Need a reliable Shotgun 12g

Theshooter2012

Okay lads the season is essentially over and I am going to change my gun.
I currently have an Armed 12g O/U which i bought 2 years ago. Missed a lot more than i hit with it . I have now noticed that I have to pretty much cover the bird with the barrels if i want to hit it. I find this a very inefficient way of shooting. I also find the gun very uncomfortable to carry,mount and shoot with mostly because it is heavy.
I know the comfort thing is down to personal preference which is why I am asking for a reliable gun that you can pretty much look at the bird lift the gun to your shoulder and pull.

I mostly shot Pheasant, Woodcock and duck. Do a bit of clay shooting but not to worried about that.

Preferably O/U
€1000 budget give or take.
Comfortable weight
Easy to aim.

So your past experience of what to avoid and what to look at would be greatly appreciated.

Cass

Beretta Urika brand new or second hand Teknys.

Light at around 6.5 lb, semi auto, point and shoot, ultra reliable. No need to cover target.

Theshooter2012

Cass wrote: »

Beretta Urika brand new or second hand Teknys.

Light at around 6.5 lb, semi auto, point and shoot, ultra reliable. No need to cover target.

Thanks. I will take a look but I would rather O/U's.

Cass

MOD HAT ON:

No selling on the hunting forum lads. There is a for sale section when the time comes.

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Have you any preferences on make/model?

Bettinsoli are a good, and reliable make, but most models require the target being blocked out/covered to hit. much like you are doing now. Another option is the Beretta 686e. It's a sporter so lightly heavier than the semi auto, but i know of two of them fro 1100 and less. Also a Beretta Silverpigeon. Nice and light.

I;m a big fan of Beretta, in case it's not already obvious, and so cannot recommend them enough.

snipe49

Theshooter2012 wrote: »

Okay lads the season is essentially over and I am going to change my gun.
I currently have an Armed 12g O/U which i bought 2 years ago. Missed a lot more than i hit with it . I have now noticed that I have to pretty much cover the bird with the barrels if i want to hit it. I find this a very inefficient way of shooting. I also find the gun very uncomfortable to carry,mount and shoot with mostly because it is heavy.
I know the comfort thing is down to personal preference which is why I am asking for a reliable gun that you can pretty much look at the bird lift the gun to your shoulder and pull.

I mostly shot Pheasant, Woodcock and duck. Do a bit of clay shooting but not to worried about that.

Preferably O/U
€1000 budget give or take.
Comfortable weight
Easy to aim.

So your past experience of what to avoid and what to look at would be greatly appreciated.

First thing u need to do is go to a good gun dealer with a lot of gun's to have a look at. Now a 1000 euros would be ok if u were after a clay gun but for game you'll get a great gun for 500 or under. when u do go to have a look make sure u are wearing what u wear when shooting. U'd be surprised how many make this mistake. then go through the gun's in your price range. Until u find the gun for u. And don't rule out a side by side the are a great game gun. good luck pal.

Theshooter2012

I have no real preference to make or model. I am very open minded at the moment.

yubabill1

Don't underestimate the old Baikal if you want reliability.

If you want finesse, that's a different matter.

cookimonster

May I suggest something different, you shoot some clays as indicated in your post?
If so spend the next couple of months shooting with a selection of your mates guns and see how you get on. Dare I say it but it may be partly your technique and not the gun. I only say this as changing the gun may not improve you ratio of shots to kills.
Just a thought based on limited info in your post.

By the way I secound the Bettinsoli as a good gun, but I like the Lambers and Baikels as they both tend to suit my short armed, short necked, wide chested physic (short and stumpy).

Theshooter2012

cookimonster wrote: »

May I suggest something different, you shoot some clays as indicated in your post?
If so spend the next couple of months shooting with a selection of your mates guns and see how you get on. Dare I say it but it may be partly your technique and not the gun. I only say this as changing the gun may not improve you ratio of shots to kills.
Just a thought based on limited info in your post.

