Which Shotgun?

[Dave Lakes]

Looking for some advice, I’ve currently got an old AYA s/s which is used for everything shotgun based (except the .410 hush for squirrels). While it’s ok, it’s not that accurate or robust, or able to take steel shot.

So I’m thinking about getting something more practical, and keeping the side by side for the odd driven/walked day. I would be using it for clays, pigeon, wildfowl, vermin, rough shooting, a bit of everything really.

I’m wondering whether it’s best to get a semi auto (non-fac, can’t be bothered with the paperwork), or a solid but smart o/u (something like a Silver Pigeon), or a cheaper o/u and cheaper semi together?

Or do I just buy that lovely AYA 117 on here and carry on like a gentleman!

Anyone been in the same boat, what did you end up with? Any opinions welcome.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Your aya will be fine with standard steel loads unless for some odd reason it has really tight chokes?

You say it’s not that accurate or robust, but AYA’s are very well made guns, and accuracy with a shotgun comes down to you and what you do with the gun and how well it fits you….

 

[Greenmist]

The one that fits you, I had an old AYA No4, beautiful gun which I struggled to hit much with, I also have a sec1 pump for vermin, I then got myself a beretta 686, it certainly fits me better and is a lot better to shoot than the others. Regardless of make, get the one that fits you or can be made to fit you

 

[David.evans]

The 3rd shot sometimes comes in handy , if you shoot anything like me
Atb

 

[Dave Lakes]

Your aya will be fine with standard steel loads unless for some odd reason it has really tight chokes?

You say it’s not that accurate or robust, but AYA’s are very well made guns, and accuracy with a shotgun comes down to you and what you do with the gun and how well it

It’s 3/4 choke on one barrel, so I would get away with steel for a while but it’s not ideal. The cost of getting a choke opened up probably isn’t worth it.

It’s solid enough, but it’s not getting any younger, and I just wondered if something a bit more modern and practical was worthwhile.

 

[Dave Lakes]

The 3rd shot sometimes comes in handy , if you shoot anything like me
Atb

I think we probably went to the same shooting school!

 

[Dave Lakes]

The one that fits you, I had an old AYA No4, beautiful gun which I struggled to hit much with, I also have a sec1 pump for vermin, I then got myself a beretta 686, it certainly fits me better and is a lot better to shoot than the others. Regardless of make, get the one that fits you or can be made to fit you

Sounds like a similar situation to me. Do you mostly use the 686 over everything else then?

 

[Greenmist]

Sounds like a similar situation to me. Do you mostly use the 686 over everything else then?

Mostly yes

 

[Heym SR20]

AyA are good solid guns. Perfectly usable with standard steel shot provided

1) it is in good condition and barrels are not pitted, worn thin and its not rattling on its hinges

2) chokes are less than 1/2 choke. You can probably shoot with tighter chokes, but it is not advised. Chokes can easily be opened up and cost is few tens of pounds per choke.

Shotguns need to fit you, otherwise difficult to hit with. On clays where you are shooting a known target you can get way with a poorly fitting gun, but on live quarry its much more difficult.

To some extent whether you gun shoots a bit is not so much of an issue. If it shoots low (low comb) or it is wrongly cast so it shoots to the side is much more of an issue.

If you can’t hit with a gun, take it to a smith who knows about fitting a gun to you. These days those who know and understand side by sides are getting fewer.

I am currently having an old side by side chokes opened up and being cast left handed. The bill will be under £300.

 

[TNStalker19]

I have 2 ATA’s for sale that won’t break the bank they’ve barely been used. They shoot straight and are pretty bomb proof

For Sale: - SWAP FOR SEMI SEMI-AUTO

 

[Tazz]

Beretta Silver Pigeon/686 series bomb proof as are Browning 525/725 second hand well looked after models offer a saving on new

 

[Heym SR20]

I do have a Franchi Affinity which I principally use on the foreshore wildfowling. I shoot very well with it and its reliable, but,!and its a big but, it sprays empties all over the place and shooting next to the river or creeks, empties inevitably end up in the water, in the dark and are difficult to find.

I have an over and under - an old AyA Coral and also a cheap Rizzine in 20bore. I have used silver pigeons and brownings. But have come to the conclusion that I much prefer a side by side.

For the last few seasons I have shot plenty of duck, both mallard and teal walked up on the marsh and over flightponds with 28 and 30gram steel 4s - just standard steel out of side by sides.

On the foreshore I do use a 3” heavier steel proof load out of the Franchi as often shooting geese and ranges are a bit longer. But to be honest thinking of going back to my old AyA Yeoman with 2 3/4” cartridges.

