Recommended purchases

[Reynard]

I had been considering a crossbow as I hate filling out forms :-) however, the shotgun certificate makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately being skint neither is really an option for me until the new year. I was wondering if you needed a reason for getting a SC? I don't have my own land on which to shoot and I certainly do not need one for my profession... so would it be a good idea to join a club that shoots clays a while before applying?

My budget for the gun and cabinet would be in the region of £500, does anyone have any recommendations on makes and models for both the cabinet and the gun?