If you had to sum up the Benelli M2 semi-auto in one word it would be, ‘practical’. It has been designed like every semi-auto should be, where function dictates design. After all most semi-autos are workhorses. They are not designed to look pretty; they are designed to perform even in…
Semi-automatics
How to choose the right shotgun and cartridge for pigeon shooting
Shotguns and cartridges for pigeon shooting First off, what sort of gun would be best for you out in the pigeon field? Invest in the best gun you can afford. This doesn’t mean you have to buy new, there are plenty of good quality second-hand guns around. A properly made…
The Breda Xanthos – cheap but holds its own against more expensive rivals
The Breda Xanthos is not expensive but bears comparison with its more pricey competitors
Beretta A400 Upland 12-bore
It seems to be the season to review semi-automatics, with the latest offering — a new A400 Upland 12-bore — coming from Beretta. This one is a little sexed up compared with our last two camouflaged offerings, with a wooden stock and nickel-plated action, complete with some pheasant and partridge…
Breda 3.5SM Kyrptek Mandrake
This month’s gun on test is a 12-bore with a pretty impressive name: Breda 3.5in Super Magnum in Kryptek Mandrake camouflage. Researching the camouflage pattern revealed it’s designed for hunting in dark timber or Georgia pines and excels in dark forest surroundings or the jungle. I’m not sure the average…
Winchester SX4 Waterfowl Hunter 20-bore
“Can you test the new Winchester SX4 Waterfowl Hunter,” came the request and, of course, my response was “no problem”. Having looked on semi-autos with a little disdain, I had so much fun shooting the last one on test I ended up buying one. I’ve used it in the pigeon…
Browning Gold Hunter
The Gold model was introduced to the Browning catalogue in 1995 and was offered in a variety of configurations for the clay target and field markets. The target models tended to come in a 2¾in chambering, while the field versions were 3in or 3½in. The clay shot had a wide…
Savage A22 Target rifle reviewed by Shooting Times
Here in Britain we are a little thin on the ground when it comes to good semi-automatic .22 rimfires for vermin control. The old stalwarts were the Ruger 10/22, the odd smattering of Anschütz and CZ models and the excellent Remington 597. Savage’s new range of A22 semi-auto rimfires, available…
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
This month, we assess the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 semi-automatic as a wildfowling gun. Fowling and pigeon shooting are probably the two most common uses in the UK, other than perhaps law enforcement and military, for semi-auto shotguns. If you turned up on a driven day with one, you…
How to clean and care for a semi-auto shotgun
A lot of issues will be avoided simply by taking 10 minutes to clean your gun properly every time you’ve used it. In the long run it will pay dividends to do so and ultimately save you money should you want to trade it in or sell it on. I…
Remington V3
While I was at the British Shooting Show in February, I took the opportunity to get around and see what was coming out. I was taken with the Remington V3 and asked if I could take a good look at it. I’ve been a Remington fan since buying my first…
Three secondhand lightweight 12-bores
“I have turned 70 and, although I can still walk fair distances, the 8lb Sporter I use for all of my shooting has become rather too heavy. I am therefore looking for a lightweight 12-bore – either O/U or semi-auto. Recoil doesn’t bother me too much as nowadays as I…
The best second-hand semi-autos for under £850
“I wish to buy a semi-auto, mainly for clays but also for a little pigeon shooting. I don’t really want to spend more than £850, and I want one made by one of the major, well-established manufacturers.” Finding a bargain second-hand semi-auto Did you know up to 75 per cent…
Remington Model 597 HB reviewed by Shooting Times
Having tested the Remington Model 783 stalking rifle, a new version of the ubiquitous Model 597 semi-automatic rimfire landed at my door. With few choices in rimfire semi-autos available to shooters, and many vermin shooters favouring the speed and agility that a lightweight semi-automatic has to offer, the Remington 597…
Should you shoot pigeons with a semi-auto?
The gun you choose to shoot pigeons — whether decoyed, flighting or roosting — should always be given maximum thought if you are to shoot to the best of your ability. The gun must suit you and the bore size, weight, length of barrels and, of great importance, the gun…
Armsan A620 Combo
Having recently opened a junior section at our local wildfowling club, I was duly asked by several of our members to suggest a potential option for their respective youngsters. The choice was an easy one for me because I had seen a suitable candidate a few months earlier and have…
Second-hand super semi-auto shotguns
Mike George advises on buying second-hand semi-auto shotguns Over the years the Italians have made some super semi-autos. In the 1970s, Franchi autos were a great favourite among pigeon shooters while some of the Berettas from the 1980s – notably the A302 and the A303 – were legendary for their…
Hatsan Escort semi-auto shotgun review
The Hatsan Escort semi-auto shotgun is a Turkish-built semi automatic that creates a stir on price alone
Benelli 828U 12-bore
With this series of guns, Benelli has cast aside convention. A newcomer to over-and-under guns, the company has previously been more concerned with the manufacture of semi-automatic shotguns, an area where it also broke the mould with its patented inertia drive system. Benelli’s semi-autos don’t use the pressure of the charge in the barrel to cycle the bolt (gas operation),…
Second-hand guns for gamekeepers and clayshooters
Winchester Model 23 Side-by-side classes in major sporting contests don’t seem to be as popular as they were, which is a pity because they formed a friendly link between clay and gameshooting. Nevertheless, using a side-by-side for club Sporting targets can be great fun, as well as sharpening up the reflexes ready for the autumn. Of course,…