Miroku variants

[gdunc]

My thoughts have recently wandered from getting a Benelli semi auto to maybe an o/u and i'm quite taken with the Mirokus. I'm not sure, however, which will suit my shooting most....

 

I've got rough shooting over some 2-300 acres for pheasant and pigeon and also have permission over a local farm land for woddies too. I may also do the occasional driven day (hence why i'm thinking of an o/u) and also do some clay shooting, skeet and sporting.

 

It will (for the near future anyway) be my onky shotgun and i fancy the MK38 sporter teague for the above but i'm aware it may be a wee bit heavy. Would i be better with a MK60 or 70 and if so which??

 

I'd prefer a sporter over a game gun as an all rounder so has to have facility for mixed chokes.

 

Advices welcomed,

 

Cheers

[dunganick]

miroku's offer a massive range in different fits, i wouldnt go by what you want from the gun more what gun fits you.

 

I shoot an MK70 sporter (identicle to the mk60 sporter apart from mk60 has fixed choke and handles better)

 

The Mk70 game (my dad has) has much less drop on it, so i see too much rib for my liking

 

The mk38 i have limited experiance with, however this gun comes in many shapes and sizes so im sure there is one for everyone, however ive never found one with enough drop for me, only real advantage with these i believe is the long forcing cones and overbored barrel, oh and invector+ chokes.

 

Dont limit yourself to one manufacter, beretta's suit alot of people and tend to be ballenced nicer, but ive never found one with alot of drop (something im pretty sure you have worked out i look for in a gun)

 

Brownings are a good middle of the road gun, they handle like a miroku (same action) however have different dimensions and some better sporting models with adjustable stocks (ultra etc...)

 

If your pockets are lined with gold or your a solicitor a blaser F3 would be worth a look, best handeling gun bar none, my old man has one of these, i love it, wish i could afford one.

[Oly]

:unsure: Ignore what the gun says its for, if it fits and you shoot well with it then it's a job well done.

 

I would slightly disagree with the above in that I would say that Miroku's are different to other makes - personally I have never handled a gun that is as balanced and pointable as a Miroku...but that is personal preference.

 

My O/U is a 32" Miruko MK38 with teague chokes - technically it's a trap gun (as it has the wide forend which I was particularly after - for my large hands and the better grip IMO) but I use it for everything; rough, clays etc etc.

[dunganick]

:unsure: Ignore what the gun says its for, if it fits and you shoot well with it then it's a job well done.

 

I would slightly disagree with the above in that I would say that Miroku's are different to other makes - personally I have never handled a gun that is as balanced and pointable as a Miroku...but that is personal preference.

 

My O/U is a 32" Miruko MK38 with teague chokes - technically it's a trap gun (as it has the wide forend which I was particularly after - for my large hands and the better grip IMO) but I use it for everything; rough, clays etc etc.

 

the mk38 is originally a trap gun however you can get sporter variations, just not game i believe?

 

I have found brownings and miroku's very similar, after all, same factory, same action, same barrels, just the brownings have shorter stocks (14 1/2 typically) with less drop.

 

either way will agree to disagree, it dosent really matter how it handles as long as it suits you.

[Oly]

the mk38 is originally a trap gun however you can get sporter variations, just not game i believe?

 

I have found brownings and miroku's very similar, after all, same factory, same action, same barrels, just the brownings have shorter stocks (14 1/2 typically) with less drop.

 

Your right about the MK38, you can't get game versions.

 

I know that Browning & Miroku are very similar but I don't know about the factory & which bits are exactly the same etc, but the difference between mine and my brothers last Browning was small, but definately noticeable.

[gdunc]

Sorry if I inferred that I would definately be buying one, a gunshop fairly nearby has a few used ones in so i'll be able to check out the fit and the balance etc.

 

I was just wondering how the models stack up against each other but I guess i'll just have to pick 'em up and see what feels good.

 

The MK38 Teague sporter has a standard stock that differs (obv.) from the trap variants. I've only ever (in my limited experience) shot with standard stocks so that wouldn't be a problem.

 

I've shot with a few different Berretas (Silver and Diamond pigeons) and just fancy trying something different. I also believe the Miroku's to have an excellent rep. for build quality and feel.

 

Thanks for the views!

[Oly]

I also believe the Miroku's to have an excellent rep. for build quality and feel.

 

Your spot on there...plus I prefer the action too. You also don't pay too much for the name too...that you inevitably do with Beretta :unsure:

[Gordon R]

Miroku and Browning are the same gun, but you pay more for a Browning in general terms. I have owned a fair number of guns and none have handled as well as Browning/ Miroku. I have a Browning XS with trap forend - I would like to put a trap stock on it - Browning GTi Trap and a Miroku MK 38 Trap. All will last and hold value.

