Trap and skeet 12ga. What is the best/your preference and why?

bdft said:
Quite true, if you're just playing around. Some of these guys, me included, would wear out a Mossberg in less than a year. I don't shoot that much but I easily shoot 5000 rounds a year. If you are getting into any clay sport you need at least a 1300.00 gun.
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Respectfully disagree, to an extent here. Good slide-action will hold up as well as a good semi and costs far less. On the other side of that coin a economy slide action won't survive long in clay duty either. Benelli Nova/Supernova, Browning BPS, Remington 870, Ithaca 37, Winchester Model 12 have all proven long-term reliability track records and certainly are worthy of consideration as a clays gun and with the exception of a new Model 12 or 37 can be had for well under $1000.
 
Maritime Storm said:
Respectfully disagree, to an extent here. Good slide-action will hold up as well as a good semi and costs far less. On the other side of that coin a economy slide action won't survive long in clay duty either. Benelli Nova/Supernova, Browning BPS, Remington 870, Ithaca 37, Winchester Model 12 have all proven long-term reliability track records and certainly are worthy of consideration as a clays gun and with the exception of a new Model 12 or 37 can be had for well under $1000.
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From the strict durability standpoint that's true and a pump gun is an eminently suitable choice if you are going to shoot strictly for fun. I still have the pump I started with and still shoot it once in a while. Once your scores start to matter however the pump has certain limitations when shooting anything other than singles trap or handicap.

New shooters should start with whatever gun they have but if bit by the clay target bug they should go out and buy the very best gun they can afford. 5,000 targets a year is a surprisingly easy level to reach and if you are going to spend money on that many targets and shells don't scrimp on the gun. While I don't regret all the guns I've bought and sold over the years I might have been better off if I'd bought my top end gun at the very beginning even if I had to finance it.
 
I have a Remington 31 in 12 gauge with a 30" modified barrel. I have used it for Sporting Clays, Skeet, and Trap and never felt handicapped because it was a pump action. That Model 31 is slick as snot and I can shoot two rounds pretty quick. I paid $180 tax in for the gun and I can say without a doubt it is the best value I've ever gotten. I had to replace one of the magazine retention spring bar and that was only $25.

There are used Wingmaster's, M12's and 37's out there for prices under $500 which will last forever. Saying you have to spend at leas X dollars to get a good gun is hogwash.
 
I shoot clays strictly for fun and am always happy to try a new gun when shooting skeet or trap. My experience mirrors what most other people have already said. Fit is more important than brand or action. I started last year with a Geurini Evo Elipse Sporting and quickly figured out it didn't fit me very well. I sold it and now shoot a 725 Skeet for 12 Ga or a 687 Silver Pigeon II for 20 & 28 GA (with the 28 being my favorite). The Browning and this particular Beretta fit me so much better that I hit more targets and the fun factor is increased for me.

I also shoot an 870 on occasion and my scores don't suffer. I have noted one thing though; almost everyone who comes out on a regular basis with a Stoeger Condor, Maverick 88, or just about any other "bargain" gun, start out with the idea that spending less will not have a detrimental effect on their shooting.

Almost every single one of them is happy with their gun until they are offered a chance to shoot something more suited to high volume clay shooting. The look on their face when they swing a gun that isn't like a 2X4 piece of lumber is something to behold. That's usually the moment they start devising a cunning plan for how to explain to the wife they're going to buy another shotgun that costs "HOW MUCH !!!
 
Yes, that revelation is priceless. It only comes from having shot a cheap gun for a while to see the difference. Like driving a Gremlin for a year, and then someone lets you borrow their Lexus.
 
Right now I'm shooting a Kahn arms o/u with a 20g and 12g barrels. I don't bother with the 12g but use the barrel to hold 410 and 28g tubes. The gun doesn't fit me right and I'm looking to make some adjustments by installing a but pad adjuster and maybe even a comb.

I am looking at the browning citori but have been told that if I'm buying a gun for clays that o should buy a sporting model shotgun instead of a standard one.
The reason I was told is that the sporting are ported and adjustable and also back bored while the field or standard models won't be as well suited to skeet.

Thoughts??
 
BJP said:
Almost every single one of them is happy with their gun until they are offered a chance to shoot something more suited to high volume clay shooting. The look on their face when they swing a gun that isn't like a 2X4 piece of lumber is something to behold. That's usually the moment they start devising a cunning plan for how to explain to the wife they're going to buy another shotgun that costs "HOW MUCH !!!
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I've been on both sides of that event. I knew after the first time I shot a Perazzi MX8 that I wanted one. Now that I have one I will often let other shooters try it to see the same reaction.
 
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I've been shooting field grade pumps and semi autos far more than my 725.

Taking doubles with a pump just gets you more involved. Even racking the thing to load it adds a visceral touch.

I'm concerned when I miss, but I also don't give a care to my score. Once I start competing, the fun is gone.

And since this isn't my living, if it's not fun, it has no point.
 
I started off shooting my 870 express and was hitting 23/25. Doubles never bothered me. But the express wasn't made for that kind of abuse and the chamber didn't like target load regardless of make. Even after some polishing. It is now solely a hunting gun and I have the inexpensive Kahn Arms o/u but it will wear out eventually and doesn't fit me right. The more I shoot the more I learn about fit.
 
