Shotgun Choice for Skeet/Trap

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There are a couple threads discussion shotgun choices for various game types, but I was wondering about the suitability of a pump or if I should get a OU/semi-auto for skeet/trap specifically. I've heard that you should have a shotgun with at least 2 shots for skeet, so does that rule out the pump?
I'm hoping to get into both down here sometime and I want to make sure I make an educated purchase so I'm not stuck with something that'll hold me back.
Thanks!
 
When I started shooting clays I was using and 870 pump. I picked up a Beretta 3901 on the EE and it made the sport so much better! O/U are nice but you have to pay for the good ones. You can pick up a Beretta or Benelli autoloader for half the price of an O/U.
 
The pump will hold you back a little on tough doubles, but it will get you started with no problems. Many guys shoot their pumps more than well enough to have a blast, and the autoloaders are quite popular with the dual purpose shooter/hunters.

Good O/U's are expensive, and why drop the cash just to find out you don't like clays? Once you begin to get the fundamentals down and decide you like it and can afford it, then think about the O/U. They are ridiculously personal as well, and you won't know your style and preferences until you shoot a few hundred or even thousand shells.

Having said that, once you try a nice one, you'll love it and your score will almost certainly improve. ;)
 
What do you guys think of an Ithaca 600 o/u for trap? I may be able to pick up a good used one. Love to hear what you think.
Dave
 
If that Ithaca is a TRAP gun, I'd do it, if it's a field gun, I'm more 50/50 on it. If you're serious about trap at all, very shortly you'll want a shotgun with trap dimensions.
 
A pump gun is a handicap at skeet for an inexperienced shooter. There's enough to learn without having to remember to pump the gun between shots on doubles.

If you are getting into clay targets sports I'd suggest a gun that can be used for all the target games including my favourite sporting clays. Trap is somewhat of a speciality sport and the guns are configured differently. That doesn't mean trap can't be shot with any shotgun but there are advantages to a gun designed specifically for trap. These advantages become limitations when shooting other games.

The gun I'd recommend you look at is the Beretta 391 Sporting with either a 28 or 30" barrel. Use skeet or IC chokes for skeet and modified to full for trap. The 391 is also good for duck and geese hunting and should you decide that clay target shooting isn't for you there is a good market for used 391s.
 
I took a look on the EE and didn't find many 391s available just one SPF and one NIB, never know what could pop up though... but judging from the retail price, it looks like it'd be out of my range a bit.
I might have to go with something I can afford for the time being, then upgrade later if I decide I want to get into it more, unless I can find something decent before too long...
I think part of the issue with me browsing the EE is that the ads don't always specifically say "semi-auto" or anything and I don't know enough about them to look at them and see what type it is... I probably missed all sorts of good offers... Either that or I never know if it's good enough. I'm probably over-thinking it more than anything.
Thanks for the info!
 
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You can find good/vgood condition Remington 1187's for 600 ish.
You will not find a better do it all gun for the money that will hold up to cycling the gross amount of rounds used in clays trap skeet and hunting.

do not get a pump. it takes the enjoyment out of the game. period.

I still use my 1187 for single trap and over 6 years it has very rarely FTF a round.

When I graduated to being a total clay addict, I tried a lot of O/U's and found the Browning Cynergy to be superior to the typical Citori that I had been shooting. Citori is long since sold and I do not miss it one bit.
Beretta's 686 series is also a great clays gun. If the Cynergy did not exist, I would be shooting one of those.

The first rule of shotgunning is find a shotgun that FITS YOU PROPERLY. If a shotgun fits (as it is a pointed and swung rather than aimed at a target) you will break more clays and love the sport and gun.

A poorly fitting or fiddly gun will take all the enjoyment out of the sport. I have seen guys with very spendy guns get whipped by people with lesser arms simply because the gun does not fit them.

Length of Pull is the first fitment to make.
Receiver height is the second.
Balance point and hold is the third.
Patterning is the 4th.

Once you get all 4 points working in harmony, it's damn near telepathic when shooting. And it should be. Instinctive, point, shoot, kill. And you need all 4 of those fit issues to be right in order for that to happen as naturally as possible.
Barrell Length: 26-28" for skeet and open chokes. 28-30 for 5 stand and sporting clays (choke selection based on target presentation) 30-32" for trap (choke selection based on skill and load weight of shot and handicap) Personally, I find 30" to be the best overall compromise to do it all, and then make up for distance (short or long) with choke tube selection.

