First Shot Gun purchase for a newbie?
Discussion
Just taken up the sport of Clay shooting and currently applying for my shot gun Licence, the wait begins...
So in the meantime I've been looking around the various new/used guns available that fall withing my budget. max £1800. So far I've narrowed it down to a few within my price range these being:-
12 Gauge, O&U, R/H.
Beretta Silver Pigeon 1,
Beretta Ultralight Classic,
Browning B725 Hunter UK Black Gold,
Caesar Guerini Magnus Sporting,
Winchester Energy Select,
Any others I should not be ruling out?
So what would you plump for and why?
Thanking you in advance.
So in the meantime I've been looking around the various new/used guns available that fall withing my budget. max £1800. So far I've narrowed it down to a few within my price range these being:-
12 Gauge, O&U, R/H.
Beretta Silver Pigeon 1,
Beretta Ultralight Classic,
Browning B725 Hunter UK Black Gold,
Caesar Guerini Magnus Sporting,
Winchester Energy Select,
Any others I should not be ruling out?
So what would you plump for and why?
Thanking you in advance.
I shot both Beretta and Browning for clays, in 28", 30" and 32" fixed choke and multichoke. I like both makes, but I use a 28" fixed choke Beretta game gun for everything now. (Clays and game).
Best advice I could give would be find a good shooting school and get your instructor to suggest what fits you best. They normally have a range of guns for novices to try. They'll also hammer in gun safety so it becomes second nature, and teach you a technique for hitting things that works for you.
Other piece of advice would be to get some decent hearing protection. I used those foam plug things for years, and now I'm suffering from hearing loss in my right ear - I'm right handed too.
Best advice I could give would be find a good shooting school and get your instructor to suggest what fits you best. They normally have a range of guns for novices to try. They'll also hammer in gun safety so it becomes second nature, and teach you a technique for hitting things that works for you.
Other piece of advice would be to get some decent hearing protection. I used those foam plug things for years, and now I'm suffering from hearing loss in my right ear - I'm right handed too.
Agree with most of biscuits view. Get over to a decent shooting ground and try some, at the same time get them to check your fit.
From your list, B725 and SP1, Beretta being my preferred choice for resale only. Get a Multi choke model, however at this point you will probably wouldn't see the difference.
Second hand is an option but having looked at some on the market unless I knew the previous owner then no. Personal POV only.
Barrel length is down to the user, 28" would be a good starter but I found that it was poor for swing and you will probably look to change shortly. 30" and 32" are a better choice, are slightly heavier but a smoother swing when you get used to it [I think 30" is a good starter length]. I purchased a 30" Beretta 692 last week for a friend, it's either going to be his when he pays me or my 2nd gun. It's a good barrel length, I currently shoot with a 33" fixed choke [both 1/2s].
Hope this helps
From your list, B725 and SP1, Beretta being my preferred choice for resale only. Get a Multi choke model, however at this point you will probably wouldn't see the difference.
Second hand is an option but having looked at some on the market unless I knew the previous owner then no. Personal POV only.
Barrel length is down to the user, 28" would be a good starter but I found that it was poor for swing and you will probably look to change shortly. 30" and 32" are a better choice, are slightly heavier but a smoother swing when you get used to it [I think 30" is a good starter length]. I purchased a 30" Beretta 692 last week for a friend, it's either going to be his when he pays me or my 2nd gun. It's a good barrel length, I currently shoot with a 33" fixed choke [both 1/2s].
Hope this helps
Edited by carinatauk on Saturday 22 April 15:03
I'm also thinking of buying my first shotgun (I've been shooting section 1 guns for a while but have only shot shotguns a handful of times).
Clay target shooting only. Should I be thinking about 20 gauge guns for less recoil and slightly less gun weight (I always prefer lighter rifles than heavier rifles)? Or should I just get a 12 gauge? I'm leaning towards 12g anyway as it looks like the ammo is cheaper.
Clay target shooting only. Should I be thinking about 20 gauge guns for less recoil and slightly less gun weight (I always prefer lighter rifles than heavier rifles)? Or should I just get a 12 gauge? I'm leaning towards 12g anyway as it looks like the ammo is cheaper.
