Just starting, looking for advice

[moorep3]

Hi folks,

 

I have been for a few skeet lessons and have really enjoyed the whole experience, I have felt like I have done ok and that has made me really keen.

 

I am sure you have heard it all before but i really need some gun advice. I have spent a fair bit of time reading up on things (books, magazines, internet) and as far as I can tell the best way to go is buy the best quality gun you can afford (for me that will be about £1000), spend your money on the basic model as fancy scrolls etc which increase the cost won't help you shoot better and get the gun which fits YOU best.

So my questions for you all if you would be kind enough to help are, which gun/guns would you recommend and where can I try a selection of guns before I make a purchase?

 

I live in Central Scotland so anything local would be best but I am prepared to travel if it means getting the right gun from the off.

 

Thanks in advanve for the help,

Paul

[tulkyuk]

You will get a brand new Miroku MK38 grade 1 with multi-choke for that kind of cash - nice solid guns and a very good name.

[millionblade]

Paul

I am in a similar position and my heart was set on an MK38 Sporter with multi chokes and 30" barrels. I still really want to go down that route as £ for £ everyone says it is the best gun you can buy but they don't make a 28" version and with my posture and build that may ultimately mean I have to go with the Browning 525 Sporting which may be better for me in the long run in terms of fit. That said, I am going to go and try them side by side before I make a purchase and my heart really wants the Miroku to win.

[chrisv]

Paul,

I would try Berettas and Brownings( or Mirokus) before you make your choice. I find they feel totally different and a lot of people prefer one or the other. The difficult part is that I find just swinging one in a shop doesn't give enough of an indication of how it will feel for long term use. Can you find somewhere where people are generous with lending guns to try? One thing about clay shooting that I like is that people seem to like letting others try their guns.

 

 

MB,

Why are you against 30" barrels? Is it just that you're used to 28"? I would try 30s, I started with a Browning 425 28", but now have an MK38 30" and wouldn't go back to 28s.

Chris

[Baldrick]

I used to shoot skeet on a daily basis, and I now shoot woodies, vermin and/or game on a daily basis. I've always gone back to 28" barrels (or shorter), although I own shotguns with up to 32" barrels. I like the whippier nature of shorter barrels. I'm not a 4-stone midget either. I guess it's just personal preference, but buy what feels right.

 

Paul, if I was in your shoes, I'd be following Tulky's advice and getting an MK38, except I'd always go for a fixed-choke gun. Mirokus are indestructible, and have good resale value. If this gun doesn't appeal, sniff around for a Beretta Silver Pigeon - a very different gun in terms of feel, but equally good.

 

The only advice I would offer you is, when you buy your chosen gun, have faith in it. Don't **** about worrying whether you should be using longer barrels, or altering the choking. Just get the gun properly fitted, find a good cartridge and start honing your skills.

[breadster50]

I used to shoot skeet on a daily basis, and I now shoot woodies, vermin and/or game on a daily basis. I've always gone back to 28" barrels (or shorter), although I own shotguns with up to 32" barrels. I like the whippier nature of shorter barrels. I'm not a 4-stone midget either. I guess it's just personal preference, but buy what feels right.

 

Paul, if I was in your shoes, I'd be following Tulky's advice and getting an MK38, except I'd always go for a fixed-choke gun. Mirokus are indestructible, and have good resale value. If this gun doesn't appeal, sniff around for a Beretta Silver Pigeon - a very different gun in terms of feel, but equally good.

 

The only advice I would offer you is, when you buy your chosen gun, have faith in it. Don't **** about worrying whether you should be using longer barrels, or altering the choking. Just get the gun properly fitted, find a good cartridge and start honing your skills.

 

 

Agreed - get it fitted [i still need mine fitting!"!!!!!] - dont worry about the length of the barrells - just get the guys int he shop to pass the guns to you and buy the one that fits/feels right - if its 28" 30" or 32", it doesn't matter - my opinion is that as long as it feels comfortable [and it fits] then you'll be fine

[Andy W]

My old Beretta 687 was a 28" and my Miroku MK38 is a 30" which I use for skeet, trap and sporting, I honestly can say that I have not noticed any difference in handling between a 28" and a 30", the 30" if anything has given me more confidence for longer sporting shots, regarding cartridges, I stick to Victory 480 felts in 7.5, I have faith in the gun and the cart, when I miss I know it is me not my tools.

