Shotgun

[elz]

Hi

I have been shooting for many years and i currently own the AA s410k. After Xmas i will be going for my shotgun licence. This is where i need some help / Info. What type of shotgun do i go for? I will be using it for game. I dont understand about chokes etc. Could someone please point me in the right direction.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Elz

[BSA Shaun]

Right then.

 

I'll start you off.

 

Go for a 12g, if you are using it for game and the occassional clay then go for an over/under, I prefer an SBS but I know some people can't shoot for toffee with them so stick with the O/U.

 

Chokes are quite simple, they literally choke or restrict the volume of the barrel to affect the pattern of the shot, i.e a full choke will squeeze the pattern tighter whereas a 1/4 choke will give you a more open pattern.

 

Have you ever shot a shotgun before and where will you be shooting are my two questions

[elz]

Thanks for that mate. I have shot a shotgun on a few occasions and i have permission to shoot on roughly 130 acres of land

[Hardy]

As Shaun said stick to 12g - shells are widely available & cheaper to buy.

 

There are a few major differences you're going to encounter with a S/G to your rifle, principally that you'll be shooting at moving rather than static targets therefore theres a whole new world of learning to overcome!

 

As a starter I'd find your local clay shooting ground & get a lesson or two from a qualified coach - probably cost you around £50 a session but it'll be well worth it. It'll help your application too.

 

When it comes to guns, the best advice is get one that fits and feels comfortable - confidence in your gun helps a lot but not as much as it pointing where your looking (bear in mind you won't be aiming it like a rifle)! As for make/model one it's pretty open provided it fits well it will work, just find one that feels right for you - a good gunsmith with lots to try is worth a visit. For a first gun spending a lot can be an expensive exercise if you decide its not the one for you.

[BSA Shaun]

you'll be shooting at moving rather than static targets therefore theres a whole new world of learning to overcome!

 

Bum, Belly, Beak, BANG

[Keith]

As previous guys have said, gun fit is very important. But so is weight. I play prop forward in a rugby team and so am fairly big across the shoulders and consider myself fairly strong. When I started clay shooting I got a Miroku 3800. Really nice gun but not light. When I got a permission and started shooting pigeons, rabbits etc every week, I found the Miroku heavy to lug around if I was moving around the farm a bit and not just decoying from a hide.

 

So, for game shooting I'd find a gun that is the right fit for you and you like, but is also light enough to carry around if you do rough shooting etc. I changed my Miroku for a Beretta S56E game gun with a 28" barrel. Would love to get a Beretta Ultrlight.

 

For pigeons and rabbits I use Hull 32g size 6 cartridges.

[kevo115]

As previous guys have said, gun fit is very important. But so is weight. I play prop forward in a rugby team and so am fairly big across the shoulders and consider myself fairly strong. When I started clay shooting I got a Miroku 3800. Really nice gun but not light. When I got a permission and started shooting pigeons, rabbits etc every week, I found the Miroku heavy to lug around if I was moving around the farm a bit and not just decoying from a hide.

 

So, for game shooting I'd find a gun that is the right fit for you and you like, but is also light enough to carry around if you do rough shooting etc. I changed my Miroku for a Beretta S56E game gun with a 28" barrel. Would love to get a Beretta Ultrlight.

 

For pigeons and rabbits I use Hull 32g size 6 cartridges.

hi, i use a beretta 686e sporter for clay shooting and a bit of pigeon shooting. i.m a bit of a lightweight so i went for 28in barrels (easier to swing) i don;t think you'd go wrong with the 30in model. great gun. but be aware dedicated field guns are quite a bit lighter than target guns, so if you are going to use it mainly for game, and lugging it around all day, i'd go for the 687 silver pigeon range. this is just my tip! at the end of the day, go for what feels right to you.