The firearm thread

**ManDownUnder** · 21st February 2007, 10:56

Originally Posted by Mr Merde

What size shot would you be thinking using.

What range will you be firing from.

If it was me I would be looking at #4 or #5 shot as it has a little bit more striking power and range than #7.

Better a miss than a wound. Better to be able reach out that little further. All it means is that you will have to be a bit more accurate.

Jesus - too many questions!

err.. shotgun... not a very long barrel with a range of chokes. Will buy ammo onsite at the shoot (so I expect they'll know best.

I'm not too hot with a shotty (not bad when I had my 20 ga) but I figure the practice will sure halp... 200 rounds at moving targets, and I don't even have to yell "PULL!"

The same's true of the .22 of course - and cheaper to run.

**Mr Merde** · 21st February 2007, 11:02

I'm not a shotgun expert but do own a few.

Easy to use. #4 or #5 will reach out just that little bit further, could mean the difference between a clean kill or a wound.

#7 would be good for 40-50 yards, after that the spread and the size of the pellets may count against it.

**Sniper** · 21st February 2007, 11:24

Hmm, knowledgable fellow Mr Merde, I shall watch you with great interest and pick your brains in regards to shotguns when I can

**Mr Merde** · 21st February 2007, 12:12

Originally Posted by Sniper

Hmm, knowledgable fellow Mr Merde, I shall watch you with great interest and pick your brains in regards to shotguns when I can

Not really.

Like all firearms, I want to learn more. Therefore I practice, I read, I pick the brains of those who know the subject better than I.

Shotguns and the use of intrigue me. Prior to comming to NZ I had very little experience of them. Now I love using them.

A good shotgun points really naturally.

You dont so much as aim but just fire in the diection of where you think the target is going to be.

A whole new skill I have had to learn.

Even the reloading of shotshells is intriguing. Not that far from reloading for cartridges but interesting in its differences.

In my youth I spent a lot of time at a shotgun makers in London. Purdey. Just admiring the workmanship of what they were producing.

**Smokin** · 21st February 2007, 13:02

most people will be using #4 shot 1 1/4 oz, I wouldnt buy it on site MDU, he seems to only be there to rob the hunters that came unprepaired, The local CRT has been the cheapest seller we have come across for the last 2 years by quite a margin, From memory they have one in Alexandra as well. I'll pop into town in a minute and have a talk to them and see if I can buy it here and pick it up down there, if they will I'll send you a PM.
Last year the price difference between CRT and the chap in Alexandra was $40 per box. He's a Thief.
The problem I have with pump actions is that when you reload, the racking of the slide tends to pull your sights off target and when there is a 1/2 a dozen rabbits taking off infront of you speed and quick re-aiming as you go from bunny to bunny is a real advantage.

Pumps can be good but semi autos kick ass

**Mr Merde** · 21st February 2007, 13:10

Originally Posted by Smokin

most people will be using #4 shot 1 1/4 oz, I wouldnt buy it on site MDU, he seems to only be there to rob the hunters that came unprepaired, The local CRT has been the cheapest seller we have come across for the last 2 years by quite a margin, From memory they have one in Alexandra as well. I'll pop into town in a minute and have a talk to them and see if I can buy it here and pick it up down there, if they will I'll send you a PM.
Last year the price difference between CRT and the chap in Alexandra was $40 per box. He's a Thief.
The problem I have with pump actions is that when you reload, the racking of the slide tends to pull your sights off target and when there is a 1/2 a dozen rabbits taking off infront of you speed and quick re-aiming as you go from bunny to bunny is a real advantage.

Pumps can be good but semi autos kick ass

I thought that #4 would be the one to go for.
Loaning MDU a Winchester 1200 Defender pump action. (not using it for a while).
It currently has a 20" barrel on it which makes it easy to follow with. I can slot a 28 inch barrel on. What do you think? 20" or 28".

Last time this shotgun was used was for possums. Worked well.

Havent got a semi to loan unfortunately.

