shotguns - what to get 4 clay shooting

[Z O O R O P A]

hey yall,

I don't know anything about shotguns but my gf and I would like to get a pair for some clay shooting

I want to stick with over under and side/side designs under 2K$

Gunbroker has some great prices I just don't know what to look for, Im sure my local dealer will bargain too

any recommendations?

many thanks!

 

[Ridgewalker]

What kind of clay shooting-skeet, sporting clays, 5 stand, trap, etc. Since you are a beginner (or even an expert) get either a gun with choke inserts if possible. Otherwise get one with an open choke in one barrel (skeet, improved cylinder, etc) and a moderately tight barrel in the other (modified, etc.) This gives you a better opportunity of hitting while learning where the gun shoots.

For clays of any kind use the lightest loads (I use 7/8 oz most of the time) with lowest velocity possible for anything under 30 yards. You will not be hammered by the loads and it will help prevent recoil shyness. #9 skeet or go with #8 shot. If trap, use #7 1/2 with the modified barrel.

Sporting Clays are the most humbling of the clay shooting sports in my opinion. No matter how good you do one day, they change the course and you are back to square one.

Take a lesson from a pro. Sometimes they discount pretty good with two students at the same time.

Oh yes for guns. If you are looking for a good deal on a SxS, check out Lion Country dog supplies. If you want an O/U, you cannot beat a Beretta or Browning Citori. Both under $2k. The Beretta is lighter than the Browning if you want to hunt all day, but the heavier Browning absorbs recoil better if you are just shooting clays.

O/Us tend to be a little easier to hit with since they have a narrower sighting plane. But I love my AYA #2 SxS for bird hunting. There is just something classic about shooting a well balanced SxS. I also enjoy hunting with an inherited LC Smith SxS from about 1950. It is sort of like carrying a time machine taking you back to the days of Hemingway and Ruark.

What ever you decide to do, have a great time!:luxhello:

 

[Scott Brady]

My Beretta O/U shoots well. No auto ejectors though.

Kimber has some beautiful side-by-sides now too.

 

[Purple People Eater]

x2 for Beretta over/under.

 

[maximumrob]

Brand recommendations will be all over the place, but if you really, really love to shoot, go with a 20-ga. The gun is lighter, you'll swing faster, and the loads won't be felt as deep in the shoulder. All that together means you can shoot more often and longer.

My 28" 12-ga Benelli pump weighs in at 8-lbs loaded. That's a lot of heft after 50 rounds or so. It's a helluva turkey gun, though.



.

 

[Scott Brady]

Good point. I have a lot of rounds through a 16 gauge. The lighter gun and load just takes the edge off.

Then again, my trap gun (1100 Supertrap automatic) is light and has a very light recoil. I don't like shooting it nearly as much as my classic long guns.

 

[Haggis]

If you can, see if you can try out a couple of different guns to see what feels natural to you. I started out using side by sides and nothing else feels right for me when wing shooting. Mine is a Beretta Silverhawk in 12 guage. Sometimes it just takes finding the right gun to fit your needs, so try out as many as possible.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

I shoot Trap a lot. Out in San Diego I used to shoot competetively, and do pretty good. (another reason I can't wait to move back in September)

Let me tell you. I've shot with a cheap Mossberg 500, and I've been out on the line with 16 year old kids with $8,000 Berettas (parents obviously have TOO MUCH MONEY!).

The bottom line is that no matter what gun you use - the gun doesn't aim itself. If you can shoot you'll be fine with just about anything - If you can't shoot, the most expensive gun on the planet won't help you.

As has already been said - comfort is the most important thing. I have always found that your load is more important than the gun you're using. When I was just screwing around and killing time I would shoot Winchester AA Target Loads. For tournaments I would shoot Remington Premier Nitro Gold Sporting Clays Loads.

My shotgun of choice is a Remington 870 Wingmaster Classic Trap

 

[BCcamp]

My wife and I just starting shooting clays and we love it. We are concentrating on skeet and sporting clays, and had never shot a gun of any type before December. Our first step was to find a good instructor at one of the shooting centers nearby. We are in Washington DC, and found Rhys Arthur at Prince George's Trap & Skeet center, a topnotch Level III instructor who has helped us learn the basics and progress at (we think) a rapid pace. Lists of instructors are available on any of the shotgun shooting sites.

We do not own guns (although thinking seriously about it now). Most shooting centers have guns to rent and we decided to go that route before buying our own. There is much to learn about these sports, and it is too easy for the newbie to buy the wrong equipment. We both shoot 12 ga semi-autos using light, 1 oz target loads. This reduces the recoil to almost nothing. Lane started with 20 ga because the 12 was, initially, too heavy for her. Since then she has worked up to the 12 and very much enjoys it.

We are leaning towards semi-autos for our first guns. You can get a lot of gun for the same price as an O/U (Beretta is at the top of our list), and they are fair easier and cheaper to adjust for gun fit. We have learned that our stance, gun mount, and technique is still evolving, and will continue to over the next year or so.

What has surprised us is how much we enjoy it. Great fun, friendly people, and there is nothing better than crushing those little orange disks! Enjoy!

 

[BigAl]

Sporting Clays are the most humbling of the clay shooting sports in my opinion. No matter how good you do one day, they change the course and you are back to square one.

There is a station at our local course where the birds fly straight at you ~15' overhead, but the terrain is such that it fells like they are going to hit you. It is almost a sure miss for new shooters.

X3 on the light loads for the gf.

 

[Mike S]

One of the best O/U guns at a moderate price is the Beretta 686. All the one I have seen have ejectors. For most clay sports the 12 gauge is probably best for several reasons, including inexpensive ammo availability.

Another popular O/U is the Browning Citori - any one of the many models in 12 gauge could be bought within your budget.

M

 

[SLOwag]

Yes to the Browning Citori, I found my trap and sporting clays gun gently used and reasonably priced. It seems like there is always somebody that wants to upgrade their guns and they list them for sale at the range. The benefit of this is you can generally shoot a few rounds with them before purchasingn them.

I like the heavier non-field guns for the range to soak up recoil but I also take a semi-auto before the season starts to regain the feel of a field gun.

I also prefer 12ga as stated above for plentiful cheap ammo if you don't reload yourself.

 

[7wt]

I have always been a Browning guy. I wouldn't trade for my Citori. For the money you listed, you could get several guns. Just go with the one that feels best to you...you will know. Over-unders will be the better bet for under 2K as there is more to choose from. SKS, Weatherby, Browning and Beretta all have fine guns to pick from. I would stay with the 20 gauge as mentioned before if you plan to shoot alot. If you plan on hunting any I'd get a 26" barrel but if you only want to kill clay then you will want a 28" as they have a smoother follow through. I like the light, fast pokey guns but then again I like to see feathers fly so I need something that swings fast and free. If you want to reload you will want a gun with extractors and not ejectors as it's easier to keep track of your spents. Good luck and post a pick of your new baby when you bring her home.