Gauge size is personal preference. I find 20G too light, and if your doing just clays you are probably better off with 12G, as you say there is more choice of cartridges; but also shotguns [choice is very subjective, try them all before deciding]
Never had any issues with recoil, only if I put the shotgun in my shoulder incorrectly. Cartridges such as Hull Xcomp are a good starting point [cleanish barrel, little recoil]; more intense cartridges such as Hull Pro-ones do kick as will some of the game cartridges. Cost is the major obstacle when you start out [ie Xcomp are c. £190 compared to Pro-one at c. £250; both per thousand].
PS as you shot rifles, forget everything esp aiming. I used to shoot both rifles and pistols; I have wasted loads of cartridges aiming but it's all part of the circle of learning.
Hope that helps
Never had any issues with recoil, only if I put the shotgun in my shoulder incorrectly. Cartridges such as Hull Xcomp are a good starting point [cleanish barrel, little recoil]; more intense cartridges such as Hull Pro-ones do kick as will some of the game cartridges. Cost is the major obstacle when you start out [ie Xcomp are c. £190 compared to Pro-one at c. £250; both per thousand].
PS as you shot rifles, forget everything esp aiming. I used to shoot both rifles and pistols; I have wasted loads of cartridges aiming but it's all part of the circle of learning.
Hope that helps
Big Al. said:
Thanks Guys, much appreciated.
Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.
I've been tempted by the same gun myself recently!Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.
What barrel length did you choose Al?
Big Al. said:
Thanks Guys, much appreciated.
Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.
Al - when did you apply for a licence? Huge backlog at the moment (well, there is with Thames Valley at least). I've had a licence for donkeys years, but my laster renewal took more than a year to process! They had to issue a temporary licence (as original expired during the period), then that almost expired too.Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.
Hope you get it sooner rather than later or you could face a frustrating wait for your gun.
Hi Al
I currently shoot a Guerini. Throws great patterns using skeet and cylinder chokes.
I have 30 inch barrels with extended chokes which to be fair I find a little too long.
( I am a company director but not well built! )
As has been said, try a few and see what feels comfortable. I also have a Miroku which is also good but I find the action a little too deep for me if that makes sense.
Anyway, enjoy the sport with all of it's frustrations!
.
I currently shoot a Guerini. Throws great patterns using skeet and cylinder chokes.
I have 30 inch barrels with extended chokes which to be fair I find a little too long.
( I am a company director but not well built! )
As has been said, try a few and see what feels comfortable. I also have a Miroku which is also good but I find the action a little too deep for me if that makes sense.
Anyway, enjoy the sport with all of it's frustrations!
.
Big Al. said:
Thanks Guys, much appreciated.
Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.
Good choice, won't go wrong with that, nice balanced gun and won't depreciate much either. Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.
When you miss a few clays you can always blame the gun and go out and throw some more money at it.
Stig said:
Al - when did you apply for a licence? Huge backlog at the moment (well, there is with Thames Valley at least). I've had a licence for donkeys years, but my laster renewal took more than a year to process! They had to issue a temporary licence (as original expired during the period), then that almost expired too.
Hope you get it sooner rather than later or you could face a frustrating wait for your gun.
Sorry for the delay Stig, I applied about 3 weeks ago my referee shots every Wednesday with our local Firearms executive and he reckons all being well and good shotgun licences are usually processed with about 5- 6 weeks. Hope you get it sooner rather than later or you could face a frustrating wait for your gun.
Decided to have an additional Adjustable cone stoke fitted prior to delivery that won't be available form Beretta until July, so no Panic and fingers crossed.
Stig said:
Al - when did you apply for a licence? Huge backlog at the moment (well, there is with Thames Valley at least). I've had a licence for donkeys years, but my laster renewal took more than a year to process! They had to issue a temporary licence (as original expired during the period), then that almost expired too.
Hope you get it sooner rather than later or you could face a frustrating wait for your gun.
Put my application in to Thames Valley Police back in February, phoned my local Firearms Officer last week to double check something about where I was putting my cabinet and whilst I was on the phone she checked my application progress for me and informed me she doesn't expect to be visiting to check my cabinet until September at the earliest!Hope you get it sooner rather than later or you could face a frustrating wait for your gun.
They've still managed to cash the fee cheque though!
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