Shotgun Clay and Hunting

1shot16

Interested in getting a shotgun in the coming year.Dont know alot about shotgun chokes shot size etc.

Consider anything really but most likely a old 12g double or single barrel

I am wondering could i use an old single barrel or double barrel for clay shooting would it have to be 12g or could it be 16g 20g or even 410?Would it have to be a high end o/u to cope with the stress of shots being fired every few seconds?

Would i be able to pick up anthing for around 100 not too fuss on condition once it throws up a bird shot that would do.Anything anyone doesnt want either

Witcher

12 or 20 are the most common. 16g ammo is harder to find and more expensive when you do. Wouldn't recommend a .410 for clays, if you were shooting them on the ground it would be fine:pac:

Better off getting a double barrel because you'll move on to shooting pairs after a while and the single barrel would be no good to you.

A sporter would be better for shooting clays week in week out but a game gun would be fine for a few now and then. With a game gun, the barrel will get hot firing so quickly and the recoil will be a bit harder because they tend to be lighter than a sporter.

I started off with a multichoke game gun and it did me fine, was a bir too short for me though..put a pad on to fill it out but moved to a Beretta about 6 months later because I was shooting clays every week.

Going up to about 300-500 will get you a gun that will do you for a few clays. Depends how serious you want to get with it, that gun might do you for ages or you might want to move on to a better on in time.

1shot16

It would only be now and again.

Yeah looks like an old 12g double barrel would suit me!Thanks for the reply.

What about chokes?Is fixed okay and what would i need 1/2 or 3/4

Pump would be fairly sexy

Witcher

Really depends on what discipline you would be shooting. If it was sporting then fixed chokes in 1/2 & 3/4 would be fine but if it was skeet it would be too tight.

You probably wouldn't be starting off with skeet so its not really an issue.

In conclusion..fixed would be fine, multi gives a bit more versatility.

Better off keepibg things simple starting off, don't want to overcomplicate with chokes etc. Most important thing is that the gun fits you.

1shot16

Looking online theres double barrels for 200-250 but nothing less.Seen a single barrel 410 for 100 but no good to me really.

I know someone who got a double barrel for 50 euro and works fine.Would dealers destroying old guns give me something cheap?

Anyone see one for 100 or 150 give me a shout

J.R.

1shot16 wrote: »

Anyone see one for 100 or 150 give me a shout

http://www.sportsden.ie/guns/gun-showroom/shotguns.html?dir=asc&order=price&price=-1000

cookimonster

Stay away from dealers guns costing that type of money, they tend to be junk. Way too much trouble for you. The only time that price is right is when you know a genuine guy who is giving up his gun and is only looking for a few bob.

For general all round use get a o/u 12g sporter as previously advised. The field guns as a rule won't hack a clay field to long. For example I was out today from
10.30 to 6.30 to day and put about 25 cartridges through the gun at a mixed bag of pheasant, snipe, woodcock, pigeons and later onto ducks. My general round of clays is between 60-75 birds in little over an hour.

20g is a great game gun but will hurt your pocket on the clay field. 410 is infact a specialist gun and not the child's gun some think it is, stay away due to cost of ammo and general suitablity.

Don't get melted by chokes but if you can afford a Multi-choke do so for versatility if not get a gun choked in 1/4 & 1/2 or 1/2 & 3/4 at most. My preference would be 1/4 & 1/2 as a very versatile hunting set up which still allows you to shoot most sporting clays (the best crack)

Lastly bring someone who knows about shotguns and I mean knows and not just shoots so that the gun itself is checked out and the gun fit is suitable to yourself.

1shot16

cookimonster wrote: »

Stay away from dealers guns costing that type of money, they tend to be junk. Way too much trouble for you. The only time that price is right is when you know a genuine guy who is giving up his gun and is only looking for a few bob.

For general all round use get a o/u 12g sporter as previously advised. The field guns as a rule won't hack a clay field to long. For example I was out today from
10.30 to 6.30 to day and put about 25 cartridges through the gun at a mixed bag of pheasant, snipe, woodcock, pigeons and later onto ducks. My general round of clays is between 60-75 birds in little over an hour.

20g is a great game gun but will hurt your pocket on the clay field. 410 is infact a specialist gun and not the child's gun some think it is, stay away due to cost of ammo and general suitablity.

Don't get melted by chokes but if you can afford a Multi-choke do so for versatility if not get a gun choked in 1/4 & 1/2 or 1/2 & 3/4 at most. My preference would be 1/4 & 1/2 as a very versatile hunting set up which still allows you to shoot most sporting clays (the best crack)

Lastly bring someone who knows about shotguns and I mean knows and not just shoots so that the gun itself is checked out and the gun fit is suitable to yourself.

Okay so dont buy a cheap yoke!

Is 12g the cheapest cartridge going?

Might save for a good gun like my first which was a hw97k wasnt cheap!Might get a under and over or a pump action i fancy the rem 870 express

valerossi

For clay o/u is most suited, the problem with pump action is you loose line of sight when your cycling your second round I've seen lads successfully over come this and others fail miserably.

