Michael Yardley’s Guide to choosing a game gun
-
166
Comments
- Last updated: 14/12/2016
When we go out looking for a new gun it’s always exciting, but there can be quite a lot of decision anxiety in the selection process. Well, I’m here to help you through it. We will consider buying a new game gun this month, we will look at clay guns in the near future as well. The first thing to be said, meantime, is do not worry if you haven’t a big bank balance at the moment. There are some excellent guns out there at very reasonable money even taking the hike of VAT to 20% into account. Recently, I have tested a number of exceptional guns around (and in some cases well under) the £1,000 mark. You could easily pay 50 times as much and not get anything that would shoot any better.
Good Places to Start
I am, for example, a particular fan of the new Browning 525 (it is now much improved with lighter, back-bored barrels and long forcing cones) which is reviewed in full elsewhere in this issue. There are game and sporter versions. The sporter would be a good all-round choice for game and clays. It is just a whisker more controllable (though both are A1). There is the new Miroku MK70 of similar spec too (made in the same factory). Beretta have introduced the Silver Pigeon I (tested in last month’s issue) and the new Universal (the fixed choke ‘clay’ incarnation at the budget end of the 600 series). Both guns show how Beretta have got their act together as far as the middle of the market is concerned. Bullet proof build quality at very reasonable money.
RUAG are putting out some basic but good Rottweil over and under guns at very keen prices too (the 30” barrelled 20 bore is the pick of the bunch), they also offer the budget Bettinsolis. The 20 bore 30” Fausti Warwicks from the Sportsman are a good buy (as were the incredibly well priced Fausti 26” side by sides that the Sportsman were selling a little while back). Lincolns, made by FAIR in Northern Italy, have always offered great value for money (and again, my favourites are the 30” 20 bores). Turkish guns are getting better and better. Edgar brothers have quite an extensive range, and, Mike Entwhistle also has some great value Yildiz small-bore guns at bargain basement prices.
A Step Up
If you want to up the ante a bit, consider the new B.Rizzinis (again – and forgive me for sounding like a cracked record – my favourites are the 30” 20 bores). These guns are available from both ASI and Paul Roberts and are especially attractive in round action form. Speaking of AyA and round bars, the Round Action Number 2 sidelocks in both 12 or 20 look very good and shoot well. The AyA deluxe boxlock is a well made, interesting gun (and the particular favourite of ASI Managing Director, Edward King).
My own favourites as far as the Italian stack barrels are concerned are the 28 bore 30” Rizznis, and the Maxum and Essex 20 bore 30 and 32” models from the Guerini range. I have had great success with the 32” Guernis myself and wholeheartedly recommend them. They look good and have excellent shooting qualities. EELL Berettas are also always a good thing whether new or secondhand.
If you want a high bird gun that can double on clays, nothing beats a Miroku MK38 32” fixed choke (perhaps retrofitted with thin-wall Teague chokes). It is a great buy in standard grade, and one of the best buys on the market in its more adorned versions. I am also fond of 32” KM4 MKII Kemens as serious double duty guns. If pigeons or ducks are your thing, you have to go a long way to beat the new Browning Maxus (an excellent buy), or a basic Beretta 391 with wooden or synthetic stock. When I shoot abroad, I often borrow a 30” 391 – it’s a classic of its type and always a reliable performer that does not bash you up.
Benelli offer a variety of super auto-loaders too (and the company is, of course, now owned by Beretta). Finally, I am going to mention the Blaser F3 Professional over and under. It’s not cheap, but the latest version is smart to look at and impressive to shoot as well.
Getting Technical…
Traditionally, a game gun does not want to be too heavy. It must, however, have enough mass to manage recoil, but there should not be too much weight in the barrels or the handling will be affected. Greener’s old dictum was that a gun should weigh 96 times the weight of its shot load. That would mean a 6lb gun regardless of bore if a one ounce load is your thing, but a 6 pounds 12 ounce one if you prefer 1 1/8oz. The idea is dated and never quite worked (but it still intrigues).
