Help choosing first shot gun

[femalehunter]

First post so please be kind!

About 6 months ago I got my firearm licence and my now ex started teaching me to hunt as he is an avid and experienced hunter.
I have really taken to it, and love it, however we have now split up and I don't want to give up hunting, but I have zero friends or family who have experience or are even interested, so here I am lol

I have a few questions I will ask over the next few weeks, but my first questions is about buying my first shotgun.

The shot gun of his I was using, and loved was a 12 gauge under and over - no idea the make, and at least 20 years old, it is a beautiful gun. I want to start my collection with this type of gun, so I am hoping for some suggestions. I know I will need to hold the shotgun to get a feel of it before I buy anything,
I am still feeling a little bit shy to go into a gun shop on my own and ask these questions, so until I am feeling a bit less shy, I would appreciate some suggestions I can look at online. I have a budget of about 2k, but would spend more if it was to purchase something of good quality.

I am planning on shooting bunnies and clay targets to begin with and I have submitted my permit to acquire already.

Thanks

[Ratsmitglied]

A good place to start would be to look at the listings on places like AllGuns, OzGunSales and UsedGuns, and get a feel for what is available in the marketplace. With your budget you can probably pick up a second-hand Miroku or a Browning, both of which should be a reasonable shotgun depending on age and how it's been looked after.

You're already aware that you are going to need to actually handle a few guns before buying anything, so that's a good start. With shotguns you also have to think of things like barrel length, stock style, rib height, sighting beads, etc., which can all affect how the shotgun feels for you to handle.

Someone from Victoria may be able to point to you a shop that is friendly and will be able to help you out.

[Oldbloke]

A good place to start would be to look at the listings on places like AllGuns, OzGunSales and UsedGuns, and get a feel for what is available in the marketplace. With your budget you can probably pick up a second-hand Miroku or a Browning, both of which should be a reasonable shotgun depending on age and how it's been looked after.

You're already aware that you are going to need to actually handle a few guns before buying anything, so that's a good start. With shotguns you also have to think of things like barrel length, stock style, rib height, sighting beads, etc., which can all affect how the shotgun feels for you to handle.

Someone from Victoria may be able to point to you a shop that is friendly and will be able to help you out.

Good advice.

Welcome to the forum.

Since you want to both hunt and clay shoot don't go too specialised. You will want changeable chokes too, not fixed.

U/O is a good choice but perhaps consider side x side too.

Perhaps visit the local clay target club. They will be happy to help.

Dont know where you are but I always recommend John and Paul.

http://www.centrewayfirearms.com.au/

[rc42]

U/O is by far the best for clay shooting, at competitive levels it's all people use, they will be good for hunting too although more serious hunters will likely go to a lever release to get fast follow up shots but with 6 shells ready to go instead of 2.

Don't overlook the budget Turkish U/O or even pre-loved guns, for occasional use they are all good, often more money just gets you nicer looking wood and engraving.
Starting with a low cost model is also a good plan as "Gun Fit" will matter one day but until you can mount the gun quickly and consistently you can't check for proper fit, so for a first gun don't worry about it too much.

If you stick with the hobby, the gun you start with is unlikely to be your main gun in the future so don't over think it.

[GQshayne]

What I know about shotguns probably amounts to a bit less than you. So no advice from me on that front.

However on the issues of getting started, I would advise you join a club or two. Your nearest clay target club would be a good start. If you have a look around on the internet, I think you will find other groups that may be good for you too.

The Sporting Shooters Association has a publication called Australian Womens Shooter. There is a Facebook page of the same name. I receive this quarterly magazine with my normal SSAA mag, Australian Shooter. I read every issue. As you would expect, it is aimed directly at women, and regularly has articles suitable for newcomers. I think it will be a good source of info for you.