Discussion
phib said:
andyb28 said:
Yesterday, I went pigeon shooting with my Beretta SP1. First time I have done this and it involved hanging about in the woods from 3pm until dark.
This gun seems a bit heavy to carry around for a few hours. Is that normal, or am I being a big girl?
Are there better suited guns to this type of shooting?
I have a pair of 20g beretta sp’s and a pair of beretta 20g 486’s much much lighter than a 12g.This gun seems a bit heavy to carry around for a few hours. Is that normal, or am I being a big girl?
Are there better suited guns to this type of shooting?
I've got a sling on one of my guns and it makes it much better to carry or stand with although mounting it obviously takes that little bit longer.
SlimRick said:
I've recently bought into a clay syndicate, I now own a 1/7th share of 9 clay traps and a storage container. We all pay a fiver a week to rent the field, and 100 clays each costs another fiver. It's suddenly got much cheaper to go shooting (man maths excludes the cost of buying into the syndicate).
Do you mind if I ask what buying in cost? What part of the country?Timbuktu said:
phib said:
andyb28 said:
Yesterday, I went pigeon shooting with my Beretta SP1. First time I have done this and it involved hanging about in the woods from 3pm until dark.
This gun seems a bit heavy to carry around for a few hours. Is that normal, or am I being a big girl?
Are there better suited guns to this type of shooting?
I have a pair of 20g beretta sp’s and a pair of beretta 20g 486’s much much lighter than a 12g.This gun seems a bit heavy to carry around for a few hours. Is that normal, or am I being a big girl?
Are there better suited guns to this type of shooting?
I've got a sling on one of my guns and it makes it much better to carry or stand with although mounting it obviously takes that little bit longer.
Saddle bum said:
I have a liking for 30in barrels, which does create a weight penalty when compared to 28in. If I was sitting waiting for pigeons, a would be comfortable with my 12bore Beretta, but when walking I would want a 28in 20bore. But, I am in the Old Git category.
How old do you have to be, to be an old git and have a 28" 20 bore? 
Advertisement
andyb28 said:
Saddle bum said:
I have a liking for 30in barrels, which does create a weight penalty when compared to 28in. If I was sitting waiting for pigeons, a would be comfortable with my 12bore Beretta, but when walking I would want a 28in 20bore. But, I am in the Old Git category.
How old do you have to be, to be an old git and have a 28" 20 bore? 
I would not like to carry the 12 around all day for game, I find it very heavy and carry it in a slip on the clay ground.
As for age - three score years and quite a bit.

andyb28 said:
thismonkeyhere said:
Surely it's in its slip for most of the time on a driven day anyway? (If indeed we are talking about driven days)
No not driven, pigeon shooting is walking about with your gun out waiting for them to come back to roost. thismonkeyhere said:
Saddle bum said:
I would not like to carry the 12 around all day for game, I find it very heavy and carry it in a slip on the clay ground.
Surely it's in its slip for most of the time on a driven day anyway? (If indeed we are talking about driven days)The Beretta 686 12bore is a heavy beast, but that does have its advantages when firing 100+ rounds on a clay day. It absorbs the recoil leaving me able to lift a pint afterwards without a problem.

andyb28 said:
Anyone care to share some good tips to bag some pigeons?
My tips are not likely to be news to many, but what I did to get my biggest bags (decoying):Walk the ground thorughly to build a picture of flightlines and times etc.
Identify likely looking fields/crops that the birds are already feeding on or might be persuaded to do so.
Have a good idea of how pigeons spread out on the ground when they are feeding.
Pick a spot that is on/near flightlines, but also not too near any cover to overcome pigeons fear of predation, not too far away (see below).
Also think about weather, particularly wind with regard to how they will approach/land.
Lay some decoys.
Wear suitable clothing and become part of the hedge/countryside, far enough away for stealth, but not so far away that they are out of realistic range.
Wait.
Shoot.
Worked for me. Helpful writing it down to remind myself as planning to get back out soon!
Also enjoy:
Deer grazing within a few feet of you, to show you that your camoflauge is ok.
Raptors attacking your decoys and getting a bit puzzled, to show you that your decoys are ok.
Also key (for me at least):
Don't be sad if it doesn't work, it's still a nice day in the countryside. Think about what might have prevented success; refine, repeat.
