blacta Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Just wondering what people thought about semi auto's for pigeon shooting in comparison to SbS and O/U? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Not having to break the gun in the hide is a bonus. At the end of the day though it is mostly down to personal preference. Don't think many would use a side by side out of choice in a hide though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 I don't know if the word "better" is the right one, though I think semi's have some advantages, but all comes down to personal preference. I've shot one now the last three outings, and I am liking the semi...... Advantages for me are: Usually lighter Don't have to break the gun to add cartridges The extra cartridge/s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 The only downside to a semi is trying to find the empties that get spewn around, esp now everything is grown up again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss.tony Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 only good point is 1 more shot may be a few milli seconds faster only 1 barrel to clean down side is they chuck **** every where and u need a gun dog to find them all or u wont be back shooting next year lol hope that helps swiss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 recoil is a lot less and if you are using 50-200 shells it makes a big difference doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 i like to use all 3, not at the same time though, yes its sometimes a bonus not to have to break the o/u or sxs, and easier to load the semi, but as said its a pain picking up afterwards, i do love using my sxs though, lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Semis are great for hide shooting for the simple reason that you feed it from underneath.I do hate the picking up afterwards though cos mine sometimes end up 15ft away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 agree that picking up the spent ones is a pain in the ****! take gloves and long sleeves for the nettles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 agree that picking up the spent ones is a pain in the ****! take gloves and long sleeves for the nettles! Or wait 'til winter when the nettles have died down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 I use all three (not at the same time) depending on the hide siting and what I fancy. I shoot a lot in hides at the edge of ditches and I don't use the semi then, as the empties always end up in the water and are difficult to collect, even with a magnet on a stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARRIS Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 If you are using a semi auto might it not be an idea to buy one of these for the summer? Just a thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrwood Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 I love shooting the semi. Easy to clean, appreciate the extra shot, enjoyu how easy it is to load, enjoy not having to break the barrel. Only thing i dont like it having to pick up the empties afterwards. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacta Posted June 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 what would you all recommend then? And 2nd hand or new? I will try one first! dont worry...but i have allways just been keen to have one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 i bought a hatsan escort 3 shot in may, and have to say i cannot fault it. it takes some abuse, 3 year guarentee (i think) for £340 new and that was with a sling fitted to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 . Don't think many would use a side by side out of choice in a hide though. WHY? Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacta Posted June 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 i use a SbS and find that if the birds are not silloueted, they are harder to lock onto but i still get around 1/2.5ish. when i was younger i used a single barrel 410 and was quite a hotshot so i thought i may try a single barrel again but with 3 shots! is it easier to shoot with? Cheers Blacta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throdgrain Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Its just whatever you like. I had an over/under years ago, I didnt like it I'd never go back. I love my semi autos and pump actions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Elvis Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Semi for reduced recoil and that i have 5 shots ready for those odd larger arrivals of birds. Disadvantage...picking up all the empties after............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 Personal preference is what it boils down to in my opinion Ive use semi sbs and o/u feel most at home with a semi though- although as said many times picking up the empties afterwards can be a task ( they never stay in the hide ) Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigglet Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 I got a semi specifically for pigeon shooting as I've only recently got into decoying and I personally find it easier to use in the hide than break barrel. If you load 3 shots but just use 2 before you re-load then it's veryy quick to just slot another couple of shells into the mag. Another plus is that the gun barrels need never point anywhere other than at the sky or a bird when you're taking a shot. I'm also less worried about bashing the semi or getting it covered in mud, it somehow feels as though it's more suitable for roughing about which is probably just ******* I got a franchi fast as I wanted an inertia driven gun for the low maintainance/easy cleaning aspect. http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...&hl=franchi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Fudd Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 i use pump actions, they have all the benefits of a semi (load from beneath, extra shot, dont have to break the gun) but added advantages are you rarely get a jam (and if you do its your own fault!), far easier to maintain, they dont get fussy about different types of ammo, and they dont kick spent shells out as far as a semi - most of mine are usually within 2ft of where im sitting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacta Posted June 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 I was thinking a Hatsan Escort Magnum for the money.....anyone recommend anything else? Cheers Blacta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berties Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 Just wondering what people thought about semi auto's for pigeon shooting in comparison to SbS and O/U? Cheers :( I know I only shoot clays but some one said to me once get a semi do not let any one put you off,you wont know how good it is till you have tried one so I bought a winch xs3 and only use it on some shoots but every time i use it ,it makes me smile I love it easy to load, little recoil,and good results,you can fit it to you easy with the shims,try one you wont look back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 Not better. Different. The only downside to a semi is trying to find the empties that get spewn around, esp now everything is grown up again. Yes, but just remember that your kill to shot ratio is soooo much better if you can't find all the shells to count up at the end of the day :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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