New to trap and skeet

Canadian eh!

Canadian eh!

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So new in fact I do not yet own a shotgun.....

So, sold some AR bits and pieces off and looking at a few options.

Should I really only stick to Beretta or Browning?

I have seen a bettinsoli x8 extra with an adjustable comb, that at the price seems to tick a lot of boxes for a thousand or 2 less dollars than the big names.

30" barrels and screw in chokes should allow for me to play at most/all of the games. Am I missing something for a first gun? Once I know more and decide what I like best I can always upgrade down the road if it seems worthwhile, but I am loathe to go too big staring out.

Any advice to a shotgun newbie?
 
Shoot what fits you best bearing in mind the guns that have reputations as reliable and durable are amongst your best options to purchase. The "B" guns really are good value for your dollar in many ways. Reliability, ease of use, options and aftermarket products availability and resale. And of course parts and servicing if required. They are truly hard to beat.
 
Welcome to the madness. Wait until you try sporting clays and 5 stand. Maybe attend your local club and try a few different guns. Most guys are willing to let a new shooter have a try with their gun. Bear in mind no matter what gun you buy it likely won't be your last. (Ask me how I know lol)
 
I personally favor recoil/inertia operated semi over gas operated semis. "A" guns in this category would be the Benellis. "B" guns would be would be Stoeger semi autos. While you can shoot trap doubles, skeet and sporting clays with pumps, the physical cycling of the action makes it more challenging for breaking the second clay bird. Hence my preference of semis over pumps for clays.

Double barrels are also very popular, but they are limited to only 2 shots before having to reload. Most clay games will limit you to only 2 shots anyways, so most of the time double barrels are not at any disadvantage. However, every now and then, club organizers might set up a 3 bird shoot event or you might want to carry 3 rounds ready to go when you are hunting, thus semi autos are a little more versatile in that regard.

To your original question, Beretta or Browning, Beretta owns both Benelli and Stoeger, and their choke tubes are interchangeable. And Browning makes the Auto 5 and A5 both recoil operated. I've personally put about 15,000 rounds on clay games through a discontinued Stoeger Model 2000. It does not demand much special care nor babying, and cycles very reliable. It's one of my favorite guns.
 
I got back into it last fall with a used Remington 11-87 (3") gun. Very reliable, and it didn't break the bank.


Of course the Citori 725 I was offered after the end of the season DID! Lol


I'm never selling the Remington, however. For one thing it's the only lefty gun that I've ever had.
 
"Should I really only stick to Beretta or Browning?"

When it comes to shooting a shotgun, as Spank said already, fit is most important, followed by brand, action, and price in that order. I have 3 shotguns I shoot clay with, my principal "skeet gun" is an Akkar Churchill 206 Silver Hunter, my principal "trap gun" is a Benelli Nova and my fun gun is an Ithaca 37. I shoot a skeet average of 22/25 and a trap average of 20/25. I cannot hit the broadside of a barn with a Beretta 68* and shoot slightly better with a Citori. The Bettinsoli, if it fits you well, wouldn't be a bad choice. An adjustable stock allows to fine tune the stock to fit you perfect, however the fit must be close to start to be of any benefit.
 
I've shot trap and skeet for over 30 years with my old Rem 870.

Does the trick just fine. Won lots of club meets, and did well in provincials.

And all that hands on time was invaluable when it came to going for ducks and geese.
 
Go to a range and meet some people.

Fit is most important, but you need to have decent form first, its a chicken and an egg thing.

Most ranges have guys who will help get you started and let you try a few guns before you run out and spend a few thousand.
 
My advice would be to shoot at least 40 rounds (1000 targets) before considering anything pricey. Best is if you make friends and borrow a cheaper pump to get into things. After that you will have a much better feel for what you like and what you don't.

It is like taking someone who has never played golf into a big golf store to buy clubs. That person has no idea or feel for what will work. Once they have played a few rounds they have a much better idea about what will feel right- and shotguns are about feel and fit more than anything.