 

[Fowler1990]

Fabarm side by sides are fantastic. Multichoke. steel proof. Fit and feel of a O/U

 

[HandB]

I own four of the original Belgian made Browning Auto 5 semi autos (2 FAC and 2 non FAC) and I like them as they combine traditional blued steel and walnut aesthetics with excellent functioning. They cost between £90 and £450 each and shoot accurately for me. So I would recommend you have a go on one of those with the caveat that they are choosy about cartridge length, so you need to use 70mm cartridges for best cycling. You also need to set the friction rings for the power of the cartridge. They use a long recoil system so need less cleaning than gas guns as the fouling gets blasted out the muzzle. I just pull through a bore snake and put them away after shooting.

N.B The barrels on these guns are interchangeable so I use one of them with a Miroku made A5 multichoke barrel which is chrome lined and steel shot proofed as it gives me that flexibility in pellet choice.

 

[Overlay]

Got 3 shotguns
.410 which gets used for HD and Rabbiting

Browning 20 o/u for posh days out and pigeon shooting

Browning 12 gauge A5 mk 2 ( had the original for many many years ) changed over this season and for everything else including wildfowling, clay pigeon etc etc

If I had to choose I would keep both A5 for fowling and the 20 for game and pigeons

 

[Dave Lakes]

I do have a Franchi Affinity which I principally use on the foreshore wildfowling. I shoot very well with it and its reliable, but,!and its a big but, it sprays empties all over the place and shooting next to the river or creeks, empties inevitably end up in the water, in the dark and are difficult to find.

I have an over and under - an old AyA Coral and also a cheap Rizzine in 20bore. I have used silver pigeons and brownings. But have come to the conclusion that I much prefer a side by side.

For the last few seasons I have shot plenty of duck, both mallard and teal walked up on the marsh and over flightponds with 28 and 30gram steel 4s - just standard steel out of side by sides.

On the foreshore I do use a 3” heavier steel proof load out of the Franchi as often shooting geese and ranges are a bit longer. But to be honest thinking of going back to my old AyA Yeoman with 2 3/4” cartridges.

That is one of the main things that puts me off a semi, spraying shells everywhere, although I know you can get little magnetic catchers. I also can’t help but feel that 3 shots is a bit pointless for me, and I don’t really want to go down the FAC route.

To be honest, I had a bit of a scare when my AYA broke on a day this season, which originally got me thinking about getting a solid backup. Once I got into that, it made sense to get something that was a bit more friendly to clay shooting and the foreshore, which is how I’ve ended up looking at solid o/u guns and semis, but the errs nothing quite as nice as a side by side!

 

[Heym SR20]

That is one of the main things that puts me off a semi, spraying shells everywhere, although I know you can get little magnetic catchers. I also can’t help but feel that 3 shots is a bit pointless for me, and I don’t really want to go down the FAC route.

To be honest, I had a bit of a scare when my AYA broke on a day this season, which originally got me thinking about getting a solid backup. Once I got into that, it made sense to get something that was a bit more friendly to clay shooting and the foreshore, which is how I’ve ended up looking at solid o/u guns and semis, but the errs nothing quite as nice as a side by side!

FAC shotguns are technically illegal to use on game and wildfowl.

As for the AyA going down - all guns do require occasional repair and servicing. Majority of AyAs these days will be 40 plus years old but most repairs are pretty simple. 40 year Berretta’s will also need the odd bit of repair.

 

[Lever357]

Personally, I would always go down the used Beretta or Browning route than one of the Turkish brands - I know people have bought them and had issues and my gunsmith doesn't rate them. Plenty guns about as it's a terrible time to be selling so take your pick.

 

[Dave Lakes]

FAC shotguns are technically illegal to use on game and wildfowl.

As for the AyA going down - all guns do require occasional repair and servicing. Majority of AyAs these days will be 40 plus years old but most repairs are pretty simple. 40 year Berretta’s will also need the odd bit of repair.

Another good reason to avoid the FAC route then!

Very true, I’m looking to go a bit newer on an O/U though, and the silver pigeon in particular looks amazingly easy to strip down yourself.

 

[Heym SR20]

Another good reason to avoid the FAC route then!

Very true, I’m looking to go a bit newer on an O/U though, and the silver pigeon in particular looks amazingly easy to strip down yourself.

Any boxlock is very simple to strip, and AyA spares are easy enough to come by. However many parts on even things like Berretas do need fitting and potentially hardening. Fitting will need a little filing, stone or polish.