All around shot gun

P

Pocketsx

Member
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I'm looking to try out some clay sports and wanted to pick up an all around gun if possible. Can anyone suggest something that would work for trap, skeet and sporting clays. I know each sport uses a gun with certain characteristics, but for the time being I want something that I can use for all three.

One of my buddies suggested a 870. He said I could pick one up for cheap and buy a couple different barrels to make it more versatile.

Thanks for the input.
 
870 Wingmaster is fine for trap singles. Multiple targets are challenging, with a pump gun. There are those that seem to shoot them as well as anything else, but for me, switching to my pump gun will cost me targets. Some clubs run special shoots, for pump guns for that very reason.
You could have a lot of fun with a pump, but auto loaders and O/Us own the clay target game.
If you decide on auto, find one that will cycle light loads, because some do not . if you reload shells autos will make you pick up your empties, bit of a pain.
If your pockets are little deeper you can go the O/U route, just stay away from the Turkish imported guns they are problematic, and not the bargain they appear to be.
Easy solution,” try a few” most guy will let you try their gun.
Good luck and welcome to our addiction
 
When I started shooting clays, I had funds for one gun and I wanted to shoot trap and skeet(sporting clays was in its infancy and unavailable where I was). My solution was a Remington 1100 trap gun and an extra skeet barrel. This was in the days when choke tubes were new and few guns had them, so an extra barrel was the way to go. It worked fine back then and would still today. A used gun would suffer almost no depreciation if you decide to upgrade later.
 
I'd look for a good used Beretta or Browning O/U, depending on what fits you better. Obviously ask around at your club as you'll probably see all types there and most folks will let you break a few clays with theirs so you can really get a good impression. Also, most recently made shotguns have interchangeable chokes, so that should really increase the versatility for you. Have you tried side by sides?
 
As an old shooter I still have a winchester superx 1. If you had a gun like this,you could have choke tubes installed ito a 28inch barrel then you would be set for all Trap, Sporting Clays and skeet if you were interested.
 
Like R&R Rancher I shot a Remington 1100 Trap with an extra Skeet barrel for many years. Newer versions have interchangeable choke tubes which is a must for any shotgun these days. Look into a used 1100 if you are on a tight budget. If you can scrape up a few more bucks my vote would be a Beretta 391. Miles ahead of the old 1100. Add a few extra dollars and look at the Browning Citori line or the Beretta 680 series O/U. One thing is certain, if the clay target bug hits you, no matter what you buy it won't be the last. :)
 
Remington 1100 as already mentioned. Can't go wrong with it, and you will sell it for what you paid for it when you decide to upgrade.

PS- Nice Avatar lakeshore, looks familiar for some reason;)
 
I have had that on my computer for over a year now thought it would be fitting for this web site.However if you are here first wthi this I will remove it.Let me know??
 
I've owned numerous (too many, really ! ) shotguns over the past 45 years, including O/U's, SxS's, semis, pumps and even a couple of single barrel trap guns. Tried the multi-barrel approach with Mod 12's & 870's, 58's, 1100's and SX-1's.

Looking back, the closest I could come in recommending a "do-it-all" target gun would be either a Browning or Beretta 30" Sporter ...with interchangeable choke tubes and an adjustable comb. New is admittedy somewhat expensive, but I see no problem with say a Browning 425, 525 or 625 or a Beretta 682 Sporter that's been used and well-cared for.

As a close second, in a semi, a Beretta 391 or A400 with 28" barrel.

I've had no problems shooting all the target games with 30" O/U's, including International Trap & Skeet. American Skeet seems best with 28" or 30" and most ATA Trap shooters seem to prefer either a 30" or 32". The rage in Sporters for the past several years seems to be 32" (I have a 32" DT-10 that has worked nicely for me for the past dozen years, and previously had a couple of 32" Brownings) but some adjustment is required to be effective with the longer barrels for Skeet.

Of all the semi's I've owned, a Beretta 391 "Parallel Target" is the one I've been most successful with. I have two barrels for it, a 28" and a 30". Seems I have the 28" barrel on it more than the 30" ... just seems to balance and swing better. I much prefer the Parallel stocked version ... it has a relatively "flat" comb and different grip radius as well as a stepped rib. Just suits me better than the standard version sporting configuration.

Other than choke selection, no big difference is noticeable between a pure "Skeet" gun and a "Sporter", although many Skeet shooter prefer a heavier gun. Both are relatively flat shooting, and both should be balanced about the same. When shooting Skeet with a pre-mounted gun, a slightly higher comb than a gun-down Sporter can be used.To switch over to Trap, most want a higher shooting gun ... somethin that patterns 70/30 or better. Simply raise your adjustable comb a bit (after patterning to determine "how much") and don't be worried by seeing a bit of rib.
Works for me !
 
Last edited:
You can look for a used Browning Citori O/U or a new Wingmaster 870. The o/u is ideal in all sports and the pump will be serviceable as well but less so, especially on the skeet field.
 
I just bought a used Citori XT (XT for Trap) but the previous owner was a very competitive Skeet shooter and used the XT for that, so I can say with confidence that the XT can be a "one-gun" type that will do it all. If I was looking for a do-it-all gun I'd look at 30" bbls, Browning or Beretta O/U, and interchangeable chokes are a must, as Trap and Skeet are choked very differently. There is a gun on CGN now that is exactly this, Citori sporter, 30"bbls, recoil reducer, adjustable comb, and around $1600. Perfect gun for all-around.
 
If a good friend or family member was looking for a gun I would not hesitate to suggest a browning or beretta o/u (whichever fits better, the two B brands fit quite differently for most people). I would recommend something with 30" or 32" barrels (shoot both and see what you prefer, for me it's 32").

If the o/u isn't in the cards I would recomend an 1100 or beretta autoloader (any of the berettas really) with a 28 or 30" barrel. The most important feature if you want to take a gun from game to game is... CHOKE TUBES, fixed choke guns are great for 1 game, choke tubes are a must for multi game guns.

My preference is to shoot trap guns for everything, but trap is my main game with skeet, 5-stand, sporting being occasional diversions. MarkJnK is absolutely right about the XT being good to go for anything involving a clay target, I love those guns. The Beretta guys will say the same about the 682's I'm sure. Adjustable comb and butt plate are big advantages also, assuming you've got the discipline to find the right spot, then lock them down and leave them alone.

Finally, it has to fit. If you buy a gun that doesn't fit (and isn't adjustable) expect to spend some cash to get it fitting you. Ideally find out what fits you and don't buy what doesn't fit you.
 
I prefer o/u's my self but the only gun that i have shot that i could shoot well at trap,skeet, and sporting is a beretta 391 parallel target. I guess now that is replaced by the a-400. And it will not break the bank to get one and you can always get a more specialized gun later if you feel the need.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom