Any clay pigeon shooters here?
Discussion
I used to have a Baikal folding 410 shotgun (fits nicely in the poachers pocket of a Barbour 
). They are extremely basic but they have been proofed so not a bad gun for starters.
A lot of the big makes, Browning, Berreta et al start getting very very expensive even for entry level guns so I would suggest getting one as cheap as possible to see if you want to stick at it.
Matt.
). They are extremely basic but they have been proofed so not a bad gun for starters. A lot of the big makes, Browning, Berreta et al start getting very very expensive even for entry level guns so I would suggest getting one as cheap as possible to see if you want to stick at it.
Matt.
If you are clay shooting go for 12b ejector with an AUTO safty. Alot of clay specific guns have manual whihc I just think is dangerous.
Alot of the recoil is down to the cartridge load ie. shot weight and powder load, and can be varied quite noticbly with different cartridges.
Have fun
Alot of the recoil is down to the cartridge load ie. shot weight and powder load, and can be varied quite noticbly with different cartridges.
Have fun
quote:
Another question for you all, is it necessary to use an over/under for starting at clays, as I prefer the looks of a side by side.
I prefer the looks too. I also prefer the balance - although I shoot very little, the s-by-s guns I've used have I think been lighter but with the balance more towards the barrel, which makes the handling a little more deliberate without being heavy.
I'm ready to be corrected by the experts
Personally I prefer an O/U for the clays and a S/S for the birds. O/U's are also better for starting off as there is little difference between where you aim and choking doesnt matter as much because your aim is the same with an o/u. If you go for a s/s then choking is a more important consideration as the inch or so difference in the barrel location under full choke on one barrel will be massive at 30ft or so.
Matt.
Matt.
PAH! spent three years firing off clays in all weathers for the meagre sum of £2 per hour when i was about 14! all that seperated me from some gun yielding maniac hell bent on removing these clays from the sky was a thin piece of tin. the worst trap was the one which sent the clay straight up, if they missed the damn thing it came straight back down. and then at the end of the shoot we had to trapse round these bloody fields picking up the ones that didnt get hit or break as they fell to the floor. there was another trap that was on top of a scaffolding tower and when you pulled the arm of the trap back the tower wobbled. so when you released the caly the tower shook itself to pieces.
still we had a fair amount of fun the day they left us in charge when the owner guy left to collect some clients from a hotel........but unfortunately, on behalf of anyone anywhere who has worked at a clay pigeon site working the traps in the winter and in the rain, i hate you all!
still we had a fair amount of fun the day they left us in charge when the owner guy left to collect some clients from a hotel........but unfortunately, on behalf of anyone anywhere who has worked at a clay pigeon site working the traps in the winter and in the rain, i hate you all!
As with a car, have a test-drive (they won't let you out of the shop, but you know what I mean). If you are a southpaw (like me, Einstein, Napolean and Hitler) make sure you can open the bloody thing with your left-hand. Now my dad's old pump-action, that's a shotgun... As has been mentioned earlier, they are limited to three cartridges, but this doesn't make them dangerous any more than 390bhp makes a Tuscan S dangerous - its down to how they are used.
BTW, make a point of watching other people - if you see someone being anything other than safe (i.e. gun pointing in 'safe' direction, gun unloaded/open when not in use), go to another club or mention it to a responsible adult. Its not worth getting killed over.
BTW, make a point of watching other people - if you see someone being anything other than safe (i.e. gun pointing in 'safe' direction, gun unloaded/open when not in use), go to another club or mention it to a responsible adult. Its not worth getting killed over.
And take millions of photos of yourself to get a licence plus be interviewed by your local plod to make sure you are not a mad axe weilding maniac wating to upgrade to firearms....
Once you've got through all that.... then buy the gun!!!
Used to shoot when I lived in the westcountry, since I moved up to near london I figured I coudn't be bothered with the concern of having a gun in the house..
Once you've got through all that.... then buy the gun!!!
Used to shoot when I lived in the westcountry, since I moved up to near london I figured I coudn't be bothered with the concern of having a gun in the house..
I have shot clay pigen for over 10 years and it a good sport.
Go for a 12G over and under with a 24 to 26 inch barrel for speed and movment and also get a multi choke gun, this meens you can play with the spread patern and the range of the gun aswell with the different sive of shot.
Good luck in your search for a good gun
Go for a 12G over and under with a 24 to 26 inch barrel for speed and movment and also get a multi choke gun, this meens you can play with the spread patern and the range of the gun aswell with the different sive of shot.
Good luck in your search for a good gun
It has all been said. In summary;
- 12 gauge
- Over & under
- ejector
- automatic safety
- don't spend too much on a hobby in which your interest may wane, but don't buy cheap rubbish either
- if the gun gives too much recoil, you are better using lower loads in a larger gun than a 20bore
- don't be afraid of buying second hand, but make sure it is properly checked out.
- Ignore the snobs - buy the one you shoot best with
Try a few. I find I shoot better with my O/U than my S/Ss.
Don't forget the cost of the cabinet, cleaning equipment, gunslips, ear defenders and getting your licence....
It's fun, especially if you get into rough shooting too.
Good luck
R
- 12 gauge
- Over & under
- ejector
- automatic safety
- don't spend too much on a hobby in which your interest may wane, but don't buy cheap rubbish either
- if the gun gives too much recoil, you are better using lower loads in a larger gun than a 20bore
- don't be afraid of buying second hand, but make sure it is properly checked out.
- Ignore the snobs - buy the one you shoot best with
Try a few. I find I shoot better with my O/U than my S/Ss.
Don't forget the cost of the cabinet, cleaning equipment, gunslips, ear defenders and getting your licence....
It's fun, especially if you get into rough shooting too.
Good luck
R
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