Budget shotgun for trap/clay

The whole idea was someone looking to learn how to shoot skeet without breaking the bank. That is not the same thing as shooting in a regulation match. Learning how to shoot a flying clay well is not an easy thing and is not something that everyone enjoys once they start. The point I was trying to make was that for the third of the cost there are old style guns available that are still a good platform to learn with, plus the adjustable choke is good for learning different shot patterns. A semi or double barrel is a superior choice for any match hands down but they are much more of an investment. If you find you don't like it then its easier to walk away, if you do then you can look into something more serious that would be more applicable to a competition.
 
Thank you everyone, after all I read here plus the other topics I'm reading in this forum I came through few conclusions.

1 better I learn and play trap before skeet.
2 I'll go after a good used one
3 Ou, semi or pum, not a big deal, I'm only starting and I believe I will need to go through few guns to figure out my own taste
4 this forum is great, hehe

Waiting my approval for EE to see if I can find something here and searching on line for used.

Cheers

FL
 
Mulvale505 said:
The whole idea was someone looking to learn how to shoot skeet without breaking the bank. That is not the same thing as shooting in a regulation match. Learning how to shoot a flying clay well is not an easy thing and is not something that everyone enjoys once they start. The point I was trying to make was that for the third of the cost there are old style guns available that are still a good platform to learn with, plus the adjustable choke is good for learning different shot patterns. A semi or double barrel is a superior choice for any match hands down but they are much more of an investment. If you find you don't like it then its easier to walk away, if you do then you can look into something more serious that would be more applicable to a competition.
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Skeet is a specific game. You don't have to shoot registered targets to shoot skeet, but you do need a marked out field, and two machines set up to throw targets as per the basic skeet layout. Simply shooting clay targets thrown by hand, or with your own portable thrower, out in a field, is not shooting skeet. And a bolt action shotgun, is not a good platform, for learning to shoot skeet.
 
If u need a doubles gun, I have a Savage/Stevens 555 field. Its too light to do hundreds of rounds with but it was 700 bones and shoots well. 6.5lbs
 
I bought a stoeger over/ under 3 or 4 years ago. After about 600 rounds the stock cracked. I sent it in and they replaced it under warranty. After 24 rounds (not quite a box of shells) it cracked again. This time the stock splintered just in front of my eye. I will try to find a picture. That was enough to make up my mind. I sent it in again for warranty. Went and a bought a Berreta 686 and sold the Stoeger when it came back. Everytime i take out the 686 I'm reminded about how glad I was I spent the extra money. For me I couldn't justify the cost of a B gun originally but after seeing and feeling the difference I was sold. I was happy to lose money on the Stoeger. That's the cost of learning a lesson... Not everyone is in the same place in life and can spend 3k on a good gun but just remember there is a reason for the price difference.
 
flguti said:
Thank you everyone, after all I read here plus the other topics I'm reading in this forum I came through few conclusions.

1 better I learn and play trap before skeet.
2 I'll go after a good used one
3 Ou, semi or pum, not a big deal, I'm only starting and I believe I will need to go through few guns to figure out my own taste
4 this forum is great, hehe

Waiting my approval for EE to see if I can find something here and searching on line for used.

Cheers

FL
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I think your on the right track, good luck!
 
There is a Winchester 101 in the EE right now for $900.00 as of 19:55 PST.
Not sure of the barrel length , but at $900 thats about a good a deal as one can expect.
3 inch chamber , so is a hunting weight gun.
But, it sure beats those Brazilan cheapos.
Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
There is a Winchester 101 in the EE right now for $900.00 as of 19:55 PST.
Not sure of the barrel length , but at $900 thats about a good a deal as one can expect.
3 inch chamber , so is a hunting weight gun.
But, it sure beats those Brazilan cheapos.
Rob
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That's cool, I'm waiting my access approval for the EE area so I can take a look on what's is there for me

That would be a good fit for my needs.

FL
 
FLHTCUI said:
There is a Winchester 101 in the EE right now for $900.00 as of 19:55 PST.
Not sure of the barrel length , but at $900 thats about a good a deal as one can expect.
3 inch chamber , so is a hunting weight gun.
But, it sure beats those Brazilan cheapos.
Rob
Click to expand...

Great suggestion Rob! I've shot quite a few original 101's in all gauges and as long as they fit the person, they are great reliable guns!
 
I am in the same boat as you. I purchased one of those norinco m97 "trench" guns, was enough to get me hooked when I nailed the first bird out of the house. I would love a nice o/u but have been told by many that buying a cheap one is false economy, better off buying a good semi. All I know for sure, is that I am going to need a bigger safe.
 
when my kids were small and my mortgage big. I had a tough time saving enough cash for a decent o/u. However after couple of years of saving, I bought a used Citori for $1700. I shot somewhere around 35 K through that gun ,with out one failure Five years later bought a new Citori and sold my old one for $1500. That was close to 25 years ago ,and the guy who bought it still shoots today. Quality is always the best deal.
 
I kind of agree with the last 2 posts, I end up buying a new huglu trap for cad 900.

Im happy with my gun but if you pay up to 1500 to a citory I'm sure you will shoot it for quite some time and sell it for the same price you bought if you take care of it.

And trap is addictive, my wife is totally hooked as well, but she choose a beretta a381 semi because of the recoil

Having fun now that the clubs reopened

Cheers

FL
 
Having gone down this path recently I'd say you have two options.

1. Spend ~ $1200-$1500 on a used Citori with removable chokes that will last you a lifetime and if you don't continue down the path you sell it for minimal loss. Quality is always in demand.

2. Spend ~ $350 on a used Rem 870 Wingmaster or Mossberg 500 with removable chokes and preferably a ribbed barrel with two beads. The pump action will hamper your ability to be at the upper competitive level when you get to skeet but you can still do it with a pump. If you find yourself digging Skeet and the gun itself is whats hampering your score, it makes option #1 far easier to step up to next. You'll always get your money back out of a 870 or 500.

The Winchester 12's are sweet guns and would be nice but they don't commonly have removable chokes so you're likely limited to buying a trap (Full or Mod) or Skeet version.
 
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