Entry Level Shotgun for Trap/Skeet/Sporting Clays

[MA5177]

Can't go wrong with a used 1100, but most likely it will have a fixed choke and you will be spending 200-300 for a good barrel with screw in chokes.

Look for a 300 or even a 391, may have to go over your budget but it will be worth it.

A couple years ago I found a NIB beretta 391 Urika2 for $700 on shotgun world

[Chewy65]

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.

The barrel combo is a mistake, if it is the one with a 28" barrel with a fixed modified choke. It may work pretty well for trap, but is too tight for skeet, which is tough enough with a pump.

[rromeo]

What are the collective thoughts on the CZ-712? I saw a couple of them today, $400-500. One was a wood stock, the other has synthetic, and the stock was adjustable.

[ceh383]

What are the collective thoughts on the CZ-712? I saw a couple of them today, $400-500. One was a wood stock, the other has synthetic, and the stock was adjustable.

Not a bad gun, but also not a great gun. A used Remington 1100/11-87 would be better options and should be available in this price range. A used Beretta 390/391 would be even better, but will likely cost a bit more.

[Khaos827]

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.

I been shooting skeet with my mav88 pump and it works fine.

[bigbearbear]

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.

This. You can get more gun for your money with an auto when compared to an O/U.

Also consider a Weatherby SA-08, it is a little on the light side but is otherwise a great value for money.

[pennstater]

bigbearbear,
I suggested the Weatherby earlier. A good choice really. But, for a bit heavier, less recoil, the 930 would be a good pick for occasional use, either for a little range work or upland birds. I've looked at several, handled what I could and shot some. The A300, damn nice shotgun in all aspects. The Franchhi Affinity, very nice. The Moss. 930, well, it simply worked the best for MY needs. A little heavier than the other two, but, felt and handled better than I thought it would. This would be my choice for the OP's use. Just my opinion.

[Chewy65]

Keep in mind that, while we all have budgetary concerns, the cost of the gun is the least costly factor in shooting and especially if you shoot more than a few boxes a year. I shoot one of the less expensive "B guns" and its cost spread over the 5 years I have shot it comes down to $600 a year. $700 if you include custom stock work. Not a penny has been needed for repairs and it is just broken in.

In that same 5 years, I must have spent well over $10,000 on ammo and targets. In another 5 years I expect those costs will rise to $20,000, while the cost for gun ownership drops to $350 per year.

The moral of the story is to save your pennies and buy the best gun you feel you can afford, given how much you believe you will shoot it. I shot my $350 Remington 870 for over a year and would never had gotten the "B gun" if I wasn't bitten by the clays bug.

[LMan57]

Very true the cost of the gun is far less than range fees and ammo I load my own to help off set my cost a little it is the same with any shooting discipline.

[MaliStaff]

Tons of great advice here - thanks guys. Going to keep my eyes peeled for a sale on the A300. In the meantime, attend a few clinics to talk to folks and try different shotguns. Again, many thanks!

[Horrendo Revolver]

Franchi Affinity is an excellent shotgun, I own a 12 and a 20. Great for hunting but I don't like their recoil for shooting clays. Beretta A300 is good. Mossberg 930 and Weatherby SA-08 are good too, in fact that is what I would pick if buying new. Even though the Weatherby is lighter, felt recoil feels the same as the 930 to me. The 930 and SA-08 stock dimensions are pretty close. The A300 stock is quite a bit different fit wise from the 930 and SA-08. That is why I said I'd pick the Weather or Mossberg, because the Beretta doesn't fit me at all and I can't shoot them.

Which brings me to my main point. FIT is everything in a shotgun. To the OP. You've gotten a bunch of good suggestions on shotguns IF they fit your father. If they don't then he is just pissing in the wind, unless he is one of those VERY few people who can adjust to any shotgun. I've only known one of those people in my 57 years on the planet.

At least one of the shotguns mentioned will fit though. Someone mentioned CZ. I love their rifles and pistols but not their semi-auto shotguns. To me they have horrible triggers(which can be fixed for a price) and seem clunky, IMO.

Remington 1100 and 1187's have the reputation of fitting a wider variety of people than any other shotgun I know of - in a semi.