Noob question, what type of gun to buy for trap/skeet that won't break the bank?

J

jack-o-ted

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Subject line says it all... my buddy is going to be going to the Toronto Int'l Trap club often, so I am thinking about getting a shotgun as my first gun so that I will have a shooting buddy. What type of gun should I be looking for? Any recommendations for good entry-level models?

I'm hoping to keep the investment low. I am not looking to get into serious competitions, just something to play with on weekends for fun... for now at least :)

Also I am such a noob I don't even know whether I should start with trap, skeet or 5 stand, or wtf?? :confused: Can somebody lay it down for a noob
 
Best buy! A used Beretta 390 or 391. It will do well on ANY clay target game and be just as usefull for ANY game. BTW, you don't need any 3 1/2 shell for anyof our BIG Geese, just the right ammo at the right place! You will learn the "right place" by shooting a lot of targets!

Regards,
Henry;)
 
What does your friend shoot, and can he let you try it and whatever other guns he has? You'll probably end up seeing a lot of folks with $2000+ (++!) over/unders. On the other hand I used to shoot plenty of trap with an 870 express with a layer of cardboard electrical taped to the stock to raise it a bit. Would probably get me some ribbing if I shot anywhere fancy!

I'd say trap is the best place to start and to focus on developing good form.

What is your price range and and pre-conceived personal preferences?

RG

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Remington 870 (or any pump, really) with interchangeable chokes can do it all - 12 or 20ga. A pump gun can work very well to get you started.

If you want good value from a semi, a Remington 1100 can be found for a reasonable price. Again with choke tubes to give you flexibility for all the shotgun games.

I'm not endorsing Remington as the only brand - there are lots to choose from in the used market. The 1100 is highly written about for the sporting purposes and the 870 will never go out of style. Chokes are a must for one gun to do it all.

Don't worry, once you start, I'm sure you'll get one-more-gun-itis like the rest of us...:p

Good luck & have fun! - SD
 
I shot Remington 1100/11-87"s for more than 30 yrs. Great guns, very affordable and lots of them out there to choose from. If kept clean and use quality ammo they are extremely reliable. Want to go one step up, then buy a Beretta 391. I love mine so much I sold all my Remington autos. Try as many guns as possible before laying down the cash. Shotgunners are a great bunch and are generally only too happy to let you shoot a round or two with their favorite smoothbore. Enjoy the journey.
 
Thanks everybody. I think that is a wise idea to try my friend's gun, and to try other people's guns before buying. I will also look at the 870 and other guns with interchangeable chokes.
 
I use a 11-87 Trap model with a fixed full choke ported barrel. sure there are better guns out there but when I tried some of the more expensive guns I still scored the same on the range. I still cannot shoot better than the gun yet.
 
Pump guns are fun. Pump guns are cheap. Pump guns are plentiful.

They are NOT the best choice for a beginning clay shooter.

A used but not abused semi-automatic is better. Decent Remington 1100s with choke tubes can be found in the $500-$600 range and are an infinitely better choice than a pump gun.
 
I use a baikal sxs with fixed f/m chokes for trap skeet and sporting clays. Not the best chokes but it helps ya become a better shot. And it feels nice to dust targets. Baikals are cheap and don't break down and if you reload you don't have to chase empties
 
Remington 870, Stoeger P350, Stoeger 2000, Bakail Mp-153, Remington 11-87.
Watch the EE and buy a good condition used gun with chokes.

Either way it is a better investment for an entry shooter to buy a cheeper gun and spend the difference on ammo. By the time you are good enough to notice the benefit of a higher end gun you'll have fired several thousand rounds and had time to know what you like and the sports you want the gun for.
 
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