Mr_Logic's Shotgun Thread

[RogueTrooper 0]

Right folks, I'm branching out. Been looking at shotguns for a while, got my SGC all sorted.

 

I know bugger all about them, but I want to kill flying birds and destroy flying bits of clay.

 

Thus far I've got as far as (mainly thanks to Deker's very patient help) a 28" barreled gun of some description, either over and under or semi auto.

 

Quick look at the gunshop at the weekend, quite like the look of the Winchester SX3. Seems to fit me better than anything else I've tried, good balance, light weight. Like the fact that it's a semi auto as the other half will doubtless want a go, and it won't kick her much at all.

 

800 quid's worth, but seems like a decent enough bit of kit, and the Powers Of Google seem to think it's not bad at all.

 

Does anyone have experience of these?

 

ALso had a look at Browning and didn't like as much. Also a secondhand Beretta, 304 I think, and that didn't fit at all.

 

Budget is max 800 quid, preferably less.

 

Answers on a postcard please, in small, novicey words

 

 

Listen to me LOGIC .. We will convert you to the 'dark-side' - you want a semi repeat .. you want a semi auto ...

 

Its all you can think about, you wont care being shunned by polite society when you have the 'one true weapon'...

 

Forget about having to keep the thing completely clean else it can jam..

 

Dont let getting confused and frightened of all the bits when you've stripped it for a clean and have bits left over ever concern you..

 

And the licks of red hot flame inches from your face when it digests a cartridge that does not burn so quick means nothing ..

 

Safety.. what does this mean to a Semi Auto GOD ... 3 gives you more chances to hit the clays RIGHT

 

 

 

Being serious however - I have semi's and find them a great arounder and wont go back, but started on a cheap O/U and still have it for beaters days etc.

 

Clay grounds dont mind so much as you dont compete or load more than 2 cartridges, and slip it between stands or use breach flags.

 

Pheasent days .. oh oh.. You'll have to leave it in the truck..

 

Better take the above above and get a good weapon and fit it if needed: Fixed or Multi choke.. if you buy a multi you will always be fiddling and never firing.

 

Be good

[Mr_Logic 5]

I'm not really too bothered about not being able to use this at a pheasant shoot, as I doubt I will go to a pheasant shoot. I don't really mind if a semi is 'frowned upon' when clay shooting either - unless they're going to kick me out then bollocks, quite frankly!

 

This thing will be used 50/50 between clay pigeons and flappy pigeons. Seems like it will work for them

 

Quite happy using breech flags or whatever as well, have to with the rifles.

 

As a matter of interest, what IS the problem when busting up clays?

[shottyscotty 3]

my barreta 302 wasnt cleaned for about 3 months when i was working and i was firing about 2 boxes of cartridges through it a day.. i also know a guy who never cleans his escort shotgun because the end nut hase rusted on and he cant get it off and his works fine and hes had it 3 years. so they dont need cleaned that reguarly

[SportingShooter 0]

I don't know where the Semi's not being welcome at clays comes from, there is no regulation with the CPSA or WCTSA or SCPSA that forbids their use on a clay ground or in clay competition.

 

If you plan to use it for Pigeons and Clays then a Semi will do you fine, but I have the feeling that even though you won't be attending many Pheasant shoots, you'll be invited to one and kicking yourself when you have to say no or borrow a gun your not used to.

 

Heres a spanner in the works, what about a S/A and an O/U

[Mr_Logic 5]

I'd probably end up with 2 guns in that case tbh! I looked at quite a few O/U guns and didn't get excited about buying any. I am excited about buying this one. That'll do me for now I think

[RogueTrooper 0]

In general its always been a concern about being able to have 3 rounds not only 2 in the weapon..

If you dont have good safe weapons handling - Dont care if thats rifle, s/gun or air rifle you'll have problems anywhere you go.

Me I load 3 and thats my norm, and on the point and have finished will make a deliberate unload, and seek an acceptance of the that fact when I leave the firing position.

 

You get used to it and its re-assuring for non semi users

 

For clays and pigeons then semi is a good tool:

Treat it with some care and good cleaning is the trick. Mine is a Beretta A390 3" Mag multi choke .. love it to bits and dead easy to 'point' and bring to the aim and snap at targets .. example bolting rabbit in maize . . you have only seconds and you can have 3 shots out before the first cartridge hits the deck.

 

I fire all kinds of rounds - up to AAA 3"Mag and SG .. recoil is OK and balanced by the gas port.

 

best advise .. find a mate with one and knock hell out of some clays .. see if you like it then

[Deker 3,478]

I'm not really too bothered about not being able to use this at a pheasant shoot, as I doubt I will go to a pheasant shoot. I don't really mind if a semi is 'frowned upon' when clay shooting either - unless they're going to kick me out then bollocks, quite frankly!

 

This thing will be used 50/50 between clay pigeons and flappy pigeons. Seems like it will work for them

 

Quite happy using breech flags or whatever as well, have to with the rifles.

 

As a matter of interest, what IS the problem when busting up clays?

