Where to start?

D

Dirk

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GunNutz
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Location
Fraser Valley, BC
Used to hunt birds as a teenager .... fast forward 35 yrs and now have an interest in the shotgun sports. Recently have shot a couple rounds of trap, couple games of sporting clays and am pretty much hooked. I wasn't very good, but that's besides the point!

I am starting to get an understanding of the variables in choosing a gun, but I certainly don't have the budget for a different gun for each sport. Also don't have the illusion that I will get 'super good or super competitive', just to try something new and to enjoy myself.

So far, I've shot all autos, but my mindset seems to be on the o/u. The Remington 11 87 was a joy to shoot, very little recoil, as was the Browning Gold. Can't remember what the other auto was, but it kicked like a mule! (this one seemed quite a bit lighter than the other 2)

I've started researching different choices and am hoping I'll get some feedback on the following:

CZ canvasback back @ http://www.wanstallsonline.com/product.php?productid=889&cat=77&page=1

CZ woodstock @ http://www.italiansportinggoods.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=8_18&products_id=351

Stevens 512 @ http://ca.wholesalesports.com/storefront/firearms/over-under-shotguns/stevens-512-gold-shotgun/prod236924.html

Now the questions:

I noticed the difference in weight between the canvasback and woodstock is the better part of 1 lb. ......... would this make quite the difference in recoil over a day of shooting?

Would these be considered 'too low end' to begin with for trap, skeet & sporting clay?

Can it be assumed that all new can take interchangeable chokes .... even if they are not mentioned in the specs?

Should I opt for something like the above, and then wish to upgrade a later date ..... would these be easy to resell without taking a real beating on the cost?

Guess you probably get the idea where I'm coming from ...... so whatever you can add I do appreciate.

many thanks
 
At my club people shoot regularly with everything from expensive, clay-specific guns, field guns, semis of all kinds, and pumps. I'm too new to give more solid advice but I can say there is no such thing as "too low end" for shooting clays from a practical standpoint.
 
Best advice I can offer is to try several members O/U's (most folks are happy to at least let you shoulder it if not shoot a round) before trying to settle on a purchase. Also, you will likely find that inexpensive O/U's may not hold up over the long haul if you turn into a high volume shooter--that's the domain of the multi-thousand dollar Brownings, Berettas, K-guns, etc. If I were starting over, knowing what I know today, I would have probably got myself a quality sporting semi (Beretta 391 Sporting for e.g.) and focused on improving my technique over investing in hardware up front. That will let you shoot any clay game or take hunting, last you for years and not be out of place at any event. A semi has the additional versatility of loading in more than 2 rounds when doing some of the fun sporting clay events like flurries!
 
Stay away from inexpensive shotguns, if you are planning to shoot very many clay targets. They just don't stand up.

The favored new semi for clays is the Beretta 391. There are lots of Remington 1100s out there as well, but the Berettas today outsell everything else by a long shot for clays.

There are lots of good O/Us available.

Try everything you can lay your hands on before you buy your first target shotgun. Notice I said first, you will buy more.

Gun fit is the key to getting to your potential.

Decide what will be your main game and buy a shotgun that is designed for that game. It will work fine for the other games.

Good luck and welcome to the passion.
 
Can't say it any better than the previous two posts.

Try as many as possible - then try to find a used one on the EE - better option for sure.
 
Thanks for your replies, both posted and pms. Decision made much quicker than I would have thought, made a deal on a used Beretta O/U. Think I'll be very happy!
 
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