It is possible that you can buy your first shotgun and it will be perfect for you. If you are average build then you are lucky and most guns will fit ok. There are plenty of good makes out there- don't limit to Browning or Beretta, but you can't go wrong with those either.
 
Browning and Beretta are the safe bets. Most people find one fits them better than the other and stick within their brand. I've been fortunate enough that both brands fit me quite well with Brownings fitting me a touch better.

Thanks,
Cal.
 
Canadian Eh; Scar 270 makes a good point, not sure where in our great country you are, but a visit to your local Trap/Skeet/Sporting Clays club is a great way to get the first hand information you seek. Most of us who look after a gun club, love to see new people at our clubs and do everything within our powers to help you get off on the right foot. My club, the Moncton Gun Club, for instance has 2 NSCA Level1 coaches among the membership who's principal love to help new people take the sport and learn right from the start.
 
Spend your money on ammo not on your first gun. Don't be afraid to buy used. Most used trap guns shot 1000's of rounds and have 1000's of rounds left in them. Most if not all are rebuildable, right down to the breechfaces. There are a number of used trap guns including a nice looking Citori combo on the EE right now for a very decent price. When you wear that out you can worry about a new gun.
 
You don't need a $3000 gun to shoot trap or skeet, just don't do anything stupid like buying a short barreled craptical gun, to use as a skeet/trap gun.
 
stubblejumper said:
You don't need a $3000 gun to shoot trap or skeet, just don't do anything stupid like buying a short barreled craptical gun, to use as a skeet/trap gun.
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Come on now?!! Big oversized iron sights with a ghost ring rear apperature on a 14"-18" barrel combined with a barrel shroud and front and rear pistol grip are the ultimate skeet/trap gun!!! Without one you cannot accuse all those "fancy gun" shooters of being snobs?!! The best part however is the bruise from last week clears up just in time for the next weeks venture so you never forget from week to week when shooting day is, plus if those snob "fancy gun" guys and gals would just let you shoot with slugs or 00 Buck instead of their crappy target load rules you could really show them!!

Laugh2
 
the spank said:
Come on now?!! Big oversized iron sights with a ghost ring rear apperature on a 14"-18" barrel combined with a barrel shroud and front and rear pistol grip are the ultimate skeet/trap gun!!! Without one you cannot accuse all those "fancy gun" shooters of being snobs?!! The best part however is by the bruise from last week clears up just in time for the next weeks venture so you never forget from week to week when shooting day is, plus if those snob "fancy gun" guys and gals would just let you shoot with slugs or 00 Buck instead of their crappy target load rules you could really show them!!

Laugh2
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Skeet or trap is supposed to be enjoyable, I just don't see how getting beat up with recoil and muzzle blast for several rounds using a craptical gun can be enjoyable.
 
stubblejumper said:
Skeet or trap is supposed to be enjoyable, I just don't see how getting beat up with recoil and muzzle blast for several rounds using a craptical gun can be enjoyable.
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I don't either but we have a crew that comes out each monday night that seems to enjoy it? I just sit back and chuckle as they pull their shirt sleeves up comparing bruises and calling it quits after a round or two because they are hurting.
 
the spank said:
I don't either but we have a crew that comes out each monday night that seems to enjoy it? I just sit back and chuckle as they pull their shirt sleeves up comparing bruises and calling it quits after a round or two because they are hurting.
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I have had idiots like that laugh when they saw me bring a 28 gauge to the first station for skeet, commenting to each other how it isn't a real shotgun. but after I shoot a clean round with the 28 gauge, and they miss half of the targets, they usually shut up.:)
 
Not having any hands on experience with Bettinsoli I can't offer an opinion on them but there are a several gun makers who have challenged the dominance of Browning and Beretta without success.

In the beginning it doesn't matter what gun you use. Your first clay target gun isn't likely to be your last. Show up at a club with any shotgun and get started. Once you learn how the games are played and have tried other guns you'll have a better idea of what you want.
 
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