With regard to ideal weights, let’s just say this; 12 bore, 28” side by side usually seem to work best at around 6 ½-7lbs. Over and under 12 bores with 28-30” barrels should be about half a pound heavier, hitting the scales somewhere between 7-7 1/2lbs. – a lot depends on the balance of the individual guns. It is perhaps no coincidence that 20 bore 30” over and unders seem to be most efficient at about the same weight as a typical best quality 12 bore side by side. I believe that one of the reasons that longer barrelled 20 bore over and unders have become so popular in recent years is that they share similar handling characteristics to expensive bespoke guns at much reduced cost. With 30” barrels fitted they can be even more pointable at the same weight. Usually, I prefer a near hinge pin balance, but this does not apply to really long-barrelled guns.
Strangely, 28” 20 bores can sometimes work very well in really lightweight form as well. I am not going to try to explain the paradox. I can’t! Meanwhile, Buyer Beware and try before you buy it if you can.
Some guns seem to break the rules. Neither the MK38 or the KM4 Kemen are especially light (though they have light-for-length barrels) nevertheless, they work extremely well on pheasants as well as pitch discs. The Guerini 32” 20 bores usually weigh around 7 pounds, are profoundly muzzle heavy, and work brilliantly too (as a side note, I routinely put 30 and 32 gram loads through mine without any discomfort). On the other hand, I was shooting a Beretta SV10 Perennia 20 bore the other day with 28” barrels – not usually my thing on a 20 – but it shot superbly and felt recoil with a Kick-Off recoil reducer attached was very low (I have not found the Kick-off as effective on some other models).
This sort of anomaly gets me scratching my head sometimes. The truth is no one can set down absolute rules for what works because guns are such singular things and there are so many variables. One does get the chance to recognise the guns which do the biz (and note considerable consensus on this when I share my thoughts with experienced friends). My job is to let you know what works. Another new gun that I am fond of is the 30” version of the Beretta SV10 Perennia with standard stock – modernistic styling, but it’s another winner with lively barrels and great pointing qualities.
Barrel Length
As a general principle, game guns usually need to be a bit more lively than clay guns. Live quarry shooting is a less deliberate business. Some mass produced guns have barrels which are certainly too heavy for game shooting. What about barrel length? We have discussed the subject to some extent already. Barrels have tended to get longer in recent years. The 30” 20 bore is popular as noted, and with good reason, while 32” 12 bores are frequently used for high birds. I think the 32” 20 bore is, to a great extent, waiting to be discovered as a game gun.
If game shooting is the application (with exceptions as noted), I still usually advise 28” as the best barrel length for a mass made 12 bore side by side or over and under. However, you should consider a 30” 12 bore gun, especially if you want to shoot clays and game with the same gun. As far as 20 bores are concerned, I would advise 30” tubes in most cases now; they improve pointing as discussed and make the gun a little more controllable with a minimal weight penalty.
166 Comments