So I think you want a 12 bore single barrel or o/u as a good alrounder, a good fit is every thing so rather than focusing on makes and models go to a dealer and say your want a ....... Eg12g o/u and try every thing he has for size, a good dealer will help fit a gun to a man rather then forcing a man to fit the gun.
Try a few dealers and don't rush anything find the best fitting gun then talk money. Don't mind dents in the stock in second hand guns their just battle scars you'll put a few in it yourself and it will make a gun cheaper.
Take a lad who knows guns with ya not a lad who thinks he's dell boy and his only source of knowledge is the internet.
When you find something you like post back make model and someone may be able to help you further.

Ps a 12 gauge kicks a "little" more then a air rifle:)

garv123

I got my baikal o/u for 200euro second hand on here and the thing was like absolute new without a mark on it so if you look around you'll find something thats a bargain.

If you buy second hand off a dealer make sure he gives you some form of guarantee because you dont want the thing falling to pieces.

If you're only going shooting the few clays by yourself now and again and want it for hunting fixed chokes will be fine and any type of gun will do. I used my pump action clay shooting a few times(nothing serious) and had no issues with it .

cookimonster

1shot16 wrote: »

..........Is 12g the cheapest cartridge going?...........
....a pump action i fancy the rem 870 express

12g is the most popular choice and hence the most available cartridges. Boxs of 7 1/2 trap cartridges start off around €5-6 per 25, No 6 32g (good pigeon, pheasant, woodcock etc) €7-8 per 25 while other premium stuff can be around €12 per box.

I have a pump and they are good fun, but I don't use it any more and as soon as I get funds its gone for a o/u. My advice for a general purpose gun stick with the o/u. From your previous posts on Boards referenceing your personel circumstances in relation to firearms I would suggest you stick to the o/u. The pumps can conjur up all shorts of wrong images in some GS minds. Really there's nothing your going to come across that can't be delt with with two cartridges and when you apply for your FAC you could have less contention with a DB then the pump or auto. A lot depends on your circumstances and the relationship with your local FAO.

By the way go for the shot gun no matter what your eventual choice is as you will now be opening up a new dimension to your hunting and shooting activities. If at all possible don't give up your air rifle, keep for a rifle substitution or keep it full stop and just grow your collection. Was out yesterday with lads both of whom stalk, shoot birds and hold .22's and both said they regret giving up air rifles. Best of luck in your ventures:).

J.R.

Check the FOR SALE ads here.....Reno s/s for €200


http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056880401

1shot16

cookimonster wrote: »

The pumps can concur up all shorts of wrong images in some GS minds. Really there's nothing your going to come across that can't be delt with with two cartridges and when you apply for your FAC you could have less contention with a DB then the pump or auto. A lot depends on your circumstances and the relationship with your local FAO.

Getting a pump at 17 GS might not like that idea :P

cookimonster wrote: »

By the way go for the shot gun no matter what your eventual choice is as you will now be opening up a new dimension to your hunting and shooting activities. If at all possible don't give up your air rifle, keep for a rifle substitution or keep it full stop and just grow your collection. Was out yesterday with lads both of whom stalk, shoot birds and hold .22's and both said they regret giving up air rifles. Best of luck in your ventures:).

Yeah pheasant, woodcock, snipe, etc also throwing up bird shot into the air

Never going to give my air rifle in!Might get a 2nd gas one in the future!

valerossi wrote: »

Ps a 12 gauge kicks a "little" more then a air rifle:)

I figured Have shot a 17hmr before and was able to handle that if thats something!

J.R. wrote: »

Check the FOR SALE ads here.....Reno s/s for €200


http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056880401

Think hes in clare bit far since im in Laois/Kilkenny.

Also will have to get a bita money together!

valerossi

Ha does a .17 kick? Na lad honestly do take your time build up some funds and get something you like, better to buy what you want rather than settle plus theirs always cost you never factor in

garv123

1shot16 wrote: »

I figured Have shot a 17hmr before and was able to handle that if thats something!

I'd happily put my nose a few mm away from the butt pad on my hmr and let someone empty the magazine...
The weight of rimfires take the kick of the shots and the rifle doesnt move backwards..
A shotgun on the other hand..

1shot16

valerossi wrote: »

Ha does a .17 kick? Na lad honestly do take your time build up some funds and get something you like, better to buy what you want rather than settle plus theirs always cost you never factor in

garv123 wrote: »

I'd happily put my nose a few mm away from the butt pad on my hmr and let someone empty the magazine...
The weight of rimfires take the kick of the shots and the rifle doesnt move backwards..
A shotgun on the other hand..

Must of been me moving backwards after i sh*t myself since 17hmr are fairly loud and it was the first gun i ever fired!

valerossi

1shot16 wrote: »

Must of been me moving backwards after i sh*t myself since 17hmr are fairly loud and it was the first gun i ever fired!

Ha we all start somewhere lad don't worry about it just keep in mind you can pick up very dirty habits shooting low recoil guns but after shot or two it'll be noting....until you stick mag 00 down the spout:)