Recommendations for a low cost Skeet/Trap 12 guage

Magnum240

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Hello. I have a SKB pump 12 Ga, fixed/full choke I use for trap. I tried skeet for the first time with it and it is not the correct gun for the job. I was thinking of going semi-automatic with changeable chokes. Any suggestions? is there a low cost off-brand that anyone likes?
 
Epp's wants $500.00 for a flat black finished, Mossberg M930, synthetic stock, red fibre optic front sight and a ported, 28" barrel with F, M and IC choke tubes. There are other barrels available if you want a slug barrel.
Mossberg makes good kit too.
 
Be aware that with the volume of shooting that a skeet gun normally sees , a sub standard bargain basement gun won't last very long. If money was tight, I would be looking for a used SX-2 or SX-3, or a used Browning Silver,Gold or Maxus. If you are only going to use the gun for skeet, an older 1100 with a open choke , is also a good choice. Lastly, although not ideal to learn skeet, a pump action with an open choke will also work.
 
Epp's wants $500.00 for a flat black finished, Mossberg M930, synthetic stock, red fibre optic front sight and a ported, 28" barrel with F, M and IC choke tubes. There are other barrels available if you want a slug barrel.
Mossberg makes good kit too.

I would X2 this, having had one. For just getting into the game, this would be a great option. Spend the rest on ammo and tokens.
Did my first 182 straight with one.
If you wear it out (as I did) and you're still into the game, then go get a B gun, either lightly used, or new.
Until that time, you need massive amounts of practice.

Be aware that with the volume of shooting that a skeet gun normally sees , a sub standard bargain basement gun won't last very long.

Totally agree, but if he lasts that long, the B guns will on the radar.
 
Let's start with what should have been everyone's first question, what's your budget and how much skeet & trap will you be shooting each month? If we are talking a low volume(up to say 8 rounds/month) then the Mossberg 930 wouldn't be a bad investment assuming it fits you. If you taking more then 10 rounds a month, then you should be looking for something geared more to shooting targets, ie. Winchester's SX#, Beretta A-3XX, A-400 series, Browing Gold or Maxus, Benelli Ethos, Supersport, etc. As one mentioned, some of us still shoot a slide action on the skeet field quite well, don't rule out a quality slide action(Wingmaster, BPS, Nova/Supernova, Ithaca 37, Model 12)
 
+1 for the used 2 barrel 1100. Natural pointing, soft recoiling and relatively cheap. If you decide the clays games are not for you, you can resell the gun and recoup most if not all of your investment.
 
I shoot a B gun but spent a lot of time with an 1100 when I started. I also have used my 930 for skeet and it worked just fine..but I don't see it as a gun that will go 12K plus a year for very long.

Cheap O/U's, and to a lesser extent cheap semi's, can ruin your clays experience before you even have a chance to decide..
 
IMHO the most cost effective way to start shooting clay targets is with a good quality used gun. If you buy something that is of quality (in good condition at market price) and keep it in good repair, it will be almost always be worth what you paid for it. If you want a semi, look at 1100s and Berettas, my personal favorite is the Winchester Super X-1. In an O/U look at Beretta and Browning. A fixed choke gun will be cheaper than one with choke tubes.
 
You really need to decide if you want to shoot skeet,trap or both with the gun. If you want to shoot both games with the same gun, interchangeable chokes is a good idea.
 
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I don't know if it is the best gun for the task but I bought my Weatherby SA-08 at the start of this summer. I've put through 6 cases so far when I've had some time to shoot clays. I'm going to put another two cases through it this weekend. Comes with all three chokes, simple assembly pulls apart quickly for cleaning. A few different finishes but I bought my synthetic black on clearance for 510. I couldn't be happier with it.
 
I don't know if it is the best gun for the task but I bought my Weatherby SA-08 at the start of this summer. I've put through 6 cases so far when I've had some time to shoot clays. I'm going to put another two cases through it this weekend. Comes with all three chokes, simple assembly pulls apart quickly for cleaning. A few different finishes but I bought my synthetic black on clearance for 510. I couldn't be happier with it.

See how it holds up after 40 flats.
 
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