jibjob
Member
Registered: 6th Apr 08
Location: Elworth, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
I've always been shooting since I was young but i've never had my own gun and now i'm looking into it.
I'm looking into getting a shotgun mainly for pigeons and ducks either side by side or over and under, variable choke, right handed, preferably single trigger but i'm not sure on barrel length or ideal gauge for the purpose.
Who else on here goes shooting and has their own gun? What do you have and what do you use it for?
My dad used to work for the police assessing shotgun licence applications and a lot of my friends shoot so I know all the rules and regs for cabinets, etc so thats not a problem. Theres a lot of farms round here that are happy for me to shoot on and i'm always highly responsible when it comes to guns as one mistake could be deadly.
I'm just after peoples opinions on the ideal gauge and barrel length for pigeons, ducks and occasionally rabbits.
|
Jakey
Premium Member
Registered: 4th Jun 07
Location: Sandbach
User status: Offline
|
I've got a shitty 2.2 air rifle under my bed that I haven't used in years. Let me know if you get a gun and I can kill some ants and snails with mine.
|
Kyle T
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
|
I've got a .22 somewhere, I once shot a pidgoen with it and it just looked around at me then flew off 
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
|
jibjob
Member
Registered: 6th Apr 08
Location: Elworth, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
Jake let me borrow it this week! If it actually manages to kill something you can have it for tea!
Considering pigeons are fairly stupid animals they seem to be able to dodge shots fairly well! Me and a mate were out on Saturday and we left off 4 shots at one and it swerved every single shot! Its not like we're bad shots either!
|
Matt L
Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
User status: Offline
|
only been shooting once but is something i want to start doing a bit more often so im not really helpful here tbh.
|
Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
|
Wouldnt mind starting with my old man. Only way id get a licence as he lives on a farm so would help with licence maybe
|
Sunz
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: SE England
User status: Offline
|
What about a crossbow 
More skill and no licence needed.
|
harrisp
Member
Registered: 15th Dec 07
Location: Derbyshire
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Sunz
What about a crossbow
More skill and no licence needed.
and also illegal to hunt with.
Im applying for .17hmr and .22lr soon cant wait.
|
Doug
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
|
Grab a 12 bore O/U as they are the most universal. I tend to shoot with a 28" Browning 525 and love it. I used to use a Beretta Silver Pigeon II and again, loved it. But there is quite a price difference.
You're about 5'8 from memory? Something like a 30" would probably suit quite well 
Get some some proper driven game days. Brilliant fun! Nothing better then dropping a high pheasant or a Woodcock darting between trees
[Edited on 28-02-2012 by Doug]
|
jibjob
Member
Registered: 6th Apr 08
Location: Elworth, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
You've got a good memory Doug! thanks for the info I'll look into what you've mentioned.
Why would you suggest a 30" rather than something shorter? The ones I've been using recently are 27" I think both O/U and SBS.
|
Doug
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
|
Bugger I edited the wrong one!
I meant to say I shoot with a 30" and would suggest a 28"!
I would try to stick with a decent make if you can. Ignore the quality of the stock and engraving as that can bump the price up a bit!
I prefer to have a plain Browning over a nicely engraved piece of crap
|
jibjob
Member
Registered: 6th Apr 08
Location: Elworth, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
Yeah the ones I've been using are fairly plain. Both have a bit of engraving, ones wooden and the other is synthetic (I don't think that's the right term).
Is the barrel length in relation to your height?
What are the best makes to look for then? Browning, Baretta...
|
andy1868
Member
Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
User status: Offline
|
i'd go for a browning myself...
|
jibjob
Member
Registered: 6th Apr 08
Location: Elworth, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
I'd like to hit the bird and still be able to eat it after rather than it being a mass of mangled feathers and guts plus the range of both of those weapons would mean I'd be kind of stuck for anywhere to fire them!
|
Ricky352
Member
Registered: 6th Apr 07
Location: Lisburn, N.I.
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by jibjob
What are the best makes to look for then? Browning, Baretta...
I was on an Army work experience thing years ago and we used Baretta over and under shotguns for clay pigeons. The army guys said they cost £1600 each, and I hit 10 out of 10 targets and still have the crappy plastic trophy they gave me lol. To be honest apart from that the only other shotguns I've used are my uncles side by side ones which are ancient lol.
I also have a .177 and .22 and they have killed many a bird. Have yet to get a rabbit lined up in my sights though, have only caught them with a ferret.
|
Jakey
Premium Member
Registered: 4th Jun 07
Location: Sandbach
User status: Offline
|
I'll see if I've got any pellets and we'll take it out.
Where do you go Jonny? Somewhere with Stubby?
|
3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
|
far more skill with an air rifle imo
|
jibjob
Member
Registered: 6th Apr 08
Location: Elworth, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
Ye jake I go out with Stubby or I might be able to go out with Wingy.
Air rifle is far easier to hit a target. You have more time, a scope, usually the target is sat still, etc. With a shotgun its waiting for something to fly, setting your gun, flicking the safety off, aiming in front of a moving target and then firing.
|
