Help with getting started

rishu_pepper

rishu_pepper

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Coquitlam, BC
I've been shooting shotgun (waterfowl) since last season, but only just recently gotten started with the shotgun sports, and I have fell in love with it! I want to do this the right way from the start (perhaps get into competition). Sporting clay is my favourite, but trap/skeet are also possibilities. With that in mind, a few questions...

Can anyone recommend me a gunfitter around the Lower Mainland for personal shotgun measurements? I would like my gun (SX3, currently) to fit me perfectly before I continue further.

Secondly, should I hire a shooting instructor? How much does one usually cost?

And thirdly, a kind gentleman allowed me to shoot his Caesar Guerini O/U 12g Summit today; while I certainly don't have the dough (~$3000) to cover such a fine piece of instrument, I might look at investing in a sporting-only O/U (my 26" SX3 isn't the perfect sporting gun I have to admit). Any suggestions? Stick with 12g or maybe something smaller like a 20g? Let's say my budget is $1500~ (new or used). I prefer European guns for the classy (or snobby :D) factor. I might import from the US if the price is right..?
 
I am going to limit my answer just to sporting clays. Your present gun will not be a great handicap so you may start with it. Before I made a trip to a stock fitter, I would first take some instruction from a certified sporting clays instructor. He may also be able to help you with minor stock fitting. Your local association should be able to help you find one. I think it is more important to establish a proper gun mount under the supervision of a good instructor and then later take steps to make the gun fit your mount. Gun choices are endless, but within you budget I would recommend an autoloader like the Beretta 391. A SX3 with a longer barrel would also be OK. If you are not able to locate a personal instructor get on line and Search for Optimum Shotgun Performance Shooting School and order one of their DVDs.

PS www.ospschool.com
 
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Thanks for the advice!

I'll look for an instructor around my area, hopefully my gun clubs can put me in touch with someone.

It's quite difficult for me to locate a long SX3 barrel. Maybe I can pick up a cheaper used Citori or something?
 
rishu_pepper said:
II want to do this the right way from the start (perhaps get into competition). Sporting clay is my favourite, but trap/skeet are also possibilities.
Click to expand...

A friend and I are going through the same thing, him in the U.S. and me in Canada, except that neither of us is interested in competition.

You really should hire an instructor if you can find a local one who knows what he is doing. He should have a gun that you can use. When you aren't with the instructor, it should be possible to rent a gun at the facility that you are using.

I don't know what instruction costs where you are, but I can tell you that on the Eastern seabord of the U.S., it will wind up costing at least as much as a gun, and in the long run quite a bit more. A couple of weeks ago, my friend and I engaged an instructor in New Jersey, and it cost $1,000 for 6 hours of sporting clays instruction. My friend has now booked another 6 hours, with more to come. His plan is to see the instructor about once a week and to go to the facility once a week on his own. He thinks that the instruction is money well spent. Based on the time that I spent with this instructor, I agree. The instructor has specifically advised him not to purchase a gun yet.

I am in the process of buying a fairly expensive shotgun, but only because the purchase is justified for reasons relating to a business that I am creating. Generally, I believe that it makes a lot more sense to put your money into instruction than to put your money into a gun.

I am new to this myself, so I will let others who are more experienced say whether, and to what degree, they agree with what I am saying.

Cheers
 
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redge, thanks for your insight.

If a certified instructor is as expensive as you say they are, I think for now I will hold off on that idea. I don't disagree that it is money well-spent but it is money I don't readily have.

Still, I am not ruling out the idea of getting an O/U for the time being to replace the SX3 as my go-to clays gun.

BTW, I saw your post on going to Griffin and Howe to get a shotgun. I am very jealous! :) What did you end up with?
 
Rishu Pepper,

I think you're a bit far from where I am but I would be glad to help. Email me at the coordinates below and I will do my best to assist remotely.

Shoot well!
Florin
 
Get to know Dave at Reliable. Great guy, very good shot. There are some great guys shooting sporting at the Vancouver gun club in Richmond on Sundays. I never missed a Sunday when I lived there.
 
When I started shooting two years ago I hit 7 clays my first time out. Three weeks later I broke my first 25 straight with a crappy field o/u. I own an SX3 used that with no problem(still do for skeet) I have since upgraded the crappy O/U for a Citori XT Trap with Diana grade chokes. I have won a few turkey shoots and meat shoots. I had no formal training or lessons just friends and friendly people who offered instruction. You will find them wanting to help all the time. Save your $ for the shotgun, getting fitted is great if you can spend that money. I did not, just a better recoil pad put on by a gunsmith and that was it. I also shoot a .20G Franchi for skeet which is great, look into them as you said you like Euros. Have fun.
 
Hey Rishu I shot with you at the hunting in bc get together the other month, it's tikkat3...
I know less than you about the shotgun sports, but I think before you go get instruction or anything else you should just shoot a lot of games, it's a fun way to get experience and you would save money it seems. You already got a pretty sweet gun and were shooting pretty good that day I thought

I am gonna go shoot sporting clays in a couple weeks shoot me a pm at either site and maybe we'll go together, I'll shoot my 870:D
 
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