ETA: I've just realised you sound like you already shoot pigeon, so this rambling beginners guide is largely irrelevant I guess, sorry. I'll leave it here anyway JIC it's helpful to anyone (including me!).
Edited by thismonkeyhere on Wednesday 6th February 10:29
un1corn said:
I'be got a couple of questions about clay shooting;
I've used target rifles in the past, so am averse to using and handling weapons, so im not a complete newbie. However, the2-3 hour drive to long ranges and hassle for a Sec1 puts me off.
1 - Can you go clay shooting on your own? I dont know anyone who shoots or would be interested in it. Im not into being super competitive, just want to go once a week or two (more in the summer) and spend an hour shooting. Do clay traps facilitate solo shooting? So turn up, pay for a set number of clays, and spend an hour or so on your own? Or does it not work like that?
I don't think Section 1 is a hassle if you are interested in shooting. You will meet the S.1 requirements without having to do anything you wouldn't do anyway. The 2-3 hour drive, that is a hassle. I've used target rifles in the past, so am averse to using and handling weapons, so im not a complete newbie. However, the2-3 hour drive to long ranges and hassle for a Sec1 puts me off.
1 - Can you go clay shooting on your own? I dont know anyone who shoots or would be interested in it. Im not into being super competitive, just want to go once a week or two (more in the summer) and spend an hour shooting. Do clay traps facilitate solo shooting? So turn up, pay for a set number of clays, and spend an hour or so on your own? Or does it not work like that?
I think your clay questions have been answered. The only think I'd suggest is that if you are used to rifles, you could consider a semi-auto or pump Section 2 shotgun. Depending on the clay ground, you may have to stick it in a bag to walk around with it though as opposed to carrying a double barrel shotgun broken and unbagged.
thismonkeyhere said:
My tips are not likely to be news to many, but what I did to get my biggest bags (decoying):
Walk the ground thorughly to build a picture of flightlines and times etc.
Identify likely looking fields/crops that the birds are already feeding on or might be persuaded to do so.
Have a good idea of how pigeons spread out on the ground when they are feeding.
Pick a spot that is on/near flightlines, but also not too near any cover to overcome pigeons fear of predation, not too far away (see below).
Also think about weather, particularly wind with regard to how they will approach/land.
Lay some decoys.
Wear suitable clothing and become part of the hedge/countryside, far enough away for stealth, but not so far away that they are out of realistic range.
Wait.
Shoot.
Worked for me. Helpful writing it down to remind myself as planning to get back out soon!
Also enjoy:
Deer grazing within a few feet of you, to show you that your camoflauge is ok.
Raptors attacking your decoys and getting a bit puzzled, to show you that your decoys are ok.
Also key (for me at least):
Don't be sad if it doesn't work, it's still a nice day in the countryside. Think about what might have prevented success; refine, repeat.
ETA: I've just realised you sound like you already shoot pigeon, so this rambling beginners guide is largely irrelevant I guess, sorry. I'll leave it here anyway JIC it's helpful to anyone (including me!).
Thank you very much for posting this, I found it very useful. Walk the ground thorughly to build a picture of flightlines and times etc.
Identify likely looking fields/crops that the birds are already feeding on or might be persuaded to do so.
Have a good idea of how pigeons spread out on the ground when they are feeding.
Pick a spot that is on/near flightlines, but also not too near any cover to overcome pigeons fear of predation, not too far away (see below).
Also think about weather, particularly wind with regard to how they will approach/land.
Lay some decoys.
Wear suitable clothing and become part of the hedge/countryside, far enough away for stealth, but not so far away that they are out of realistic range.
Wait.
Shoot.
Worked for me. Helpful writing it down to remind myself as planning to get back out soon!
Also enjoy:
Deer grazing within a few feet of you, to show you that your camoflauge is ok.
Raptors attacking your decoys and getting a bit puzzled, to show you that your decoys are ok.
Also key (for me at least):
Don't be sad if it doesn't work, it's still a nice day in the countryside. Think about what might have prevented success; refine, repeat.
ETA: I've just realised you sound like you already shoot pigeon, so this rambling beginners guide is largely irrelevant I guess, sorry. I'll leave it here anyway JIC it's helpful to anyone (including me!).
Edited by thismonkeyhere on Wednesday 6th February 10:29
Yes, I went pigeon shooting for the first time last week. I didn't really get a shot off or saw many pigeons in range. So I think your tips will be put to great use.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff