kiffy Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 (edited) i started wildfowling last october and took my 870 pump action, dropped 3 birds with 8 shots which i was happy with as it was a challenging day to say the least and im not the most experienced shot. after that i bought a semi-auto to use for my fowling, i got a benelli super black eagle 2.. an outstanding gun and one of the few decent left handers available so i was very pleased, it seemed comftable to shoulder and lovely to use..trouble is i couldnt hit the side of a barn with it.. and hit virtually nothing the next few fowling trips and as you all know those big steel goose laods are not cheap to miss with! i tried it on clays and my usual score halfed, i paterned it to find i was shooting 8 inch high at 20 yards so swapped a stock shim around and it instantly seemed a lot better as clay scores straight away increased to my usual (poorish) scores but today i went onthe crows and was **** again, i hit a few but missed most of what i shot at... some of them simple shots, mate handed me his right handed trap gun and one shot dropped a distant bird with a cracking shot so my question is do you guys think i should keep trying with the gun till i get used to it or trade it in? i love the gun, its great build quality and doesnt fail to cycle even small clay loads but i have no confidence in it, i know its not the gun, im not blaming it as i know its a good one and that im the issue but as i said i have no confidence in using it... its just my lack of experience means i dont know if i traded it in and would find the same with the replacment gun.. i also have the issue of finding a decent (not an escort) 3 1/2 inch left hand semi at an affordable price Edited April 5, 2014 by kiffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 You say you do not blame the gun so what is the point of getting rid of it ? If you have patterned it as you say and addressed the issues then it can only be down to your shooting or poor gun mount. How often are you out shooting ? it may be that you just need to get the right muscle memory or sight pictures . I too took up wildfowling this year and it played hell with my shooting , I was going for such long periods without a shot on the marsh that whe I went roost shooting etc my shooting was awful ( by my standards ) . Sometimes it does just take time to gel with a gun , when I got my first auto I struggled for a while but before too long I was shooting fantastically well with it and I had made no adjustments . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
station Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 When you say you swapped a shim and it was better - clay scores went up, did you pattern it again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo90 Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Why not stick with the pump action you was moderately successful with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 I have changed loads of guns not because I blame them for poor shooting but simply because it turns out they and I just don't get on. I have had in auto's; Remington. Breda. Bennelli. Franchi 720. B80. And tried loads of others. All gone. Shot some better than others, I do think autos are a bit over rated myself but that's a mute point. All I have now in auto is an old Franchi AL48, why? Because it seems it is the only auto I can get on with. It is only my opinion and therefore of very little value but I would only go fowling with a sxs or a good pump. Bit like motorcycles, they do all have two wheels but they don't handle the same and some folk will not get on a certain type and vice versa. Get rid of the ugly thing U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 I have changed loads of guns Get rid of the ugly thing U BUT it's a left hander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiffy Posted April 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 (edited) You say you do not blame the gun so what is the point of getting rid of it ? If you have patterned it as you say and addressed the issues then it can only be down to your shooting or poor gun mount. How often are you out shooting ? it may be that you just need to get the right muscle memory or sight pictures . I too took up wildfowling this year and it played hell with my shooting , I was going for such long periods without a shot on the marsh that whe I went roost shooting etc my shooting was awful ( by my standards ) . i think if i get rid of it, the main reason will be my lack of faith in the gun (or rather my abaility to use it correctly) like anything if you dont have the trust in it to do its intended job then it can effect the outcome i shoot as often as i can and when im not at a proper clay ground (DTL so i cant use a semi ) i use my semi auto for almost everything in an attempt to get used to it... since the end of fowling season ive done quite a few clay sessions a few rough shoots and twice on crow shoots.. yesterday saw some good sport so i got off quite a few shots, although last week when we turned up the crows left so i didnt fire it When you say you swapped a shim and it was better - clay scores went up, did you pattern it again? not patterned it again yet, nmot been to a clay ground with a plate as we usually take my mates trap to an old quarry to shoot clays and tyheres nothing there i can use to patern it and i keep forgetting to