By the way I secound the Bettinsoli as a good gun, but I like the Lambers and Baikels as they both tend to suit my short armed, short necked, wide chested physic (short and stumpy).

I know the gun is not great,I let my mates shoot a few clays with it and 6/10 was the best out of 3 of them giving it a go. I could shoot fine with my first gun which was also an o/u.
How much would you say a new Baikal would cost me?

Cass

Ye can class this as snobby if ye want, but if you have a budget of €1,000 then look further afield.

The Baikal are decent entry level gun. Brand new pay no more than €550. However they lack the finesse, style, and heritage of other brands. Same applies to Lanber, Yildiz, etc. Nothing wrong with them at all, but if you have a budget of twice their value then why buy one, to change again shortly which i'd say you will.

Go for the best you can afford. Fit, feel, and functionality are what you are looking for. Now if the Baikal, etc fit those criteria then fine, but your budget allows for such a larger variety and better choice of guns.

Theshooter2012

Cass wrote: »

Ye can class this as snobby if ye want, but if you have a budget of €1,000 then look further afield.

The Baikal are decent entry level gun. Brand new pay no more than €550. However they lack the finesse, style, and heritage of other brands. Same applies to Lanber, Yildiz, etc. Nothing wrong with them at all, but if you have a budget of twice their value then why buy one, to change again shortly which i'd say you will.

Go for the best you can afford. Fit, feel, and functionality are what you are looking for. Now if the Baikal, etc fit those criteria then fine, but your budget allows for such a larger variety and better choice of guns.

Yeah i am headin to a dealer friday night. See what he has. Could always spend the 550 and head to the pub with the rest. haha

Cass

That's a plan.


Ya don't have to spend the entire budget. I;m not advocating that for the sake of spending it. So if a gun doesn't suit but meets you budget what's the point in buying it? However if you have a much larger budget, which you do, then look further afield than what i class an entry level guns.

Which dealer you heading to?

Theshooter2012

Cass wrote: »

That's a plan.


Ya don't have to spend the entire budget. I;m not advocating that for the sake of spending it. So if a gun doesn't suit but meets you budget what's the point in buying it? However if you have a much larger budget, which you do, then look further afield than what i class an entry level guns.

Which dealer you heading to?

Will be heading to Sportsden in Navan and Ian Jameson in Mountnugent some other day. Won't be buying anything unless I find something perfect. No hurry on it around 6 months before I will need one again.

Invincible

Theshooter2012 wrote: »

Okay lads the season is essentially over and I am going to change my gun.
I currently have an Armed 12g O/U which i bought 2 years ago. Missed a lot more than i hit with it . I have now noticed that I have to pretty much cover the bird with the barrels if i want to hit it. I find this a very inefficient way of shooting. I also find the gun very uncomfortable to carry,mount and shoot with mostly because it is heavy.
I know the comfort thing is down to personal preference which is why I am asking for a reliable gun that you can pretty much look at the bird lift the gun to your shoulder and pull.


I mostly shot Pheasant, Woodcock and duck. Do a bit of clay shooting but not to worried about that.

Preferably O/U
€1000 budget give or take.
Comfortable weight
Easy to aim.

So your past experience of what to avoid and what to look at would be greatly appreciated.

Have a look at a Silma u/o, nicely balanced gun, well finished with m/c, sst, about €650 new.

cookimonster

If your going that direction drop into Ardee Sports, they have a selection of secound hand guns as well as the new stock.

Glenbulldog

Invincible wrote: »

Have a look at a Silma u/o, nicely balanced gun, well finished with m/c, sst, about €650 new.

I was looking at one of these yesterday it felt really comfortable to handle and shoulder,anyone using one of these am looking for a new gun myself and would like opinions on the gun sorry op for jumping in .ps tried a bettinsoli too didn't feel as comfortable as the silma.

Nekarsulm

OP, ring Ian Jamesion before you make the drive, the odd day he may not be open. If you are that far, you could try the lad in Town Hall street in Cavan as well. Would have a smaller selection, but some nice guns. Some second hand beauties left in to be sold. Bought s/h AYA off him and like it well. I have no business connection with him.

