Clay Busting with a Semi and Other Bits n Bobs

[richg]

The DTL shooters who complain about auto users are usually those looking for a reason for missing. I shot for England at DTL with a Remi auto and rarely did anyone complain.

In 1994 i got into the final shoot off at the World DTL, the final squad positions were drawn out of the hat, and i was drawn number three, with one of the top shooters of the day Keith Bond on my right on four, straight after the draw i asked Keith if he would be bothered by my ejected cases, i'll never forget his reply, he said, I won't even know you are there.

The top shooters are totally focussed on the next target and are oblivious to anything going on around them, so i would not get to hung up about using an auto.

The main thing is to be seen to be safe with it at all times, learn to unload live shells into the palm of your hand, not onto the ground, learn to keep your gun absolutely still pointing forward untill it is your turn to shoot.

Once other guns realise you are safe you will be OK.

[JonD]

Hi all!

 

Talking about the 'done thing', is it deemed okay to use a side by side on sporting / DTL clays? Due to some rather complicated circumstances I cannot justify shelling out (excuse the pun) on a really decent o/u or s/a and have seen better value in SBSs but it's clays I want in the main. Any help?

 

Any suggestions on guns would be great, my very limited budget could go up to £200..

I'm also one of the strange ones.. ie I shoot left handed (although am right handed)

 

Would I get laughed out of the club?

 

SBS is perfectly acceptable, at the end of the day it's a shotgun and it's your choice what you use. At the grounds i shoot i see them regularly.

 

For your budget i would forget a S\A, however you would be able to pick up a Baikal O\U from £100 or less and they are bulletproof, at the end of the day ot comes down to fit and what you hit with it

 

No, you wouldn't get laughed out of the club, in my experience you would be welcomed as a new member.

 

Back to the issue of Semi-Automatics..

 

I changed to a semi a few months ago as i couldn't get on with my Browning 525 OU.

 

I completely understand why some people get wary around them but once you demonstrate you are safe there shouldn't be an issue. I generally try to unslip mine whilst pointing in a safe direction, check the breech is clear then keep the muzzles vertical with the bolt locked open and facing outward so everone can see it's unloaded. I mainly shoot skeet so don't use a breech flag for that; however if i'm shooting sporting i'll fit one.

 

I wouldn't really recommend one as a first gun but once you are used to gun's and safety and get a S\A make sure you know how to handle it safely:

 

Make sure you know how to load and more importantly UNLOAD it if you have to.

 

Always keep the muzzles in a safe position (vertical) and never bring it to the horizontal until you are in the stand and pointed down range before you load.

 

For me S\A is the way forward, i have no problem with anyone and what they shoot until I have concerns about their safety which are very very rare.

 

Jon.