any info on zabala xl90 12g

[mousey01]

I've just started clay shooting and have been looking at a new zabala xl90 12g shot gun. I just wondered if anyone had any experience of one and if they were good value for money.

[The Claw]

Hello Mousey and welcome to the forum !

Although personally I have little knowledge of the 'Zabala', it does sound like one of the very many reasonably priced new guns on the market. I am relatively new to clay shooting and found myself in your position when I was purchasing my new gun, the advice from other shooters was paramount in making my decision.
What is your budget, that is probably what has attracted you to the zabala Do you want a brand spanker or will second hand be of interest What type of clay shooting are you going to be shooting If you let me know I'll post a few models to look at and I sure others will have they say

[mousey01]

hi and thanks for replying. i'm not much good with computers so you will have to forgive me for any mistakes. my budget is around £650 and i'm not bothered if i get a new gun or a second hand one. I just went to one of our local shooting shops and he showed me the zabala and said it was good value for money. any ideas would be much appriciated.

[The Claw]

The advice that I received was that you can not go wrong with a Miroku, I bought a very nice 1988 3750 sw grade 3, a rare gun but one I payed a bit over my budget for at around £850. Miroku's are built well, ultra reliable, handle well and also keep their value well, I imagine the zabala would have a poor re-sell value as soon as its taken out the shop.
I assume that you will be shooting sporting layouts ? If so a 3800 or mk38 with 30" barrels would be a good model ( if you find 3750 grab it ) chokes 1/4 + 3/4 fine. The grades define the wood used and the standard of engraving, grade 1 being less frills than a grade 4 say ! same guns with different trimmings personal choices.
If you search on www.guntrader.co.uk/gunsforsale and enter type(shotgun)mechanism (over&under)calibres (12 gauge) then click view guns, you can then refine your search by clicking 'Make' 'Model' etc... Many guns have photo's attached. Gun shops will post to your local shop (for a fee) so don't let location put you off.( and remember to haggle over price !)

Happy hunting

[mousey01]

cheers claw i'll have a look on gun trader and i'll have a look at my local gun shops to see if they have any for me to look at and see how they feel.

[The Claw]

Happy hunting if you need any more help I'll try and point you in the right direction, where to shoot etc

Claw

[mousey01]

went to our local gun shop this morning. I got carried away and bought a baretta 682 silver action, took it out for a trial and it just felt right. totaly smashed my budget but never mind. I'll take it out tomorrow and see if i can hit anything with it.

[The Claw]

Nice one mate ! If It feels right its got to be worth the bit extra Nice that you got the chance to try before you you buy. I'm going to try and make Orston tomorrow, let me know how you get on with your new gun .

Cheers Claw

[mousey01]

went out today to our local shooting club and shot 60 sporting. the beretta seemed far easier to use than the winchester that i've been borrowing. i even managed to up my kill rate to 75% which is far better than the 50% i was getting with the winchester. i don't know if it is in my head but i just seem to get on with it.

[The Claw]

Sounds like you made a good decision in regard to the Beretta, I shot Orston and shot it poorly, no excuses, nice ground and some nice targets, I was just not good enough on the day !!! Got 17 ex 25 on the compac first up which wasn't too bad. Need to to shoot more regular.