Skeet Shotgun?

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TFoxy

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So im looking for a new pump shotgun. Hopefully under $500. I was thinking probably 3 1/2" (thoughts) in a 12 gauge. I probably wouldn't use 3 1/2", but id just like to have the option to shoot whatever length i'd like. Its only use will be skeet shooting and maybe some waterfowl. This will be my first shotgun so I'm new to this. Any input?
Thanks.
 
Under $500, pump, and 3.5 inch chamber. Mossberg 535, 835 (no slugs without certain barrel) or newer Remington 870s all meet the criteria, and are common enough. Of course there's others, but I'm not as farmiliar
I've got an 835, love it, though I have yet to actually use the 3.5 inch shells. But as you said, it's nice the have the option.
 
I'll have to go against the grain on this one as I learned to shoot skeet with a pump and still use it from time to time for practice and tournaments.
If you can go on 75+ runs with a pump gun you will be able to shoot anything.

It's a highly underestimated skeet gun.
 
TACTICAL111 said:
I'll have to go against the grain on this one as I learned to shoot skeet with a pump and still use it from time to time for practice and tournaments.
If you can go on 75+ runs with a pump gun you will be able to shoot anything.

It's a highly underestimated skeet gun.
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Don't agree and I shoot one now for skeet since I shoot for fun a 870 and started in the 60's with the same one and shot all 4 gauges with pump. If you want to win tournaments the days of doing it with a pump gun are long gone and don't care how well anyone thinks they can shoot it. Like most I made the usual progression from pump to, semi to 4 barrel O/U finishing with a k and tubes . Banged a few good runs over the years much better than 75 in fact better than 95 and would not even place..
If I want to try to win today a pump is not the gun. Don't get me wrong it is a sweet thing to watch someone that really knows how to use it smash them on a skeet field but I don't see that any more unfortuntely but if you are just out for fun agree a pump is a pile of fun on a skeet field.. Just one shooters opinion.
 
Most skeet fields are limited to 2.75" shells so no real need for a 3.5" gun. I shoot very well with my mossbergs aand ithaca 37. Pumps are fun but they're no sxs
 
You will have no need for a 3.5" shell. A 3" gun will be plenty for waterfowl.

This is your first shotgun, and your first entrance into wingshooting and waterfowl hunting. You are not (yet, anyway) getting into competitive skeet shooting, but using it as a learning tool, correct? In these cases a pump will be fine. Yes, competitive skeet involves doubles, but it will be good practice for you to learn how to pump and shoot quickly, as you'll need that skill for hunting. Also, you don't HAVE to shoot doubles until you're comfortable with your skills.

Pretty much any pump will do the job. Choke tubes, a 26" to 30" barrel (there's no magic number, just what feels good to you), and a 3" chamber will handle waterfowl and skeet to a satisfactory degree. Also consider weight of the gun, the heavier being better for your purposes, to help absorb recoil from several rounds of skeet, and from heavy waterfowl loads.

More important than make of the gun, is how it fits you and it feels in your hands.
 
I thought it's main use was SKEET and just maybe ?? hunting must have read it wrong. My apologies. IF so I would be looking for a good used semi vs a pump of any make. That is based on the old SKEET bug hitting you hard like it does to so many. Nice to see another new skeet shooter. take care
 
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TACTICAL111 said:
I'll have to go against the grain on this one as I learned to shoot skeet with a pump and still use it from time to time for practice and tournaments.
If you can go on 75+ runs with a pump gun you will be able to shoot anything.

+1It's a highly underestimated skeet gun.
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I use a mossburg 500 for skeet all the time, never one issue with a pump, i can hit 23/25 so far, just that #2 high house gets me every time i try for 25, ugh
with a pump you can get practice on those fast shots for duck hunting where you can rack the pump and hit the next one 2 miliseconds later.

BTW 3.5" is just a waste of a shell IMO, too much, if you need something that big 10Ga patterns better and better off using that.
 
It will be informal, no range ill purchase my own shooter. And I will use it for water fowling like 5% of the time.
Thanks!
 
nemesisincanada said:
Don't buy a pump for skeet. Unless you are talking about single hand thrown clays. American skeet includes doubles which are a lot harder with a pump.
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Huh? I shoot every other weekend with a rem 887. Isn't that the point of skeet is to challenge yourself? I find a lot of people Iv shot with miss the first shot often with a semi, I thing because they know how quick they can cycle and try looking for the second clay before they have a clean shot on the first.
 
3macs1 said:
You dudes with the SXS are a breed all your own. That is one gun I could never master but love them also. :)
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I grew up on pump guns and shoot them very well. But sxs is where its at. Sleek and ###y. I shoot low gun only and for me sxs's come up much easier then a stack barrel. I now use a sxs for skeet trap sporting 5stand ducks and geese small game and I have a sxs double rifle for big game. Now I just need a 410 sxs instead of using tubes


Pumps can be challenging but they a lot of fun. I get a lot more satisfaction breaking 50 straight with a pump then any other action type. Altho I haven't tried a lever scattergun yet
 
Dont over look the Winchester SXP, Its a great gun that can be had for a little over $400 and also with two barrels, I use the 28" with a full choke for trap and the 18" defender barrel on occasion for skeet, some times with better results then with my O/U.
It is designed as a waterfowl gun, and yes it comes in a 3 1/2" version, but I find it serves very well on the clay fields.
I shoot with a number of people who use pumps, autos, O/U and SxS for skeet, Just use what you are most comfortable with.
 
It will be informal, no range ill purchase my own shooter. And I will use it for water fowling like 5% of the time.
Thanks!
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So you are not actually going to shoot skeet, that changes the parameters for choosing the gun. A pump action would be a good choice for hand thrown targets or targets thrown from portable target throwers.
 
jewman22 said:
Dont over look the Winchester SXP, Its a great gun that can be had for a little over $400 and also with two barrels, I use the 28" with a full choke for trap and the 18" defender barrel on occasion for skeet, some times with better results then with my O/U.
It is designed as a waterfowl gun, and yes it comes in a 3 1/2" version, but I find it serves very well on the clay fields.
I shoot with a number of people who use pumps, autos, O/U and SxS for skeet, Just use what you are most comfortable with.
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Lebaron has the sxp on sale right now
 
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