take something to do it Why not stick with the pump action you was moderately successful with? i loved my pump, but i wasnt using it.. it just sat in my safe for months so got rid of it.. and to be honest regretted it as soon as i did I have changed loads of guns not because I blame them for poor shooting but simply because it turns out they and I just don't get on. I have had in auto's; Remington. Breda. Bennelli. Franchi 720. B80. And tried loads of others. All gone. Shot some better than others, I do think autos are a bit over rated myself but that's a mute point. All I have now in auto is an old Franchi AL48, why? Because it seems it is the only auto I can get on with. It is only my opinion and therefore of very little value but I would only go fowling with a sxs or a good pump. Bit like motorcycles, they do all have two wheels but they don't handle the same and some folk will not get on a certain type and vice versa. Get rid of the ugly thing U glad someone else has suffered the same sort of thing as me... but shes not ugly.. shes gorgeous Edited April 6, 2014 by kiffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiffy Posted April 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 BUT it's a left hander yep shes a leftie, unfotunate really as im right handed but cant shoot right handed, my eyesight is so bad in my right eye since i started shooting almost 30 years ago ive always shot left... hopefully if i do decide to part with my benelli ill try a couple of right handers to see if i ca nget on with them as the choice in a half decent left handed semi is small.. if i had the funds id go for an a400 but no second hand around and i cant afford £2k for a new one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 whether its an auto, pump, sxs, u/o or whatever is by the by, if the gun fits you'll shoot the same regardless of the action. If you cant get it to fit chop it in and get another that does if you want to continue with the semi route. I had trouble with gun fit until I found my 40yr old remmy 1100, fits like a glove and weirdly fits anyone else who tries it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 I was only kidding Kiffy about the ugly thing I do and don't agree with Pasty, fit is the first most important thing for wing shooting with a shotgun yes, but, there also are other preferences. In auto's for instance I for one am very sensitive to how the cycling action feels while shooting and some to me feel awful, oddly Bennelli feel great to me being fast and short. Some gassers remind me of a kids program years ago that had a steam loco going shhheeesheecobb shhheeesheecobb especially with some of my special homeloads It is similar to rifles, some folk would never dream of using a type of action over another but they do the same thing...... I had a Franchi fast not long back, a Bennelli action it is. It took me a long time to work out what was wrong! There was nothing wrong with the gun, it fitted like a glove but I struggled and struggled with it. It was long and slim but had very little forward weight, I like some forward weight to assist my swing, that's all it was! U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 If you like the gun go and get it fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Kiffy The gun DOESN'T fit you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 I was only kidding Kiffy about the ugly thing I do and don't agree with Pasty, fit is the first most important thing for wing shooting with a shotgun yes, but, there also are other preferences. In auto's for instance I for one am very sensitive to how the cycling action feels while shooting and some to me feel awful, oddly Bennelli feel great to me being fast and short. Some gassers remind me of a kids program years ago that had a steam loco going shhheeesheecobb shhheeesheecobb especially with some of my special homeloads It is similar to rifles, some folk would never dream of using a type of action over another but they do the same thing...... I had a Franchi fast not long back, a Bennelli action it is. It took me a long time to work out what was wrong! There was nothing wrong with the gun, it fitted like a glove but I struggled and struggled with it. It was long and slim but had very little forward weight, I like some forward weight to assist my swing, that's all it was! U I guess I'm a less complicated shooter (no better or worse ), I point the gun, pull the trigger, gun goes boom, bird goes poof.... yes the weight can be different with differing actions but thats a case of getting used to it again. I dont over think my shooting and just get on with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 If you have not patterned it then you really should , once you know exactly where it is shooting it may be a very simple fix to alter it to suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBeaky Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Some gassers remind me of a kids program years ago that had a steam loco going shhheeesheecobb shhheeesheecobb especially with some of my special homeloads Don't know about your handloads, but Ifor the Engine said, "*************************************** (big Oliver Postgate fans at our house ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Your pointing it the wrong place because it don't shoot were your looking, just get it sorted an hour a few tools and a box of shells or pay a pro, Auto guns come with all you need generally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo90 Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 This post is really about gun fit, find one that fits you and it will kill what you point/swing it at ........ I started with an old side by side , then added a 410, a semi auto, and an over and under......sold all them and went through a fair few other guns......wish I had stuck with the old side by side I learnt with....... The rule is the more you use a gun (obviously one that fits you) the better you will be, changing guns isn't a good idea, currently have a baikal with hushpower mod, a single barrel boito and the most recent addition an old zabala over under the wife bought me last month for my birthday......... I am now just using the zabala to the exclusion of all else as it fits and I am moderatorly good with it and the more you use just 1 gun the better you do get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 If you like the gun go and get it fitted. +1 = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Don't know about your handloads, but Ifor the Engine said, ******************************** (big Oliver Postgate fans at our house ) How the 'ell did you get that past the censor I guess I'm a less complicated shooter (no better or worse ), I point the gun, pull the trigger, gun goes boom, bird goes poof.... yes the weight can be different with differing actions but thats a case of getting used to it again. I dont over think my shooting and just get on with it Ahhr well that is where we are different! I can over complicate anything.....it's a gift of mine U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 whether its an auto, pump, sxs, u/o or whatever is by the by, if the gun fits you'll shoot the same regardless of the action. If you cant get it to fit chop it in and get another that does if you want to continue with the semi route. I had trouble with gun fit until I found my 40yr old remmy 1100, fits like a glove and weirdly fits anyone else who tries it... And that is why they were so popular in their day. I have encountered several people who just can not get on with a Bennelli, myself included. I do not know if it is the bang, clunk, click bit or just the handling of the gun. Now the Beretta 391 range, there is a gun. Change the spacer to left hand. Enough said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBeaky Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Hmmmm - seems the profanity filter isn't an Ifor the Engine fan after all. Strange how it came up to start with, then got the asterisk treatment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiffy Posted April 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 i spoke to sportsmans gun centre yesterday and they do gun fitting but as i kind off expected wont touch a synthetic stocked gun im out on the crows again saturday but will take my over under but im going to patern the semi this weekend just for my piece of mind but changing the gun is a serious consideration at the moment.. im chilled out normally but was really wound up i missed so many easy shots.. question is then of which left hand semi would i go for as their few and far between and i know i can use a right handed one if its pretty straight stocked but id like to keep to a leftie.. aparently the a400 extreme is being released soon in left hand.. dont want to spend that much but its a lovely gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted April 8, 2014 Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 If you have not patterned it then you really should , once you know exactly where it is shooting it may be a very simple fix to alter it to suit. +1 If, as you say, things improved after you changed the shims about on the clays, were you taking the same stance in (I'm assuming) a hide when shooting the crows? Check again to make sure what you did actually improved the situation and that you didn't just get lucky on a few clays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiffy Posted April 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 i know we can get lucky shots on clays or at least i can but when we go out we shoot a fair few clays and my scores jumped up and stayed up over a few sessions. shooting in a hide is different to shooting clays as often their snap shots and space sometimes doesnt allow for the same stance so id say maybe not but its not an issue ive had using different guns in the past.. i shoot the mequally well wether on clays or in a hide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted April 8, 2014 Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 this aint a unusual complaint............heard same story lots of times....its also happened to me....i let my sxs go and went back to my old a303.....i love handling the a303 but i couldnt use it like the sxs...........i patterned it..got the shims right....then said to myself .."theres nothing wrong with the gun, i need to learn to use it".... so back to the skeet range, and bit by bit i lost the way i swing the sxs and became more focussed on what i need to do for the semi auto.....which sometimes meant shooting the same high house and low house 10 or 15 times... right now im about 95% as good as the sxs days..and improving...........just stick with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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