buy naprosyn pills <a href="https://buylansole.sbs/">order lansoprazole 30mg pills</a> buy generic prevacid
Bjssje
03 Jun 2023 at 04:47 AMbuy digoxin 250mg without prescription <a href="https://molnuir.best/">order molnunat without prescription</a> molnunat 200mg usa
Trloci
01 Jun 2023 at 06:18 PMorder diamox 250 mg without prescription <a href="https://isosdur.life/">buy isosorbide paypal</a> buy azathioprine for sale
Axhbxl
31 May 2023 at 08:34 AMbuy mesalamine pills for sale <a href="https://irbesan.sbs/">irbesartan buy online</a> avapro order
Tjrhab
27 May 2023 at 08:29 AMcheap altace 5mg <a href="https://etoric.cfd/">order etoricoxib 120mg pill</a> purchase arcoxia pill
Zokfld
25 May 2023 at 03:06 PMbuy generic furosemide over the counter <a href="https://onlinedoxne.com/">buy doxycycline 200mg for sale</a> buy ventolin 4mg without prescription
Bbdwcz
23 May 2023 at 11:56 AM4, 19 In both studies, the women were given 20 mg q <a >buy cialis 10mg</a>
Neleata
18 May 2023 at 10:54 PMbuy sildenafil 50mg generic <a href="https://xpsils.com/">order sildalis pills</a> sildenafil 25mg
Jxbmmu
18 May 2023 at 04:22 AMcareprost price <a href="https://procarest.com/">purchase careprost without prescription</a> trazodone for sale
Eubrra
16 May 2023 at 03:26 AMhow to get tamoxifen without a prescription <a href="https://glnceti.com/">generic ceftin</a> cefuroxime price
Kbausb
13 May 2023 at 11:50 PMorder estrace 1mg sale <a href="https://xmestradi.com/">estradiol over the counter</a> prazosin 2mg canada
Gouzmj
10 May 2023 at 10:34 AMfluconazole where to buy <a href="https://hyampin.com/">order ampicillin 500mg sale</a> cipro 500mg for sale
Uoykmz
09 May 2023 at 12:35 PMoral cialis <a href="https://buypsonline.com/">How to get some viagra</a> viagra for men over 50
Wsbhbw
08 May 2023 at 01:40 AMbuy carbamazepine sale <a href="https://carbamap.top/">order tegretol online cheap</a> lincocin usa
Xqnebc
06 May 2023 at 06:48 PMbuy starlix generic <a href="https://acandesa.today/">purchase candesartan online cheap</a> buy candesartan pills
Iglwoa
04 May 2023 at 09:47 AMbuy combivent 100 mcg pill <a href="https://alinezl.ink/">order linezolid generic</a> purchase linezolid generic
Awfbwy
02 May 2023 at 12:05 PMorder toradol generic <a href="https://gtketop.com/">toradol over the counter</a> buy inderal medication
Dcxdmc
28 Apr 2023 at 02:04 PMcozaar 50mg cost <a href="https://adesomepro.com/">nexium online</a> topamax pill
Utjtih
25 Apr 2023 at 10:19 AMbuy zestril generic <a href="https://getmetolx.com/">metoprolol 50mg canada</a> cost metoprolol
Zqnpvt
22 Apr 2023 at 09:58 PMmetformin 1000mg cost <a href="https://getampinexl.com/">norvasc 10mg without prescription</a> buy amlodipine 10mg pills
Dqydbl
21 Apr 2023 at 04:21 PMbuy albendazole cheap <a href="https://aripiprazo.cfd/">aripiprazole 20mg drug</a> medroxyprogesterone 10mg uk
Ycgjef
20 Apr 2023 at 04:47 PMorder vibra-tabs pills <a href="https://veninhaonline.com/">albuterol medication</a> order augmentin sale
Zxfuza
19 Apr 2023 at 03:53 AMbuy gabapentin 800mg pill <a href="https://abfsemd.com/">furosemide 100mg pills</a> brand doxycycline 200mg
Hdjisg
15 Apr 2023 at 08:47 AMaccutane us <a href="https://proamoonline.com/">amoxil without prescription</a> zithromax for sale
Nyvowd
14 Apr 2023 at 07:05 PMamoxicillin 1000mg pills <a href="https://atbaztho.com/">buy zithromax cheap</a> prednisolone 40mg pills
Cbomhm