 

If I was buying one, I would buy a Miroku trap with teague chokes. You don't see many, but excellent value for money.

[invector]

I've got a Miroku MK38 Teague, Grade five, but I junked the Teagues in favour of the standard Invector plus chokes. If you want to compare Browning with Miroku just use a magnifying glass on the 'engraving'. I've got this feeling that Japanese gun manufacturers might put a little more care into guns that are sold as Japanese, and not badged for another company. I could be wrong..............

[deadeye ive]

I use the MK 70 and agree you have the same build quality and reliability of guns priced £2-300 more .Thing to watch out for is if your a tall (6' +) well built chap you might find the comb a little low and not see a figure 8 made by the 2 beads or not enough of the rib when dry mounting this model .Easily rectified for £20 by using one of those comb rasiers though :unsure:

[bobby t]

be aware that the mk70 comes in game and sporter the difference being in the width of the rib, and possibly stock dimensions and weight. the mk60 has a universal varient a fixed choke game sporter with an 8mm rib. the mk38 would be my choice identicle to the browning XS accept for the chokes, its available in fixed choke sporter teague sporter and trap.

[Oly]

I've got a Miroku MK38 Teague, Grade five, but I junked the Teagues in favour of the standard Invector plus chokes.

 

:unsure: You junked the chokes that people (like the orginal owner of my MK38) paid a LOT of money for (and are highly regarded as the best chokes available) for the standard invector chokes!!

[invector]

Of course I junked 'em. Didn't even shoot a cartridge through them, and exchanged them for Invector PLUS chokes when I bought the gun. I believe they are overrated and, anyway I wasn't going to put up with friction fit chokes. As you can see I'm not a'choke person' and believe there are many things, such as the cartridge, wads, shot load, size of shot, back boring, short or long forcing cones etc. etc. that can affect the patterns. I use 1/4 and 3/4 chokes for everything and use Eley HB Pigeon 32 gram 6.5 with fibre wads, all the time. Although the received wisdom is that plastic wads give better patterns than fibre, the latest research, by BASC, shows the opposite.

 

K.I.S.S

[Oly]

Of course I junked 'em. Didn't even shoot a cartridge through them, and exchanged them for Invector PLUS chokes when I bought the gun. I believe they are overrated and, anyway I wasn't going to put up with friction fit chokes.

 

You didn't even try them on a pattern plate?!? Teague chokes provide some of the best patterns out there...from what I have seen they are much better than invectors! As for friction fit chokes if your putting your chokes in that hard (or cleaning them that infrequently) your doing something wrong big style! :blink:

[invector]

I told you I wasn't a 'choke person'.

 

Nor do I suffer from BALLISTIC THROMBOSIS, or PARALYSIS BY ANALYSIS. That's perhaps because I don't shoot clays!!!

 

I check my chokes, and clean them regularly, and have never had any problems with them sticking, however hard I tighten them up. I've also been shooting a bit longer than you have, so draw your neck in.

[Oly]

I've also been shooting a bit longer than you have, so draw your neck in.

 

So your old...and?? I have a Great Aunt whose been driving for twice my lifetime...doesn't mean she knows more than me about how the engine works!! Sorry mate, didn't mean to get your long johns in a twist!! :blink:

 

PS- I'm not a choke person either (I live with 3/8 and 5/8...but the pattern is amazing! 90% rough shooting, 10% clays)

[Gordon R]

Each to his or her choice in chokes. The worst chokes are better than the best shooter. It's just preference. I have just gone back to Teague flush chokes rather than the Briley extended. Just changed XS (Invector plus with Briley) to XT with Teagues. Either suit me fine. I only wanted the Trap woodwork.

[gdunc]

Well i'm off to the gunshop tomorrow and they have a good range of new and used Berettas, Mirokus etc. so will try and heft a few and see how I get on.

 

The spec. / price of the MK38 Teague certainly fits the bill. Just need to see how it feels on the shoulder.

[Oly]

Have fun...let us know how you get on!

[invector]

My shooting career was well established before you were born, you young whippersnapper. If you think that good shooting only rests with a certain make of choke the you are naive and very gullible. Incidentally, did you know that the word GULLIBLE isn't in any dictionary??

