BellySlater Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Is anyone using one of these ? I would be interested to know what cartridges people are using on the foreshore Thanks, Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man o kent Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I had my eye on that you lucky so and so. Hope you have a cracking season with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Just out of interest, what's the main difference between the Super Solway and the No.3 magnum with the pistol grip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 3" Gamebore Mammoth steel with the chokes opened to a minimum of 1/2 to cater for those occassions when shooting with shot greater than 4mm. It shows no sign of coming off the face yet, or of the barrels being scratched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted June 1, 2014 Report Share Posted June 1, 2014 Thunderbird, As far as I know the difference between the Super Solway and the AYA No. 3 is about 2" of barrel length. The Super Solway was an AYA no3 specially commissioned and sold only by Elderkins of Spalding. It was the same in all respects as the No 3 except that it had 32" barrels whereas the No.3 3" came in, originally, either 28 or 30" barrels, and laterly, 29". I`m sure someone will correct me if that`s too wide of the mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 You are correct. Thunderbird, As far as I know the difference between the Super Solway and the AYA No. 3 is about 2" of barrel length. The Super Solway was an AYA no3 specially commissioned and sold only by Elderkins of Spalding. It was the same in all respects as the No 3 except that it had 32" barrels whereas the No.3 3" came in, originally, either 28 or 30" barrels, and laterly, 29". I`m sure someone will correct me if that`s too wide of the mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpig Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 Hi thinking of buying a Solway. Can I use steel in them? I am confused as I have received conflicting advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 Your only five years late to this topic. Post up in the guns and equipment section, should get some advice. Plenty of us would use steel in one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 I dont believe either the AYA No: 3 magnum or the Solway were originally steel proofed. Thats not to say they wont handle steel. I have a No:3 magnum that was originally full & full, to be on the safe side I had it opened up to 1/4 & 1/2. They are a big strong gun and I have no hesitation in using steel through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler23 Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 I have one, and use supersteel shells in it. Mine is 3/4 & 3/4, it also has 3" home load #bb through, cracking guns... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayagunner Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Always wanted the super solway, never could find 1 when I had the money so settled on a no3 magnum with 30 inch barrels, got mine bored to half and half, never had any problems shooting 3 inch steel through her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpig Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Hi Thank you all for your prompt response. Just registered with pigeon watch yesterday and it is fantastic. Thinking of a second hand auto or a solway. The solway looks so good. From the responses, I should be able to use steel with half chokes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Yes you can use standard steel through a Solway been using 2 3/4 inch steel cartridges through my aya no3 choked 1/4 1/2 no problem If I was you get the solway over a semi I have both the semi sits in the cabinet lol 😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpig Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Thanks Gerry78. The solway does look good. May have to open the chokes if using steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moongeese Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 (edited) I have a Super Solway in very good condition I would like to sell. I had the chokes opened up to half & half to use steel, and I have never fired it. Edited July 24, 2019 by moongeese Ad picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpig Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 Thanks moongeese. Will keep that in mind. Where r u based? Anyone familiar with AYA model 3A, year 1986. ? Cracking looking gun. Is it the same as a solway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 (edited) 59 minutes ago, Rockpig said: Anyone familiar with AYA model 3A From a book I have on AYA guns, the No: 3 3in. Magnum was generally imported with 30in barrels. The 3in chambered Super Solway had 32in. tubes as standard. Both are boxlock non-ejectors with beavertail type forends and a semi-pistol grip stock. However, like most of its production, AYA would always produce different barrel and chamber lengths to special order. Consequently there was a limited production run of a fairly small number of No:2 sidelocks imported, that were chambered for the 3in cartridge. These were ordered and sold by what was in those days `Gentrys`; now John Forsey Guns. My understanding is that the Solway was ordered and sold by Elderkins. The No: 4 box lock ejector also occasionally shows up with 3in chambers. I am not sure what the `A` suffix means, in your mention of a No:3A unless it defines it as the 3in. magnum as against the No:3 which has 2.5 in or 2 .75 in. chambers. Edited July 24, 2019 by JJsDad Insert quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpig Posted July 25, 2019 Report Share Posted July 25, 2019 Thanks JJsDad. The gun I saw does have 32” barrels. Maybe it was a special order one like you mention The feedback was from AyA when I gave them the serial number. Not surprisingly, they were against using steel shot as I gather they weren’t used in the 80’s? My predicament is whether I can use it in wild fowling/ steel shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted July 25, 2019 Report Share Posted July 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Rockpig said: Thanks JJsDad. The gun I saw does have 32” barrels. Maybe it was a special order one like you mention The feedback was from AyA when I gave them the serial number. Not surprisingly, they were against using steel shot as I gather they weren’t used in the 80’s? My predicament is whether I can use it in wild fowling/ steel shot Not an AYA, but I use an English 3", bored 1/4 & 1/2 with 3" steel up to size 1. My AYA Matador 10, bored full & full is fed steel and also was by it's former owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted July 25, 2019 Report Share Posted July 25, 2019 (edited) On 25/07/2019 at 07:16, Rockpig said: My predicament is whether I can use it in wild fowling/ steel shot There are pages & pages of information on this forum concerning the use of steel shot and the degree of choke that is deemed acceptable. The BASC website also has lots of info. The general advice is that while steel shot can be used in a gun that is not proofed for steel you should not use High Performance (HP) steel cartridges and should use no tighter than half-choke. There are a number of posts on here from members who use HP steel through their (non-steel proofed) gun on a regular basis with no evidence of barrel scoring or other damage. At the end of the day, you need to have a read up on the various sources of information on this subject and make your own mind up. I personally restrict my AYA magnum to non HP loads, but my wildfowling ranges are usually in the 25 - 35 yard bracket and I dont feel the need for the extra bit of range and pattern density afforded by the heavier HP loads. I am not suggesting an AYS magum cannot handle HP loads; they are a big strong gun that is already proofed to a higher level than a 2.75 chambered gun. You appear to have already received advice from ASI or direct from AYA. Have a look at the other information available and make your own mind up. Edited July 26, 2019 by JJsDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpig Posted July 25, 2019 Report Share Posted July 25, 2019 Thank you all for your advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted July 26, 2019 Report Share Posted July 26, 2019 Rock pig most gun makers will tell you not to use steel shot in older guns but as I have said if you buy a super solway open the chokes and you can use regular steel cartridges in it with no problem whatsoever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpig Posted July 26, 2019 Report Share Posted July 26, 2019 Thanks guys. Will be the sxs. Tried a semi for the first time and can’t say I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moongeese Posted July 26, 2019 Report Share Posted July 26, 2019 On 25/07/2019 at 07:16, Rockpig said: . The gun I saw does have 32” barrels. Maybe it was a special order one like you mention I see on the advert I posted from Elderkin's catalogue it states 30" barrels, the gun I have has 32" barrels, and all the others I have seen had 32". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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