Jdiep said:
So then what are some good guns under or around 2000 to start out that are reliable to shoot thousands of clays.
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A used browning or beretta.
You won't find what you want new without sacrificing something. Like the franchi is great and cheap but it's light which means more felt recoil and a swing that might be too fast.
 
Thank you. Used is the way to go! What about a o/u fias ivr been looking for info on one but can't find any since it's Italian made.
 
Think "Sabatti"... If you've got 2K to spend go with a used B gun (eg Beretta 686 sporting model) If you had 1k to spend go with the Sabatti (FIAS). The 686 will go the distance, and if it doesn't there are support resources in Canada. Cant attest to the Sabatti in the same manner...
 
Right now I'm stuck between two nice wingmaster and a beautiful BPS for clays. After shooting this weekend 2 will be going up for sale. Your sx3 is a great gun, but get it fitted and put a shell catcher on it. I'm sure once that is done you'll shoot better
 
Guys, we need to get past this stigma and thought process that one HAS to have an O/U to shoot skeet. I would never be caught dead telling a new person that they have to an O/U, they need a gun that fits, they need a gun that is durable, they need to learn the fundamentals of the game, they do not need to have a Kreighoff, Perazzi or Kolar to shoot skeet because another member has one. Fit & fundamentals are important, the name on the gun is irrelevant to the target. I've seen people get stuck in this need to have an O/U, sell a decent gun that works for them, and then spend a year trying to figure out why their scores dropped. I recently sold my O/U, found my myself caught in this stigma, I shoot every bit as well my Benelli Nova or Winchester Model 12 as did with my O/U, but I have a heck of a lot more fun doing it. It works for me, if your Beretta 686 Gold or K-80 works for you, great, stick with it. One of my junior members picked-up the sport last fall, saved up his money to pay for his first gun, a Mossberg 500 Bantam 20ga, loads his on shells and regularly beats the pants off his father, who shoots an O/U. He comes out, he great time and more importantly he keeps coming back for more. He is currently averaging low 20's, his best round is a 24, I ain't messing with that. We want to bring more people into the fold, not price them out of the sport.
 
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Maritime Storm said:
Guys, we need to get past this stigma and thought process that one HAS to have an O/U to shoot skeet. I would never be caught dead telling a new person that they have to an O/U, they need a gun that fits, they need a gun that is durable, they need to learn the fundamentals of the game, they do not need to have a Kreighoff, Perazzi or Kolar to shoot skeet because another member has one. Fit & fundamentals are important, the name on the gun is irrelevant to the target. I've seen people get stuck in this need to have an O/U, sell a decent gun that works for them, and then spend a year trying to figure out why their scores dropped. I recently sold my O/U, found my myself caught in this stigma, I shoot every bit as well my Benelli Nova or Winchester Model 12 as did with my O/U, but I have a heck of a lot more fun doing it. It works for me, if your Beretta 686 Gold or K-80 works for you, great, stick with it. One of my junior members picked-up the sport last fall, saved up his money to pay for his first gun, a Mossberg 500 Bantam 20ga, loads his on shells and regularly beats the pants off his father, who shoots an O/U. He comes out, he great time and more importantly he keeps coming back for more. He is currently averaging low 20's, his best round is a 24, I ain't messing with that. We want to bring more people into the fold, not price them out of the sport.
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Totally agree.
 
Well - The OP has stated (post 24) that he wants an O\U because he shoots left and his SX3 flings shells in his face... Previous posts have explained the importance of fit to him, rather than brand or action type...
FWIW - These threads generally have little benefit to the neophyte shooter. A barrage of advice is given, with opinions all over the map, leaving the OP more confused than when he started. Its a poor substitute for actually going out and shooting at a club, getting hands on advice, shooting different guns, learning what fit actually means, etc.
 
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cosmic said:
Well - The OP has stated (post 24) that he wants an O\U because he shoots left and his SX3 flings shells in his face... Previous posts have explained the importance of fit to him, rather than brand or action type...
FWIW - These threads generally have little benefit to the neophyte shooter. A barrage of advice is given, with opinions all over the map, leaving the OP more confused than when he started. Its a poor substitute for actually going out and shooting at a club, getting hands on advice, shooting different guns, learning what fit actually means, etc.
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Hahahah :S lettttsss get shooting! :D
 
cosmic said:
Well - The OP has stated (post 24) that he wants an O\U because he shoots left and his SX3 flings shells in his face... Previous posts have explained the importance of fit to him, rather than brand or action type...
FWIW - These threads generally have little benefit to the neophyte shooter. A barrage of advice is given, with opinions all over the map, leaving the OP more confused than when he started. Its a poor substitute for actually going out and shooting at a club, getting hands on advice, shooting different guns, learning what fit actually means, etc.
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Bang on
 
cosmic said:
Well - The OP has stated (post 24) that he wants an O\U because he shoots left and his SX3 flings shells in his face... Previous posts have explained the importance of fit to him, rather than brand or action type...
FWIW - These threads generally have little benefit to the neophyte shooter. A barrage of advice is given, with opinions all over the map, leaving the OP more confused than when he started. Its a poor substitute for actually going out and shooting at a club, getting hands on advice, shooting different guns, learning what fit actually means, etc.
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I agree with you on this, their is no substitute for actually trying several models at the club, my members are always willing to let you try their gun. Finding a left-hand cast O/U in Canada isn't an easy thing, at least in my neck of the woods, and finding one under about $3000 is a downright rare.
 
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