Gin steady shooter Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Evening all, Ok so I'm lucky enough to have been promoted at work; which has given me a budget of £5.5k to spend on a 20b sxs. Now I know a very good gun can be had for less, but that's not what I'm asking. I want to get something that will be use occasionally for driven game or walked up grouce and I'm happy to spend up to or around my max budget. I have a older gun that I'm happy to get knocked about on rough shoot days so this will be something that lasts me a lifetime and possibly an heirloom. This will be my "best gun" for those special days out. Now I've researched a fair bit over the last 4 months and shouldered a few examples. The spec must be; 20b Must be sxs Max 28" barrels Choked not too tight; preferable around 1/4 - 1/2 Can be new or s hand Reliable Doesn't need much work done to it Longish lop (I'm tall) I've looked at Arrieta crown, aya n.o 2, beretta 486. Also looked at new William Powell s and Churchills but these seems to be rebadged Arrietas crowns at a higher price. Any other makes / models I should consider? Much obliged Ewen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 AYA No: 1. Good spares back-up should anything ever go wrong. Nearest you will get to a Holland & Holland for a quarter of the price. Several steps up from the No: 2 in respect of wood / engraving and internal finish. Hold their value & all in all a very nice sidelock. Mines a 12, but you would need a lot more than your healthy budget to persuade me to part with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Thanks for recommending. I should have admitted; I have a bit of a fixation with round actions, or round side actions.; if that's the best way to decide some of these guns? The aya n.o 2 round action fits the bill but the Arrieta crown seems very similar, but a good bit cheaper (I've found a new one for £4.1k) so hard to justify more. But I do agree the aya n.o1 is much nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) Don`t think you`ll better AYA or Arrieta at that pricepoint.Both reliable and have a good rep.Steel proof status will be worth exploring if new I think ! Edited November 20, 2015 by matone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 its nice to have a for best gun but it doesn't matter what you pay for it or how pretty it is. It can be gold plated and diamond encrusted but if you cant shoot with it then I am going to take the mik out of you mercilessly on a shoot day if every bird sales on by. you have got to decide if you want it to shoot with or whether you want it as a bit of bling. The first thing how do you shoot with it. i've never looked at what gun someone has before I have seen a master shot take every bird that has been presented over them. I remember a particular gun that had a pile in front and a pile behind. A superb shot that had respect from the other guns and the beaters that witnessed this display. When I spoke to him I noticed that he was using a pretty standard Browning. On the other hand I have seen some guns that have had very nice purdies that shot as if they were drunk. perhaps they were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 I freely admit I'm a pretty rubbish / verging on average shot what ever the gun. This is not my concern however, as I'm not looking for a gun that might help me shoot better; if I was my £5.5k would be better spend on some top tuition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 £500 spent on a course of lessons would vastly increase your level of enjoyment. Bearing in mind its a working gun then a good AYA No2 would be fine, I have a 1978 model which has become a safe queen. Nice gun but dont expect to be putting 30gr and 32gr loads through it. These are lightweight game guns and best with 26gr-28gr loads such as Eley Impax. If I had a number 1 I would be frightened of damaging it. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Hi Good idea pick the one you like that's in your budget 😋 As said future proof your investment by checking non toxic suitability of the gun Second hand gets a lot more got your money Let us know your choice and above all shoot And enjoy it 😋 All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Thanks for all the replies so far Any more would greatly help. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 I wasn't having a pop at you but going out and buying a gun won't make you a better shot. Having a gun that fits and practise will. On the other hand you might just be a rubbish shot. If you are a rubbish shot don't shoot live game. A lot of fun can be had just shooting a few fun clays with friends in a field with no scoring and no pressure, just shooting, and suddenly you might find that you have got your brain and eye on the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 When you get the one you want please let the PW faithful know when you get your 'grouce'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 AYA No: 1. Good spares back-up should anything ever go wrong. Nearest you will get to a Holland & Holland for a quarter of the price. Several steps up from the No: 2 in respect of wood / engraving and internal finish. Hold their value & all in all a very nice sidelock. Mines a 12, but you would need a lot more than your healthy budget to persuade me to part with it. +1 I have a No 1 in 12 and it's excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 A chap on our shoot has a 20 bore Arrieta sidelock and it's a very pretty little gun. Unless you find some old english 20, that's in good condition, I can't imagine you could do much better for your money. A modern gun is likely to be steel proofed as well, which may become more of an issue for the future and be relevant to your heirloom ambition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Thanks or the advice ok so lets assume, as I'm a pretty rubbish shot, I will only be using in this gun on clays. Question still stands; as per original post. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Apologies for the spelling, I'm on the dyslexic spectrum I'm afraid and iPads don't support my learning needs software. I will let you all know when I I get my first "grouce" might even manage to shoot a grouse too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 I'm a wally, I didn't read and understand the original post and your intention. AyA or Arrieta are both nice. You mention a rounded action, I have an AyA ~2 in 28 bore with the rounded action and it is a really well made and fitted piece of artistic engineering. The 28 surprised me about how well it chops stuff down on driven days. If you are thinking of starting a youngster into shooting it would be a good gun. it is just a joy to hold and to shoot with. There aren't many of them about though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Thanks fortune, Yes I came across some pics of your aya, it's beautiful. Pretty much what I'm after but in 20b. yours looks to have upgraded wood? I know the deluxe model has similar stock but with a difference embossed scroll. These are a bit out of my price range tho; as quite a new model to the aya range I believe; hence not depreciated enough. Do you hold thoughts on the Arrieta crown model? How does it compare with the aya # 2 Cheers ewen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan barrett Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 +1 For the AYA no2 bought a second hand round action one a few years back as a 50 th birthday treat, love taking it out on my 4/5 driven days a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Alan thanks for ur post, What did u manage to pick up your # 2 round action for, if you don't mind me asking. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 I have no knowledge of the Arrieta and it is a fine gun but I personally prefer the look of the AyA and it is more mainstream. I think that unless you can find any of these on a rack somewhere they are going to be a special order. I THINK that the AyA is in the region of £6500 now. I just had a look on Guntrader and the are a couple of 28 g AyA's for around the £4000 region. dont forget that money has no value until you make use of it. whatever you decide to do think it well through because like getting married in haste you can repent it if you dont like it. PS I know that you are looking at a 20 and I have been going on about the 28 but they are very similar in price ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Personally 30" aya no2 in 20 bore I think is the best gun in this range. Go and try some it's a chunk of money shoot a few the decide what you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 I have a 20 William Powell.I brought it because it is the only one that at the time i could find had a English makers name I know it's made by arrieta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted November 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Thanks to all those that have replied. Much appreciated. It seems I'm now torn between an aya #2 round action deluxe, which is 2nd hand but apparently "like new" which I've found for £4.75k and a new Arrieta crown which my local dealer has for £4.2k. Both have 15" stocks and both dealers can fit gun to me in house. Any final thoughts between these two/ anything to watch out for with the Arrieta? I only ask as yesterday another rfd in my local said gmk don't get many of these order from them- and as such his opinion was Arrieta is probably best to avoid, Conversely the media reviews of yesteryear I can find seem positive. It's Hard to know much bout Arrieta as they aren't as commonly used as aya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
button Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Get a copy of the book Spanish Best, Arrieta get a very good write up, see the ones Chapmans sell on Gunstar, ojects of desire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 I would go British 2ndhand......in my view a better invetment/heirloom prospect and at your budget you could find something very tidy.have you tried guntrader? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.