13 Apr 2023 at 11:21 PMcialis 20mg canada <a href="https://buyciatbs.com/">generic cialis</a> buy erectile dysfunction meds
Fbgzlt
11 Apr 2023 at 05:45 AMbuy cialis 20mg for sale <a href="https://buyedgnrpl.com/">buy ed medications</a> free ed pills
Etpmxt
11 Apr 2023 at 03:11 AMlipitor over the counter <a href="https://buy50vgrp.com/">order viagra 100mg without prescription</a> cheap viagra sale
Gkwsro
09 Apr 2023 at 07:00 AMbuy cenforce pills <a href="https://buychlonsp.com/">buy aralen paypal</a> glucophage 500mg generic
Sdtzri
07 Apr 2023 at 10:59 AMlevaquin 250mg pills <a href="https://buybup.site/">oral zyban 150mg</a> buy bupropion 150 mg sale
Ezwcmf
04 Apr 2023 at 09:58 AMbuy zetia 10mg generic <a href="https://methotpl.today/">buy methotrexate 2.5mg sale</a> purchase methotrexate pill
Fkhiyt
03 Apr 2023 at 04:11 PMbuy uroxatral 10 mg for sale <a href="https://pltrazo.ink/">buy trazodone pills</a> buy diltiazem 180mg online cheap
Akokxp
01 Apr 2023 at 05:27 AMorder dapsone 100mg for sale <a href="https://buyasap.sbs/">order asacol 800mg pills</a> cheap tenormin
Todgfx
29 Mar 2023 at 09:47 PMimuran 25mg over the counter <a href="https://buynapopls.top/">naproxen 250mg uk</a> naprosyn 500mg tablet
Ezqwir
26 Mar 2023 at 06:33 AMorder prednisolone <a href="https://buypredonline.com/">order generic prednisolone</a> generic lasix 100mg
Cpgvbn
23 Mar 2023 at 03:13 AMprednisone 5mg over the counter <a href="https://amoxiciplg.com/">amoxil 250mg tablet</a> amoxicillin cheap
Qflihe
14 Mar 2023 at 08:24 AMminocin 100mg pill <a href="https://gnconlinepls.com/">brand neurontin 800mg</a> buy terazosin 5mg generic
Qlyvtq
10 Mar 2023 at 02:39 PMgeneric ropinirole <a href="https://plcalcitriol.pro/">purchase rocaltrol pill</a> labetalol online buy
Ghbnuj
06 Mar 2023 at 12:25 AMbuy doxycycline 100mg sale <a href="https://phrmsgetl.shop/">buy chloroquine 250mg online</a> medrol buy
Yihkua
05 Mar 2023 at 10:06 AMfamotidine usa <a href="https://plremerom.life/">mirtazapine 30mg drug</a> order remeron 30mg
Xkcojg
04 Mar 2023 at 01:29 PMorder generic indocin <a href="https://getplsonline.shop/">cenforce 100mg canada</a> buy cenforce 100mg online cheap
Ziuerj
03 Mar 2023 at 09:37 PMnortriptyline 25 mg drug <a href="https://plparoxetine.sbs/">paxil online order</a> order paroxetine 20mg
Rylash
03 Mar 2023 at 01:26 AMamoxicillin 1000mg oral <a href="https://genstropls.shop/">stromectol 6mg uk</a> ivermectin price uk
Spuved
28 Feb 2023 at 08:53 PMdigoxin 250mg over the counter <a href="https://buymicardpl.com/">micardis cost</a> molnupiravir 200 mg over the counter
Dteebs
25 Feb 2023 at 05:36 PMclobetasol buy online <a href="https://buybuspapl.ink/">order buspar without prescription</a> order amiodarone 100mg for sale
Iyzwjx
23 Feb 2023 at 08:11 PMbuy olmesartan 20mg pills <a href="https://buybenicaxp.com/">benicar 10mg brand</a> purchase divalproex for sale
Fnlbcq
22 Feb 2023 at 05:57 PMaltace over the counter <a href="https://pxarcox.com/">buy generic arcoxia 120mg</a> order arcoxia 60mg generic
Ejtqto
18 Feb 2023 at 12:15 PMbuy adalat 30mg online cheap <a href="https://genraconline.com/">buy perindopril 4mg for sale</a> buy generic allegra
Glsokf
16 Feb 2023 at 09:24 PMorder tadalafil for sale <a href="https://buyclstfl.com/">Free trial of cialis</a> casino game
Ghpqgw
13 Feb 2023 at 09:12 PMproventil 100mcg brand <a href="https://proventup.com/">proventil 100mcg usa</a> ciprofloxacin 1000mg drug
Auyijn
