Entry Level Shotgun for Trap/Skeet/Sporting Clays

[Thefeeder]

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My .02 worth

Buy a 28" Mossberg barrel with inter-changable choke tubes and replace the 18' one....put a field stock on it and call it good.

Hang out at Diablo shooting range in Concord and shoot some clays. There will plenty of shooters who will show him how to tune the 500 into a manageable shooting clay gun. There will also be plenty of shooters who will let him try their guns .

With time he will get to know what he would like to buy.

If he wants to learn how to shoot them flying things and would like to try some differnt guns...I teach a Skeet Clinic down in San Jose

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=405000

[ysr_racer]

Methinks we need a sticky for this question.

And the answer is....

1) Get a very nice used semi-auto for around $500. A300, 1100, 11-87.

2) Get a pretty nice used CZ O/U for around $500.

3) Save your money and get a used Beretta/Benelli/Browning O/U for around $1000.

All are fine for occasional clay sports.

I'd go with number 1. Quality guns with versatility.

I got this 11-87 for $500 here in the marketplace. Keep your eyes open.

The 11-87 is a good gun, I have one. The 1100 is a good gun too, I have two. The A300 is a great gun that's way more advanced than either of the Remingtons, I have one and shoot it when ever I need a semi auto.

[ysr_racer]

Granted the blue and wood on the Remingtons is WAY nicer than the Beretta A300.

[shovelon]

My .02 worth

Buy a 28" Mossberg barrel with inter-changable choke tubes and replace the 18' one....put a field stock on it and call it good.

Hang out at Diablo shooting range in Concord and shoot some clays. There will plenty of shooters who will show him how to tune the 500 into a manageable shooting clay gun. There will also be plenty of shooters who will let him try their guns .

With time he will get to know what he would like to buy.

If he wants to learn how to shoot them flying things and would like to try some differnt guns...I teach a Skeet Clinic down in San Jose
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=405000

You will gain a much better understanding of your ability and needs if you attend this clinic.

[MaliStaff]

Has he actually tried using the 500 in any clay shooting yet? You don't have to get a "clay gun" to actually shoot in any clay sport. Well, wherever the short 18" barrel is allowed.

I started out with the 500 and it's a fun gun (once I got my shouldering technique down and the recoil stopped beating the crap out of my face anyways).

No, he has never used his 500 for clay shooting. While I know pumps can be used for clays, I think he would be better served using a semi-auto, if for nothing less due to the recoil.

[SunsetIE]

My .02 worth

Buy a 28" Mossberg barrel with inter-changable choke tubes and replace the 18' one....put a field stock on it and call it good.

This. I shoot a ported high rib Beretta S686 and regularly hit 20/25. A good friend of mine got into clays a few months ago and uses his totally stock mossberg 500 with the 28" barrel and hits 16-18 consecutively.

Good thing the 686 I use isnt mine, Hed be making me look bad

[MaliStaff]

Methinks we need a sticky for this question.

And the answer is....

1) Get a very nice used semi-auto for around $500. A300, 1100, 11-87.

2) Get a pretty nice used CZ O/U for around $500.

3) Save your money and get a used Beretta/Benelli/Browning O/U for around $1000.

All are fine for occasional clay sports.

I'd go with number 1. Quality guns with versatility.

I got this 11-87 for $500 here in the marketplace. Keep your eyes open.

Your advice is well received. I'll keep constant lurk on the marketplace to find an A300 in the $500 range. Nice find BTW on the 11-87!

[MaliStaff]

My .02 worth

Buy a 28" Mossberg barrel with inter-changable choke tubes and replace the 18' one....put a field stock on it and call it good.

Hang out at Diablo shooting range in Concord and shoot some clays. There will plenty of shooters who will show him how to tune the 500 into a manageable shooting clay gun. There will also be plenty of shooters who will let him try their guns .

With time he will get to know what he would like to buy.

If he wants to learn how to shoot them flying things and would like to try some differnt guns...I teach a Skeet Clinic down in San Jose
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=405000

Great idea! It's not until now that he regrets not purchasing the barrel combo vs. solely the security model. I think surrounding himself with more experienced shooters in the sport should help him identify what he needs.

[PoorRichRichard]

Franchi Affinity. 12 or 20 gauge.

[rromeo]

I bought an old Browning A5. It's made in Belgium, so no screw in chokes like the Japanese guns, but I very rarely see the Japanese models for sale. Mine was $400
I've been thinking of getting something newer. Beretta is on my mind,

[rmfool]

how about a new barrel for what you have

[shovelon]

how about a new barrel for what you have

How about send it out to have it threaded for screw in chokes?

[LMan57]

I shoot trap for your budget your better off with a used shotgun and if you go with a semi-auto get a shell defector some guys get pissed with shells flying in there face I use my old 870 pump without any problems.

[wweigle]

How about a used (1980's) Rem 1100. These are solid guns and easy to find different barrels and such.

A used 1100 or 11-87 are good options and within your budget.

[JagerDog]

Quality auto > cheap O/U.

Could set the 500 up in trap trim, but swapping back-n-forth to defense mode (if desired) is a bit of a pain.