me_here
Busy member
Nope, mainly guys in the 50-80 age range who’ve been shooting all their lives. They all started off with S/S. I’d say mid/late 1990’s was when there was the biggest shift.
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the Daily hi thread
Over and under or side by side
- Thread starter Mikewoofa
- Start date
Nope, mainly guys in the 50-80 age range who’ve been shooting all their lives. They all started off with S/S. I’d say mid/late 1990’s was when there was the biggest shift.
Igotknobblies
Super member
They both kill just as well provided the gun fits. Ive shot both on pheasant. I did however consider going from one to the other being counterproductive as I never got fully acclimatised to iether. My father's gun, a S/S hammer is beautiful and a pleasure to use....always made me think of him. That was it, I sold the O/U and found a second hand S/S Zabala with multichokes and get this.....3½" (89mm) steel proofed. So that's all corners covered, a lightweight game gun and a fowling piece fit for geese and everything else including clays. People raise eyebrows when I turn up with it but I do quite well. Pattern must be a tad patchy chucking 2½" cartridges through 3½" chambers. I have tried some of the big ones....Remington Express......never again......they gave me shell shock and rattled my fillings!
Also interesting is that a S/S with straight hand stock sits in the crook of your arm when broken, so much better than O/U. Id say on average pheasant shoots, O/U outnumber S/S by 8 to 1 or more!
Attachments
As above. I will never buy use a O/u . Each to their own. While practicing for grouse with my S/S at west london shooting grounds never shot better. I am a bad shot, master eye left, so use a patch. Bet you a good shot will bust as many clays with both types. A fetish. Think o/u came over here from yankee land, i know which I prefer to carry across the plough in a gun dog trial for hare shooting. But guess strong men do not notice weight balance etc. Enough I rabbit on!
Rich79
Member Extraordinaire
I think if you're on a proper posh Scottish grouse moor then yes I'd imagine a high number of S/S, but not every driven game shoot is like that.
The one my dad shoots on is mostly O/U's with about 2 people using S/S, there's even a guy who is allowed to use a semi auto due to his shoulder but he only loads 2 cartriges.
There's even a spare gun available if anyones gun breaks and this is a pump action, but as above only 2 carts at a time.
The one my dad shoots on is mostly O/U's with about 2 people using S/S, there's even a guy who is allowed to use a semi auto due to his shoulder but he only loads 2 cartriges.
There's even a spare gun available if anyones gun breaks and this is a pump action, but as above only 2 carts at a time.
Igotknobblies
Super member
Nearly labs......springadors. Jack Hargreaves swore hes never seen such a multi-talented dog and hes right, so I have two. F2 hybrid.....25%springer. Jack was right, they hunt with both nose down and eyes up. Flush, retrieve, swim, look at an obstacle and work out the easy way round, theyre fast, agile and light. My two, mum and daughter are 23 and 20kg. Quick to learn, super company, great with kids and good guards with a bigger woof than their size!
This ^^^. On my usual shoot i am the only one who shoots SxS. In contrast, on my friend’s shoot (which has some very very serious money on it) they’re almost all SxS.
Arguably a lighter, faster, SxS is the right gun for grouse but you’ll be told you want something heavier for high pheasants to deal with the greater loads. The guns suggested tend to be o/u and arguably they are better suited to the job but a SxS will still get the job done.
threegreenlights
Member
The thing that springs to mind is that old saying 'the best camera is the one you have with you'. I've tried many SxS and OU over the years and found that I just kept going back to my Browning B525 Sporter One. I know it's probably still classed as an entry level shotgun but it fits and I can hit things with it.
Just for consideration, I'll throw in to the mix that I also get good results with my FAC Mossberg 500 pump. I know this thread is SxS/OU related but I thought I'd add single barrels to the conversation as well.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's finding the right tool for the job.
Just for consideration, I'll throw in to the mix that I also get good results with my FAC Mossberg 500 pump. I know this thread is SxS/OU related but I thought I'd add single barrels to the conversation as well.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's finding the right tool for the job.
Ratman72
Super member
Hello, I would not class the Browning entry level,
threegreenlights
Member
Yeah, I know what you mean. They're not the cheapest shotguns from new but at the same time not the most expensive. Their new price seems to be circa £2k and I can see there are good 2nd examples for circa £1k.Hello, I would not class the Browning entry level,
I'm not parting with mine, I know that much.
Ratman72
Super member
Hello, No but about the best for the money you can buy that is quality made and will last many years if looked after, And second hand will hold good prices, The Miroku shotguns are on par or just maybe a touch better depending on model, The 525 standard stock is made to fit most people or can alter without to much trouble, They seem to fit better than the Beretta silver pigeon off the shelf
threegreenlights
Member
I tried a couple of Silver Pigeons and in all honesty, I couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
Mike Woody Watkins
Member Extraordinaire
I was brought up using a S-B-S but later changed to U&O. I think of the two l slightly prefer the side by side.
Mind you, I’m not awfully good with a shotgun so neither makes me shoot better
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Mind you, I’m not awfully good with a shotgun so neither makes me shoot better
!Ratman72
Super member
Hello, The SP stocks are made slightly different in dimensions than the 525 game shotguns so some like the SPs and others the 525s , I mean for pigeon and game shooting, I not know on clays as i do not shoot them these day but did a lot in the 1980s 1990s, It has been 60 years now having a shotgun/s, This SGC is most likely my last, My first O/U many years ago was a BRNO , Double or single trigger, Well made but a heavy lump, Local Gunsmith was from Czech , Best O/U was a Browning 525 Game gun,
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Varminter
Super member
Hello, I would not class the Browning entry level,
It is entry level in terms of established, reputable gun makers. They can be had for as little as £1,500 - £1,750 new for a grade 1. That’s a bargain when compared to modern air rifles.
Sure you can buy cheaper Turkish stuff, but that’s bargain basement, not actual entry level.
Rich79
Member Extraordinaire
Because they fit some people very well, most Brownings don't fit me but I can see what the fuss is about, they're well made like a Beretta.
Beretta or Browning give you a gun for life, and possibly more.
billgatese30
Super member
Agreed. While I don't do many clays, my Miroku from the late 90s has done me for over 10 years, amd will likely keep going 30 or 40 years without issue
Rich79
Member Extraordinaire
I've not that much experience with Miroku, I find it hard to tell which one is which!
What is the actual difference between them and a Browning?
A SxS has a wider action is more comfortable to carry on your arm, it is easier to load.
Lots of threads on the Internet, I started SxS went to O/U for a single trigger due to a hand injury and when recovered back to SxS.
I shoot semi auto and O/U for clays.
Lots of threads on the Internet, I started SxS went to O/U for a single trigger due to a hand injury and when recovered back to SxS.
I shoot semi auto and O/U for clays.
billgatese30
Super member
Not a lot from what I know. I think they are very similar with only the smallest of differences to justify the different name. It certainly fits like a Browning. All i know is I tried a Beretta or two and couldn't hit a thing. Shot the MK70 and got 10/10 (all be it on the very easy sample range at the shop). Cost me £750 over 10 years ago, probably still worth £700 now given I've a few teague chokes for it too.