Going From Semi To O/U

[grimey121uk]

I currently use an SX3 for clays and to be honest the practicalities of using a semi-auto are frustrating me a bit so I am thinking about selling it and purchasing an O/U instead, What do you think its worth second hand, 12ga with 3.5" chamber in black synthetic, mint condition (used about 5 times) complete with the exception of the box?

 

Also what would you recommend in an O/U for around £1100?, I was looking a browning 525 (although I may have to go for a lightly used one for my budget), are they any good?

[HDAV]

Check guntrader for current prices...(SX3 and 525)

 

525 are excellent as with all shotguns fit is key

Edited April 14, 2013 by HDAV

[chrispti]

Sx3 is probably worth about £500.

 

You can get an excellent condition Miroku mk38 sporter for under your budget.

[HDAV]

Sx3 is probably worth about £500.

 

You can get an excellent condition Miroku mk38 sporter for under your budget.

 

 

Might be closer to £600... MK38 is similar to the 525 which new is £1300+ but plenty of used ones in budget, myself I would look for an Ultra.

 

 

[grimey121uk]

 

 

Might be closer to £600... MK38 is similar to the 525 which new is £1300+ but plenty of used ones in budget, myself I would look for an Ultra.

 

 

That url is really tempting me

[HDAV]

The ultra is IIRC based on the 525 action but has additional features & better wood came in Trap (XT) and Sporting (XS) guises are equivalent to 682 GOLD beretta and can be found for similar money to the standard 525 sporter

[Elmer Fudd 1]

for clays i dont think you need a 3.5in chamber. 3 inch is standardized and perfect.

if you are set on 3.5 then wildfowlers need to help you because 3.5 inch chamber loads are normally like 46grams

i would say that 3inch is ample.imo

[grimey121uk]

for clays i dont think you need a 3.5in chamber. 3 inch is standardized and perfect.

if you are set on 3.5 then wildfowlers need to help you because 3.5 inch chamber loads are normally like 46grams

i would say that 3inch is ample.imo

True but it cycles 2 3/4" fine right down to 24g

[killer_pigeon]

what "practicalities" with semi auto are you having problems with ? maybe they can be resolved

 

my mate went from his SX3 over to o/u then hated every minute with the new gun and ended up going back to SX3 at great expense

 

I can use my m2 all day long on clays as well as o\u , not much difference

[grimey121uk]

what "practicalities" with semi auto are you having problems with ? maybe they can be resolved

 

my mate went from his SX3 over to o/u then hated every minute with the new gun and ended up going back to SX3 at great expense

 

I can use my m2 all day long on clays as well as o\u , not much difference

Its mainly the distance it chucks the spent cases, 90% of the time I can't pick them up

[killer_pigeon]

I cant say I ever picked up one casing on any clay round around me. I expect the staff at clay ground to do that job as well as empty the normal bins.

 

if you can get as good as me you can get the ejected casing to hit a bin 2 pegs down when doing dtl

[grimey121uk]

I cant say I ever picked up one casing on any clay round around me. I expect the staff at clay ground to do that job as well as empty the normal bins.

 

if you can get as good as me you can get the ejected casing to hit a bin 2 pegs down when doing dtl

The Hatsan seem to eject them an arms length away but the SX3 is in a different league all together. Its not just the cartridges an O/U is easier to carry

[HDAV]

2 3/4" is all you need for clays.... Get the right OU try plenty before you buy and haggle!

[Paul T]

Just get a magnetic stick for picking up

 

As for carrying it about, just sleeve it between stands.

 

I definitely wouldn't trade in a semi for an O/U - but there are merits in having both if you can afford it

[Alfieri]

I've just done exactly the same!

I had an Sx3 which I used for Wildfowling . I also had a 525 which I use for game and clays. Now purchased a 425 waterfowl as I shoot a lot better with an over and under and Sx3 gone.

[chrispti]

Got rid of my auto too for a o/u, 3" chambered and magnum steel proofed.

