12 or 20 gauge for clays?

Smoothbore

Smoothbore

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Warning: Total clay shooting newbie. :)

I tried my first informal round of shooting clays with a 12 gauge pump gun.

Now I am thinking a semi-auto would be good because it has less recoil. Is 20gauge ok or do most people shoot 12? Do the rules require one or the other?
The 20 appeals because it has lighter recoil.

Also, which would you recommend: Remington 11-87 or 1100?

Thank you.
 
Let me first say there is no funner gun than a gas semi-auto 20 ga. Period. Except maybe a machine gun. :D

If you will be shooting any of the clay sports for fun only, a 20 ga. will be fine and will break targets well (choke selection will be as important as gauge). Your skill as a shooter will have more impact on scores rather than whether you shoot a 12 or 20. But if you are thinking of seriously competing, or are the kind of guy who lays awake at night thinking he could have hit 1 more that day if only he'd used a 12 ga., then get the 12.

Trap, everybody shoots 12 ga. because you can't shoot 10. Skeet plays with 4 gauges. Sporting is almost exclusively 12, same reason as for trap.

You can pick up a good used 1100 in either 12 or 20 probably pretty easily and cheaply. They're reliable, durable, easy to fix, parts are common, and very easy on the shoulder. 2-3/4" is all you'll need for clays. An IC choke would be your best compromise if you get a fixed choke gun (buy Full, have gunsmith ream it open) or look for screw-ins. Cost of shells is pretty close between 12 & 20.

Grouse Man
 
I'd go with a 12ga. People think that the recoil on 20ga is less but if you pick 1oz 12ga shells it can actually be less with the bigger gun becuase of the added weight. My 12yr old competes in trap and shoots a 12ga auto 391 Beretta (<---great gun) and uses 7/8oz and 1oz loads. He says it kicks less than the 20ga of the same model his mother shoots. 12ga will also give you a bigger selection of shells. You will see 12ga shells on sale more than 20ga.

Tim
 
I also opt for the Remington autos. Great guns,nice feel and balance and parts are easy to get. The 1100 is my favourite but the 11-87 may be more versitile as it can shoot both 3" mag and 2 3/4".This is no big deal if clay targets are your intended game. However if you want to hunt occaisionally and practice on clays the 11-87 is the way to go. Better yet just buy a bunch of smoothbores. :) I have 2, 11-87's and an 1100 all in 12 ga.
 
I would go for 12ga also. The shells are cheaper on average and recoil isn't bad (if you shoot target loads). If you are that wary of recoil, you can also get your stock modified and get a soft touch put on, that reduces the felt recoil to almost nil. I have one on my Browning Citori and I can shoot 3-1/2 DRAM loads all day without a problem. I am tall, skinny, and boney - so if it kicks, I will feel it. :D
 
New gun for targets

S B there are alot of choices these days when it comes to a gun to shoot sporting clays. A used gun isn't necessarily the way to go. New Stoeger 2000 can be had for simular money to a used 1187, beretta guns dominate the sporting clays ranges in Alberta and they can be had for $800.00 used and in good shape. Mossberg makes an auto loader that retail new for about the same money as used Rems. I have both a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge auto Berettas and the 12 gauge has a built in recoil reducer in the stock. Which ever gun you choose you may want to invest in one of the relatively new Limb Saver recoil pads. Regards f s
 
There is a 12 ga Browning Gold Sporting for sale on the forums here for around $700.

I used to own it and have shot others like it. Shooting a 1 1/8oz trap load is like getting hit in the sholder with a marshmallow. I find the Gold SC to carry enough weight to be good swingers and soak up recoil with out being to slow for a station 8 low house. Doesnt give up a thing to the Berettas and is the next best thing to a good O/U if you ask me.
 
So I take it you guys would really recommend a semi instead of a pump, even to a novice just starting out?
 
johan said:
So I take it you guys would really recommend a semi instead of a pump, even to a novice just starting out?
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Yes, if you are shooting skeet, sporting clays or other game that features doubles. There's nothing wrong with a pump and I shoot mine at targets frequently but for a beginner not having to pump the gun is one less thing to remember.

Of the two guns you mentioned the 1100 is the target configuration while the 11-87 is more of a hunting gun. The 11-87 is not as reliable with light target loads as the 1100.

They are okay guns but the Beretta and Brownings while more expensive are better IMHO.
 
Claybuster said:
The 11-87 is not as reliable with light target loads as the 1100.
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Kinda bizarre considering that the big selling feature of the 11-87 was the 'auto compensating gas system' that was supposed to be able to handle all loads from light target to heavy magnums...

I use an 1100 for clays and I think it's great. If you can afford it, a semi makes shooting all day a lot easier on the shoulder.
 
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