Beginner Shotgun

s-cogan

can anyone point me in the direction of a nice over/under shotgun for a beginner?
ive had some success hunting rats and pigeon with a low powered toy air rifle(i know, i know, pathetic), but am looking to step up to shotguns. i will be primarily hunting pigeon and whatever shows its beak in the woods behind my house.
i live in cork.
thanks lads

Vegeta

Cant really help on the shotgun front, what's your budget?

But shooting pigeons or anything with a beak for the sake of it is a big no no.

Pigeons have a season and are protected. You can shoot them out of season under derogation but it doesn't sound like that's what you were doing.

It sounds a little too much like you want to shoot things for shooting sake. Take up clays or target shooting if that's the case.

Now maybe I have you wrong but your post does not read well

pancuronium

If it's an all around Shotgun your looking for i would say go for a "Lanber" nice gun, very reliable, easy to pick up second hand & @ a reasonable price, if your budget allows best to go into a good shop & try a few different guns it'll all become clear once you do this!!

Jonty

s-cogan wrote: »

ive had some success hunting rats and pigeon with a low powered toy air rifle(i know, i know, pathetic),............./QUOTE]

Its not really fair on quarry. Those airsoft yokes don't have the power. I bet there was an awful lot of wing flapping when you pulled the trigger.

See the replies about pigeon season.

CZ.

have 1 for sale if you interested in good nick to

deeksofdoom

s-cogan wrote: »

can anyone point me in the direction of a nice over/under shotgun for a beginner?
ive had some success hunting rats and pigeon with a low powered toy air rifle(i know, i know, pathetic), but am looking to step up to shotguns. i will be primarily hunting pigeon and whatever shows its beak in the woods behind my house.
i live in cork.
thanks lads

If your living in Cork I would strongly suggest that you take a trip down to Mervyn Jeffers in Bandon. He'll put you straight on what type of shotgun to buy. A new Lanber will set you back about €600. There's nothing wrong with a good second hand gun aswell, most important thing is getting a gun that fits you.

Now get yourself a decent dog!

jwshooter

a high power air rifle might be what your looking a lot of the lads on boards still "play" with them

s-cogan

Vegeta wrote: »

Cant really help on the shotgun front, what's your budget?

But shooting pigeons or anything with a beak for the sake of it is a big no no.

Pigeons have a season and are protected. You can shoot them out of season under derogation but it doesn't sound like that's what you were doing.

It sounds a little too much like you want to shoot things for shooting sake. Take up clays or target shooting if that's the case.

Now maybe I have you wrong but your post does not read well

not really wrong but not correct. i appreciate your concern over my lack of experience in the hunting field and any advice will be greatly appreciated but any hunting i do will be under the guidance of an experienced hunter, my uncle. i do a fair bit of foxhunting on horseback and it was through working with the huntsman that i learned a great respect for the conservation of game and fowl. budget=E400/500
thanks

paddy2008

a 12g 3"chamber o/u yildiz,selective barrel,auto ejector,multi choke nice light gun around 700 euro new. non ejector around 100 cheaper.

LOUTHSHOOTER

s-cogan wrote: »

can anyone point me in the direction of a nice over/under shotgun for a beginner?
ive had some success hunting rats and pigeon with a low powered toy air rifle(i know, i know, pathetic), but am looking to step up to shotguns. i will be primarily hunting pigeon and whatever shows its beak in the woods behind my house.
i live in cork.
thanks lads

Check out duffys in Galway they have a great deal on a baikal.This is a workhorse of a gun and a great gun to cut your teeth on.www.shoot.ie is the website

Story Man

Most important thing is to ensure that the gun fits you. It's no use buying a gun that does not.

Go to a reputable dealer and ask him to check your master eye. Make sure the gun is not too long or short in the stock for your arm length, has a right-hand stock if you are right handed and enough cast off to allow your eye to come over the rib.

If a left handed shooter, ensure it's a left handed stock and cast on if required. Sometimes a straight stock (no cast) is adequate if you are of a light build.

The drop on the stock must also be adequate and offer you the correct picture when you mount the gun. Basically, if you see too much of the rib your head is too high. Conversly, if you cannot see any of the rib you have a problem there too. You can always move your head up or down on the stock but it is best to buy a gun that fits you comfortable and will not hamper your mount, sighting or shooting

If the seller cannot advise you on all of this then I suggest you go to one who can.

Hope this helps

SM

pullandbang

+ 1 for SM

At the very least bring an experienced shooter with you and get him to check the fit. If it doesn't fit, it won't be pointing where you think it's pointing and you'll end up disappointed and disillusioned with your shooting.