Sporting clays

Bowie

Bowie

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I need some advice. I am considering a new O/U to start shooting sporting clays with. I am a trap shooter at heart, and as such really prefer longer barrels: 30" at a minimum, but prefer 32", and would consider even 34". My choices right now are a Caesar Guerini summit limited in either 32" or 34", a Beretta 686E Sporting with adjustable comb (30"), or a Browning 525 sporting grade 1 (32"). I dislike the porting on the Brownings though.
I could also consider a 682 Gold with adjustable stock and 32" barrels, but would prefer used as it is getting a bit steep in price.

I really like the look of the Caesar Guerini, but find the palm swell a bit unusual and when I mount the shotgun it seems to cant slightly to the left. I am not sure if that is a palm swell thing, or perhaps how much cast off the stock has?

Anyways, here is my dilemma. Any advice?
 
I'm a big fan of the Beretta's but they fit me really well compared to the 525's.

I've never shot sporting clays, but I have shot trap & skeet. Mostly I am an upland hunter. Maybe somebody else could chime in, but I'd think the 32 or 34" barrels would be a little long. If sporting clays is to mimic upland hunting, wouldn't a 28" barrel be a better choice? It's a fast moving sport with a lot of position changes that are not as frequently repeated.
 
jjackman said:
I'm a big fan of the Beretta's but they fit me really well compared to the 525's.

I've never shot sporting clays, but I have shot trap & skeet. Mostly I am an upland hunter. Maybe somebody else could chime in, but I'd think the 32 or 34" barrels would be a little long. If sporting clays is to mimic upland hunting, wouldn't a 28" barrel be a better choice? It's a fast moving sport with a lot of position changes that are not as frequently repeated.
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Sporting clays has come a long way since being just simulated bird hunting and barrels have tended to get longer over the years. These days 30" is generally the minimum among competitors with 32" the averaage and 34" not unusual.

I shoot a 32" o/u and a 30" semi for sporting and have never found them a "little long." To the contrary, I find them swing more smoothly than the shorter guns and are not as whippy.
 
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Any of the O/U's you mention will do nicely !

... 30" O/U's are becoming the barrel length of choice for competitive Skeet shooters - where once it was 26" ( '60's/'70's) and later moving through 28".

Most Sporting Clays shooters have lately opted for the 32" O/U's, and a few are trying 34"s. I currently have a 32" DT-10 that I've been shooting for the last 7 years, and a 28" 391 Parallel Target ... and manage from time to time to shoot both of them well. My wife has a 30" Parallel Target, and when I occasionally shoot hers, I can't say as I really notice the 2" difference in barrel length. Previous Sporters have included a 30" Live Bird gun, a 30" Browning 325, a pair of 32" Browning 425's and a 30" Beretta 682 Gold.
You can likely guess I'm pretty fond of Berettas.

I've handled and shot the 34" C.G. Summit Sporter ... and can say I would consider it a very good buy for the money. The few guys I've run into shooting them regularly have no complaints with them whatsoever !

The over-riding factor for me is gun fit and balance. If it's comfortable, balanced between the hands ( that usually means through or just slightly ahead of the hinge pin) and "shoots where you look" you will likely do well with either a 30" or 32" ... and as a "Sporting" only gun, you might opt for the 34"
 
What is the difference between the 686E sporting and 682 gold? I see the 682 is available with 32" barrels while the 686 30", but both have adjustable combs (something I like). Is it worth the price difference?
 
I think that the 686 is the bottom of the Beretta line and does not have optima choke tubes.

Beretta Boy: what is a parallel target?
 
Bowie, if you are a trap shooter at heart, have you tried shooting sporting clays with your trap gun. These days, I see many shooting trap and skeet with sporting guns and I see many shooting sporting clays with guns with stocks that would be suitable for trap. Many trap skeet and sporting guns seem to come with adjustable stocks.
 
You'll find the Beretta AL391 "Parallel Target" auto-loaders under "Competition Shotguns" in the Beretta's Catalogue or Website.

Same basic 391 with a different buttstock configuration. Available in the US in an SL (standard length - LOP 14.7" ) or RL (reduced length 13.7") version in either 28" or 30". Current Canadian availability is the SL in 30" only.
( I have an SL, my wife an RL ). The comb on these versions is, or very nearly, parallel with the ( similar to the 391 Trap guns) raised, rather than flat rib. In theory, no matter where along the comb you cheek the gun, the fit is the same as there is no difference between height at the front & rear of the comb. In addition, the pistol grip has a different cross section/reduced radius ... to me, fitting the hand much more comfortably than the field/sporting or Teknys versions. In shooting both the Sporter & Parallel Target versions, I far prefer the Parallel Target. ( The stock "feel" of the Parallels to me, is much more comparable to my DT10 ... the Sporting stocks feel clubby and a little awkward ) This is pretty much a matter of personal choice, however.

The 686E is a good solid gun ... and yes, near the bottom of the Beretta Sporting gun line, as is the White Onyx Sporter. ... and as stated previously, nothing wrong with Mobil chokes ... and if you just have to have colour-coded externals, they are available in the Victory line.
 
Have you ever given any thought to a Browning Cynergy. They are a great gun for the price. I have a Cynergy sporting clay gun in mint condition for $2500. Let me know if your interested.
 
I guy at our club shoots a CG summit with 32" barrels. I've never personnally handled it but from others impressions they are very impressed. Everyone says it points and swings well has nice balence with little recoil jump. If your heart is set on one you could get the cant removed by proper fitting at a gunsmith. As for the palm swell, it might grow on you!
 
Hey osborne that sucker has 34" barrels and as you know I've shot it a few times. I'm essentially a Beretta man ...but I was very impressed with the way this CG handled. The fit and finish was superb as well as the machining. No cheap stamped parts in this smoothbore. It's the only O/U I've met that I would trade my Beretta for.:)
 
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