Dave 111 Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Hi All Im new to the forum and pretty new to shooting. Only been shooting about a year mostly farm shooting and a few clays. Ive been really struck on wanting to get into wildfowling for a while now so I had a scout about on the internet for more info. I live not far from Kings lynn so was looking for clubs and info around the wash and that area and found the Gedney Drove end website which said they were taking on new members I rang the club secretary and enquired about membership he told me to ring back at the end of feb and go from there. Anyway to get to the point I was looking at getting a new gun come summer ready for the new season and was looking at the Hatsan Escorts Ive gotta stay below the £500 mark and these looked like a good choice i just wondered what other peoples opinions were. Sorry this is a long post just wanted to introduce myself somewhat first. Cheers Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 I've got one for wildfowling good gun cheap for new gun just keep your rubber o ring moist and the gas vent holes clean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Which side of Lynn are you? I live in Clenchwarton and i'm a member of holbeach wildfowlers! PM me if you prefer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 welcome to pigeonwatch dave. i would say the escort is an ideal starter gun for those on a budget. not only for wildfowl but ideal pigeon/vermin gun. keep it clean and look after it it will serve you well. steel proofed barrel and three inch chamber it is ready to go for wildfowl. i have one and i love it it cost me £250 second hand and i use more than any of my other guns. here is a pic of mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IEH Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 If you don't mind a pump gun have a look at a Benelli Supernova. Made for the job, steel proofed and 3.5 inch chamber, and you should be able to find a good one within your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave 111 Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Cheers for the advice. Am I better offwith the 3" chamber than the 3.5" ive read the 3.5 often jams but ive also read the 3.5" is the better choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Cheers for the advice. Am I better offwith the 3" chamber than the 3.5" ive read the 3.5 often jams but ive also read the 3.5" is the better choice. Have a search many 3.5" chambered guns will jam with 2.5" carts, if you are shooting astro geese in high winds then 3.5" might be the best option, or you can pay more per bang and use "lead" alternatives Tungsten, TMX, Hevishot etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 3" or 3 1/2" depends on what your shooting at. For duck mainly just get a 3" in the hatstand , you can still drop geese with a 3" steel shell if you point it in the right place at appropriate range. 3"Remington Nitro steel or 3" Gamebore mammoth I can personally recommend. Also consider a std Box lock non eject if you budget is £500 you should get quite a good one second hand, steel proof is your option but many of us use good sound guns choked not greater than 1/2 with 3" chambers that were made before steel was sold, there are also a few new ones made steel proofed inc. at least 2 that are steel proofed and 3 1/2" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoggy Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Dave, Lots of Clubs in your area send Mat a PM and he`ll put you right!!. As far as getting yourself a Hatsan goes my advice would be go for it. They`re a great gun to get you started. There is a lot of snobbery in gun ownership and all the Hatsan owners I know [myself included] have nothing but praise for them. Yes, I have more expensive makes of guns but for the money the Hatsan is a good buy and good choice for wildfowling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Dave, Lots of Clubs in your area send Mat a PM and he`ll put you right!!. He's already done that, i've pointed him in the direction of the closest options to him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoggy Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Good Man!!!.......In coming PM!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave 111 Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Cheers fellers. Just spoke to someone from fenland wildfowlers he says there taking membership for next season and to get my application in. Cheers for that Mat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlander Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I bought a Hatsan just before crimbo £275 brand spanking from sporting targets. just make sure you use 70mm carts as anything shorter will not cycle very well. Outlander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve0146 Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Dont forget to look at the Winchester's. Similar price. New SXP is £350 ish. 3 inch, steel proofed, multi choke. Strips down to nothing for cleaning (ideal for the foreshore). Plus seems to not rust like other guns do after being near the salt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I've been told by a local dealer that the new Hatsans have had a few alterations since they first came out, making them a lot more reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawntredder Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 i use a 3" hat stand for pigeon shooting&wildfowling in early season over decoys and it cycles great but 31/2" they jam alot just keep an eye on rubber washer unda neath forend wen you take barrel off to clean keep it lubed up....i have heard also the new model 31/2" cycles well so i would defo look at this one so you can use heavy shells for geese&they are not a bad looking gun with external chokes..good luck fella..ps..and they are unda £500 :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunneravi Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I'm going to have a new model 3 1/2 I reckon for that money if it only does a few seasons its a bargain, handy on the pigeons too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowl jon Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 My friend has a 3" hatsan and a 3.5" the 3 works like a dream on all cartridges including light clay loads the 3.5" sometimes struggles with 3" magnum loads. Not sure if its because its an older model and I haven't seen any other 3.5"s in action but check this out before you spend your cash. As one or two have said theres also a sxs to consider I have a zabala sxs, steel proofed, multichoke with 3.5" chambers which i brought for less than your budget. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 You could maybe get a second hand sx3 for around the 525/550 mark which is a million miles better than a hatstan. I'd suggest a better quality gun second hand than a new hatstan whatever you do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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