gundawg66 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 I have just applied for my first shotgun cert after catching the bug during a trial clay shoot. I am looking for a good all round shotgun that can be used for both clays and game. Ive got approx £650 to spend at the moment so any advice wouls be very much appreciated, Oh and to make things awkward for myself and my budget im left handed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southernlad Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 (edited) Hi mate, I think this one gets asked a lot on here so you might not get a ton of replies. But I only started recently myself and I know how confusing it is to begin with! I wanted an all-rounder when I first started looking and I was advised by a good shooting friend of mine that my best bet would be a 12 bore over and under sporter with 30" barrels. This is a pretty good place to start. With that as a bench mark starting point, try as many guns as you can if you are able, and get a good gunshop to show you a few different models from different manufacturers and check you for fit, which is very important if you want to shoot well. See what you like the feel of - I ended up buying a Beretta silver pigeon V game gun with 28" barrels, simply because I liked the more lively feel to it than the heavier sporter version. I would suggest that if you want to shoot game (I'm assuming you mean driven?) as well as clays that you don't get a gun that looks too overtly 'competition' i.e. with extended chokes, an adjustable stock or modern competition style engraving, purely because you'll find there can be a bit of snobbery at these days and some traditionalists don't like to see competition guns in the field. You can get many sporters that have game scene or scroll engraving, colour case hardening etc which won't look out of place in either situation. Similarly, a game gun can be used for clays if you wish, although you will find there is more recoil because of the lighter weight which may or may not bother you. Forgot to say, with the budget you mention have a look at new guns from Lanber, Lincoln, Bettinsoli and Franchi or second hand beretta, browning, miroku as a rough guide. hope this helps, cheers SL Edited October 27, 2008 by southernlad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirusman Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Have a look at the Bettinsolli Diamond 30" sporter multi choke i have one and very happy with it about £650 NEW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I was having the same question and I was advised to go for a sporter/game over and under. Apparently this is quite flexible, as you can have one choke in the top barrel and different in the lower so you get more variety in your shots. £650 should be good, I was thinking of spending £500 on a miroku maybe? Any advice is more than welcomed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urikastu Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 If they don't mind semi's where you go get a nice second hand Beretta Urika. You won't regret it.I didn't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnclePete Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Whatever you get as your first gun the chances are you'll be changing it before too long, that's the way it goes. If you spend £600 on a used Miroku/Beretta - must be in good nick of course - you'll get most or all of that back when you change. You won't with a 'budget' gun. I would also say don't be put off if a gun is fixed choke, you'll get used to whatever patterns it throws. Stay safe, have fun, try to get more new shooters on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babka3487 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I would agree with sirus man, bettinsolli looks to me a good option I don't own one but have had a good look at some and they look good to me. Also you'll probably get a decent warranty etc. when buying one new. Over and under is probably the way to go if you want an all rounder with a sporter/game gun covering most things. Hot barrels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ean76 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I am a lefty shooter and I have got my eye set on a new Lanber 30". Multichoke, can shoot steel and in left hand at no extra cost. Somewhere around the £650 mark if you shop about. Been around for years and have the GMK warranty to back it up. Hope it helps but I guess it depends on what you want to shoot really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdunc Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 (edited) You'll have problems finding a cack handed semi auto (I think Benelli are the main manufacturer of these) and an over and under is generally the most flexible for everything. Some places frown upon autos due to spent cart ejection and the inability to break open. Beretta or Browning over and under (silver pigeon / 525) second hand would be my vote ETA - you'll get away with a right handed version of the above as they've little palm swell and a straight stock as standard on most models. Edited October 29, 2008 by gdunc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.