Best of luck.

PS if you do get a gun like that, be prepared to eat a lot of top ramen. The game gets so addicting.... you will sacrifice a lot to keep shooting. Like taking 2 ply toilet paper rolls and splitting them to make 2 rolls... eating top ramen, loading down to 1 oz shot, reusing hulls with the crimp damn near blown off, etc.

When the gun fits, and the smoke rolls, there is nothing better.

With all due respect to IPSC, IPDA, F Class Shooting, and even gopher hunting, there is NOTHING that comes close to the fun of SMOKING CLAYS!

Seriously.
 
Claybuster said:
A pump gun is a handicap at skeet for an inexperienced shooter. There's enough to learn without having to remember to pump the gun between shots on doubles.

If you are getting into clay targets sports I'd suggest a gun that can be used for all the target games including my favourite sporting clays. Trap is somewhat of a speciality sport and the guns are configured differently. That doesn't mean trap can't be shot with any shotgun but there are advantages to a gun designed specifically for trap. These advantages become limitations when shooting other games.

The gun I'd recommend you look at is the Beretta 391 Sporting with either a 28 or 30" barrel. Use skeet or IC chokes for skeet and modified to full for trap. The 391 is also good for duck and geese hunting and should you decide that clay target shooting isn't for you there is a good market for used 391s.
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X2. To add to that, hang around a trap skeet and 5 stand club for a while, and borrow a pump action gun to take with you. Get the rattiest nastiest POS you can borrow, and the members there will take pity on you and ask if you would like to try theirs out. Be gracious in your thanks when they let you try their guns, and you will get a good idea of feel for the different ones out there. Although clay guys are cheap (we allocate more money to lead shot than food) we love letting others try our guns out, and getting more people involved in the sport
 
Beware of the 11-87 auto. They come in two types. The type that never, never, never has a problem and the type that always has problems. You can not tell which type you have til after you have had it for a while. There are lots of the second type for sale.
 
IMHO a trap gun configuration is generally better than most because the stock is parallel and they generally shoot a little higher. This allows you to float the target just above the barrel ... you don't cover the target and loose sight of it.

The first thing you need to do is determine how much you can afford to spend. Once you do that then you can start looking seriously for your target shotgun. Try shooting everything that you can lay your hands on, even stuff out of your price range. Don't be concerned with the scores that you shoot, but concentrate on how the gun fits you and feels when you move to targets. Stocks can be made to fit you and get the gun to shoot where you look.

The Beretta 390 series guns are the current go to semi and if you can pick up a lightly used one at a good price, they are great value, especially since they are so dependable. The old 1100 is probably even better from a price perspective. If you shoot 1100s competitively, you need a spare because they do break. If you buy at the right price point you will be able to sell it for what you have in it or a small loss.

Once the hook is set and clay targets become your passion ... you haven't bought your last clay target shotgun.
 
Please don't tell my son that pump shotguns take the fun out of trap/ skeet/ sporting clays. He shoots his left handed Remington 870 very well, thank you and has a lot fun in the process. The key is shotgun fit, not the action type (discounting single shots, of course).
 
;)
Shootshellz said:
Please don't tell my son that pump shotguns take the fun out of trap/ skeet/ sporting clays. He shoots his left handed Remington 870 very well, thank you and has a lot fun in the process. The key is shotgun fit, not the action type (discounting single shots, of course).
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It is true that 'fun' is what really matters and so does gun fit. My dad used to say that a good man with a pump was faster than one with a semi-auto. Of course, much water has gone under the bridge since then and semi-autos have probably changed. So, I didn't know whether to believe what dad said or not. I finally saw a young fellow last year at a five stand match who beat everyone with some ridiculous score, only missing one bird in the whole match. His second shot was so fast it was unbelieveable. He was certainly faster than my old auto 5. So, don't count pumps out. The guy driving it might just give you a surprise. Still, it sure can be hard to remember to pump the gun for that second clay pigeon. I tried my pump and am still trying to get the dirt out of the barrel from burying it after yanking on the trigger a couple of times trying to get that second bird...;) Fred
 
BCFred said:
Still, it sure can be hard to remember to pump the gun for that second clay pigeon. I tried my pump and am still trying to get the dirt out of the barrel from burying it after yanking on the trigger a couple of times trying to get that second bird...
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I'm not sure what would be worse: getting the point off your score or the crap you'd have to take from your buddies when you tell them why you didn't shoot... probably the latter :p
 
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