I have just recently been to the trap and skeet club, and would like to get involved, and need a gun. I have a friend that let me try out several guns to get a feel for it all. I'd like to try getting a gun that works well enough for all the games (skeet was my favorite and I hear they are getting 5 stand), and that I can take out hunting if I'd like. I'm not a bird hunter, but that is something that I will try out in the future. After trying out a single, o/u, and a semi, I have decided to look for an o/u with 3" capability, and screw in chokes. I prefer the look and feel of the wood furniture on shotguns. After a little looking, I see the sky is the limit for price, but I'm looking at around $1000. Does such a creature exist, or should I look at a semi (I was thinking maybe the sx3 in an auto) Anyone have any suggestions? Or wisdom to bestow? Thanks!
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I have an 870 for a general purpose shotgun as I wanted one for under $500. If I had a grand to spend id have got the Remington 1100. I fired one a few times. It's a great gun. Screw in chokes are nice for multi function.
Asking about u/o and already comments about other guns well lets get back on track I have seen Ruger red labels on EE for $1000-1300$ good serviceable guns . The good thing about 5 stand & skeet field stocked guns works well for both games. Check wither tail gun shops for used guns u may be able to find a used citori for $1200-1500$.
Whatever you get- make sure it "fits" you. Close your eyes, mount the gun and see where you are looking. If not right down the rail with the beads stacked, look for something else no matter what kind of deal you are being offered. Personally, I borrowed an old gun from my Uncle for a few flats before I felt comfortable in buying my clays gun. It didn't fit, I shot ok with it, but I had a lot of fun and it taught me what I should look for. If the gun doesn't fit, it won't point in the right place and you will have a hard time hitting things reliably.
As for the type of gun- Field, Skeet and SC guns tend to shoot flat (50% above POA, 50% below), while trap guns tent to shoot high (60-80% above POA, 20-40% below) since trap is shot at rising targets and having a high shooting gun builds some vertical lead into your shooting. There are people that shoot all sports with one gun (including a trap gun on the skeet field).
$1000 for a used, quality over under is possible, but be careful. You can't get one gun that does everything exceptionally- there are tradeoffs. But, if you ended up with something that fits, shoots relatively flat (50/50 to 60/40 max), isn't overly pretty (can't take a grade 6 Citori hunting- but you won't find one for what you'd spend anyway), has removable choke tubes and has 28" barrels, you will probably be close to the most all-purpose gun you can get IMHO- but of course YMMV...
Good luck and talk to everyone at the field. I have found most people out there are more than willing to help someone new.
As for the type of gun- Field, Skeet and SC guns tend to shoot flat (50% above POA, 50% below), while trap guns tent to shoot high (60-80% above POA, 20-40% below) since trap is shot at rising targets and having a high shooting gun builds some vertical lead into your shooting. There are people that shoot all sports with one gun (including a trap gun on the skeet field).
$1000 for a used, quality over under is possible, but be careful. You can't get one gun that does everything exceptionally- there are tradeoffs. But, if you ended up with something that fits, shoots relatively flat (50/50 to 60/40 max), isn't overly pretty (can't take a grade 6 Citori hunting- but you won't find one for what you'd spend anyway), has removable choke tubes and has 28" barrels, you will probably be close to the most all-purpose gun you can get IMHO- but of course YMMV...
Good luck and talk to everyone at the field. I have found most people out there are more than willing to help someone new.
Maritime Storm
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Riverview, NB
Fit is most important, quality then takes a second place, action third, price fourth. In that order. If it doesn't fit, you want hit squat with it, if the gun isn't of quality it last to the large shells target shooting demands. For action, here's where things get to personal taste, anything beyond a bolt action and a single will work for skeet, the TREND is towards O/U and Semi, I shoot neither for skeet and do quite well. Price, it fit your budget, $1000 will put into decent new semi or a decent used O/U. A case in point, one older, reasonably well off gentleman I shoot with loves his new Browning 725 Sporter, it has beautiful stocks, 28" barrels, 3" chamber, came with screw in chokes, it well made and will last for good couple of decades of hard use and he easily afford it. He can't shoot with a darn with it. Watch shoulder it once and the reason is obvious, the stock is at least 1/2", possibly 3/4" too long for him, he shoulders it high to compensate, and shoots under most of his targets as result. He won't have it shortned, he hates to ruin that piece of walnut so that the gun will fit him.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
I'd look for a good used but older Browning Sporter ... a 325, 425 or 525, preferably with 30" barrels ... and if you get lucky enough, an adjustable comb (making it easier to fit to you)
Shouldn't "break the bank", but will be over a grand.
Good all-round gun useful for Skeet, 5 stand, Sporting and Trap, and no slouch in the field either. Will hold it's value should you want to move it for an upgrade later.
Shouldn't "break the bank", but will be over a grand.
Good all-round gun useful for Skeet, 5 stand, Sporting and Trap, and no slouch in the field either. Will hold it's value should you want to move it for an upgrade later.
If your limit is $1,000 get the SX3. There is no new o/u around in your price range that is worth the bother. You might find a used o/u in that price range but it's probably been run pretty hard and unless you know what are doing a used gun can be a risk.
If you really get the clay bug your first gun will not be your last and the SX3 is a good choice to start with because if you lose interest it will be an easy sell.
If you want to get better find an instructor and pay for some lessons. He/she can sort you out on fit, stance, gun and eye hold, swing dynamics and the other factors that help you become a proficient wing shooter.
bdft
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I bought my Frigon trap combo on the EE for 800.00. There's a Beretta 302 semi on there right now for 900.00 and always lots of 1100's. Check out Tradex. Lots of decent O/U's and semi for very reasonable prices.
Handled a CZ redhead O/U 20-ga the other day that felt awesome. Probably in great part due to the LOP being about right for me. At the Calg gun show that was going for $1050. I'd consider that for sure. Otherwise the SX3 is said to be superb, and others.
