$500 Auto Loaders vs. $1000 Auto Loaders, What's The Difference? **UPDATED**

I suggest buying the less expensive gun (something that fits you/feels right in a 3" chamber) and TRY TO WARE THE THING OUT!!! That would be a very good goal to set IMO
 
pisces-guy said:
I got my son a Weatherby SA-08 youth model in 20 gauge, it came with a valve for shooting medium to heavy loads and one for shooting light loads that I'm starting him off with. The Mossberg doesn't have that, and as a result their owners have had issues with really light loads. The Weatherby is light, nimble, and came with 3 screw in chokes, for about $500. We've shot it at the range and it patterns well and was perfectly reliable. In my opinion this Turkish made semi auto shotgun is all anyone needs, unless you're after a fancy grade of walnut. In the event there are any issues, Weatherby customer service is excellent. I can't find a single thing to fault about it... The SA-08 is a very good copy of the Beretta A30X, which is an excellent shotgun that's now been replaced by new models, but has a very good reputation for reliability and durability.
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Neither my wife's or my dad's Mossberg 930 have trouble cycling light loads. It is the 935 3 1/2" that has the trouble and it says right in the manual that it's not designed for target loads.
As far as the weatherby's customer service, have you had to use it? Only reason I ask is because I know someone who had a problem with his automatic and their customer service left a lot to be desired.
 
OP, just another thing to consider. You mentioned of shooting up to 2,000 rounds per year. If you find you really like the clays sports, you will find that you will burn through 2,000 rounds in no time and may shoot well beyond that, especially that you mention that your wife will also be shooting it.

If budget dictates that the lower price range is what you can buy, then the whole discussion is moot. Buy something such as a Weatherby, Mossberg or Baikal and enjoy the clays sports. If the gun lasts for you, then great. But if the money part is really not the issue, why would you want to scrimp on the item that is going to be doing all the work? Before you are done, you will spend far more in shells, gear, gas and fees over what the gun will cost.
 
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Before you buy into the only difference being $500. Do yourself a big favour, go into a store and shoulder the $500 mossberg, then shoulder the winchester sx3 or the browning silver hunter. You might notice that the besides much better quality, that extra $500 gets you a shotgun that fits you better and swings much better. I almost made the mistake of buying the 930 until I shouldered it, and found it swung like a front heavy 2x4. Try the silver hunter and you'll likely be suprised by how much better balanced it is.
 
Interesting you only want to spend the same amount on the gun, that you intend to spend on ammo alone in the first year. When you factor in field costs then you will spend twice as much on disposables in the first year then on the gun.

Think of it this way, find a good solid well built gun with excellent reliability and repeat ability that fits and keep and use it for 10-20 years.
If you keep it for 20 years. $1500 is only $75 a year, your ammo and field cost for 2000 rounds is probably 10 times that a year.

If you can, find a competition specific gun.
 
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nemesisincanada said:
Interesting you only want to spend the same amount on the gun, that you intend to spend on ammo alone in the first year. When you factor in field costs then you will spend twice as much on disposables in the first year then on the gun.

Think of it this way, find a good solid well built gun with excellent reliability and repeat ability that fits and keep and use it for 10-20 years.
If you keep it for 20 years. $1500 is only $75 a year, your ammo and field cost for 2000 rounds is probably 10 times that a year.

If you can find a competition specific gun.
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Yes. Then after 20 years if your tired of this gun you sell it.after 20years there won't be anything left of the mossberg to sell.
 
all I have to say is the 1100 was the dominant shotgun on the t&s for years on end- must have been a reason- and it wasn't availability
 
On the volume vs cost points: $500 may seem like a cheap way to get into the game, but it is going to be, on average $0.75 everytimr you pull the trigger, so your $500 gun shooting 2000 rounds, just turned into $2000 in the first year.

I also warn you on this: wives shooting gets expensive! This was the first year we did a bulk ammo order for both me and my wife: 40 flats of 12ga for me, 40 flats of 20ga for her. It's expensive, but awesome!
 
gunsaholic said:
Neither my wife's or my dad's Mossberg 930 have trouble cycling light loads. It is the 935 3 1/2" that has the trouble and it says right in the manual that it's not designed for target loads.
As far as the weatherby's customer service, have you had to use it? Only reason I ask is because I know someone who had a problem with his automatic and their customer service left a lot to be desired.
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Prior to buying my son's Weatherby SA-08, I did a lot of research on both the SA-08 and the Mossberg SA-20, and on several sites I read about owners of the SA-20 having issues with the gun not cycling with light 3/4 ounce and some light 7/8 ounce loads. The problem is that Mossberg didn't equip the gun with a valve for light loads and one for heavier loads like the Weatherby has, and as the SA-20 is marketed to youth and ladies, very often they want to shoot light loads. I didn't do any homework at all on the Mossberg 935...which is a 12 gauge, isn't it? Apples to apples... The Weatherby SA-08 has performed perfectly, but I did have a bit of trouble re-assembling the gun the first time after I completely disassembled it, and called Weatherby customer service. They walked me through it and were great on the phone...as far as how they are with repairing one of their guns that's faulty, I have no idea. I did read online that their customer service was good.
 
pisces-guy said:
Prior to buying my son's Weatherby SA-08, I did a lot of research on both the SA-08 and the Mossberg SA-20, and on several sites I read about owners of the SA-20 having issues with the gun not cycling with light 3/4 ounce and some light 7/8 ounce loads. The problem is that Mossberg didn't equip the gun with a valve for light loads and one for heavier loads like the Weatherby has, and as the SA-20 is marketed to youth and ladies, very often they want to shoot light loads. I didn't do any homework at all on the Mossberg 935...which is a 12 gauge, isn't it? Apples to apples... The Weatherby SA-08 has performed perfectly, but I did have a bit of trouble re-assembling the gun the first time after I completely disassembled it, and called Weatherby customer service. They walked me through it and were great on the phone...as far as how they are with repairing one of their guns that's faulty, I have no idea. I did read online that their customer service was good.
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Well before this gets confusing, I believe everyone is thinking the OP is talking 12 gauge. Yes, both the 930 and 935 Mossbergs are 12 gauges. So if the OP is talking a 12 gauge gun, then I'm not sure why the 20 gauge models were brought into it. That is why I referred to the 930 and 935.
OP--Is it 12 gauge that you are after?


Anyway, when it's all said and done, the OP has been given opinions on guns verses volume of shooting. If he chooses to buy a $500.00 ish gun knowing his main intent is clays shooting, then so be it. At least he was informed.
 
Yes, definitely 12 gauge. The availability of 100 round cases for $30 is too good to go with any other gauge for my purpose and quantity of shots fired.
 
AndrewNS said:
Yes, definitely 12 gauge. The availability of 100 round cases for $30 is too good to go with any other gauge for my purpose and quantity of shots fired.
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Yes but make sure that the load of such shells are allowed at the range you will be shooting at. There are rules as to maximum allowed amount of powder for clays shooting.
 
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