mgsontour Posted April 28, 2019 Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 Hi everyone, I'm in the market for a new U/O 12g steel proofed gun and wonder what you all recommend as a brand/model that offers good value for money without breaking the bank yet has a good balance/feel about it? If with your help I can get a shortlist then it would be appreciated. . . . Thanks in advance for your input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westward Posted April 28, 2019 Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 (edited) What would be the budget ceiling that doesn't break the bank and what is the intended use? Edited April 28, 2019 by Westward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted April 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 (edited) Ceiling would be £2k or close and used for Pigeons/ducks/geese/pheasant.. . I don't shoot that often but when I do it's a full on day (about 150-200 cartridges) Edited April 28, 2019 by mgsontour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jelly Posted April 28, 2019 Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 You'd not go far wrong with a Beretta Silver Pigeon, Browning 525 or Miroku MK38. Most importantly, pick the one that fits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted April 28, 2019 Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 Take a trip up the M6 to Malmo Guns. They have 2 traps where you can at least try a gun before purchase. I have no connection with them, but they have certainly looked after a lot of my customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted April 28, 2019 Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 (edited) Any of the mainstream tried and tested quality brands such as Beretta, Browning or Miroku tend to be good value for money. You don't say if you have any experience of particular brands/models or whether you are entirely new to shooting, but to begin with I would try as many different brands/models as possible at clay grounds before settling on any particular one. Generally, many people find that one or the other suits them best, and a good coach would be able to point you in the right direction regarding this. Don't worry about fit as a beginner ( if that's what you are ) as a coach will be able to advise you of this also. Don't rush out to buy until you've tried as many as possible, and have a better idea of which you prefer. Edited April 28, 2019 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted April 28, 2019 Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 I would personally go for a Over/Under, rather than a Under/Over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted April 28, 2019 Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 That's a healthy budget! Mine was £550 and I got a nice little 12b Franchi Harrier Game with 28" barrels. My mate got a Lanber for about £400. Not as posh as some other brands but seem to shoot straight enough (usually in the wrong piece of sky). Also used Yildiz and Lincoln and had a positive experience. I'm a big fan of Silver Pigeons - my friend has a 20b with 30" barrels and it makes a lovely game gun but also awesome for pigeons. I get mega gun envy. Browning 525 is also a good shout (as above). All guns fit differently so you must get fitted properly. What we like might not suit you. Happy shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted April 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2019 Thanks everyone; appreciated. . . . I'll go to Malmo as it's very close but wanted the heads-up before going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted April 29, 2019 Report Share Posted April 29, 2019 12 hours ago, spurs 14 said: You could buy something like a new ata o/u sporter for somewhere around £600 , leaves plenty in the pot for cartridges , a few lessons and a few days busting clays , reads like you may be a beginner if not I apologise, They are lovely guns , only problem, if you go for the ally action , you will be stuck to using light loads . The wife has had hers for about 5 years , anything over 28 grams does hurt , i have tried it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted April 29, 2019 Report Share Posted April 29, 2019 hello, as with other PW members suggestions with that kind of money there is plenty of choice, i would go for a Sporter type gun like the Browning 525, but most important is one that has the right stock fitting and best to try a few until you find one suitable, good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted April 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2019 May I ask something else to you all. . . . Are all the mainstream guns mentioned above 'steel proofed' or is it a case of each model is based on it's own merits? Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted April 29, 2019 Report Share Posted April 29, 2019 20 minutes ago, mgsontour said: May I ask something else to you all. . . . Are all the mainstream guns mentioned above 'steel proofed' or is it a case of each model is based on it's own merits? Thanks again Not necessarily all will be steel proofed, dependant on age. But your RFD will advise and those which are steel proofed have the barrels stamped with a Fleur di lis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted April 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2019 OK, great; thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 29, 2019 Report Share Posted April 29, 2019 On 28/04/2019 at 19:25, Jelly said: You'd not go far wrong with a Beretta Silver Pigeon, Browning 525 or Miroku MK38. Most importantly, pick the one that fits! On the button. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver One Posted April 29, 2019 Report Share Posted April 29, 2019 +1 to Malmo got my 725 from there when I started 2.5 years ago literally hundreds of guns.The BIG advantage is you can take them out the back and have a go if it's second hand They also have shop demonstration guns for you to try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 When I wanted a gun for around a grand I went to a clay ground and used their Browning 525 - I went another time and used a mates Silver Pigeon and another time I used another mates Miroku MK70. I couldn't hit much with the 525 but shot well with the MK70 and the SP - I then found an older model SP 687 online for around £1,000 which I believe is better made than the newer models. It is a 2001 model. My brother in law also picked up a SP that’s 1980s something I think, it feels incredibly well made and robust but wasn’t 3” chamber and steel proof. Mad I shoot game and maybe the odd duck will come up I took the newer gun and he had the old one. If you don’t need a 3” chamber proofed for steel I’d take a long hard look at the older silver pigeons, 686/687’s etc 👍🏻. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted May 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 FYI. . . I settled for a new Browning 525 and thanks to you all for helping in choosing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 Browning 525 sporter New1500-1650 New brilliant all round gun steel proofed nice scroll engraving heavy enough for 3 inch loads if your after ducks etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 6 hours ago, mgsontour said: FYI. . . I settled for a new Browning 525 and thanks to you all for helping in choosing Game or Sporter? Barrel size? I have a 525 28in game and love it, wise choice! (As long as it fits) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted May 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 Game 1 with 28inch and seems to fit and assuming the general licence is sorted soon I'll then have something to shoot at!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 Good choice. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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