All around gun advice

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Scotchline

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Hi guys,
Just starting to get into clay sports. Have shot trap with a franchi I-12 sport for a year or so and have just started to get into skeet as well.
I'm looking for recommendations for a good all around gun that could shoot both well. I would say my budget is up to around $3000 .
I had my eye on a Bettinsoli x sport but also have looked at Citoris and Beretta 687 Silver Pigeons.
Maybe a used B combo would be a better bet but would like to go new if possible.
Any input would be appreciated .
Thanks for your time!
 
Your price range is realistic. Get out to a shotgun range and mention you are looking for a new gun and would like to try some out. Pretty good chance you will have a chance to actually shoot most of the guns you are considering. Also may find a lead on a good used gun.

With shotguns if you can try before you buy that is the best way.
 
As stated above, your budget is realistic. Look at guns that are specific to your chosen clay game and adapt to the other games, if you want to shoot them. My main game is trap and I shoot my trap gun at the other games and change to a more suitable choke. I would recommend that you stick to the break open Berettas or Brownings. Try all the different ones that you can and buy a used one in good condition. You will find that one of the B guns will fit and shoot better for you. Remember that if you really like the clay games, this won't be your last target shotgun, but also, don't jump at the first available gun.
 
Is there an issue with your Franchi? Are you set on an o/u? What game do you expect to shoot most?

Right now if I were looking for one gun to shoot everything it would be a Beretta A400 Xcel Parallel Target or Sporting with a 30" barrel.

Of the o/u choices you mentioned stick with either Beretta or Browning and choose the one that fits you better and feels better in your hands. I prefer the Beretta feel but have owned Brownings and they are equally good guns.

I echo the advice not to be in a hurry to get another gun. If the one you have is working for you now then stick with it and try other guns along the way.
 
I would look for a sporting model with adjustable comb that way you set the gun up to shoot high for trap or flatter for skeet .
 
Talk to Clay at Prophet River. For under 3K he can put you into a Rizzini Vertex Sporting that is really nice and alot of gun for the $$. I have to agree with him that they are better quality, much nicer fit and finish than a Beretta and at a much lower price point in grade comparison. Since I hit the ranges with the Fierce 1 I bought from him I have received alot of dropped jaws when guys find out the gun I have with its beautiful Turkish walnut and other upgrades is about half of what they thought it would sell for. I know of two more Rizzini's he sold as a result of guys trying mine out and when I spoke with him yesterday about trading mine up for a Trap Combo he told me he has sold out of all but one sporting model and was ordering more. I am sure alot of it has to do with the exposure mine has given them on the ranges.
 
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Thanks for all the input so far guys. To answer some of the questions:
There isn't really anything wrong with the franchi I-12 sporting I currently use but I have always wanted a nice over under and am in the position now to get one.
I will shoot trap more than anything but have been starting to get into skeet and can see myself shooting it more and more.
No one is impressed with Bettinsoli? Or has anyone really had experience with them?
I typically shoot at the Bridgeport Rod and Gun near Kitchener so if anyone also shoots there and has one of the above mentioned guns I would be greatful for the opportunity to try them out.
Thanks again!
 
Scotchline said:
No one is impressed with Bettinsoli? Or has anyone really had experience with them? I typically shoot at the Bridgeport Rod and Gun near Kitchener
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I have seen one of the Bettinsolis and was not impressed ... the guy who bought it new was told that the mechanical issues he was having could be looked after by sending the gun back to Italy on his own. Look at used "B" guns, they really are the best value out there.

I shoot at Bridgeport periodically, but you wouldn't be interested in shooting my gun. There are lots of guys there at Bridgeport that have B guns, especially Brownings.
 
B guns are great gun for the money .make sure you can change chokes . 28 in barrels or longer .lots of good advise above .break open so you dont litter or have to pick up shells , or hit the fellow beside you as his gun could be worth up to $20000.try lots
 
Hey Scotchline you can call me if you want.

A few guys at my club bought bettinsoli's they are all gone now save for one.

I'm not a fan they aren't that well made and aren't worth the money.

I'd suggest a Beretta of some kind an x-trap combo would be nice.

A good trap gun with screw-in chokes will make a fine skeet gun, despite what some may tell you.

The trend in skeet these days are for higher ribs, higher combs, longer barrels and overall heavier guns.

In other words a trap gun.

If you guys come down to visit my sister you should come to the club, lots of guys there with different guns you could likely try.

I've only got a couple Perazzi's at the moment but you're welcome to try them.

Cheers
 
gwagen said:
I've only got a couple Perazzi's at the moment but you're welcome to try them.
Click to expand...
Be very, very cautious of nice men offering to let you shoot their Perazzis.

