Guns on the marsh/foreshore

[strangford wildfowler]

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/276612-roaring-emma/?do=findComment&comment=2537505

 

Reading the thread a bout roaring emma one post was about the price a shot out of an eight bore and the same post later mentioned the semi automatic and I am sat wondering is the semi automatic 12 bore the ultimate gun for the marsh/ foreshore? Does no one use a side by side anymore I know theres the fact of steel shot proofed and all that but reading the thread on roaring emma just got me thinking do people still use there side by sides or over and unders on the foreshore or is semi automatic the way forward?

 

For me semi automatic on the foreshore, over and under inland for everything including all the shotable wildfowl

[Big Mat]

I own two side by sides and 1 semi auto. The semi auto gets the most use, but i will be using one side by side alot more next season

[islandgun]

I'm having my SbS 10g opened out for steel for use on the limited bit of foreshore we have here, I usually flight shoot landward of the high tide mark, previously I had a semi 12 but prefer a break action cause I have a habit of constantly checking for a blocked barrel also a non ejector is better for collecting cartridges for reloading.

[anser2]

Given the choice I would always use my S\S ,but its reserved for days when its unwise to use a S\A mainly because of the cost of hevi shot and tungsten plus its reduced availibity ( though a 3 inch magnum it will not handle High performance steel ). But when shooting in the sand dunes on a windy day. A S\A is at risk of jaming with flying sand.

[robbiep]

I was using a O/U for pretty much all shooting, but I've started to move away from that now. Never really been a fan of semi-autos, but that's a very personal opinion, I know.

Current usage :

20 bore S/S for game, rabbits and some clays

410 for rabbits or ratting (got 2, single barrel and S/S)

12 bore O/U for fox, crows, fowling, jackdaws and some clays

 

However, I'm seriously considering a 10 bore S/S for the small amount of fowling I currently do. I load shells already for the 410, so not too much hassle to do them for a 10 bore too.

If I do go down that path, then I may well end up getting rid of my 12 bore, and homeloading some fox shells for the 10 and/or 20 bore.

[nic]

Used to have a SA for my fowling but changed it to get 3 1/2 chamber..... couldnt get used to that gun ( benelli sbe2) now use ou (browning 425 waterfowl) and wouldnt go back.

[GADWALL41]

I use an A400 Xtreme and have been Wildfowling for 45 years .

 

Started shooting with a S/S and a 2nd one when that Wore out .I have shot my fair share with the S/S , but found I shot better when I moved over to an O/U.

Then I moved onto a Semi , a Fabarm Euro 3 and enjoyed that for 11 seasons .

 

I had a 391 after that and a Maxus for 3 years , both Problem Children . In between I bought a B725 and often use that on the Foreshore , especially when I intend to shoot a few snipe there also .

 

I have had quite a few O/Us in between also , all 12g and have never been Happier than when using the 400 xtreme in optifade camo , a Joy to use .

So nice that this Feb , though I ordered it in late Sept , I got an A400 20g , what a lovely Gun , I feel like Micky in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I also Bought 2 Ext chokes from the USA , for it . Only type that makes these for the 20 are Comp n Choke.

 

So , yes The Semi Auto 12g , is without doubt the best Gun to Use on the Foreshore IMHO. I enjoy using my O/U also and will never use another S/S in the field ,

 

Quack Quack ,

[birdsallpl]

As previously said I shoot with a Browning semi for most of my shooting except game. I don't generally bother with Clays so I'm OK with the semi. I use it for, Wildfowling geese with 3.5inch heavy magnum loads with Steel to pigeon shooting with 28 grm number 6 lead shot and everything else in between. It is a very good all round gun for me. For Wildfowling I also have an 8 bore double and two 10 bore doubles opened for steel. But my 12 bore semi is the workhorse in my cabinet.

[Penelope]

For me, a Midland SxS 3" 12, it takes HP steel, although not proofed and does not jam. Everyone I know with an Auto has had a jam at some point, often at the wrong moment. Quick and easy to swap from duck to goose squib too when the need arises.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Penelope

[birdsallpl]

That's true Penelope, with semi's there is always the chance of jamming. But I would recommend to buy the best you can afford and forget the cheaper end of the Semi gun market. My son also shoots with a semi on the foreshore, his is a Beretta and I have never known it to jam, but mine has on the very odd occasion. I used to shoot with a Winchester pump and it was a great gun for geese but jammed a lot. That's when I decided to invest in a better gun and have never looked back.

[hoggysreels]

Penelope ... are. you referring to standard steel loads or super steel loads/pressure ?

 

Is the Midlands an English made gun or overseas ... cheers

[Penelope]

English Midland Gun Company 3" made in the 60's from what I can gather. Gamebore 1 1/4oz (36gms) in 3's and 1's. Chokes opened out to 1/4 & 1/2 from full & full in 91 when I bought it. Weighs in at just over 8lb and has the thickest walled barrels I have seen on a 12. Originally proofed for 1 1/2oz, but re-proofed in 91 for 1 7/8oz

 

 

Penelope ... are. you referring to standard steel loads or super steel loads/pressure ?

