Hey guys need some help with buying my first shotgun. Looking for a 12ga. Went skeet shooting on the weekend and want to get into it. I've seen some that I can afford right now in the 100-200 range I just don't know what would be a good make or model in that price range. And does it really matter for a beginner like me ?
HELP a newbie buy first shotgun.
- Thread starter mattman29
- Start date
The biggest advice I can give is to make sure it fits you because skeet is a fast sport.
The first thing I will suggest is the length of pull. This is the distance between the pit of your sholder where the stock meets your body and the point at which your finger grips the trigger. Does this fell good?
Secondly, hold the gun in a lowered position and pull it up as quickly as you can as if you are shooting a mooving target. How quickly can you aquire the sights? Remember that skeet, sporting clays, and hunting are all fast moving sports.
Lastly, after you followed the second point listed, How close is your cheek to the stock? If your cheek is touching the stock it is not a good fit. The repeated recoil of your firearm will bruse your face and make it tender for many days. Shotguns that are designed for repeated shooting usually have a camber (bend in the stock) for quickly aquiring your target and keeping your cheek off the stock. Usually, lower end shotguns don't fit well and will reduce your chances of hitting the target.
Cheers
Colt_nut
The first thing I will suggest is the length of pull. This is the distance between the pit of your sholder where the stock meets your body and the point at which your finger grips the trigger. Does this fell good?
Secondly, hold the gun in a lowered position and pull it up as quickly as you can as if you are shooting a mooving target. How quickly can you aquire the sights? Remember that skeet, sporting clays, and hunting are all fast moving sports.
Lastly, after you followed the second point listed, How close is your cheek to the stock? If your cheek is touching the stock it is not a good fit. The repeated recoil of your firearm will bruse your face and make it tender for many days. Shotguns that are designed for repeated shooting usually have a camber (bend in the stock) for quickly aquiring your target and keeping your cheek off the stock. Usually, lower end shotguns don't fit well and will reduce your chances of hitting the target.
Cheers
Colt_nut
If you I were you, I would look at an older wingmaster in 2 3/4 in. For many, they are a less desirable gun because of the fixed choke and the short chamber. BUT for you, sticking with the lead target loads, it could be a really winner. Expect to spend $200 give or take for one with a few safe dings. Definitely better than a brand new express.
Have a hard time understanding how you can shoot without cheek touching the stock. Am I missing something or all my shotguns/rifles do not fit me as my cheek is always touching the stock ?
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Please justify such statements - with a few examples.....
- Location
- Edmonton mostly
Some form of used 870 should do you well. Don't let the shiny, engraved, exchange-a choke for every possible situation guns and their owners get to you. I have a bubba-camo, spraybombed 870 sps supermag, sure it has exchangeable choke tubes, but I leave in the "full" all the time. Sure bugs the heck out of the guys with "the" trap gun to have when I post 23's and 24's with the odd 25 to their 18's.
Were you shooting actual skeet, or clay targets thrown by hand in the back 40? Just clarify, please. Skeet will cost you typically $6-$10 per round, plus ammo of at least $5/box. If you're looking to only spend $200 on the gun, be advised that the shooting costs add up quickly. Regardless, . . .
Look for something like an old 870 Wingmaster with 2-3/4" chamber, and a barrel length of 26" or so if you can find it, and either an IC or Skeet choke. 28" would also be fine, 30" is getting pretty long for actual skeet. If you find a great price on one with a Full choke, a gunsmith can ream it open for $30 or so.
I say an 870 WINGMASTER because there are lots of old ones out there that used to be duck guns, but many consider them inadequate when shooting steel shot. That's your best best for a great quality pump at a good price. Keep your eyes open and be patient. Check used gun ads here and locally. An old Winchester model 12 would also be great to find but will almost certainly be pricer.
Yes, quality matters even for a beginner. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to use a crappy gun that never works right.
