Best Clay gun for around £3000?

[PumpShottyAnonymous]

Been shooting sporting a good few years now and I feel its time to upgrade from the Mossberg pump.

Looking to get a bit more competitive,

Any suggestions?

[Dave at kelton]

It has to be gun that fits you from any of the main manufacturers. Everyone has their own favourites. My advice is get to a gun shop that will allow you to try before you buy, preferably with a good shooting coach and go from there. Secondhand will give better value. Not sure where you live so if you say others may be able to recommend someone.

Good luck

[markm]

Like Dave said. 
 

you’ll get a good fit straight off the shelf from any of the big 5 makers - browning, beretta, miroku, CG, Blaser. 
 

A newish or lightly shot older gun will save you a few dollars and if wood / engraving is your thing, a nicer to look at gun. 
 

if you don’t have a big dealer close by its worth travelling and just make it a day out. 

Edited September 11, 2022 by markm

[Yellow Bear]

22 minutes ago, markm said:

If you don’t have a big dealer close by its worth travelling and just make it a day out.

Malmo springs to mind.

[Old farrier]

Personally think the best option is to get a second hand one 

spend £1200 ish se how you get on then upgrade 

you could take a bigger loss if your £3K gun isn’t what you want 

alternitvly get a semi automatic that’s as near your mosberg as possible 

really depends upon weather you want scores or something nice to look at 

[Stephen-H]

Premier guns doveridge 

[billytheghillie]

At the end of the day its just 2 pipes, £100 or £3000 they do the same job. Remember, its the nut behind the butt that does it all!

[Tallguy]

Beretta 694

[London Best]

3 hours ago, billytheghillie said:

At the end of the day its just 2 pipes, £100 or £3000 they do the same job. Remember, its the nut behind the butt that does it all!

That is like comparing Del boy’s van with an Aston Martin.

[billytheghillie]

4 minutes ago, London Best said:

That is like comparing Del boy’s van with an Aston Martin.

Dont think so, its just 2 pipes.

[HantsRob]

1 hour ago, London Best said:

That is like comparing Del boy’s van with an Aston Martin.

To be fair you are comparing a three wheeler to a four wheeler.....

 

1 hour ago, billytheghillie said:

Dont think so, its just 2 pipes.

I agree it's the same thing, and it's the 'nut behind the butt'. Goes with all other adages like if you're on the clay it smashes.

But, a better smoother action and trigger pull from a well maintained gun is a lot more enjoyable and potentially more accurate than a bargain scrap gun. I am not going down the mega expensive gun route, but having shot OF's amazing recent purchase, it shot like a dream and was a pleasure to use. 

That said I am happy with my little Silver Pigeon 3 and 692.

[Old farrier]

12 minutes ago, HantsRob said:

To be fair you are comparing a three wheeler to a four wheeler.....

 

I agree it's the same thing, and it's the 'nut behind the butt'. Goes with all other adages like if you're on the clay it smashes.

But, a better smoother action and trigger pull from a well maintained gun is a lot more enjoyable and potentially more accurate than a bargain scrap gun. I am not going down the mega expensive gun route, but having shot OF's amazing recent purchase, it shot like a dream and was a pleasure to use. 

That said I am happy with my little Silver Pigeon 3 and 692.

Er I’ve got better ones than that 😂😂

and this is where the quandary starts 

for £1500 you get a good gun for £3000 you get the same gun but nicer

the you start the bigger jump to £5000 that’s better than entertaining level then £6500 same gun but nicer wood engraving 

And so it goes on until your up at the £40000/£50000 bracket serious money guns 

then it’s the £100000+ 

can you shoot any better with them?

after-all there only two pipes (unless they are milled from one billet put together by machine and people 

how well would that mate that everyone knows that only shoots a £25 bakil shoot if he had one 

Ballance trigger pulls comfort all help but only the OP will know what he is happy with 

the secret is to buy one you like and learn to shoot it 

All the best with your choice 

OF 

[Scully]

21 minutes ago, Old farrier said:

 

the secret is to buy one you like and learn to shoot it 

This. 

[Westley]

10 hours ago, Yellow Bear said:

Malmo springs to mind.

Yes, they have a superb 20 bore CG Apex 32 "on the shelf. A commission sale I believe  !   😉

[vmaxphil]

20 hours ago, PumpShottyAnonymous said:

Been shooting sporting a good few years now and I feel its time to upgrade from the Mossberg pump.

Looking to get a bit more competitive,

Any suggestions?

As your in Hampshire think about a day at barbury shooting in wiltshire, gun shop more stands than you can shake a stick at, great cafe and very nice people running it 

[London Best]

10 hours ago, Old farrier said:

Er I’ve got better ones than that 😂😂

and this is where the quandary starts 

for £1500 you get a good gun for £3000 you get the same gun but nicer

the you start the bigger jump to £5000 that’s better than entertaining level then £6500 same gun but nicer wood engraving 

And so it goes on until your up at the £40000/£50000 bracket serious money guns 

then it’s the £100000+ 

can you shoot any better with them?

after-all there only two pipes (unless they are milled from one billet put together by machine and people 

how well would that mate that everyone knows that only shoots a £25 bakil shoot if he had one 

Ballance trigger pulls comfort all help but only the OP will know what he is happy with 

the secret is to buy one you like and learn to shoot it 

All the best with your choice 

OF 

Good post.

[HantsRob]

1 hour ago, vmaxphil said:

As your in Hampshire think about a day at barbury shooting in wiltshire, gun shop more stands than you can shake a stick at, great cafe and very nice people running it 

I was sadly disappointed when I went, reception wasn’t very friendly and tainted the day. 
that said the coffee shop was a nice brew and the gun shop has some pretty things in it. I do think a place where you can demo guns is good though. 
 

I’ve found Avalon guns really good for demoing guns from both their shops at the Wells shoot. 
 

greenfields in Salisbury will loan a gun for trial, just a small pain they aren’t immediately close to a clay ground. 

[PumpShottyAnonymous]

Thanks for all of the feedback - it is extremely helpful and some ideas have been noted.

22 hours ago, Old farrier said:

Er I’ve got better ones than that 😂😂

and this is where the quandary starts 

for £1500 you get a good gun for £3000 you get the same gun but nicer

the you start the bigger jump to £5000 that’s better than entertaining level then £6500 same gun but nicer wood engraving 

And so it goes on until your up at the £40000/£50000 bracket serious money guns 

then it’s the £100000+ 

can you shoot any better with them?

after-all there only two pipes (unless they are milled from one billet put together by machine and people 

how well would that mate that everyone knows that only shoots a £25 bakil shoot if he had one 

Ballance trigger pulls comfort all help but only the OP will know what he is happy with 

the secret is to buy one you like and learn to shoot it 

All the best with your choice 

OF 

 

The idea of a £1500 gun like a 682e is tempting.

However, an ASE Gold is more tempting.. 

Anyone ever owned one or have any opinions on the gun?

[Old farrier]

2 minutes ago, PumpShottyAnonymous said:

Thanks for all of the feedback - it is extremely helpful and some ideas have been noted.

 

The idea of a £1500 gun like a 682e is tempting.

However, an ASE Gold is more tempting.. 

Anyone ever owned one or have any opinions on the gun?

Sorry can’t help you on that one

try a few different guns before you part with the big money 

[PumpShottyAnonymous]

15 minutes ago, Old farrier said:

Sorry can’t help you on that one

try a few different guns before you part with the big money 

I will definitely try before the buy.

My father bought a 692 a few years ago and he would've been better trying to whack the clays with the gun.

[Spr1985]

32 minutes ago, PumpShottyAnonymous said:

I will definitely try before the buy.

My father bought a 692 a few years ago and he would've been better trying to whack the clays with the gun.

But did he have it fitted? 
 

gun fit is far more important than brand or price 

(and yes I own a 692 🤣😛 and I smash clays and game with it) 

[PumpShottyAnonymous]

10 minutes ago, Spr1985 said:

But did he have it fitted? 
 

gun fit is far more important than brand or price 

(and yes I own a 692 🤣😛 and I smash clays and game with it) 

I came across wrong. He bought a 692 that had barrels to long for him and an absurd anount of cast. 

The gun simply did not fit him. 

 

[Spr1985]

9 hours ago, PumpShottyAnonymous said:

I came across wrong. He bought a 692 that had barrels to long for him and an absurd anount of cast. 

The gun simply did not fit him. 

 

😂 I was only pulling your leg. 
 

I hope he found a gun that was a good fit and is still enjoying his shooting 👍🏻

[Smokersmith]

10 hours ago, PumpShottyAnonymous said:

Thanks for all of the feedback - it is extremely helpful and some ideas have been noted.

 

The idea of a £1500 gun like a 682e is tempting.

However, an ASE Gold is more tempting.. 

Anyone ever owned one or have any opinions on the gun?

I had an ASE gold … an itch I needed to scratch.

Nice gun, but shot no better than my CG Invictus  … so it went. 

[holloway]

Just look out for a 30 inch Winchester 6500 multi choke in good order there are still a few around £750-£800 the best clay gun ever made bar none …. no need to try anything else.