The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Siggy on September 07, 2009, 08:09:11 PM
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I'm looking to try something new with Trap and Sporting Clays. Does anyone have some good recommendations for a shotgun under $1000? Browning, Beretta and Benelli come up frequently. What models work best? Thanks for your input.javascript:void(0);
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A couple things 1st, trap and skeet guns are very diffrent from each other. its not just barrel length and chokes. its the way they are set up. trap guns for example are patterned to shoot high, where as skeet guns are generally 50/50.( generally speaking)
now with all that said, whats really important is the gun fits you. a $75 used single shot thats fits you well will work better then a $5000 o/u.
Do you currently have a field gun? I'd recomened starting with a beater one of those, that you won't feel bad throwing money at the gun.
So if your use to shooting a 870, buy a used wing master, get a new barrel, cut on the stock til it fits you.
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Siggy,
If you are looking to shoot trap and sporting clays go with any good hunting shotgun. My trap gun is a Charles Daly Lux (built in 1976 and no longer made). I also shoot trap and sporting clays with my Benelli M1 and M2, and a Winchester 1300. I'm equaly good with the Benellis and the Daly.
The key is that trap and sporting clays are patterned after and meant as prep or replacement for hunting. So, any hunting gun that you like will like the sports.
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The key is that trap and sporting clays are patterned after and meant as prep or replacement for hunting. So, any hunting gun that you like will like the sports.
+1.....I've been using a 1976, 870 Wingmaster pump gun with an improved cylinder barrel and I do fine. It's not a competition gun but it works for the casual round of clays.
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Actually, beg to differ. IF and I repeat IF you want to compete seriously, you wil be looking at two different types of shotguns, neither of which are applicable to field use. Just like pellet rifles, you rapidly move from from sporters to anshutz models. I owned a browning over under clays gun (can't remember the model) the had an adjustable stock, ventilated rib,easily adjustible trigger and all the trimmings. Great on the range, sucked in the blind. I traded it for a nice blue collar Merkel SxS and never looked back. The question is, do you want a practical GP shotgun, or a tool for comptetion? Both are valid reason's for buying a gun. Its just that if you are looking for a hunting gun that you will play with on the skeet range, that is what should buy. If you want a competition gun that you can take into the duck blind twice a year, its a whole different animal. Me, I like field guns and work accordingly.I shoot multiple cases a year on skeet out of a Parker VH and a Merkel model 8 and am very happy. If you prefer O/U there are more choices. Just decide what your primary focus is and go from there. Also understand that a clays (skeet gun) gun is very different than a trap gun. Trap rewards long barrels and tight chokes, clays, opposite.
FQ13
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Another one you might want to check out is, Escort Over/Unders. 4 different models to choose from. All under a $1000.00
http://www.legacysports.com/products/escort/escort_specialty.html
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I agree with TAB
If you are going to shoot trap seriously it really does need a shotgun setup to shoot high. I had a 870 Trap and a 870 Comp and both were very good guns for 16 yard and handicap. I think both are well under $600. They were both choked Extra Full (Trap Full)
When I shot skeet regularly I used a 870 Premiere Skeet. It's good gun and heavy enough to swing smoothly. Brand new it was well under $700.
It has two choke tubes Skeet 1 & 2
The bunch of us always shot sporting clays for fun and to rib each other about missed shots. I shot my field gun, Daly Over and Under with an Imp Cly and Mod chokes. I will shoot skeet with it but it probably cost me a bird or two out of 100.
If I wanted to change chokes at every station I could get away with the skeet gun on a sporting clays course. The trap gun would be rough on the same stations except for the going away birds.
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I shoot sporting clays for fun. The course I frequent has 18 stations that mimic all of the small game and birds that are here in the northeast from bunnies on the run to pheasant, coot, duck, geese, quail, woodcock, you name it. I've yet to have a problem with my Wingmaster. When I miss, it's not because of the distance or the station, it's because I missed.
I've owned two shotguns in my entire life, a 20 ga pump and the 12 ga I have now, both of which had improved cylinder barrels. I've never owned a choke in my life and have never had need to use other than the barrel of the gun. I'm a minimalist when it comes to hunting. I buy what I need, nothing more.
If you plan on getting into competition as time progresses, good for you. In the meantime, find something that works for now, spend as little as possible and remember that retailers will sell you ANYTHING you think YOU need, not because you actually need it!
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I shoot Sporting Clays every week in a League.. I use my Browning Golden Hunter A500 G 12 ga shotgun with an improved choke. I use it for doves also and just change choke tubes ..
I don't have any problem what so ever in shooting clays with this..
Here it is..:
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/marshalette/browning_gold.jpg)
I have on back order ( leave it to Browning to ALWAYS NOT have what you want in stock! ) my new shotgun that I was supposed to have here before the fall Sporting Clay league started ..It has a little shorter barrel (28") which I will find a tad easier to pull up and maybe a bit better for clays....
I can't wait to get it...
Its a Browning Silver Sporting Micro Shotgun
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/marshalette/BrowingSilver.jpg)
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Thanks. I'm going shooting again on Friday. Looked at an 870 Express and a BPS at BassPro. Will rent an O/U Friday, and see if I like it any better or if there is something used in price range. Consensus is 12 ga. over 20 ga. and 28" barrel in a field model with IC...at least for starters.