**Smokin** · 21st February 2007, 13:15

Originally Posted by Mr Merde

I thought that #4 would be the one to go for.
Loaning MDU a Winchester 1200 Defender pump action. (not using it for a while).
It currently has a 20" barrel on it which makes it easy to follow with. I can slot a 28 inch barrel on. What do you think? 20" or 28".

Last time this shotgun was used was for possums. Worked well.

Havent got a semi to loan unfortunately.

20" is fast to point and awesome in at the closer range stuff but I think the 28" will let him reach out and touch the Bunnies abit easier.
Damn good of you to lend it by the way.

**Mr Merde** · 21st February 2007, 13:19

Originally Posted by Smokin

20" is fast to point and awesome in at the closer range stuff but I think the 28" will let him reach out and touch the Bunnies abit easier.
Damn good of you to lend it by the way.

Just gathering dust in the safe place. Someone might as well get some use out of it.

It was the first firearm I bought after comming to NZ 4 years ago. Love shooting it but dont have anywhere near to where I live that I can. Always take it with me when I go up north to a mates farm.

**0arbreaka** · 21st February 2007, 19:13

Im hoping to get a half decent semi auto for duck season and probably a bit bunny hunting, any recomendations on a 12g? I cant spend mega bucks.
My side by side is a heap of shit (got a bit of pitting in the barrel as my grandad didnt clean it well) and probably needs to be refurbished at some stage because it used to be really nice.

**Smokin** · 21st February 2007, 20:23

There used to be one called the commando, well I think thats what it was called, made by browning without the expensive name on it. A good sub $1000 shooter from what I understand.
From memory Hunting and Fishing stores sold them.

**Mr Merde** · 21st February 2007, 20:34

Originally Posted by patd0g

Im hoping to get a half decent semi auto for duck season and probably a bit bunny hunting, any recomendations on a 12g? I cant spend mega bucks.
My side by side is a heap of shit (got a bit of pitting in the barrel as my grandad didnt clean it well) and probably needs to be refurbished at some stage because it used to be really nice.

Havent had the pleasure of owning a semi 12 guage yet. Few of my mates bought shotguns from Neil Hayes at http://http://www.hayesandassociates.co.nz/ege_silah.htm

Not too bad a price and they seem to have fun with them. I dont know if they are rated for steel but if not you could always go to the 20 guage. Its only 12guage that is required to use steel shot. You can still use lead with all the other calibers.

Only problem with going to a different guage would be the cost of the ammo and the fact that there would be less pellets in the air. Your aim would have to be a lot better and I dont think you would get the distance of the 12.

What sort of SxS is it that your grand dad left you?
Hammerless or hammers?
There are some really competant gunsmiths in this country that could tidy it up and do a restore. If the barrel isnt to badly pitted then it may be able to have them backbored and the nost of it removed.

Back boring is like honing a cylinder on an engine except it is wider at the breech end than the muzzle. You can have it done to a sawn off and it works the same a a choke.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

**0arbreaka** · 21st February 2007, 21:01

its a hammerless one, its a french brand, I cant remember the name so ill have to have a look and get back to you.

**Mr Merde** · 21st February 2007, 21:14

Originally Posted by patd0g

its a hammerless one, its a french brand, I cant remember the name so ill have to have a look and get back to you.

The French make good shotguns. St Etienne is renowned for its gunmakers. Similar to Birmingham and London except that they are still active in France.

Fired my first suppressed weapon in that town.

.22 bolt action with an integral suppressor. Shot it in the basement of the shop it was made in. Lovely rifle. Very quiet.

**Smokin** · 21st February 2007, 21:18

Have a look at the Escort range, Good prices.

http://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Shotguns.html#escort

**scumdog** · 21st February 2007, 21:20

Originally Posted by Mr Merde

The French make good shotguns. St Etienne is renowned for its gunmakers. Similar to Birmingham and London except that they are still active in France.

Fired my first suppressed weapon in that town.

.22 bolt action with an integral suppressor. Shot it in the basement of the shop it was made in. Lovely rifle. Very quiet.

I use a take-down French made Gevarm .22 with silencer, 765mm overall length - very sneaky, very quiet.