Is the Midlands an English made gun or overseas ... cheers

Edited May 23, 2014 by Penelope

[kent]

I use a 10ga side by side and a 12 ga 3" side by side. Both were built before steel shot was even available in the UK, both have had the chokes opened up and I just get on with it. My 12 ga SX3 3 1/2" magnum Auto has done 4-5 years now, the only time its jammed on the marsh I can remember was due to a batch of overly long Remington I bought (they didn't actually fit through the ejection port once fired). Its a mistake to think break actions don't jamb up I have had issues closing actions due to mud and dirt and one of failure/ difficulty to open in the time I have mainly been using the auto. The auto has also been swimming a time or two and once I actually poured water out before giving a finishing shot to a wounded goose (yeah I fell head first in a gutter chasing it down in my dog less gap season)

 

For some the Semi auto is not a good choice, it all down to how the user can and will maintain it. Once you get into it though it kicks far less and is far easier to load than any break action gun, you just keep on stuffing what you have shot up the mag and all the time you are ready. 24 grm steel no.4 over the flashes or 42 grm super mags on the geese it is very versatile though it doesn't match the ten on those same 42 grm loads its good enough to get a lot of it done though. I have a mate who says he might consider nothing else but Auto now but I do so like the SxS guns a nice double eight hammer gun is my goal before its time to sign off

[UK fowler]

browning gold 10 for 90% of my foreshore shooting some times take my browning waterfowl O/U on the march but not often. A semi tames some of the kick out of fast steel reloads and if you shoot a lot this for me is a big plus

[Ttfjlc]

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/276612-roaring-emma/?do=findComment&comment=2537505

Reading the thread a bout roaring emma one post was about the price a shot out of an eight bore and the same post later mentioned the semi automatic and I am sat wondering is the semi automatic 12 bore the ultimate gun for the marsh/ foreshore? Does no one use a side by side anymore I know theres the fact of steel shot proofed and all that but reading the thread on roaring emma just got me thinking do people still use there side by sides or over and unders on the foreshore or is semi automatic the way forward?

For me semi automatic on the foreshore, over and under inland for everything including all the shotable wildfowl

The s/a 12 maybe the ultimate for some but for me I love shooting my dad's greylag s/s 10. He's got a browning gold s/a 10 but I personally shoot better with the s/s, as a customer once said to me about the greylag, built like a brick **** house but weighs the same as a brick **** house as well as for the recoil issue I can't say I've noticed it when I've got thousands of pinks heading my way on the king's lynn shore!

[birdsallpl]

I used to have a greylag 10 bore years ago but couldn't hit a brick **** house door with it. But those that know me well would say ' so what's new'

[Ttfjlc]

I used to have a greylag 10 bore years ago but couldn't hit a brick **** house door with it. But those that know me well would say ' so what's new'

The secret is to get the gun moving early! Once it's moving there's no stopping it

[birdsallpl]

The secret is to get the gun moving early! Once it's moving there's no stopping it

I know we are going off the tread a bit here, so I apologise in advance. But interestingly I used a head cam last year when using my double 8 at Montrose and discovered that I was actually stopping the follow through and obviously missing. I knew the mistake and a couple of flights later I did exactly the same again. Because of the weight of the gun in the swing I am actually to aware of it and mess up. Using the head cam with my 12 semi I was clearly swinging through and making more connections. By the way I'm 6ft 2inch and weigh over 18 stone so it ain't that.

[MAB1954]

Use sxs with steel proof for almost all my shotgunning have a pump gun for occassions when gun might get an accidental ding in back of Land Rover etc.

[Ttfjlc]

I know we are going off the tread a bit here, so I apologise in advance. But interestingly I used a head cam last year when using my double 8 at Montrose and discovered that I was actually stopping the follow through and obviously missing. I knew the mistake and a couple of flights later I did exactly the same again. Because of the weight of the gun in the swing I am actually to aware of it and mess up. Using the head cam with my 12 semi I was clearly swinging through and making more connections. By the way I'm 6ft 2inch and weigh over 18 stone so it ain't that.

6'2" and over 18 stone? So going by your build a 12 must be like a peashooter

[birdsallpl]

6'2" and over 18 stone? So going by your build a 12 must be like a peashooter

I must confess, I can never understand why some shooters start on about recoil.

[kent]

Recoil? if you notice it then its effecting you.

[silver pigeon 3]

I use a semi 12 for 95% of my wildfowling, i use a semi because of the fact it is hardwearing, the ability to shoot any likely cartidge from 30g 4's to 42g bb's and the added bonus of the 3rd shot. On 3 occasions last year i used the 3rd shot to good effect and added an extra bird to the bag.

Recoil is an issue in some circumstances, i ran out of my usual game cartridge during last season and couldn't get hold of any more in the local shop so purchased another 32g 5. First shot kills were as good but could i connect with the 2nd shot, this was because of the extra recoil making it difficult to get on to the 2nd bird really tricky.

[birdsallpl]

The other advantages of the 3 shot semi is that carrying in onto a marsh is a lot easier than carrying the large bore SS. Also of course is the ability for three shots. After being out on a marsh for umpteen flights and not getting an opportunity of a shot, when the perfect skein come over you it is good to have that extra chance of another shot. Although I have never achieved three birds from one skein I have had many doubles but taken three shots to achieve it.

[Ttfjlc]

You should try to achieve what my dad did years ago on the solway with the s/s, 3 geese for 1 shot! He was so shocked he missed with the 2nd!