Hmmmm, I though that there was more of a difference for a s/s in the field than tradition.

I always thought that one of the reasons that s/s remain in the field is that a s/s doesn't break as far as an o/u i.e. to get that bottom cart into an o/u you have to break the gun and the angle of dangle is quite a way.

This has advantages when walking when broken. 1, the barrels are further off the ground and 2, there is not so far to close the gun when you want it pronto.

Originally Posted by Infiltrator

Hmmmm, I though that there was more of a difference for a s/s in the field than tradition.

I always thought that one of the reasons that s/s remain in the field is that a s/s doesn't break as far as an o/u i.e. to get that bottom cart into an o/u you have to break the gun and the angle of dangle is quite a way.

This has advantages when walking when broken. 1, the barrels are further off the ground and 2, there is not so far to close the gun when you want it pronto.

s/s is much faster to load/reload.

Lanber sporter with 28" barrels. Good looking, reliable, multi-choke gun. You can pick them up second hand for around 250 quid and you won't look back.

You can put anything through it - I used to use 46g of BBs (choked 1/2 and 1/2) for foxes and 28g of 7s (choked 1/4 and 3/4 for pigeons.

Cheap guns are cheap for a reason! Old S/S have shorter chambers, ding easily and you'll regret not having a multi-choke when you are shooting piegeons one day and high pheasants the next.

My reason for suggesting a s/s was that for his budget you will get a far nicer s/s than ou.
If you want an OU, I would suggest saving for a browning,beretta or miroku.

had a look at the lanbers, seem to be only just over the 400 mark brand new.
hmmmm the possibilities

Baikal s/s hammergun - it has a certain style............. and can be had almost brand new for about £50....

Originally Posted by armr617

Pretty much as the title says really.
Have applied for membership of my local shoot (MOD land), will be looking to get my cert next month.
I am going to be slightly limited on funding so need to find a half decent OU that will do the lot, and not look too pikey in front of the brig!

If you are near Newark at the end of this month,get along to the Shooting Show.Sure to see lots of options there and be able to ask plenty of questions.

Originally Posted by armr617

Pretty much as the title says really.
Have applied for membership of my local shoot (MOD land), will be looking to get my cert next month.
I am going to be slightly limited on funding so need to find a half decent OU that will do the lot, and not look too pikey in front of the brig!

Depends on how snobby the shoot is, personally f... 'em if they insist on side by side, I've always gone for sst o/u's, Browning, Aya & Miroku. My favourite was a lovely 12 bore 26" Miroku skeet gun, a bit heavy but it never gave me any problems in nearly 30 years of all sorts of shooting! It knocked the birds & clays down equally well and I didn't have to worry about scratching the stock when rough shooting, its HOW WELL you shoot, not the fancy expensive tool you use that I found important! I have seen numpties turning up to shoots with flash new Range Rovers and Purdeys who couldnt hit a barn door and in some cases were dangerously careless with their gun handling. So check with the gun captain on the etiquette etc of that particular shoot and if possible get a few lessons under your belt! If you start "wiping the brigs eye" after he has missed a few easy birds, he will possibly be annoyed but have to respect your marksmanship!

Originally Posted by The_Duke

AYA No 4 boxlock s/s. Will not look out of place at all, and it is all about where you point it rather than how the barrels are configured, contrary to what devilishdave believes his o/u allows him to do.

I shoot s/s and regularly wipe the eye of people shooting far more expensive o/u's.

For the occasional game shot, I would recommend an o/u. For £400 you can get a reasonable second-hand Lanber or something of that ilk. The reason being that a s/s is generally harder to shoot well for a beginner, so it takes a lot more practice to hit with the same consistency as an o/u.

At my reasonably high-ranked MOD shoot, the majority of shots use o/us, including brigadiers. I have an AyA 25 sidelock s/s and the Duke can confirm that I wipe a lot of people's eyes using that model; even his! :D

I shoot occasionally on an MoD shoot and there is always a wide variety of weaponry on display. Everything from o/u's to 18th Century flintlocks! Nobody will look down on you for what you use, but if you make a complete c*nt of yourself or are downright dangerous you won't be asked to return! I usually carry a Belgian 12 bore hammer gun from about 1890 which I got for about £100. It has served me well for about twenty years.