When you have a really bad day!

[Zetter]

As we kick of with game season this weekend I thought I would try a bit of sharpening up practice on driven clays at the local ground just prior to our first day.

All was going well and I was feeling sharp until the last stand when I got a bit more recoil and noticed an object that wasnt the wad or clay heading outwards. After breaking the gun and checking the barrel I noticed that the bottom choke had parted company with the gun. The object I saw heading out was the choke and the last 3" of the barrel was nicely bulged .

So basically my favourite Browning XS that had gone through thick and thin with me for the past five years is now toast as my gunsmith thinks it will be more than the gun is worth to sort it / I will end up with 27" barrels down from 30".

Current theory is the choke had worked its way loose. Though I had checked them the stand before and I have never had issues with these chokes working loose ever even on a round of 100 clays. On the plus side I wasn't hurt and to be honest didn't notice apart from a slight increase in recoil and the choke coming out the end of the barrel.

Feeling pretty gutted really as I do have a couple of backup guns including a newly acquired Miroku 20 bore I was going to start using later this season but I guess now its time for it to take centre stage now. I am now thinking I am going to have to sell the wood (its a nice bit of timber) and start saving for a new clay gun .

 

[alan]

I am selling a very nice Browning 325 multi-choke for my pal who is not in the best of health. Not only will you get the gun you will get a complete set of chokes (with I think) a couple added, plus I have to get rid of his cartridges, so I'm throwing in 200 No. 7s FOC. If you (or anyone else ) is interested please get in touch. The gun, chokes, gunslip and cartridges total cost £800.
regards
Alan

 

[Zetter]

Cheers Alan

I am going to have a think overall and will defiantly consider it. Still in mourning at the moment as it was my go to gun for years.

Best Regards Neil

 

[Len the dog]

If there's a positive to take from your unfortunate experience, it's that this didn't happen on the first shot of the first drive of the first day.

 

[shakey jake]

could you put alans barrels on your stock? kind of like triggers broom? no clue if im saying a do able idea

 

[Zetter]

If there's a positive to take from your unfortunate experience, it's that this didn't happen on the first shot of the first drive of the first day.

Yes Len there is that its what the gunsmith said. Bet the bird wouldnt have been happy if it had copped the choke as well as the shot

 

[Len the dog]

Yes Len there is that its what the gunsmith said. Bet the bird wouldnt have been happy if it had copped the choke as well as the shot

Especially if it was a going away shot.

 

[Zetter]

could you put alans barrels on your stock? kind of like triggers broom? no clue if im saying a do able idea

The best option would be to put my wood into an x25 action but currently I am having a think on what to do. Especially as I was planning to move over to the 20bore for game shooting so I may look for a pure clay gun next however funds are a bit low atm so im not rushing into things.