First Shot Gun purchase for a newbie?

[Big Al.]

Just taken up the sport of Clay shooting and currently applying for my shot gun Licence, the wait begins...

So in the meantime I've been looking around the various new/used guns available that fall withing my budget. max £1800. So far I've narrowed it down to a few within my price range these being:-

12 Gauge, O&U, R/H.

Beretta Silver Pigeon 1,
Beretta Ultralight Classic,
Browning B725 Hunter UK Black Gold,
Caesar Guerini Magnus Sporting,
Winchester Energy Select,

Any others I should not be ruling out?

So what would you plump for and why?

Thanking you in advance.

[Ziplobb]

Ultralite is technically a lightweight game gun & is considered too light for many it will also not like heavy use - my pic would be the Browning 525/725or the Beretta SP1 - both excellent value, reliable & good at resale - for me (and I sell guns) the 725 has the 'edge' right now

[ou sont les biscuits]

I shot both Beretta and Browning for clays, in 28", 30" and 32" fixed choke and multichoke. I like both makes, but I use a 28" fixed choke Beretta game gun for everything now. (Clays and game).

Best advice I could give would be find a good shooting school and get your instructor to suggest what fits you best. They normally have a range of guns for novices to try. They'll also hammer in gun safety so it becomes second nature, and teach you a technique for hitting things that works for you.

Other piece of advice would be to get some decent hearing protection. I used those foam plug things for years, and now I'm suffering from hearing loss in my right ear - I'm right handed too.

[carinatauk]

Agree with most of biscuits view. Get over to a decent shooting ground and try some, at the same time get them to check your fit.

From your list, B725 and SP1, Beretta being my preferred choice for resale only. Get a Multi choke model, however at this point you will probably wouldn't see the difference.

Second hand is an option but having looked at some on the market unless I knew the previous owner then no. Personal POV only.

Barrel length is down to the user, 28" would be a good starter but I found that it was poor for swing and you will probably look to change shortly. 30" and 32" are a better choice, are slightly heavier but a smoother swing when you get used to it [I think 30" is a good starter length]. I purchased a 30" Beretta 692 last week for a friend, it's either going to be his when he pays me or my 2nd gun. It's a good barrel length, I currently shoot with a 33" fixed choke [both 1/2s].

Hope this helps

Edited by carinatauk on Saturday 22 April 15:03

[Big Al.]

Thanks for the guidance so far guys, much appreciated.

[oddman]

Would be sensible to include Miroku in the mix

MK 38 is a chunky clay blaster
MK 70 all rounder
MK 60 fixed choke - more game orientated - my favourite

Essentially the same as a Browning 525

But above all get a gun that fits.

[creampuff]

I'm also thinking of buying my first shotgun (I've been shooting section 1 guns for a while but have only shot shotguns a handful of times).

Clay target shooting only. Should I be thinking about 20 gauge guns for less recoil and slightly less gun weight (I always prefer lighter rifles than heavier rifles)? Or should I just get a 12 gauge? I'm leaning towards 12g anyway as it looks like the ammo is cheaper.

[carinatauk]

Gauge size is personal preference. I find 20G too light, and if your doing just clays you are probably better off with 12G, as you say there is more choice of cartridges; but also shotguns [choice is very subjective, try them all before deciding]

Never had any issues with recoil, only if I put the shotgun in my shoulder incorrectly. Cartridges such as Hull Xcomp are a good starting point [cleanish barrel, little recoil]; more intense cartridges such as Hull Pro-ones do kick as will some of the game cartridges. Cost is the major obstacle when you start out [ie Xcomp are c. £190 compared to Pro-one at c. £250; both per thousand].

PS as you shot rifles, forget everything esp aiming. I used to shoot both rifles and pistols; I have wasted loads of cartridges aiming but it's all part of the circle of learning.

Hope that helps

[hman]

Beretta if you want re sale value - mine depreciated only £250 in 10 years

686e or a silver pigeon

[Big Al.]

Thanks Guys, much appreciated.

Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.

[Little Pete]

Big Al. said:

Thanks Guys, much appreciated.

Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.

I've been tempted by the same gun myself recently!
What barrel length did you choose Al?

[Big Al.]

Little Pete said:

I've been tempted by the same gun myself recently!
What barrel length did you choose Al?

My quarry is Clays, so I got the 30" multi chokes.

[Little Pete]

Mostly clays myself. It's a very addictive sport! I agree with the comments about coaching too, well worth the money. Enjoy the new gun!

[Stig]

Big Al. said:

Thanks Guys, much appreciated.

Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.

Al - when did you apply for a licence? Huge backlog at the moment (well, there is with Thames Valley at least). I've had a licence for donkeys years, but my laster renewal took more than a year to process! They had to issue a temporary licence (as original expired during the period), then that almost expired too.

Hope you get it sooner rather than later or you could face a frustrating wait for your gun.

[overunder12g]

Hi Al

I currently shoot a Guerini. Throws great patterns using skeet and cylinder chokes.
I have 30 inch barrels with extended chokes which to be fair I find a little too long.
( I am a company director but not well built! )
As has been said, try a few and see what feels comfortable. I also have a Miroku which is also good but I find the action a little too deep for me if that makes sense.
Anyway, enjoy the sport with all of it's frustrations!
.

[300bhp/ton]

Nothing is more fun than shooting a pump action. Autos are pretty cool too though. If you are shooting for fun then no need to stick to an O/U.

[HSV_V8]

Big Al. said:

Thanks Guys, much appreciated.

Decided to plump for a Beretta 690 Sport Scroll. I think I tried nearly every gun in the shop within my price range, although I did go a little over my original budget as I really liked the 690 and decided for an adjustable cone stock.

Good choice, won't go wrong with that, nice balanced gun and won't depreciate much either.

When you miss a few clays you can always blame the gun and go out and throw some more money at it.

[z4RRSchris]

i have a 686, lovely gun and ive shot thousands of cartridges through it, has loosened up considerably.

i now shoot my 486 20g more and more, lighter and very pointy! 30 inch

[Big Al.]

Stig said:

Al - when did you apply for a licence? Huge backlog at the moment (well, there is with Thames Valley at least). I've had a licence for donkeys years, but my laster renewal took more than a year to process! They had to issue a temporary licence (as original expired during the period), then that almost expired too.

Hope you get it sooner rather than later or you could face a frustrating wait for your gun.

Sorry for the delay Stig, I applied about 3 weeks ago my referee shots every Wednesday with our local Firearms executive and he reckons all being well and good shotgun licences are usually processed with about 5- 6 weeks.

Decided to have an additional Adjustable cone stoke fitted prior to delivery that won't be available form Beretta until July, so no Panic and fingers crossed.

[Hoppum]

Stig said:

Al - when did you apply for a licence? Huge backlog at the moment (well, there is with Thames Valley at least). I've had a licence for donkeys years, but my laster renewal took more than a year to process! They had to issue a temporary licence (as original expired during the period), then that almost expired too.

Hope you get it sooner rather than later or you could face a frustrating wait for your gun.

Put my application in to Thames Valley Police back in February, phoned my local Firearms Officer last week to double check something about where I was putting my cabinet and whilst I was on the phone she checked my application progress for me and informed me she doesn't expect to be visiting to check my cabinet until September at the earliest!

They've still managed to cash the fee cheque though!