 

The choke is that little bit on the end, and many things can influence patterns before the shot column gets there. In any case I would want to see cast iron proof that a particular choke does a superior job, (and that isn't in the offing) It's all in the mind my child. I would want to know which cartridges were used, including shot load and size, type of wads, high velocity or standard, were they the same size as the chamber, were the forcing cones short or long, was the barrel back bored, what was the internal bore size, which gun(s) were used etc. etc. etc.

 

The bit I can't understand is that we all know you can't believe all you read in the papers, see on TV or hear on the radio. We can't believe politicians, and Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster. Yet some people believe all they read in the shooting mags, what is said on a forum such as this, what their mates believe at the clay club and also the know-it-all we see in every gunshop in the land. It probably helps to THINK you know the choke you fitted is the best there is, but choke ads are just as full of hype, exaggeration and spin as any other ads. Anyway good luck to you in your choice of choke, but I don't buy it, at any price. I'll soldier on with my Invector Plus chokes and hope I can hold the gun straight. Shotgun shooting is not an exact science, that's why we need hundreds of little pellets to kill our quarry or smash those little clays.

 

Incidentally you may think Teague chokes are the bees knees, but I'm sure the manufacturers of Invector and Invector Plus, Briley, Rhino, Optima et al would beg to differ.

[dunganick]

The choke is that little bit on the end, and many things can influence patterns before the shot column gets there. In any case I would want to see cast iron proof that a particular choke does a superior job, (and that isn't in the offing) It's all in the mind my child. I would want to know which cartridges were used, including shot load and size, type of wads, high velocity or standard, were they the same size as the chamber, were the forcing cones short or long, was the barrel back bored, what was the internal bore size, which gun(s) were used etc. etc. etc.

 

Ive tried my teagues against brileys and invector chokes, i can say they do without a doubt pattern more consistantly with 75% of the cartridges i put through them in my gun. My shooting career is in its infancy ive only been shooting 9 years or so, however i have done the tests, i have tried lots of cartridges and in my gun (miroku mk70 sporter (appreciate this is not the same as yours as its not over bored)) and in about 75% of them it was more consistant a spread (with fibre as well as i dont use plastic becuase of several club shoots) and the ones that wernt more consistant were no worse with teagues than standard invectors.

 

I too stick to my 2 chokes, 1/4 1/2

 

i think 'junking' the chokes before trying them is jumping the gun, I believe in the theory, that i can use all the help i can get, if i have some chokes that through research ive found pattern better in my gun then i would be foolish not to use them, surely it was worth a try?

[invector]

Dunganick, I challenge you to show us PROOF of your tests. If your mind needs that kind of assurance then good luck to you. I'll need more convincing, and in the meantime I'm really enjoying my shooting without having to think about chokes etc. I didn't wish to shoot the Teagues because I don't believe I need that reassurance. I just wanted the Grade Five and it happened to come with Teagues. My other gun is a Browning 525, fitted with standard Invectors, and I shoot well with that one too. I'm happy, and I only have myself to blame if I don't shoot well.

[invector]

Dunganick, I challenge you to show us PROOF of your tests. If your mind needs that kind of assurance then good luck to you. I'll need more convincing, and in the meantime I'm really enjoying my shooting without having to think about chokes etc. I didn't wish to shoot the Teagues because I don't believe I need that reassurance. I just wanted the Grade Five and it happened to come with Teagues. My other gun is a Browning 525, fitted with standard Invectors, and I shoot well with that one too. I'm happy, and I only have myself to blame if I don't shoot well. Unlike you I don't need that help, and I wasn't 'jumping the gun' because I had no intention of using the Teague chokes when I ordered the MK38.

 

Edit: Whoops, how did that happen??

[dunganick]

Dunganick, I challenge you to show us PROOF of your tests. If your mind needs that kind of assurance then good luck to you. I'll need more convincing, and in the meantime I'm really enjoying my shooting without having to think about chokes etc. I didn't wish to shoot the Teagues because I don't believe I need that reassurance. I just wanted the Grade Five and it happened to come with Teagues. My other gun is a Browning 525, fitted with standard Invectors, and I shoot well with that one too. I'm happy, and I only have myself to blame if I don't shoot well.

 

 

naturally enough i cant, didnt take pictures of shot boxes

 

If shooting a standard choked gun gives you confidence, i.e removing any variables then thats up to you, just personally i have seen that for my gun the teagues patterned more consistantly than invectors or even brileys, so im sticking with my teagues. (which i almost never change)

 

Alot of shooting is to do with mind games and pretty much the extended chokes are an extension of this. For me having htem gives me more confidence, for you not having them keeps you concentrated on the task at hand.

 

Each to their own.

[invector]

Well said!!

 

Crafty edit there Dunganick. LOL