the first place - like I did :*)

 

The fit of a shotgun is much more important than an air rifle or rifle, so get someone who knows what they are on about (if you can find one!) to check the fit for you. It is best to get this sorted before you get started, if you have it adjusted later you have to learn to shoot all over again

[Axe]

At this moment, i'm not sure sure what the shotgun is going to be used for in the main. However, based on my pest control and conservation approach it will probably be for pigeons, ducks and the odd rabbit or two.

 

I dont like heavy guns and would probably get on better with a shorter barrel. But if a longer barrel is shown to be better, i'll probably go that way. But thats where your experience and opinions is valued, as I have no idea at all.

 

Thanks to all for the help.

 

Regards,

 

Axe.

[AndyCM]

Hi Axe,

 

Loads to choose from eh !

 

My first gun was a Beretta 686 Onyx o/u 12 bore, 28 inch barrels 2 3/4 inch chambers & multi choke.

 

I nearly went for a Browning and am really glad that I didn't, I have nothing against Brownings - they are great guns - but not for me. Let me explain my experiences.

 

I initially wanted a gun for clays but to be able move on to whatever else I could - when I could hit stuff

 

The Beretta was great for clays - not too light for 100+ birds - and I soon started to hit a few, sporting and skeet mainly. Next was rough shooting, the odd pheasant and rabbit, again a good gun - not to heavy to walk long distances with. The Browning o/u's I had tried would have been much to heavy to comfortably carry all day. Then I used the gun for duck flighting (ponds) and on the foreshore. Great again, and I found stood up better to the salt water than a Browning. Next was walked up and driven pheasants and partridge and walking for miles - great again.

 

I find it good for pigeons too, but by far the best thing I did was to spend £60 odd (after many years of ownership) and getting the gun fitted. That was money well spend - should have done that earlier - and I enjoyed shooting with it even more.

 

I bought a Browning semi after a few years and in reality it has had little use as I always go for the Beretta. I am more comfortable shooting in company (especially if I do not know the other shooters well) with an O/U.

 

All round I bought the right gun first time round - more by luck really. The multi choke was a must have when I bought the gun - but if I had thrown away the extra chokes as I walked out of the gunshop I would not of missed them. Quarter and half do the job fine on most of the quarry I encounter.

 

The Browning might sneak in front of the Beretta once or twice a year - walking with the combine at harvest and drey bashing in February - just for the extra shot.

 

Shoot as many guns as you can before buying one.

 

Good Luck

 

AndyCM

[Big Dog]

M8 work out what you want to shoot first; target (clays) field.

 

For me I like Berreta over and unders.

 

Field use: 686 28 or 30 inch muliti choke

 

Clays use: 682 30" M/c with adjustable comb on the stock

 

Berreta 391 semi auto is a good option too.

 

If you like side by sides then AYA have served me well over my S by S years. Berreta do them also, must be good.

[Dunkield]

I went through a no name Spanish 28", then a Beretta 686 28", and ended up with a Beretta 687 sporter 30" that was about 15 years ago and I have never regretted the decision 1,200 cartridges later.

 

I think there is a pattern of answers forming here!

 

Weight is good for lots of shots, but bad for walking arround all day long.

 

Light is great for walking about all day, but murder for quick second shot aqisition, and lots of shots.

 

I bet you wish you had never asked!!

[Browning GTS]

My first gun a Browning o/u £1100 really pleased with it but unless i am shooting a lot of clays it gets left in the safe. Brought a Escort Fieldhunter pump £220, cannot put it down it fits like a glove swings well and is light enough to carry all day, it feels like an old friend already. I think this shows what you pay does not matter. plus unless you are on a formal shoot the gun does not need to be the trad` o/u or s/s .

[Axe]

This is all great stuff just what I expected from you guys, keep it coming. One thing I am sure of though, Formal Shoots and Clays will not be on the cards for some while so I don't need to consider that.

I've just been told that each barrel can have a different choke gawd, I thought you said there wasnt a science StuartP!

 

Regards,

 

Axe.

[magman]

I've just been told that each barrel can have a different choke gawd, I thought you said there wasnt a science StuartP!

[Dunkield]

"I've just been told that each barrel can have a different choke"

 

Only if it has 2 barrels

 

I'll simplify it!

 

Buy a Beretta 687 Gold Collared Dove or whatever they are called thses days

1/2 choke in the top barrel and 1/4 in the bottom (if it is a multi) 30" Barrels and get shooting.

 

It's what you will end with in the end anyway

[Cranfield]

With regard to choke choices, stuartp is right, most people end up with 1/4 and 1/2 chokes.