 

 

There isn't one, Ive never had a problem, certain shoots where they have their head so far up their **** may not like it, but then again I have no interest in going to a clay shoot where this attitude exists, I clay shoot for fun, not for the stress of some prats!!!

[lxx73 0]

I have both semi and O/U, if I had to choose one as an all rounder it would be an O/U. A Beretta 686E sporter makes a great all round shotgun both in the field and shooting clays.

[camies 1]

You know all this talking about the acceptance of a o/u or semi or whatever by the pheasant brigage just about sums up the sporting toff and most of tweed brigade.

 

In their eyes "It aint what you can do but the cost of what your doing it with!"

 

I went beating a while ago and apart from getting wet through had a great time. Right up to when some toff commented about a mate of mine who was using his wifes old gun (£55 cheapy) as his was in the shop.

His comment went along the lines of "Shouldn't have be allowed to shoot with us using such an inferior gun".

 

Not my place but I told said gent exactly where he could put his designer gun (pull through would have been needed to clean it afterwards).

 

My friend (72 years of age and a real countryman) had decked the most birds that day, cleanly, efficently, and quietly.

 

Use what you want, a shot gun is just a tool like anything else.

[flytie 1]

Mr Logic, the reason that semi's are not liked at some shooting grounds is not just because you cannot see at a glance that it is safe, it is also because someone has to go round cleaning up after you. All semi owners seem incapable of picking up their own empties. At SWSG they put up with them, but they do like a grumble at you.

 

I am afraid that I too would rather go for a decent secondhand O/U.

 

ft

 

 

PS; The new/ish beretta semi's are adjustable for cast and stock length, so you could get one to fit

[macberran 2]

Mr Logic, the reason that semi's are not liked at some shooting grounds is not just because you cannot see at a glance that it is safe, it is also because someone has to go round cleaning up after you. All semi owners seem incapable of picking up their own empties. At SWSG they put up with them, but they do like a grumble at you.

 

I am afraid that I too would rather go for a decent secondhand O/U.

 

ft

 

 

PS; The new/ish beretta semi's are adjustable for cast and stock length, so you could get one to fit

 

That just about says it all Flytie. I've had Beretta semi's for pest control and wildfowling and they 're great. The cleaning did effect in the end how I felt about it though, became a real pain. Also the single choke can be restrictive on clays sometimes. Now I have o/u and sbs magnum. The latter being only £50 and a n/ejector though. Starting again I would have a Silver Pigeon, nice balance well made take anywhere type off shotty.

Good advice on here but I get the feeling a sexy auto is what your gonna go for.

[bullxryno 21]

Mr logic have a look at some beretta al391 really good guns iv had 1 for years never jammed and they come in 3inch magnum for the high stuff!! they come in wood or sinthitic (or how you spell it!!!) all round good gun!!

[Deker 3,478]

Mr Logic, the reason that semi's are not liked at some shooting grounds is not just because you cannot see at a glance that it is safe, it is also because someone has to go round cleaning up after you. All semi owners seem incapable of picking up their own empties. At SWSG they put up with them, but they do like a grumble at you.

 

I am afraid that I too would rather go for a decent secondhand O/U.

 

ft

 

 

PS; The new/ish beretta semi's are adjustable for cast and stock length, so you could get one to fit

 

That just about says it all Flytie. I've had Beretta semi's for pest control and wildfowling and they 're great. The cleaning did effect in the end how I felt about it though, became a real pain. Also the single choke can be restrictive on clays sometimes. Now I have o/u and sbs magnum. The latter being only £50 and a n/ejector though. Starting again I would have a Silver Pigeon, nice balance well made take anywhere type off shotty.

Good advice on here but I get the feeling a sexy auto is what your gonna go for.

 

 

With regard the ejected cases then etiquette/good manners dictates to me you collect them as best you can regardless of where you are, and I always do, but fair point.....cleaning of semis is a real pain in the rear as I made clear to Mr L. I run a few shotguns and I'm pretty sure Mr L has used my Beretta 391, he has certainly used my lads semi!

[the Verminator 0]

hi,

 

i compete at internatinal and natinal levels with shot guns and i have found that it is mainly the trap diciplines where semi autos arent very popular, that is because you are all stood in a line close together & your empties are flying all over the other shooters. for sporting & skeet i have never seen any problems with a semi auto. i would advise getting 1 gun sticking with it, because all guns shoot differnetly so you would have to learn how to shoot with all the differnet guns & its too much hassle, you with always favor one gun over the other anyway. get a multi choke sporter, semi or over and under, that will see you right. if getting an over and under then get either browning, miroku or beretta, they are about the best, cheap ones there are. if you are getting a semi auto then get a beretta, benelli, winchest or Remington. hope this has helped a bit.

[alimac 882]

as flytie has said, the un acceptance originates from before the auto breach flags came on the market, alot walked around with the ejector shut and although it may not have had one in the spout no one else could see, there for it put alot of folk on edge, and thats understandable, so there started the no auto rules at clay shoots and to a lesser extent game shoots where its also down a bit to sportsmanship, after all if they couldnt hit it with two then it deserves to live another day not to have a auto emptied out on it..