Looking for an O/U for skeet and trap

Trap and skeet are two entirely different disciplines and though you can use one gun for both you will find you'll shoot one game or the other better depending on which gun design you buy. Skeet guns are generally more akin to field guns with lower comb stocks and flatter shooting points of impact for shooting targets that rise less over a shorter span along their flight path whereas trap is a game with steeper rising targets over a longer flight plath requiring guns with higher comb stocks and higher points of impact to enable the shooter to shoot a heads up style to see the target above his barrel at all times to catch and shoot a rising target. Skeet targets are also shot at much closer distances from as little as few feet to a few yards (station 8) to the longest shot on the field of 20-24 yards(station 4) requiring more open chokes whereas trap targets are generally shot at 32-40+ yards requiring tighter chokes. Generally speaking a dedicated trap gun makes a poor skeet gun...a Citori Crossover may be a good choice if you want to shoot both with one gun. It's designed to be a happy medium.
 
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Going a bit further than what Spank has already said. 2 questions. 1. What issues are you having with you A-400 and SX3 that you would do you feel the need for an O/U? 2. What budget are we working with?
 
It sounds like he has already decided he wants an O/U and that's why I tried to explain the general differences in the two disciplines to help guide his choosing an O/U. Yes he could shoot the two guns he has but he asked about an O/U so why discourage his buying one by suggesting he stick with what he has? OP if you want an O/U go to a club or two and chat with shooters and check out what they are using. Tell them what you are wanting and most shooters will be more than happy to let you try their guns and you can figure out what you like...when new shooters show genuine interest I hand them my guns to try and offer to provide instruction. I'll often take new shooters one on one or a group of new shooters to a field when things slow down rather than hold up other shooters. That allows time for good instruction on a station by station basis. I'm sure you'll find the same at a club near you.
 
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If you change the chokes you should be able to shoot trap or skeet with either gun. Skeet chokes for skeet and Mod to Full for trap. No reason why either gun wouldn't get you started. If your heart is set on an O/U then the Browning Crossover is a good start. Any of the Turkish guns if you what to cheap out. Really, any O/U with an adjustable comb and removeable chokes will work for you. Just don't buy a dedicated trap gun.
 
the spank said:
It sounds like he has already decided he wants an O/U and that's why I tried to explain the general differences in the two disciplines to help guide his choosing an O/U. Yes he could shoot the two guns he has but he asked about an O/U so why discourage his buying one by suggesting he stick with what he has? OP if you want an O/U go to a club or two and chat with shooters and check out what they are using. Tell them what you are wanting and most shooters will be more than happy to let you try their guns and you can figure out what you like...when new shooters show genuine interest I hand them my guns to try and offer to provide instruction. I'll often take new shooters one on one or a group of new shooters to a field when things slow down rather than hold up other shooters. That allows time for good instruction on a station by station basis. I'm sure you'll find the same at a club near you.
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I'm not disagreeing with you. You have seen the guys that "have" to have an O/U to shoot at the clubs and get rid of a good semi and buy a cheap O/U so they can look good only to be left with a bad taste in the mouth when it breaks and shoot worse then they did with their semi. To build on what BDFT is saying, skeet and trap are high volume games, expect to a starting point for a decent O/U to be Browning Citori or Beretta Silver Pigeon. I shoot Winchester 101's which have held up nicely but the stock configuration is not for everyone.
 
bdft said:
If you change the chokes you should be able to shoot trap or skeet with either gun. Skeet chokes for skeet and Mod to Full for trap. No reason why either gun wouldn't get you started. If your heart is set on an O/U then the Browning Crossover is a good start. Any of the Turkish guns if you what to cheap out. Really, any O/U with an adjustable comb and removeable chokes will work for you. Just don't buy a dedicated trap gun.
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We had a few new clays shooters purchase dedicated trap guns, because a local dealer had a great deal on them. Then they brought these guns to shoot skeet and sporting clays, and it was a lot more frustrating than it needed to be. When they were handed the same shotgun, but in the sporting model, they did much better.
 
See what game you will be shooting. Check with the other guys and look at there guns. Like many have said on the shotgun forum, fit is everything. Find what fits and go from there. Most guys at the range are glad to help.
 
Check out the Fabarm Elos N2 All Sport. The gun is designed to be set up for any clay sport right out of the box. It has a 65/35 and a 50/50 rib in the box, changing them out can be done in seconds. Whether you want to shoot trap, skeet or sporting clays this gun has no problem doing it all.

Plus all Fabarm Barrels are proofed to 1630 BAR, combined with their long chokes this allows you to be able to run steel shot all the way up to their full choke, which is a huge benefit if you ever start moving towards shooting real birds.

The Fabarms are 100% made in Italy, down to every screw and washer, as part of the Ceaser Guerini family of guns. They also have a parts and warranty center here in Canada.

Dont get me wrong, the Brownings, Berettas, and Benellis of the world are still great guns, but IMO Fabarm offers way more gun for your money.
 
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