Luketie123

Nekarsulm wrote: »

OP, ring Ian Jamesion before you make the drive, the odd day he may not be open. If you are that far, you could try the lad in Town Hall street in Cavan as well. Would have a smaller selection, but some nice guns. Some second hand beauties left in to be sold. Bought s/h AYA off him and like it well. I have no business connection with him.

Yes Ian has a lot of second hand shotguns and he might let u test fire a second hand one and try gillyland in lougheighis they have clay rangs so u would be able to test fire aswell

meathstevie

Cass wrote: »

Ye can class this as snobby if ye want, but if you have a budget of €1,000 then look further afield.

The Baikal are decent entry level gun. Brand new pay no more than €550. However they lack the finesse, style, and heritage of other brands. Same applies to Lanber, Yildiz, etc. Nothing wrong with them at all, but if you have a budget of twice their value then why buy one, to change again shortly which i'd say you will.

Go for the best you can afford. Fit, feel, and functionality are what you are looking for. Now if the Baikal, etc fit those criteria then fine, but your budget allows for such a larger variety and better choice of guns.

Slightly beg to differ on the Baikal opinion Cass, one of the biggest arms producers of the former Soviet Union will definitely have plenty of heritage although maybe not very refined but extremely functional and rugged. I would certainly not compare them to the likes of a Yildiz which will have definitely entered a second life in a multitude of bean tins when a Baikal is still relaibly shooting away.

Cass

meathstevie wrote: »

Slightly beg to differ on the Baikal opinion Cass, ..............

If we all agreed it'd be a fairly boring place.

cookimonster

Hang on there may be a cart load of cheep Semis and pumps knocking around sooon;)

Cass

Except Beretta.

Aya xxv

I have had in this order a 2nd hand Ebor sbs then onto a bernaldinni s/a then onto a new fabarm euro 3 lion then onto a Winchester select o/u then a benelli montefeltro s/a. First 2 crap fabarm suited me great Winnie way to heavy for rough shooting though brilliant for pigeon. Benelli best gun I ever had until now. I decided to go for a complete change back to basics and went for a aya sbs. This past season was my best ever although in fairness the young dog ( 2nd season) was spectacular. Basically don't pick a make or type. Just go to a gunshop or better still a clay ground and try all sorts till you find what you like and what suits you

landyman

Clay shooters want to see the clay as they shoot it so sporter come game gun is what you need and berretta make models such as the white onyz and the silver pigeons there too light for the serious clay shooters but perfect for game shooter come clay shooter the higher comb will allow you to keep the bird in view as you shoot it

landyman

Lad can ye give me Ian jemson number I sold gun to him years ago good man to deal with thanks lads

Nekarsulm

landyman wrote: »

Lad can ye give me Ian jemson number I sold gun to him years ago good man to deal with thanks lads

Thought I had it on the phone, but you can Google "aim and swing" killyfassey, mountnugent, cavan. i got through on ythe land line the last time i rang.

rsole1

Theshooter2012 wrote: »

Okay lads the season is essentially over and I am going to change my gun.
I currently have an Armed 12g O/U which i bought 2 years ago. Missed a lot more than i hit with it . I have now noticed that I have to pretty much cover the bird with the barrels if i want to hit it. I find this a very inefficient way of shooting. I also find the gun very uncomfortable to carry,mount and shoot with mostly because it is heavy.
I know the comfort thing is down to personal preference which is why I am asking for a reliable gun that you can pretty much look at the bird lift the gun to your shoulder and pull.

I mostly shot Pheasant, Woodcock and duck. Do a bit of clay shooting but not to worried about that.

Preferably O/U
€1000 budget give or take.
Comfortable weight
Easy to aim.

So your past experience of what to avoid and what to look at would be greatly appreciated.

I had one of them Armed Turkish yokes - pure ****e all right. Have now got a Onyx 686 - no comparison, you get what you pay for.