First Shotgun Suggestions

[louis123 12]

Hiya all,

 

im looking to get my first shotgun and shotgun certificate around christmas time

 

But i dont really know what would be a suitable bore, for what i want to use it for

Id like an all rounder that i could use for pretty much anything, rabbits, pigeons, crows, pheasants ect.

Im 15 and quite well built.

 

So if anyone has any suggestions please go ahead

 

Louis

[drwolly 8]

I have always had and been bought up on a 12 bore since the age of 7. I think for gun choice and cartridge price and range its the best option for what you will be shooting.(my opinion only, a good shot can hit anything with anything, as they say)

As for gun choice, the bst thing I can say is "what fits best" is a better way of looking at it and what you can afford. Choose ya budget and found a gun that fits in your budget, an ill fitting gun just aint gonna kill the pest you go hunting for, and you will just get frustrated when you miss most of your quarry.

 

I have a Browning cynergy, which most people dont like, but and this is what people dont realise, it has a larger recoil pad than most guns, has ported barrels and longer chokes, so when you get through 120 cartridges in an afternoon your shoulder dont ache the next day :-)

 

But then again I am nearly 40 now!!

[waidmann 105]

as above, if it fits fine. try before you buy is the motto.

the decision is whether side by side,over and under,pump,semi try to get the gun which suits your shooting.i prefer s/s but many find o/u more versatile.

good luck and enjoy the sport.

[louis123 12]

I have a budget of about £650, so its probably going to be a second hander. Is it just personal preference on s/s and o/u?

 

Someone mentioned today about getting a silver pigeon as a first gun, can anyone inform me of the make?

 

thanks louis

[drwolly 8]

Beretta make the silver pigeon, have a look on www.guntrader.co.uk and get an idea of prices etc, the cheapest silver pigeon is £795 at the moment, I would go for an over and under rather than a side by side now days, and if you ever thinking of going on a shoot semi's and pump actions are normally frown upon and they also throw the empties all over the place.

[louis123 12]

Thanks alot

 

Also which would be a suitable bore, 12/20?

 

Louis

[olivhar01 0]

Thanks alot

 

Also which would be a suitable bore, 12/20?

 

Louis

 

i have a 12 bore bettinsoli diamond and use it for everything. it is also steel shot proofed if you do any wildfowling? you will pick one up new for your budget and it will come with a guarantee. i use mine for clays, rough shooting, driven shooting and wildfowling and has never once let me down

[Deker 3,491]

Thanks alot

 

Also which would be a suitable bore, 12/20?

 

Louis

 

Either or both, but ...there are a million reasons why you should start with 12g!

 

ATB

[louis123 12]

Would you mind listing a few, is there a difference in price between 20 carts and 12 cartridges?

[Deker 3,491]

Would you mind listing a few, is there a difference in price between 20 carts and 12 cartridges?

 

12 carts are cheaper than 20

 

It can also be the case that 12g guns are cheaper than the equivalent 20g guns due to economies of scale

 

MUCH wider choice of 12g guns

 

A number 20g shotguns are based on 12g actions so little or no weight advantage in some (usually cheaper) 20g

 

Expensive 20g shotguns (specifically designed 20's) will be a little lighter but will only be suitable for light/medium loads, put a heavy cartridge in them and you will feel it!

 

You can do anything with a 12 you can do with a 20 but you can't do everything with a 20 you can with a 12

 

12g are used in ALL competitions (except a few 20g only competitions), thats because they are better for scoring

 

20 do not offer the versatility of 12 for the larger quarry.

 

The 12 is more forgiving on shot placement so less wounded and more dead, contrary to popular suggestion the 12 does not have a longer range than 20, like for like, it simply has a slightly longer usable range, pattern and shot density!

 

Always a good resale market for 12 where 20 not quite as healthy

 

etc, etc

Edited November 1, 2009 by Deker

[louis123 12]

Lovely job thanks,

 

Anyone got any makes and models to suggest that is a good suggestion for a first gun, Remembering the 750 budget?

Also how much is a gun cabinet going to set me back? Anyone got any pictures of the cabinet, just for a look?

 

thanks

[mjr88 50]

Louis 123

 

I bought my first shotgun about 2 years ago after many years shooting air rifles and the occasional rimfire.

 

Like yourself i was on a budget ( mine was about £500 at the time ) so i asked about , went on chatrooms etc , and finally decided on a Lanber Sporting Deluxe 12g o/u

The gun was about 4 years old at the time of purchase and i paid £450. The gun shop also threw in a cleaning kit for the price

 

The reason i went for the Lanber was that a friend at work had owned one for 15 years and told me that they were reliable , and if the unexpected did happen and a problem occured they are easily and cheaply fixed by a gunsmith. ( He also had no problems with his gun )

 

Like already stated , gun fit is essential so just try a few different models and see how you get on

 

John

 

 

Edited November 2, 2009 by mjr88

[Sako.243 1]

Thanks alot

 

Also which would be a suitable bore, 12/20?

 

Louis

 

i have a 12 bore bettinsoli diamond and use it for everything. it is also steel shot proofed if you do any wildfowling? you will pick one up new for your budget and it will come with a guarantee. i use mine for clays, rough shooting, driven shooting and wildfowling and has never once let me down

 

Just bought a Bettinsoli Diamond 30" M/C Sporter 12g the other day £645 Brand New, C/W Carrying Case, 5 Chokes and Key. Cracker!!!

[louis123 12]

Nice, could someone explain the chokes scenario, im not quite up to speed on that :\

 

Any shotgun pics?

[louis123 12]

can someone explain the chokes to me :\ thanks