Once you do you'll want one until you get one.

I let people shoot mine every chance I get. :evil:
 
gwagen said:
Hey Scotchline you can call me if you want.

A few guys at my club bought bettinsoli's they are all gone now save for one.

I'm not a fan they aren't that well made and aren't worth the money.

I'd suggest a Beretta of some kind an x-trap combo would be nice.

A good trap gun with screw-in chokes will make a fine skeet gun, despite what some may tell you.

The trend in skeet these days are for higher ribs, higher combs, longer barrels and overall heavier guns.

In other words a trap gun.

If you guys come down to visit my sister you should come to the club, lots of guys there with different guns you could likely try.

I've only got a couple Perazzi's at the moment but you're welcome to try them.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Thanks! And thanks to all the others for their advice as well.
I may give you a shout next to we head east and in the mean time I am hoping a few guys will let me shoot a few rounds with their toys.
I think what will best suit my needs would be a 30 inch ,mid rise rib, with adjustable comb, and extended chokes. I see Joel Etchen has a couple models that might be of interest but I best test out a few local ones before I purchase of the Internet.
Any more ideas and input are welcome
Thanks again!
 
Scotchline said:
I see Joel Etchen has a couple models that might be of interest but I best test out a few local ones before I purchase of the Internet.
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Buying in the USA is not a simple procedure. It can be done and there is a process and there is an additional cost. Look around Canada before you go south of the border.
 
Beretta687EELL said:
Buying in the USA is not a simple procedure. It can be done and there is a process and there is an additional cost. Look around Canada before you go south of the border.
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I would like to stay in Canada for sure. Is there any dealer that has a similar line of product and a good website to view or a good store to check out? I'm in the Kitchener, Guelph area and haven't had much luck with bricks and mortar stores. Have been keeping an eye on the EE but it seems that many people are selling for as much or more than the same gun goes for new at retail.
Thanks !
 
Joel Etchen guns are made to his specs by beretta, you won't find an exact match of one of his custom guns anywhere else.

Importing from the USA is pretty easy, prophet river can do it for you fairly inexpensively, only thing is the dollar sucks right now.

Friend of mine bought one of his all arounds last spring and it's a purty gun!
 
Scotchline said:
I would like to stay in Canada for sure. Is there any dealer that has a similar line of product and a good website to view or a good store to check out? I'm in the Kitchener, Guelph area and haven't had much luck with bricks and mortar stores. Have been keeping an eye on the EE but it seems that many people are selling for as much or more than the same gun goes for new at retail.
Thanks !
Click to expand...

I understand your issues .... simply, no, at least that has been my experience. If you are, as it appears, specifically looking at Beretta, then there are a couple of avenues for you. Stoeger, in Whitby, Ontario is the importer for Beretta products. They may be able to guide you as to who may have what you want in stock. Jim Close in Waterloo (he shoots at Twin Cities and Galt) is going to have some Berettas available for folks to shoot at an event in the near future. He is also familiar with their current product line. If you need his contact information, send me a PM and I will hook you up with him. My suggestion would be to talk to Jim first.
 
gwagen said:
Hey Scotchline you can call me if you want.

A few guys at my club bought bettinsoli's they are all gone now save for one.

I'm not a fan they aren't that well made and aren't worth the money.

I'd suggest a Beretta of some kind an x-trap combo would be nice.

A good trap gun with screw-in chokes will make a fine skeet gun, despite what some may tell you.

The trend in skeet these days are for higher ribs, higher combs, longer barrels and overall heavier guns.

In other words a trap gun.

If you guys come down to visit my sister you should come to the club, lots of guys there with different guns you could likely try.

I've only got a couple Perazzi's at the moment but you're welcome to try them.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I liked my XT for trap, but I didn't like the higher point of impact for shooting skeet or sporting clays. I find my sporting clays guns to be a better compromise for all clay sports, than my XT was. I currently don't own any trap or skeet guns, I shoot everything with my sporting clays guns. I prefer 30" barrels, and medium high ribs for an all around gun.
 
You'll notice more recoil if you swith from the semi-auto to O/U. I use a semi-auto to compete in trap and produce good scores. I also like to shoot flat (50/50) so when I occasionally shoot skeet or sporting, I don't have to adjust my semi-auto trap gun. I bought a Browning Citori XT trap but after using it to shoot 100 birds, my cheek and shoulder couldn't handle it. I am currently using the Fabarm XLR5 Xcel which comes standard with adjustable comb and adjustable rib. Beretta just came out with a new A400 Multi Target which also comes standard with adjustable comb & rib.
 
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