10 Feb 2023 at 07:40 PMorder lamisil for sale <a href="https://buytrimop.com/">brand trimox</a> purchase amoxicillin pill
Wtpyjy
07 Feb 2023 at 11:59 PMbuy tadacip 20mg pill <a href="https://buydiclofenacp.com/">order voltaren 50mg online</a> buy indocin for sale
Rmsesa
06 Feb 2023 at 01:43 PMorder fildena 100mg pill <a href="https://ebudesonide.com/">rhinocort cheap</a> purchase budesonide pills
Vbqtvm
03 Feb 2023 at 01:19 PMessay for you <a href="https://essayxwr.com/">buy assignments</a> ivermectin 3mg dose
Acrznv
28 Jan 2023 at 07:06 AMdesyrel 50mg oral <a href="https://etrazodonep.com/">purchase trazodone sale</a> sildenafil 100mg brand
Alaopu
27 Jan 2023 at 12:00 PMbuy sildenafil pill <a href="https://edciaspill.com/">guaranteed cialis overnight delivery usa</a> cialis 40mg cost
Szejjt
25 Jan 2023 at 06:06 AMkeflex 500mg sale <a href="https://cleocinp.shop/">oral cleocin 150mg</a> erythromycin pills
Gxkeeb
24 Jan 2023 at 04:26 AMbuy simvastatin online cheap <a href="https://valtrexbuy.pro/">cost valacyclovir 500mg</a> purchase propecia generic
Yiadbl
22 Jan 2023 at 02:51 PMsan manuel casino online <a href="https://playandwinslot.com/">online casino games</a> slots casino games
Wojwio
20 Jan 2023 at 04:57 AMozobax medication <a href="https://ketorolacp.store/">buy generic toradol</a> buy toradol pill
Cgcoow
17 Jan 2023 at 06:43 PMmotilium pills <a href="https://cyclobenzaprine.top/">flexeril canada</a> flexeril 15mg ca
Pcgnyf
16 Jan 2023 at 01:55 PMbuy methotrexate 10mg <a href="https://methotrexate.life/">order methotrexate 2.5mg online</a> reglan ca
Xqilvz
15 Jan 2023 at 11:20 PMbuy zyloprim <a href="https://rosuvastatin.pro/">crestor medication</a> ezetimibe price
Dyhwrc
15 Jan 2023 at 09:15 AMpurchase amlodipine <a href="https://viagedtrp.com/">sildenafil citrate 50mg</a> order cialis 20mg pill
Qurozt
04 Jan 2023 at 04:45 AMorder sporanox 100 mg generic <a href="https://aprogesterone.com/">progesterone pills</a> tinidazole 500mg pills
Mhlmxx
02 Jan 2023 at 12:09 PMfurosemide 100mg for sale <a href="https://hdoxycycline.com/">doxycycline 100mg price</a> purchase plaquenil without prescription
Enungg
31 Dec 2022 at 05:14 PMbuy zithromax pills <a href="https://hgabapentin.com/">brand gabapentin 600mg</a> cheap neurontin 100mg
Arlmqh
30 Dec 2022 at 01:23 PMbrand piracetam <a href="https://bpiracetam.com/">piracetam 800 mg us</a> viagra sildenafil 100mg
Mwjojg
30 Dec 2022 at 12:23 AMavlosulfon 100 mg sale <a href="https://buynifedipin.com/">nifedipine usa</a> order perindopril 8mg
Gurrlu
26 Dec 2022 at 03:37 PMgeneric revia 50 mg <a href="https://gnaltrexone.com/">revia oral</a> buy aripiprazole
Ppdnyl
26 Dec 2022 at 03:31 AMbuy generic salbutamol <a href="https://buyproventi.com/">imuran 100mcg usa</a> sildenafil india
Ggjmtx
24 Dec 2022 at 08:23 AMorder molnunat generic <a href="https://buycefdinir.com/">order generic omnicef</a> prevacid 15mg oral
Hjpehg
23 Dec 2022 at 05:29 AMbupropion 150 mg sale <a href="https://gquetiapine.com/">buy quetiapine pills</a> order quetiapine 50mg online cheap
Dtfzdd
22 Dec 2022 at 09:40 AMbuy fosamax 70mg sale <a href="https://gnparacetamo.com/">buy panadol pill</a> buy famotidine 40mg generic
Cvspkr
19 Dec 2022 at 11:19 PMorder terazosin 1mg online cheap <a href="https://pioglitazonep.com/">pioglitazone 30mg sale</a> order sulfasalazine 500mg online cheap
Yeuohf
19 Dec 2022 at 12:45 PMbuy buspar <a href="https://buybuspa.com/">buy buspar 10mg online</a> oral ditropan 2.5mg