BUT, some who shoot over decoys a lot, prefer 1/4 and 1/4.

 

Get a weapon with a multichoke facility.

Although mucking about with your choke choices will drive you mad (like the rest of us), if you don't have this option, you may find it restricting.

[Axe]

Okay I can see you lot are amused by my naive comments but perhaps you would be good enough to explain why you need two different sized chokes in the same gun.

 

I understand the choke and the need for different sizes for different loads and quarry but I dont see the reason for a different second choke size. Other than splaying a larger pattern on the second shot for those finnishing off second shots.

 

I guess i'll get there in the end and when people ask me why I shoot so well, i'll respond that's the Pigeon Watch School of Shooting

 

Regards

 

Axe.

[Browning GTS]

This is all great stuff just what I expected from you guys,  keep it coming. One thing I am sure of though, Formal Shoots and Clays will not be on the cards for some while so I don't need to consider that.

I've just been told that each barrel can have a different choke gawd, I thought you said there wasnt a science StuartP!

 

Regards,

 

Axe.

Mine comes with one barrel with 5 chokes.

[Fisherman Mike]

Consider what the main use of the gun is for.

 

If its for rough shooting on the move, walked up days and occassional hide work a side by side cannot be beaten. When broken its sits comfortably accross the forearm in a way no overunder ever will.

 

If its for predominately clay or hide work or driven days where you are static then an over under is superb.

 

Dont discount a side by side just because of fashion and certainly dont discount a non ejector. There are some very nice AYA guns around at the moment which are superbly built and will not depreciate too much if they are well looked after.

 

In my opinion O/U are great for Clays but I dont do much of that which is why 5 of my 6 shotties are SbS.

 

FM.

[Country_est]

Axe,

 

The second shot will be at a pigeon further away if you miss with the first. there for require tighter chokes.

 

Also as when out shooting you tend to just forget about chokes till you have missed a few then need something to blame.

 

The first gun I got was a 3" Mag OU with 28" barrels, and used it for everything.

Wildfowling game clays ect. Bought a 10g for the wildfowling but moved so no geese so it never came out of the cab. Bought a SLE for game cos it was lighter to carry arround all day, but still use the OU for clays and ducks. Have had it for more than 20years now and have only this year moved to a M/C 3.5" Magnum, sold the 10G and havent yet had the OU out of the cab but its still there ready and waiting.

 

All I can say is dont rush it, find one that fits, if you dont know what I mean by that try a few and when you find one that does it just does. Cant really describe the feeling but it just comes up right first time, feels balanced and your head is in a good position and the "sight picture" is right.

 

If you are a name tart then have to buy a "make" then if may take more money & effort to get it to fit right than it is worth.

 

Just my opinion

 

trev

[deadeye]

if pigeon and sporting clays are the two main uses, i would get either a browning, beretta or miruko 12 ga. o/u with interchangeable chokes.

my own personal favorite is a beretta 687 silver pigeon optima sporting with 30" barrels. its a great all around shotgun. my suggestion would be to stick with one of the above brands as they make great guns that are affordable to a guy who has to work for a living and they are great quality for the money. go with what fits you best. go to a gun club and hang out and you will get the chance to shoot other peoples guns some. then you can make up your mind.

[Dunkield]

What's the verdict Axe??

 

Have you thought about a 20 bore, lovely calibre or 16 bore of course.

 

Also don't forget:

 

Back boring?

Forcing cone polishing/extending?

Extended invector type or short chokes?

The virtues of purple or sky blue pink sticky out chokes versus internal or fixed?

Muzzle breaks?

Auto saftey on or off?

 

Clear as mud eh?

Edited October 14, 2005 by stuartp

[Axe]

Well im not 100% yet but leaning towards a Beretta either OU or semi and in 28 inch and with multi choke option. Though I guess to start with i'll stick with the 1/4 & 1/2 choke sizes and learn to shoot with tuition before playing around with chokes and loads.

 

I think this is the best course of action.

 

Regards,

 

Axe.

[Dunkield]

Well im not 100% yet but leaning towards a Beretta either OU or semi and in 28 inch and with multi choke option. Though I guess to start with i'll stick with the 1/4 & 1/2 choke sizes and learn to shoot with tuition before playing around with chokes and loads.

Wise words indeed mate.

[Enzo]

Axe, if you want to come up with me to Southdown GC in Findon for some tuition from one of their instructors, drop me a line. Could always share the car.

Been once before and very impressed.

Strangely enough, I am just in the process of getting my first 12g!!

Regards

Enzo