Shotguns for the new season under £6,000

If you are lucky enough to be looking for a new gun for the coming season?s shooting then you will probably be bewildered by the sheer range of choice available to you.

Whether you?re looking for an over-under or side-by-side, second hand or brand new, English or continental, £5,000 can get you an awful lot of shotgun.

As ever, the best advice I can give is to go and see your local gun dealer, ask as many questions as you can and try as many guns as you can.

The type of shooting you will predominantly be taking on throughout the season should dictate the type and specifications of the gun you buy.

If, for example, you will mainly be walking-up hedges then no matter how appealing a 12 bore over-under with 32? barrels looks, it is not the right one for you.

Similarly, though a gun?s appearance is an important factor in your decision to purchase, especially at this price point, you must not let a gun’s looks be the deciding factor, no matter how fine the engraving or how well figured the stock.

Of course, we all hope that our latest gleaming shooting tool will be the subject of discussion amongst our fellow guns, but ultimately you will be judged on the quality of your shooting, not how shiny your gun is.

Gun fit is essential
Once you have made your purchase, make sure you go and get the gun properly fitted. If you have never had your measurements taken, then book a session at a shooting school and get it done now.

Remember it is quite possible your body shape will change over time and this can have a dramatic impact on gun fit, so if you haven?t had it done for a few years then now might be the time.

Having a gun altered to your measurements can make an enormous difference to your enjoyment and success when shooting.

Technique before cartridges
A question I am asked every season is which cartridges and chokes to select for a particular gun.

This really is down to personal preference, though getting it right can certainly make it more likely you will get consistently clean kills.

However, I always say the wrong choke and the wrong cartridge aimed at the perfect place will be successful, and the right cartridge and the right choke aimed at the wrong place never will.

If, after your careful purchase, meticulous alterations and cartridge selections you can?t hit a thing, don?t blame it on the gun.

Don?t be so proud as to be unable to admit the failing is yours – get down to a shooting school and ask for some help.

Not only will it make you happier, it will mean your new investment won?t go to waste.

AYA Number Two shotgun

£5,145
This excellent gun from Spanish maker AYA is essentially a copy of the nine pin Holland & Holland Royal sidelock shotgun.

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