The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

My clay club is fine with semi-autos (even black ones), but their insurance does not cover the use of S1 guns on the site. You need to check.

I'd second the suggestion about a lesson as well. There is little more frustrating than missing clays and not knowing where you are missing. A lesson will help you get on the ladder.

AlieN

[quote="Blackstuff"]As long as the person using the S1 shiotgun has the clay pigeon condition on their certificate thats the only 'extra' needed. AFAIK the land/shooting ground does not need to be 'cleared' in the same way as a you do with a rifle. Having a greater magazine capacity does not improve/alter the capablilty of the ammunition being used, over the same ammo in a S2 shotgun.

With regard to the suitability, this will depend on the club. I doubt a normal M2/semi auto would raise an eyebrow at most clay clubs, just make sure you observe the etiquette for picking up (or not) your cases. Using a 'tactical' looking gun might upset some dinosaurs but on the whole (in my experience) most people aren't bothered. I've used my M2 which is set up for PSG several times at my local clay club and another shooting ground. I've even used my BR99 at my local place and the club secretary who usually doesn't like semi-autos was desperate to have a go!

If you don't like wooden guns (i'm not keen either) there are a couple of 'black' O/U's out there, such as the Browning Cynergy Black Ice (i use one for clays) and theres a cheaper look-i-likey version of it made by Hatsan (i think).

Cynergy at top above M2;


I agree about not liking traditional shotguns, unfortunately I didn't know enough about the subject when I purchased by O/U and S/S: wish I had purchased a Cynergy!

Kungfugerbil wrote:

kennyc wrote:theres a reason why most people who shoot clays a lot use O/U or SxS rather than SA and its efficiency ! they are just better suited to the job.

You don't see many side-by-sides on the clay grounds these days...

I use a Beretta 682 gold E for most of my clay shooting but love shooting my 1880(ish) Damascus barrelled side by side hammer gun for something a bit different, it's about as far from tacticool as you can get!

legs748 wrote:... love shooting my 1880(ish) Damascus barrelled side by side hammer gun for something a bit different, it's about as far from tacticool as you can get!

That's 'cos it's a proper gun, ooman.

It is those funny O/U shotguns that are different, just like smokeless powder and jacketed bullets they are just a passing fad and will never catch on.

Just for the record here is an example of what a proper shotgun looks like, Coates of Woolsingham.

I have killed a few clays along with furred and feathered beasts using black powder cartridges in this fine 10 bore.

i've seen one like that at a local RFD, had never seen brown damascus barrels before. any idea how / why they were done like that?

Slow rust process.

dromia wrote:Just for the record here is an example of what a proper shotgun looks like, Coates of Woolsingham

Lovely

Lovely indeed! Mine is a rechambered 14 bore probably from the Birmingham trade retailed by an ironmongers in Sheffield and bears the retailers name. Stock is really short but it points nice.