scotttomo Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 After recently obtaining my SGC, I've been looking at an ever increasing and bewildering amount of shotguns. I've set myself a budget of around £500 and I'm hopefully thinking I can get something decent for my first banger. Question is though, for pigeons from a hide, what type is best? I've seen a couple of semi autos that are slightly out of budget but that I may stretch to. Speaking to a friend I've been told though that some semis can be fussy about the carts you use and are prone to jamming, something I'd not be happy about especially if it prefers expensive carts. Would I be better with a side by side, pump or o/u? I guess shooting some clays with a few different types would be best but in the meantime what do you good folk think? Cheers Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 A semi auto is by far the easiest gun to use from a hide . Yes they can all jam occasionally but stick to the decent brands and you should not have too much trouble . They can be cartridge fussy but it is usually down to the length of the cartridge rather than the price , stick to cartridges 70mm long and 28 gram plus and you should not encounter too many problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Don't think about the cost, think about what feels right. A O/U will cover you for the majority of your shooting. Semi auto is nice and light and does give you an extra shot. I have two good rough guns, a baika OU and an old sxs. Cost less than £120 for both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 A semi auto is by far the easiest gun to use from a hide . Yes they can all jam occasionally but stick to the decent brands and you should not have too much trouble . They can be cartridge fussy but it is usually down to the length of the cartridge rather than the price , stick to cartridges 70mm long and 28 gram plus and you should not encounter too many problems. Good advice here ^^ This has been my first year pigeon shooting. I was shooting a mix of O&U and a pump for most of it. Managed ok with both but after trying a mate`s semi-auto decided I had to get one for myself. Bought a brand new Hatsan Escort Magnum and I won`t be shooting anything else from the hide from now on. I know Hatsan`s aren`t universally loved but at the price I paid and with a 3 year guarantee on it, it`s a bargain gun. The only fault I`ve noticed with it is that the chokes can work loose but as long as you remember to check after every few shots it`s not a big problem. Shot a bit of DTL with it today, ran out of 28gm cartridges so I fired off a couple of 21gm carts and it cycled them no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1961 Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 The best shotgun is the one that you can hit the target with be it a semi o/u pump makes no odds if you can't hit a barn door with it best advice is to try before you buy if you can or try you're friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Thanks for the replies chaps. I know that practice is in order and I hope to remedy that very soon, although my nearest club is about 20 miles away. I like the idea of a semi auto for the ease of use if anything, plus that extra shot might make all the difference for a beginner such as myself. The reason I asked about the differing types of shotgun is that I wondered if an o/u was typically easier to shoot than say a s/s or vise versa? The budget is obviously open for debate. Do I buy a cheaper 'rough' gun to start and then buy better as I progress through my shooting? Or buy decent to start to give me the best of both worlds of reliability and longevity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 The budget is obviously open for debate. Do I buy a cheaper 'rough' gun to start and then buy better as I progress through my shooting? Or buy decent to start to give me the best of both worlds of reliability and longevity? How would you feel if you dropped the gun or bounced it off a fence post? Guns used in the field do tend to suffer bumps and knocks so be prepared for it. Price and quality do not necessarily go hand in hand. It'll be much better to see what is out there then ask for comments on here.I guarantee that someone will have an opinion ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Lol, cheers Marki, definitely food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 The best shotgun is the one that you can hit the target with be it a semi o/u pump makes no odds if you can't hit a barn door with it best advice is to try before you buy if you can or try you're friends +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Before you think of spending money have a few lessons . Well worth the expense and it will pay back in better shot to hit rates . Plus the fact you may get to try different guns . Think long and hard and do not be persuaded to buy of "mates" or "bloke at the club" unless you are very sure of the man and the gun .Personally I would recommend a basic field/ sporter O/U with 28" barrels ,you don't need more and shooting from a hide longer barrels will be at a disadvantage .As a novice shooter until you can actually shoot and hit something do not worry about gun fit as long as the over all parameters are about right . I get to see a lot of people who have been sold the wrong gun in so much a gun that is better suited to a more experienced shooter or one for a specific discipline. If its a multi choke stick to 1/4 /1/2 and one brand and load of cartridges until you feel confident that you can tell the difference , this is to take any possible variants out so when you miss or hit you know its you and nothing else . Apart form that the field is wide open so good luck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveshoots Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 For pigeon shooting I would definitely get a 3 shot Auto not only for the extra shot but you are using a single barrel. This helps a lot with net snagging etc. As for the jamming I hardley ever get one and if you do takes seconds to sort out. when pigeon shooting I use 32 gram 6's rio game loads. but also make my own 32 gram 6's don't have a problem with either.