It's hard to tell what fits or have a preference when you are a newbie, I'm not consistent enough with technique. In the meantime it will be nice to start with something so as not having to rent.
All the Best.
Siggy
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if your really a new, find a local club, go shoot with them. not only will they teach you ALOT, but most people, are more then willing to let you shoot thier guns to see if you like them.
I just got back from the trap club, Had 2 people shoot my praker VH 16 ga, I also shot a beretta XCEL 25, a break action semi auto. ( yeah, I had to say WTF as well)
https://www.berettausa.com/e2wItemMain.aspx?parentID=IT00006481&parentLink=2100000084:3100001618
http://www.ugb25xcel.com/index.aspx?m=53&did=96
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Thanks. I'm going shooting again on Friday. Looked at an 870 Express and a BPS at BassPro. Will rent an O/U Friday, and see if I like it any better or if there is something used in price range. Consensus is 12 ga. over 20 ga. and 28" barrel in a field model with IC...at least for starters.
It's hard to tell what fits or have a preference when you are a newbie, I'm not consistent enough with technique. In the meantime it will be nice to start with something so as not having to rent.
All the Best.
Siggy
Siggy, the BPS is hard to beat to beat. My dad bought me one as my first shotgun as I am a lefty and it has (or had 20 odd years ago) a bottom ejection. Good balance, reliable as hell and with tubes you can shoot anything you have any business shooting at with uter confidence. I just caught the double barrel bug (purely a matter of aesthetics), but for a pump hunting/sporting shotgun, the BPS would be the one I looked at first. There are some good semis out there as well, like Benelli, but I just don't like using a semi on birds (again, just a question of aesthetics, I save the semis for SD, my call not a reccomendation). But for an upland/waterfowl/skeet gun, the BPS is darn hard to beat.
FQ13
PS for Sd buy a dedicated riot gun. My 20" 8 shot tube Maverick set me back a wopping $230. Buy one used at $200 or less. Buy a hunting/clays gun for that purpose alone.
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if you want a auto, get a rem 1100, you will know why after you shoot it.
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I just purchased 2 shotguns in the last 5 weeks ( if my wife ever get the safe open I'm dead meat) I found a good used Remington 1100 12 ga. 28" barrel fixed full choke for $435.00 and last Saturday I came home with a used Weatherby Orion Sporting O/U with 8 choke tubes for $750.00. I plan on using the 1100 for trap and the O/U for skeet and general hunting. God I hope I didn't pay too much for these shot chuckers. ;D
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I just purchased 2 shotguns in the last 5 weeks ( if my wife ever get the safe open I'm dead meat) I found a good used Remington 1100 12 ga. 28" barrel fixed full choke for $435.00 and last Saturday I came home with a used Weatherby Orion Sporting O/U with 8 choke tubes for $750.00. I plan on using the 1100 for trap and the O/U for skeet and general hunting. God I hope I didn't pay too much for these shot chuckers. ;D
You got a good deal on both and you won't regret owning either. Those are two quality guns. The only other thing you might want is a short 18" or 20" barrel for the 1100 for HD. Look on gunbroker for a used one. You bought well, enjoy them.
FQ13
PS since the 1100 is full, you can have it bored out and choke tubes installed. This should not be that expensive either.
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I just purchased 2 shotguns in the last 5 weeks ( if my wife ever get the safe open I'm dead meat) I found a good used Remington 1100 12 ga. 28" barrel fixed full choke for $435.00 and last Saturday I came home with a used Weatherby Orion Sporting O/U with 8 choke tubes for $750.00. I plan on using the 1100 for trap and the O/U for skeet and general hunting. God I hope I didn't pay too much for these shot chuckers. ;D
Oh, and like you're the only one here that's true for!!! ;D
I was going to post pics of my garage sale JC Higgins 12-ga that I used in trap last week - but it locked up on me again yesterday and I have to tear it down again. Funny thing, it ran like a champ last week at the shoot - I left the Vari-choke wide open instead of full so I didn't hit much, but it was fun.
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Oh, and like you're the only one here that's true for!!! ;D
I was going to post pics of my garage sale JC Higgins 12-ga that I used in trap last week - but it locked up on me again yesterday and I have to tear it down again. Funny thing, it ran like a champ last week at the shoot - I left the Vari-choke wide open instead of full so I didn't hit much, but it was fun.
About anything that goes" BANG "is fun. 8)
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The only Browning that I have is my double auto, kind of a misfit like myself but I do love it.
Loads from the left and holds two rounds.
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Went clays shooting, second time. What fun. I borrowed a Benelli Super Sport and took a lesson. I think a BPS would be good for starters, however, the auto was very nice, had less recoil and would be better, if and when I have enough skill for doubles. What I like and want to spend may not match up.
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Went clays shooting, second time. What fun. I borrowed a Benelli Super Sport and took a lesson. I think a BPS would be good for starters, however, the auto was very nice, had less recoil and would be better, if and when I have enough skill for doubles. What I like and want to spend may not match up.
Not a lot of differnce between gun guys and drug dealers ... We'll lend you anything to get you hooked, and then we want to try everything you buy to support your habit ;D
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What I like and want to spend may not match up.
I feel your pain.