Bora 99 : Am I missing something?

[zanes]

I'm vertically challenged (5'4") and shotties feel huge for me.


Any thoughts or comments from the experienced much appreciated.

Hatsan make a "youth" model in 20 bore semi. 24" barrel with synthetic furniture and adjustable LOP with spacers. I bought one for my lad when they first came out. A great little gun. The importers reckon they're so much better than Hatsans 12ga version. Said they hadn't had any returned under the three year warranty, but had had loads of the 12's sent back....

Anyway, for sh1ts and giggles, 38 quid got me a new mag tube and extension which will give a light, fast handling, short as possible, reliable and dirt cheap 8 shot 20 bore!!

Next step, making slug for it.....!!

Whilst I've been digging around for an S1 pump I vaguely remember reading something about Hatstands 12ga models being "scaled up" 20ga ones, rather than the other way around as you might expect. Reads a bit like internet bullshit but would make sense, given you're not the first to have been told about the warranty thing.

[38Super]

Many thanks for all the info.

I've thought about the Hatsan Youth but I've read that 20g is a)expensive and b)not up to the job for PSG. Could be good if I can find a cheapish one. Hatsan do an adjustable stock but £200+ just for the stock is a bit excessive! I like the idea of a pistol grip but I’ve never used a shotgun with one so don’t know how much difference it makes?

I’m not bothered about being competitive I just want to go out and ‘kick some steel’. There’s nothing better than shooting reactive targets.

The LOP on my Ruger 10/22 seems OK at 13.5" so I can reach the trigger but I think my arms are too short to reach the fore-end on a pump comfortably.

I’ve never known a gun that didn’t need some kind of fettling out of the box so I’m ok with that it’s the long LOP that I think is the biggest problem with the Bora. Is there a way to shorten the standard stock? IIRC the LOA is 43” so there is a bit of leeway for some trimming. I read somewhere about putting sand in the stock of the Bora to balance it so it must be accessible.
There is a load of info on the Bora on F4i but I can’t get the website to work.

PS How do I get the smilies to work? I like smilies.

[Christel]

PS How do I get the smilies to work? I like smilies.

Click on them tongueout

[Blackstuff]

Hatsans are not suitable for PSG due to the slowness of their loading system. There are a few articles on this on this forum.

The butt pad on the BR99 is very thick and it could be cut down or possibly replaced but i'm just grinning and bearing mine until i can replace the lower.

Pistol grips do (IMO) make guns much more manageable and easier to heft around but you need to be aware that they can slow loading down, depending on which method you use (i.e. any method where you turn the gun over - Weak hand underloading is best for pistol grip guns). You should also be aware that some guns, such as the Benelli M2 does not like having a pistol grip fitted, even the official Benelli one! Something to do with its inertia recoil system. You can get them working but it takes fettling.

The F4i website has crashed during a software upgrade apparently but should be back up tomorrow.

[38Super]

Click on them

tongueout

Ok thanks. Didn't realise they don't display in preview.

[Christel]

Click on them

tongueout

Ok thanks. Didn't realise they don't display in preview.

Do you mean the quick reply at the bottom of the thread?

Apologies, I never use that. I click on post a reply and then all the smilies are out there to the side. Click on whichever one you want and it should display in the text area.

[mag41uk]

I wouldn't underrate 20g for psg.
I use 28gm 7`s and 8`s in 12g.
20g is pretty much the same.
The difference will be in the cost of the carts!
Tony

[38Super]

I wouldn't underrate 20g for psg.

I'm sure 20g v 12g has been done to death so I'll search for it. I would expect 28gms of 7 will be pretty much the same in both once it has left the barrel but I would expect the 20g to need higher pressure to achieve the same velocity. Couple that with a lighter gun and I would imagine the felt recoil would be quite different. I'm happy to be corrected though.

20g shot shells look to be about £8-£10 / 100 more expensive than 12g.

[38Super]

Pistol grips do (IMO) make guns much more manageable and easier to heft around but you need to be aware that they can slow loading down, depending on which method you use (i.e. any method where you turn the gun over - Weak hand underloading is best for pistol grip guns). You should also be aware that some guns, such as the Benelli M2 does not like having a pistol grip fitted, even the official Benelli one! Something to do with its inertia recoil system. You can get them working but it takes fettling.

So pistol grips are good for the right reloading method. Box mags? (BR99 - check). Not suitable for all guns (BR99 - check)
The BR99 is still ticking lots of boxes. Only the LOP problem getting in the way.

[4Islander]

Some good advice here, the only issue I have with the bora is felt recoil, in standard trim it feels somewhat heavier than that felt from a Benelli M2 or Supernova with comfortec stock with the same ammo & with slug markedly so.

That said im sure by shortening the LOP & adding some weight to the gun & a better stock/buttpad it can be improved.

I still intend to build one up for Open as I believe it will be where the game is before very long, all thats needed is a good enough platform to work with & I think the Bora is the best & cheapest option to come along so far.

Do we have an estimate as to when the new lowers will be built ?

4I

PS. As Mark says the F4i website is down temporarily after a software glitch, the web guys are hoping to have the hamster back on the wheel & normal service resumed tomorrow with a bit of luck.