£500 will get you a new Auto from the cheaper end but my Brother swears by his Fabarm Lion Camo and that was only £400 multi choke and comes with a Hard Case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Thanks for the advice chaps, much appreciated. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted October 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Well that's the budget blown as my car needs some work. Gutted :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Sell the car! Gun comes first :-)! Jokes aside sorry to hear that, I know how you feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted October 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 (edited) Ha ha. Well that's the idea, except the thing needs tyres, brake pads and wipers before I can get rid. Hopefully it'll sell quick and I can start looking at guns again and maybe a motorbike Edited October 28, 2015 by scotttomo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Without any exaggeration you can buy a shotgun for less than a couple of hundred that will do the job, you just have to leave out some of the niceties. "Better a working Baikal than no gun at all." ;-) https://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/13479-Baikal-ZOMBIE-Double-trigger-mk-12-Non-Ejector-for-sale Couple of cheap semi autos on there as well. https://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/13474-Browning-A5-semi-Three-shot-for-sale https://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/8620-Bernadelli-Vincenzo-Mega-for-sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 (edited) Without any exaggeration you can buy a shotgun for less than a couple of hundred that will do the job, you just have to leave out some of the niceties. "Better a working Baikal than no gun at all." ;-) https://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/13479-Baikal-ZOMBIE-Double-trigger-mk-12-Non-Ejector-for-sale Couple of cheap semi autos on there as well. https://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/13474-Browning-A5-semi-Three-shot-for-sale https://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/8620-Bernadelli-Vincenzo-Mega-for-sale There is nothing wrong with a Baikal! it was my gun of choice for many a year. I had other more expensive guns but it was usually the Baikal that came out of the cabinet. I only got rid of it on a whim and regretted it immediately. Edited October 29, 2015 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 There is nothing wrong with a Baikal! it was my gun of choice for many a year. I had other more expensive guns but it was usually the Baikal that came out of the cabinet. I only got rid of it on a whim and regretted it immediately. Smiley? I own one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrel73 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Baikal 27e 1c. Wabbitbosher is selling one on here for £175. Great workhorse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1961 Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Nothing wrong with Baikals will last a life time if looked after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Leaving manufacturers to one side for the moment, and thereby possibly narrowing down the bewildering options somewhat, I would suggest the 'ideal' first shotgun would be an O/U multi-choke 12 bore ejector. A sound place to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 For me an OU ejector single trigger 28 or 30" barrels choked 1/2 & 1/4 or multi choke (but fit 1/2 & 1/4 until you've learnt to shoot the gun). Buy a half decent cartridge again stick with one until you've learnt to shoot properly. The gun should be a fairly good fit only down side with Biakals they tend to be low in the comb and short stocked for most people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime18 Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 I've just purchased my first bang stick. I almost went brand new but decided second hand for a couple of reason. 1 if I buy a brand new gun I will always be worried about knocking it when out shooting etc. and 2. I'm not keen on spending much money haha. I've brought a Lanber field. 28" multi choke (+2 extended chokes) 12g with a 3" chamber. I spent a lot of time trying to decide what gun to buy but this covers all the bases everything from a driven day to clays to wildfowl and for the price I paid I'm happy to lean it against a tree (unloaded of course haha) etc. etc. hope the car isn't too bad pal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impala59 Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 To throw a clunker into the mix, so to speak. There are many decent low cost 2nd hand pump guns out there, on Guntrader and Gunstar, starting at around £125. Ideal for a pigeon gun. Good luck on your search and future shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotttomo Posted November 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2015 Leaving manufacturers to one side for the moment, and thereby possibly narrowing down the bewildering options somewhat, I would suggest the 'ideal' first shotgun would be an O/U multi-choke 12 bore ejector. A sound place to start. Tbh, I'm not fussed on manufacturer. I just want a good solid starting point to get me into the swing of things. My original post has got a bit muddled along the way I think, as im not the most articulate. I'm just wondering what build/style more than anything would suit an inexperienced shooter such as myself. Thanks for the input Scully. To throw a clunker into the mix, so to speak. There are many decent low cost 2nd hand pump guns out there, on Guntrader and Gunstar, starting at around £125. Ideal for a pigeon gun. Good luck on your search and future shooting I was thinking pump as I've used a friends mossberg 500, the feeling when racking rounds makes you feel like you're in a film Not sure if they're for me though as I want as little to do to distract me as possible when trying to hone my skills, which is why I was thinking a semi. Thanks again fellas. Hopefully the car will be gone sooner rather than later and the shopping can commence. Cheers, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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