Good shotgun to shoot clays on family owned land?
- Thread starter ravenzoom
- Start date
Great point. Where we shoot, missed clays will go beyond the field (corn this year)...broken ones fall into it. We stop shooting when the heat/humidity becomes too uncomfortable and that seems to coincide with the crop being too high to really collect big chunks at the end of the day. However, in the spring/early summer...we do just that. Go for a walk on the field edge and beyond..pick-up any wads we find, any full clays, and anything as big as say 1/3 the size of a pigeon.
^I thought of a BPS when I saw this thread starter, but for some reason...I've never found they shoulder as naturally as 870s or 500s. I remember wanting one bad when I was shopping for my first 20ga, shouldered a BPS about 20X over 3 visits..just couldn't warm up to it. Beautiful gun though. Agreed=the OP should visit a few shops, handle a pile of guns, and see what feels right for the $.
You just HAD to say that Grouse Man. lol True, but I'd JUST decided it'll be my 20ga 84 I take when I head up north next month. I know 20 isn't as bad as the 12s (no thanks) but it was that Cooey, or my great uncles 37 in 16ga. made in the mid 40s. lol I want to bring the 37, but we're fishing in some remote spots and I'd be pretty bummed if something happened to it.
So I went to a store that sells firearms this afternoon and I managed to hold only two since there were other customers there. It was a Winchester (forgot model) and a Browning BPS. They both seemed fine to me. The salesman said I should pick a O/U for what I wanted and suggested a Yildiz shotgun for quality/price. I never heard of them. He said they were from Turkey. I had a feeling he didn't want me to handle the more expensive Brownings, probably because I was asking about a BPS and knew I wouldn't buy one. One thing I noticed when holding an O/U is how awkward it was to push the lever (not sure it's the good word) to break open the shotgun as a lefty. I guess it would need some getting use to. Right now I think I'm favouring the Browning BPS from what I've read in this thread.
thegrandpoohbah
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Terrace, BC
A BT-99 would be a great choice for trap shooting, not so much if you want to do skeet doubles. Not as annoying for you as a lefty than a semi-auto or pump would be.
So, here's a story that seems fitting considering your question.
Back in the 80s-90s the local reverend was a gun enthusiast. He collected, horse traded in firearms among other collectibles and power tools, and could shoot guns, bows, and pool exceptionally well. The guy liked to play games by being a poor shot and suckering people into wagering money and then cleaning their clock.
The local trap/skeet club that my father and another guy operated because nobody else cared held an annual turkey shoot. Some guys from Ottawa would come to it with their expensive shotguns and accompanying outfit.
The Rev showed up and pulled out of an old soft gun case a fair condition pump Stevens with one of those dial a ducks on the muzzle. Forget what you call those things now? The locals who knew him well all said hello to him, and he greeted them with his usual smile and beaming voice. I was there and asked him what he had for a gun today, and he was more than pleased to show me and say it was for sale.
One of the guys from Ottawa with an expensive Perazzi could just not let it slide, and had to show is arrogance/ignorance by saying something along the lines of "why did you bring that pos to a competition shoot". His chest was sticking out and he was laughing at the Rev. Now the Rev being a man who would not curse but used the F word freely, did not say a thing. He walked over to my father who was organizing the squads of shooters and quietly asked to be placed on the same squad as big mouth.
They went out to the line when their turn came up, and my father whispered to me to come out of the club house and watch this with a big grin on his face. Well, the Rev not only out shot big mouth, but as I recall he shot a 25 straight. LOL After everyone was cleared and walking away from the line, he then walked over to big shot and said "not bad for a pos huh?" Then he added something about the guys inability to shoot not being deserving of such a fine shotgun as a Perrazi. The guy was so embarrassed/insulted that he never said a word to anyone and just disappeared afterward. I guess he went out to his car and left without a further word or any more shooting. LOL
I recall saying to the Rev something about that being some pretty good shooting and him just laughing. If you did not pizz him off he was a good guy to have on your side because he had wit and could think on his feet and would stand up for you. My father laughed about that for years after. Back in the 60s-70s he used to be a firearm instructor who actually ran courses instructing on handgun shooting with cops attending his classes. That was out west somewhere before he came to Ontario. I also witnessed his ability with a handgun once and practically had to put my drooping jaw back in place. I also witnessed him clean a pool table of balls once with my father, who was pretty darn good in younger days, just standing there once the Rev got his turn at shooting.
The point is that if you can shoot, then you can shoot with any gun so long as it functions and is accurate. You do not have to spend a pile of money unless you want to.
Back in the 80s-90s the local reverend was a gun enthusiast. He collected, horse traded in firearms among other collectibles and power tools, and could shoot guns, bows, and pool exceptionally well. The guy liked to play games by being a poor shot and suckering people into wagering money and then cleaning their clock.
The local trap/skeet club that my father and another guy operated because nobody else cared held an annual turkey shoot. Some guys from Ottawa would come to it with their expensive shotguns and accompanying outfit.