[millionblade]

Paul,

I would try Berettas and Brownings( or Mirokus) before you make your choice. I find they feel totally different and a lot of people prefer one or the other. The difficult part is that I find just swinging one in a shop doesn't give enough of an indication of how it will feel for long term use. Can you find somewhere where people are generous with lending guns to try? One thing about clay shooting that I like is that people seem to like letting others try their guns.

 

 

MB,

Why are you against 30" barrels? Is it just that you're used to 28"? I would try 30s, I started with a Browning 425 28", but now have an MK38 30" and wouldn't go back to 28s.

Chris

 

Chris

It may just be that I'm used to holding a 28" model and as you say time with a 30" model would be well spent which is what I intend to do before purchasing.

[Suffolk shooter]

If you fancy taking Skeet seriously, I have a proper Miroku Skeet gun 26" barrelled O/U. Good condition. Bit of wear around the muzzle to be expected considering the smount of shots it's had through it. I'd be asking £350 for it. I bought it from Jimmy Ling, those who know or have heard of Jimmy, will know there isn't alot he didn't win in the days before his farm accident. That includes sporting as well as skeet.

 

I can PM you some photos if you like.

 

SS

[Floating Chamber]

'J Ling' cartridges too! I remember the lovely white boxes with sepia print from Express. Happy days!

I bought a Miroku ORE Game in 1973 from Conrad Cross at Geo. Bate, bored out to Skeet/Skeet. Still have it. You can't go wrong with Miroku.

Later on, I discovered the Rem. 1100 wasn't that bad; and the Winchester Model 50/59 was cute.

 

All guns do the job, and like cartridges, some are better than others!

[Floating Chamber]

'J Ling' cartridges too! I remember the lovely white boxes with sepia print from Express. Happy days!

I bought a Miroku ORE Game in 1973 from Conrad Cross at Geo. Bate, bored out to Skeet/Skeet. Still have it. You can't go wrong with Miroku.

Later on, I discovered the Rem. 1100 wasn't that bad; and the Winchester Model 50/59 was cute.

 

All guns do the job, and like cartridges, some are better than others!

[Floating Chamber]

'J Ling' cartridges too! I remember the lovely white boxes with sepia print from Express. Happy days!

I bought a Miroku ORE Game in 1973 from Conrad Cross at Geo. Bate, bored out to Skeet/Skeet. Still have it. You can't go wrong with Miroku.

Later on, I discovered the Rem. 1100 wasn't that bad; and the Winchester Model 50/59 was cute.

 

All guns do the job, and like cartridges, some are better than others!

[Floating Chamber]

'J Ling' cartridges too! I remember the lovely white boxes with sepia print from Express. Happy days!

I bought a Miroku ORE Game in 1973 from Conrad Cross at Geo. Bate, bored out to Skeet/Skeet. Still have it. You can't go wrong with Miroku.

Later on, I discovered the Rem. 1100 wasn't that bad; and the Winchester Model 50/59 was cute.

 

All guns do the job, and like cartridges, some are better than others!

[Ferret Master]

Echo, echo, echo.

[moorep3]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

 

I went to my local gun dealer the other day where I explained what I was looking for. The dealer recommended a second hand Beretta 686 that he had in stock. The gun is 15 years old but has been fully reconditioned (new stock and front end etc), the dealer intimated that the 15 year old gun is of better quality than the new equalivalant. The shop was looking for £850, any thoughts?

 

 

Paul

[Gordon R]

Very dear. Don't do it. You get get a better Miroku or Beretta for the same money.Even if the woodwork has been renewed, it will add little value to the gun, which is way too much for a 15 year old 686. You are in 682 price range there.

[Bagsy]

I agree with Gordon R - that does seem way too expensive. For example Essex Gun have a 682 with 30 inch tubes for £750 and another with 32 inch tubes for £850 LINK HERE. Have a good look around, you'll find a much better bargain than you've been shown.