Starter shotgun?

Sorry amolkapoor, I haven't asked you the question - which type of shotgunning are you looking into right now? Buckshot/slugs at stationary targets with shotguns configured like rifles, or wingshooting clay pigeons with traditional guns & birdshot? There's a HUGE difference between the two, in both guns and technique.

If you're interested in the former, you're essentially learning to shoot a rifle. What experience do you have? Would learning the basics with a .22LR make more sense?

If you're going for wingshooting, the best place to learn really is the trap/skeet club. They have the expertise and equipment to help you hit targets very quickly.

And yes, a 20 gauge gas-operated semi is a dream to shoot.
 
Hello Accurate Jay,

Can a 20gauge pump action be used for target and clay shooting? My main concern is recoil so far.


Thanks,
Amol



AccurateJay said:
I would recommend shooting light loads first at some clay pigeons with a 12 gauge. It will get you used to the feeling of shooting. In terms of a good shotgun, I personally LOVE the winchester sxp. It was by far the best $430 ive ever spent on a shotgun. It is a great gun for a great price. They go for around $399.99 for the black synthetic model, $429.99 for the wooden and $479.99 for the camo. It has a great recoil pad. It is very similar to brownings inflex recoil pad (almost identical in my opinion). If you are a bit worried about the recoil with bigger loads such as slugs and turkey shots, i would go with a 20 gauge however it is not as practical as a 12 gauge if you want to use this gun for deer, waterfowl, turkey and upland game.
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Hello Grouseman,

I have only done stationary targets so far, but would like to try shooting clays as the next step. I'm still waiting for my licence, so currently only able to shoot what the clubs offer walk in newbies for now. I've shot a bit of .22LR now through both rifle and handgun, I prefer a rifle for that so based on my limited experience on the Ruger 10/22 stainless synthetic and some reading, have decided to get a takedown model. Shotgun I'm not sure of yet as I don't think I can deal with the recoil of buckshot in 12 gauge pump action(which is the only type I have shot so far), and without the pump action, a shotgun loses a bit of its appeal for me somehow.


Thanks,
Amol


Grouse Man said:
Sorry amolkapoor, I haven't asked you the question - which type of shotgunning are you looking into right now? Buckshot/slugs at stationary targets with shotguns configured like rifles, or wingshooting clay pigeons with traditional guns & birdshot? There's a HUGE difference between the two, in both guns and technique.

If you're interested in the former, you're essentially learning to shoot a rifle. What experience do you have? Would learning the basics with a .22LR make more sense?

If you're going for wingshooting, the best place to learn really is the trap/skeet club. They have the expertise and equipment to help you hit targets very quickly.

And yes, a 20 gauge gas-operated semi is a dream to shoot.
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A pump action pretty well covers all the bases - eg hunting, home defence, target shooting, and shooting clays. The only weakness is for skeet shooting, where shooting doubles can be challenging (most folks use single trigger over/unders or semi's for skeet.)
I think pretty well everyone would find shooting 12 g slugs of any quantity to be daunting, and I don't really understand the appeal personally. Before you make any decisions, I suggest you try shooting the target loads - say at skeet or trap. There is a world of difference in recoil, and the thrill of hitting a moving target is much more compelling - at least for me.
 
Rem 870 Express in 20 gauge, either 26" or 28" barrel, screw in chokes. Can do it all - slugs, buckshot, trap, skeet, hunt. As you said, you want a pump. 20 gauge target loads will be very manageable in a pump.
 
Newbie question, what is the difference between skeet shooting and trap shooting? And shooting clays? I might be thick headed, but I can't figure outthe difference.

Grouse Man said:
Rem 870 Express in 20 gauge, either 26" or 28" barrel, screw in chokes. Can do it all - slugs, buckshot, trap, skeet, hunt. As you said, you want a pump. 20 gauge target loads will be very manageable in a pump.
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Shooting trap is shooting at one or more clays that are moving away from you. Shooting Skeet is when you are shooting at two clays, one coming from your right and one from your left. In skeet, those two clays fly in front of you from your left to your right. One is usually higher than the other.
 
Cool, thanks! I looked into the over/unders, they're pretty expensive as compared to the pumps! I'm going to check out Mossbergs and Remingtons in 20gauge next time I'm at a store.

AccurateJay said:
Shooting trap is shooting at one or more clays that are moving away from you. Shooting Skeet is when you are shooting at two clays, one coming from your right and one from your left. In skeet, those two clays fly in front of you from your left to your right. One is usually higher than the other.
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Check out the Winchester SXP! It is priced the same as mossberg and Remington and they are much better! I have one and I love it!
 
amolkapoor said:
Newbie question, what is the difference between skeet shooting and trap shooting? And shooting clays? I might be thick headed, but I can't figure out the difference.
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Google and you tube will provide you with lots of info on the clay shooting sports .personally shooting stationary targets with buckshot or slugs is about as fun as watching paint dry but with more abuse to the body .
 
AccurateJay said:
Shooting trap is shooting at one or more clays that are moving away from you. Shooting Skeet is when you are shooting at two clays, one coming from your right and one from your left. In skeet, those two clays fly in front of you from your left to your right. One is usually higher than the other.
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Not a very accurate description of skeet Jay. In skeet you aren't always shooting at two clays, in fact you only shoot singles at some stations. As well, the clays don't always come from the left or right, they can also come from in front of you, or behind you, or at various angles. There are two target launchers in skeet, and one is always higher than the other, hence the terms high house, and low house.

Check out the Winchester SXP! It is priced the same as mossberg and Remington and they are much better! I have one and I love it!
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Some models of the SXP are being recalled for safety issues.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/suppo...-All/2015-Recall-Info/SXP_Recall-Notice_2.pdf
 
True however, most of the times, depending on the skeet your shooting, it is two clays usually crossing in front of you. It really depends on what level of skeet you are shooting but I appreciate your comment :) thanks jumper
 
With regards to the SXP, I beleive it is only some 3 1/2 inch models that are being recalled. But for what Kapoor is looking for, 3 1/2 is unnecessary and useless realistically
 
AccurateJay said:
True however, most of the times, depending on the skeet your shooting, it is two clays usually crossing in front of you. It really depends on what level of skeet you are shooting but I appreciate your comment :) thanks jumper
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If you are shooting a typical round of regulation NSSA skeet, a perfect round would consist of only four pairs, the other 17 targets would be singles. And you would never have a pair where both targets are flying from left to right as you posted earlier.
 
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Sounds to me like you need to go shooting with someone who can teach you how to shoulder the gun, stand correctly, hold the gun correctly etc.There are lots of gun owners out there who still after years have little idea about how to shoot properly. I see them often out at the club trying clays for the first time and I cringe when I see the poor shooting habits they have causing them undue recoil issues and hitting the target capability. Go to a club that offers trap and skeet shooting, watch the shooters who are shooting good scores. Watch their gun mounting, handling and stances. Ask around about proper instruction. Explain you are very new to shooting. Most are willing to help out but may not step forward to if you do not ask because often when trying to help they get met with a pretty cool reception by someone who gets insulted thinking their skills as a shooter are being called into play.
 
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