The Rev showed up and pulled out of an old soft gun case a fair condition pump Stevens with one of those dial a ducks on the muzzle. Forget what you call those things now? The locals who knew him well all said hello to him, and he greeted them with his usual smile and beaming voice. I was there and asked him what he had for a gun today, and he was more than pleased to show me and say it was for sale.
One of the guys from Ottawa with an expensive Perazzi could just not let it slide, and had to show is arrogance/ignorance by saying something along the lines of "why did you bring that pos to a competition shoot". His chest was sticking out and he was laughing at the Rev. Now the Rev being a man who would not curse but used the F word freely, did not say a thing. He walked over to my father who was organizing the squads of shooters and quietly asked to be placed on the same squad as big mouth.
They went out to the line when their turn came up, and my father whispered to me to come out of the club house and watch this with a big grin on his face. Well, the Rev not only out shot big mouth, but as I recall he shot a 25 straight. LOL After everyone was cleared and walking away from the line, he then walked over to big shot and said "not bad for a pos huh?" Then he added something about the guys inability to shoot not being deserving of such a fine shotgun as a Perrazi. The guy was so embarrassed/insulted that he never said a word to anyone and just disappeared afterward. I guess he went out to his car and left without a further word or any more shooting. LOL
I recall saying to the Rev something about that being some pretty good shooting and him just laughing. If you did not pizz him off he was a good guy to have on your side because he had wit and could think on his feet and would stand up for you. My father laughed about that for years after. Back in the 60s-70s he used to be a firearm instructor who actually ran courses instructing on handgun shooting with cops attending his classes. That was out west somewhere before he came to Ontario. I also witnessed his ability with a handgun once and practically had to put my drooping jaw back in place. I also witnessed him clean a pool table of balls once with my father, who was pretty darn good in younger days, just standing there once the Rev got his turn at shooting.
The point is that if you can shoot, then you can shoot with any gun so long as it functions and is accurate. You do not have to spend a pile of money unless you want to.
How much do you plan on shooting? If you're going to go full bore, you may want to look at a proven double barrel that won't come apart after a few thousand rounds. If you're going to be a casual shooter, pretty well anything goes, and a nice gas-operated semi will make it easier on your shoulder. Semi's have come a long way the last few decades. I had 2 Ithaca gas operated semi's (a 12 and a 10) and a recoil operated (20) that I still have. The gas guns were not very reliable in very cold weather, but that should not be too much of an issue with clay birds. New gas operated semi's seem to be a lot better than they were. My son used his Browning and Remington, and his buddy uses a WInchester in pretty cold weather with no issues.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread and helped me choose a shotgun. One model that came back often was the Browning BPS, and this is what I purchased today. If down the road I really like shooting clay targets I'll purchase a nice O/U. Meanwhile I'll have fun with the BPS, cheers!
CDILL, I am not a trap shooter, but one day ( Sunday) called on a gunsmithing /dealer friend of mine as I needed as 1911 ms, and knew he had lots, so phoned him and he said come on over to the trap range as a couple where going over there.
Most of the guns where typical farmers guns , 1100 rem, model 12 and odd ou, I had a Francie ou I had just got on a trade, and I shot under and behind , as per usall.
My friend pulls out a old 1100 rem, about 18-20in long ( his tractor/ truck gun ), with blk tape to keep the hull in, and shot 2 round straight, 100% we where shooting singles.
Most of the guns where typical farmers guns , 1100 rem, model 12 and odd ou, I had a Francie ou I had just got on a trade, and I shot under and behind , as per usall.
My friend pulls out a old 1100 rem, about 18-20in long ( his tractor/ truck gun ), with blk tape to keep the hull in, and shot 2 round straight, 100% we where shooting singles.
I also shoot left, so I'll add a point or two from that perspective.
First, right handed cross bolt safeties suck. Rem 870 safeties can be switched, but you need a new safety or to drill a hole in the trigger plate IIRC. I'm more familiar with Mossbergs, as I prefer the location of the slide release on them (behind the trigger guard vs infront of it). Mossberg 500s also have a tang safety which is easy to use right or left handed.
Other that the safety shooting a right handed shotgun left handed isn't a big deal. Neither my pump (Mossberg 500) nor semi (asena zr7, it's Turkish) eject hulls into my face. Just make sure the gun doesn't have a right hand cast in the stock.
First, right handed cross bolt safeties suck. Rem 870 safeties can be switched, but you need a new safety or to drill a hole in the trigger plate IIRC. I'm more familiar with Mossbergs, as I prefer the location of the slide release on them (behind the trigger guard vs infront of it). Mossberg 500s also have a tang safety which is easy to use right or left handed.
Other that the safety shooting a right handed shotgun left handed isn't a big deal. Neither my pump (Mossberg 500) nor semi (asena zr7, it's Turkish) eject hulls into my face. Just make sure the gun doesn't have a right hand cast in the stock.