Fit is all important. Most guns are designed to fit someone of average height, average arm length, average neck length, average face width, etc. So if you are outside of the typical dimensions, you may have need of some adjustment. This could be simply adding a recoil pad or building up the comb, etc. BTW, your cheek must be FIRMLY planted on the comb and the buttstock FIRMLY in your shoulder pocket.
Scott Bear
Regular
- Location
- Prince George
I was given a great piece of advise on the sporting clays range one day. If the shotgun fits properly you don't really have to use the sights.
Look at a distant object like a tree top (about 40 yards away). Have both eyes open and bring the gun up to your shoulder and pull it in tight. Shooting a gun when the stock is not properly seated into the shoulder is painful. Keep your eyes on the tree top. Now close your non-dominant eye. If the sights are aligned (with the dominant eye) this is probably a good fit. This allows you to look at your target, bring the gun to the shoulder and shoot without really using the bead. You should always shoot with both eyes open. This is why fit is everything. It will make the difference between straining to get on target (or leading it if it is coming across the field) and getting on target with ease naturally getting into the shooting position.
That day my score went from about 12 to 20 and all I did was look at the target. It seems the Citori fits me well.
Good luck.
Look at a distant object like a tree top (about 40 yards away). Have both eyes open and bring the gun up to your shoulder and pull it in tight. Shooting a gun when the stock is not properly seated into the shoulder is painful. Keep your eyes on the tree top. Now close your non-dominant eye. If the sights are aligned (with the dominant eye) this is probably a good fit. This allows you to look at your target, bring the gun to the shoulder and shoot without really using the bead. You should always shoot with both eyes open. This is why fit is everything. It will make the difference between straining to get on target (or leading it if it is coming across the field) and getting on target with ease naturally getting into the shooting position.
That day my score went from about 12 to 20 and all I did was look at the target. It seems the Citori fits me well.
Good luck.
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Holy $h@t Whats This Pick on colt_nut
Forgive me if my explanation wasn't quite thurough enough.
Cast is the correct word explaining the bend in the stock. (I was momentarily blinded by the term camber because it is an engineering term that I use frequently to describe the bend that can be found in building materials such as an engineered concrete beam) Me bad, and yes you are correct on that one.
As far as the resting of your cheek on your stock goes, yes It can be and should be done. What I meant was having to #### your head to look down the barrel is not good. It hurts trust me, I had a 12ga once that I had to shoot like this for a decent site picture and I left the club with a sore cheek bone every time. A friend suggested that I try his gun and the issue was resolved. Later I bought a Beretta and was able to shoot it without any pain.
I know guys who shoot sporting clays regularly and their scores improved significantly when they hung up their old hunting gun in favour of a Beretta, Browning, or Franchi that was designed just that little extra more than their old hunting gun was.
Thats the point I was trying to get across
Colt_nut
Forgive me if my explanation wasn't quite thurough enough.
Cast is the correct word explaining the bend in the stock. (I was momentarily blinded by the term camber because it is an engineering term that I use frequently to describe the bend that can be found in building materials such as an engineered concrete beam) Me bad, and yes you are correct on that one.
As far as the resting of your cheek on your stock goes, yes It can be and should be done. What I meant was having to #### your head to look down the barrel is not good. It hurts trust me, I had a 12ga once that I had to shoot like this for a decent site picture and I left the club with a sore cheek bone every time. A friend suggested that I try his gun and the issue was resolved. Later I bought a Beretta and was able to shoot it without any pain.
I know guys who shoot sporting clays regularly and their scores improved significantly when they hung up their old hunting gun in favour of a Beretta, Browning, or Franchi that was designed just that little extra more than their old hunting gun was.
Thats the point I was trying to get across
Colt_nut
The old trap saying is "wood on wood" meaning that the stock better be plastered to your cheek or the gig is up! If the original poster was actually shooting skeet, then i would not recommend a pump gun, the doubles in Skeet are tough enough, without having to pump in between.