 

Never could shoot an auto as well as a decent o/u.

[HDAV]

2 3/4" is all you need for clays.... Get the right OU try plenty before you buy and haggle!

[killer_pigeon]

if you purchase a £15 sling for the semi plus a £5 safety plug you then have both hands free at the clay \ rough shooting area, the barrel is pointing upwards so its nice and safe and you can put both hands in your pockets and keep them both warm during British summer & winter !

 

if you are going to an o/u because you cant shoot the semi well, then it will feel different as LOP will be longer and balance will be different. At this point, as already mentioned you need to try out a ton of different makes and models to get the right one for you.

[-Mongrel-]

I cant say I ever picked up one casing on any clay round around me. I expect the staff at clay ground to do that job as well as empty the normal bins.

 

if you can get as good as me you can get the ejected casing to hit a bin 2 pegs down when doing dtl

You would if you shot at my preferred clay ground. They prefer to keep costs sensible and rather than employ someone to go round picking up inconsiderately scattered carts, they require you to put them in the provided bins. Many of the S/A shooters carry a mag stick to make life easier.

 

I do think an o/u is easier to use on the clay grounds but some guys need the soft recil the semi offers, fair enough, not for me though. I am still trying to fully get to grips with a S/A, don't shoot as well with it but not dragging my mint 525 through the fields and hedges.

Edited April 14, 2013 by -Mongrel-

[killer_pigeon]

That's just typical of some clay grounds where that use the Nazi regime rule book and where gun snobbery scares off many new shooters wishing to take up the sport.

 

In these hard times, prices keep going up and making value for money less and less and they don't make life any easier for the shooter.

 

my local ground provides magnetic sticks to be used "only if a shooter chooses to use it" many shooters do out of this sensible polite approach

 

If anybody forced me to pickup all the many empties I expel, I would just go elsewhere and take my business with it.

 

 

You would if you shot at my preferred clay ground. They prefer to keep costs sensible and rather than employ someone to go round picking up inconsiderately scattered carts, they require you to put them in the provided bins. Many of the S/A shooters carry a mag stick to make life easier.

[goodo123]

I cant say I ever picked up one casing on any clay round around me. I expect the staff at clay ground to do that job as well as empty the normal bins.

 

if you can get as good as me you can get the ejected casing to hit a bin 2 pegs down when doing dtl

Why should they? They don't have to pick up every one else's cases... I think if you went to the club house and announced ... I'm going to leave my emptys everywhere and I don't care... I think you may get ejected.

[-Mongrel-]

That's just typical of some clay grounds where that use the Nazi regime rule book and where gun snobbery scares off many new shooters wishing to take up the sport.

 

In these hard times, prices keep going up and making value for money less and less and they don't make life any easier for the shooter.

 

my local ground provides magnetic sticks to be used "only if a shooter chooses to use it" many shooters do out of this sensible polite approach

 

If anybody forced me to pickup all the many empties I expel, I would just go elsewhere and take my business with it.

 

 

Reading the post you comment on does tend to help. As I said, IN ORDER TO KEEP PRICES SENSIBLE and avoid paying out more wages, they expect you to pick up your own shells. They are quite happy for you to use a S/A so gun snobbery doesn't come into it, I've used my Camo Hatsan there without issue. As you say, prices are on the increase still, so why force the issue and increase your shoots cost?

 

As for taking your cusom elsewhere, maybe they'd be thankful that you did if you leave the stands in a **** state?

[grimey121uk]

Well i went and tried a B525 today (second hand) and the fit was awful however I tried a browning gti which fit me perfectly, the RFD has it up for £1025 in excellent condition, does anyone have any opinions or information on the gti?

I just need to shift my 2 semi's now although there's no sign of them shifting yet

[OvEr_KiLL]

i know they are old guns, and they are cheaper on guntrader!

[HDAV]

A grand for a gti seems to be all the money....I wonder what it was about the GTi that made it fit so well?