Gayiyt
18 Dec 2022 at 06:49 PMdeltasone cost <a href="https://getciax.com/">cialis 20 mg price</a> buy sildenafil tablets
Unbwcb
14 Dec 2022 at 10:23 AMpurchase tadalis without prescription <a href="https://fstavanafil.com/">brand avana 100mg</a> diclofenac 50mg us
Ryzeke
10 Dec 2022 at 06:24 AMfildena 50mg canada <a href="https://justcarepro.com/">order bimatoprost without prescription</a> buy robaxin pill
Ilhmsj
06 Dec 2022 at 12:15 PMorder ampicillin generic <a href="https://gbactri.com/">buy bactrim 480mg pills</a> erythromycin sale
Oenzyg
05 Dec 2022 at 04:56 AMaldactone 100mg oral <a href="https://galdacton.com/">spironolactone order</a> fluconazole 200mg pills
Expusv
03 Dec 2022 at 09:44 PMorder losartan 25mg generic <a href="https://gnnexi.com/">esomeprazole 20mg drug</a> sumatriptan order online
Xjgysg
01 Dec 2022 at 08:21 PMcolchicine online order <a href="https://gnplavic.com/">purchase clopidogrel pill</a> order methotrexate 2.5mg pills
Ewioft
29 Nov 2022 at 08:49 AMcrestor pills <a href="https://atetracycl.com/">order tetracycline 500mg online cheap</a> purchase tetracycline pills
Blxbzx
22 Nov 2022 at 10:12 PMzovirax 800mg generic <a href="https://xyacyclov.com/">order zovirax 800mg generic</a> order allopurinol 100mg generic
Ebtokn
21 Nov 2022 at 12:33 AMpurchase lisinopril generic <a href="https://xnorvascp.com/">order amlodipine 5mg pills</a> cialis 5mg ca
Kepotx
13 Nov 2022 at 03:42 PMbrand atorvastatin 40mg <a href="https://seviaged.com/">sildenafil 100mg pills for men</a> order generic sildenafil 100mg
Bhekyi
12 Nov 2022 at 01:07 PMhydroxychloroquine canada <a href="https://plaquep.com/">order plaquenil 400mg generic</a> stromectol 0.5 mg
Zoxljk
11 Nov 2022 at 05:54 AMtadalafil online buy <a href="https://provpll.com/">purchase provigil without prescription</a> modafinil usa
Lngumw
05 Nov 2022 at 04:05 PMbuy ketorolac online cheap <a href="https://cozaadereza.com/">order cozaar 25mg generic</a> cozaar 50mg pills
Rohion
25 Oct 2022 at 02:30 PMclarinex 5mg drug <a href="https://diltials.com/">order diltiazem 180mg pill</a> buy claritin 10mg sale
Kahzrp
24 Oct 2022 at 11:49 AMlisinopril brand <a href="https://atenolpli.com/">buy atenolol 100mg pill</a> order tenormin 100mg generic
Snaxso
22 Oct 2022 at 02:54 PMclavulanate brand <a href="https://abactrilm.com/">buy bactrim 480mg sale</a> buy bactrim 480mg online cheap
Ycnjkf
13 Oct 2022 at 03:29 PMzofran online <a href="https://asimvastatin.com/">simvastatin over the counter</a> simvastatin 20mg cheap
Tsizkf
10 Oct 2022 at 09:36 AMorder oxybutynin for sale <a href="https://oxybutyninbuy.com/">purchase ditropan online</a> nitrofurantoin generic
Ajprai
29 Sep 2022 at 04:35 AMpurchase colchicine generic <a href="https://acolchicine.com/">buy colchicine 0.5mg generic</a> buy plavix 75mg without prescription
Cwuuqt
26 Sep 2022 at 03:23 PMorder ventolin inhalator for sale <a href="https://buyaristocopt.com/">aristocort for sale</a> buy triamcinolone 10mg
Wzbkfh
12 Sep 2022 at 05:57 PMbuy zithromax online <a href="https://azithromycinsp.com/">zithromax usa</a> prednisolone 40mg usa
Yipsfb
09 Sep 2022 at 02:31 AMcheap tadalafil online <a href="https://citdfl.com/">cialis 10mg usa</a> cost prednisone 10mg
Mxtoct
07 Sep 2022 at 11:16 PMbuy generic acetazolamide 250mg <a href="https://viasdf.com/">sildenafil 50 mg</a> oral singulair 10mg
Yidjni
06 Sep 2022 at 09:23 AM