richy new shooter Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 hi guys, just wondering im just waiting back on weather or not im getting my sgc, fingers crossed lol, which type of gun do you prefer and why? if been clay shooting last sunday at oak lodge hartlepool and off there again this sunday and iv used an up and over there just wanting to no the pro's and con's of side by side vs up and over. i prefer the look of the side by side with it beeing the traditional type, im looking for something for game as well as a bit of clay also, something which is light for long days out in the field im going to spend upto £1300 on my first 1 so anything inside of that price range aswell. which are easyer to shoot, clean, least recoil ect, ect. look forward to seeing your posts cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 (edited) hi guys, just wondering im just waiting back on weather or not im getting my sgc, fingers crossed lol, which type of gun do you prefer and why? if been clay shooting last sunday at oak lodge hartlepool and off there again this sunday and iv used an up and over there just wanting to no the pro's and con's of side by side vs up and over. i prefer the look of the side by side with it beeing the traditional type, im looking for something for game as well as a bit of clay also, something which is light for long days out in the field im going to spend upto £1300 on my first 1 so anything inside of that price range aswell. which are easyer to shoot, clean, least recoil ect, ect. look forward to seeing your posts cheers. This is good thought it was about garage doors at first...... I'll not say a style of gun is best for all as it does not really exist. It's all too personal, but my advice is try as many as you can 12's and 20's before you buy. The different types of shooting tend to be better with certain guns. SXS is nice in the field, U/O is good for clays, a semi is nice for both (if your field work is rough shooting/pigeon hide) IMHO. I use a semi for both, I have a 20bore which is nice for long days walking (rare for me) and a 12 bore SxS which is a joy to take out on nice occasions. you will get lots of different answers... there are some generalities but so much comes down to personal preference and gun fit. Spend as much time as you can on getting these last 2 right. maybe get some coaching which will also support you to make your mind up......and critically BEFORE YOU BUY Good luck Edited July 22, 2011 by malkiserow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRamsay Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 You do mean over and under Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Hi won't go wrong if you take Malkiserow advice only way to buy a gun Good luck + safe shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 its a over and under you will have used, nothing wrong with a side by side,they kill as well as any gun but for multi use an over and under would be the better gun to have, because you can shoot pigeons game wildfowl and clays with one. you can do the same with a side by side but i bet most answers will say o/u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bull Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 o/u feels better in my hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajb403 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Will be interesting to see what peoples' answers are to this. I shoot clays just as well (or should that be badly? ) with my beat up old side by side that cost me £35 as I do with my £500 over under so am trying to work out if it's worthwhile keeping that couple of hundred quid locked up in a gun or not! Cheers Ashley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Try as may as you can. Its nearly all down to personal preference. Try for a multi-choke though, that way you can keep one gun for every type of shooting; the one you shoot most you shoot best with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 There's always more guns and always more money (somehow if necessary). I'd bet next week's pension that if you did a poll asking do you regret selling your first gun, the "yes" vote would win by a mile. If you go carefully, with the funds that you have available, an English boxlock SbyS is on the cards. Not too popular at present so there's bargains to be had. If it turns out it's not too clever for you on the clays then a couple of hundred will get you something. Unless, of course, you get really serious about the clays at the expense of the game, in which case this goes in the bin. Whatever happens, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 If you shoot a lot of clays the SxS will probably feel the least comfortable, I would go the over and under route, being more practical and adaptable, as for the up an over I have as yet to try one please let me know how you get on with yours . But most importantly, try as many differing guns as you can, there are a lot of people who will take your money, and sell you anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 If you shoot a lot of clays the SxS will probably feel the least comfortable, I would go the over and under route, being more practical and adaptable, as for the up an over I have as yet to try one please let me know how you get on with yours . But most importantly, try as many differing guns as you can, there are a lot of people who will take your money, and sell you anything. Have to say it makes you wonder how Walsingham et al managed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxphil Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 wasn't the up and over invented by eddy warring ? only joking if you are new to shooting you will need a lot of practise witch means clay really so a o/u multi choke is properly better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 No reason why a SXS cannot be used for clays, wildfowling, hide shooting and walking up. They are actually more comfortable to carry on walking up and easier to load in a hide. Just pick the gun that suits you best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 so, i bought an O/U as thats what everybody seemed to use for birds ad clays. I took an sbs in a swap as its something i wanted for the colection. the o/u seemed fine at the time, but when i switched to the sbs, it was as if i could see the birds properly. unless you try both, you wont know. if you aint got either, im sure some kind soul will take you out for a few shots to try. My sbs is shorter than the o/u, and feels much more comfortable. each to their own mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy new shooter Posted July 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 thanks for all the comments, cheers lads. I was thinking of going along the lines of getting a silver pigeon 28 inch, game, for using both game and clays thats if i do end up with an over and under, as for the side by side i dont realy have a clue what to be looking for in 1 or how to value 1 lol thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAsh Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 If you go for a sporter model o/u then you will find it shoots the lead slightly above the point of aim , this enables you to keep the barrels below the target all the time and still hit them, the plain game gun normally fire where you look so the barrel can on occasion hide the target a bit 12 gauge is cheapest for cartridges 20 gauge and the other smaller sizes considerably more expensive Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spara Dritto Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Which ever one you buy, chances are you will sell it with in the first year. People can give advice on what they recommend, but in reality everyone is different. Saying this, I'd say O/U without a doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 (edited) Which ever one you buy, chances are you will sell it with in the first year. Only if you buy the wrong gun... Put some time and effort in to learning to shoot first then buy a gun when you know how things should and feel and FIT! Edited July 24, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spara Dritto Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 In my case I got let down by the farmer, so sold the game gun and brought the clay gun - I did a lot of research. I waited 3 months before I decided that I still wanted that 1 gun. It fitted perfectly and I shot very well with it but for full time clays, although it worked it wasn't perfect - recoil and length wise. I still stick with the fact you are likely to change gun with in the first year of shooting, even if this means buying another gun and keep the old one as you wanted a dedicated gun rather then an "all rounder" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spara Dritto Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 HDAV I understand completly what you are saying though.. Obviously having lessons and doing reasearch will save a huge amount of money but it is common sence to do that first anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Albert Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 (edited) I was in a similar positiion as you only a couple of years ago when I started. I did a lot of research, asked a lot of questions from a lot of people and finally made my decision. I decided to buy new, tried loads and finally settled on a beretta 686E. Did look at second hand but when the RFD told me it had a 10 year guarantee, well no brainer. The problem with second hand is you don't know how the gun was looked after before. Was it cleaned regularly after every use? How did it get those dings on the wood? How many shells has it had through it? There are so many uncertainties with second hand. Still, it's horses for courses and your budget may not stretch to new. Go to a recognised RFD and get advise. The wood may look pretty but the fit is more important. You will try many guns (if you've got any sense)and suddenly come to one that just feels right. A good RFD will advise you and be able to see if the fit is good. Let them know your budget so they can work within it. Once you've got your gun get lessons from a good coach. Mates may well try to save you some money but in the long run you may well be taught bad habits. Start off right and you will only get better. Just as important is GET INSURANCE. Your household insurance should cover it but you may need to inform the company because of the value. Join BASC or some other organisation (CPSA) and get personal insurance. You never know when you may need it. BASC gives you other benefits as well. Go on their web site, it's well worth it. Most important of all, WELCOME TO THE MAD HOUSE Edited July 26, 2011 by Uncle Albert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.