selecting a shotgun

[ste68blue 8]

Hi all, i am new to shotguns, just about to apply for my certificate and was hoping someone could give me a few pointers on a cheap gun for a beginner and some of the things to consider when buying?

 

I guess in a way it would be like going to by a used car without knowing anything about cars...

 

Also what are the pros and cons for side by side and over and under?

 

I do have friends that could probably give me some advice too but the more i can get the better decision i can hopefully make.

 

Cheers

Stephen

[bob.243 8,815]

Have a look here Stephen, http://www.outdoorli...y-used-shotguns

 

Theres plenty more info if you googe it, hope it helps.

 

ATB

Bob.

[SportingShooter 0]

What do you intend to use the gun for Stephen?

[Ratsmasher 36]

Also whats your budget?

[ste68blue 8]

Hi guys, my intention is to use it for a little rough shooting and some clays.

 

I guess my budget would be a £300-£400 maybe a little more dependant on what extra i have available at the time....

 

Cheers

Stephen

[Simonrees 45]

I think the best answer to this is to pop along to your RFD and handle as many Shotguns that fall into your budget, I would recommend an O/U for the shooting you've described. You will know when you have picked up the right gun for you, it will just feel natural and comfortable. Giving you names of manufacturers and models is a pointless exercise. Its also worth having the gun fitted, it doesn't cost much but will usually make a huge difference to your shooting.

[wabbit slayer 16]

Hi pop along to york local gun shop and have a chat with them explaining what you want, also you can have a hold of a few and see what feels good.

If your in west yorkshire try Swillington shooting supplies at swillington Nr leeds.

[Bango 0]

Gun fit is key and the rest follows.

 

Pop into swillingtons, they have a good choice of s/h guns and will give you sound and honest advice.

 

 

 

 

 

Swillington Shooting Supplies

 

Home Farm,

Wakefield Road

Swillington

Leeds LS26 8UA

West Yorkshire

 

Telephone:

0113 2864097

[ste68blue 8]

Hi guys thanks for the replies.

 

I do plan on visiting Swillingtons, they have been recommended by a few other people i know too and have been told they will look after me.

 

When you say get the gun fitted, without sounding daft can i ask what is meant by that and what does it entail?

 

Cheers

Stephen

[Bango 0]

Hi guys thanks for the replies.

 

I do plan on visiting Swillingtons, they have been recommended by a few other people i know too and have been told they will look after me.

 

When you say get the gun fitted, without sounding daft can i ask what is meant by that and what does it entail?

 

Cheers

Stephen

 

In short 'A gun that feels right in your hand and natural points where your eye(s) are looking'

 

Speak to Andy at Swillington he will look after you.

[jackinbox99 41]

This is probably one of the most common questions on here, so id do a search and see what answers other people have been given.

 

As others have said, gun fit is the key thing. i..e a gun which feels comfortable and natural when you mount it - and the line of sight is correct.

 

Money wise, how long is a piece of string. My first gun cost me £100 and was a Baikel over / under 12bore. Served me well on the clays and both myself and my brother had some serious use out of it. You could get a "big name" brand like Beretta / Winchester / Browning etc..which would cost you more, but they tend to hold their value more than names such as lanber / larouna etc...

 

You asked about the difference between SBS and o/u. Well, typically people who do rough shooting spend a lot of time walking about, and find the sbs easier to carry about with them. Typically if your rough shooting your not going to be firing a lot of shots, so a lighter gun is easier to carry although may give you more recoil. For clays you tend to fire off a lot of shots quickly, so people tend to prefer o/u`s. O/U`s also give you a "better" line of sight according to some users as you only have effectively 1 barrel you are looking down.

 

Personally I find its very much each to their own. I use an o/u, a semi and a sbs. In fact, the SBS im using atm cost me £60, and I just love using it for everything, especially the clays. I have no problem hitting very long shots with it, and find it just fits me a treat. I can fire off 250 cartridges in a morning with it and have no problems with the recoil. Whereas with my o/u which is a heavier gun, I find my arms are getting worn out sooner.

 

But then again, I like being different and I think im probably one of a very few people who are using a sbs at my local clay ground. I also tend to prefer my semi over a o/u. Its lighter, less recoil and I find I get onto targets quicker with it. Again, personal preference.

 

As others have said, best thing is to visit a couple of gun shops. Listen to what they say, but remember to take it with a pinch of salt. Try a few guns out for feel / mount. Make a note of the makes / models & prices, then get back home and do some research on the net to see what other people say about those guns, and check the prices to see if the shops are competitive.

 

Good luck!