Choosing a shotgun for sporting clays

[davek8s]

Edit: I didn't realize that sporting clays was a sport. I should have said that I'm looking to shoot trap for now.

I'm looking to buy my first shotgun for sporting clays priced around $500. Originally I was looking at an entry level over under like a Maverick 88 or Stoeger Condor. The reviews I've read say that both are decent shotguns and will work well for trap, skeet, and hunting.

After looking around more I see that for the same price I can pick up a Benelli super nova or I could save some money and get a nova, 890 or 500.

So what does Calguns think? Right now I'm leaning towards the Benelli nova or super nova. Mostly because of the brand name. Is there any advantage to using an O/U for clay shooting?

[ysr_racer]

Yes there is, but a decent o/u starts out at $2500. You'll be happier with a good semi auto in your price range.

The advantage of an o/u is two different chokes, if you're shooting a close target and a far target.

[davek8s]

Yes there is, but a decent o/u starts out at $2500. You'll be happier with a good semi auto in your price range.

The advantage of an o/u is two different chokes, if you're shooting a close target and a far target.

Yeah if I had $2500 to spend I probably wouldn't be looking at a shotgun.

For a semi auto in my price range I think I'm looking at a Maverick or Stoeger shotgun. I'm still leaning towards the Benelli

[ysr_racer]

Beretta A300 is the best value out there.

[ScottB]

Yeah if I had $2500 to spend I probably wouldn't be looking at a shotgun.

For a semi auto in my price range I think I'm looking at a Maverick or Stoeger shotgun. I'm still leaning towards the Benelli

O/Us are the action of choice for the vast majority of target shooters. Besides the choke options, they have better balance/swing and are easier/safer to handle around the range. Still, more than a few guys like autoloaders and do quite well with them.

$2,500 is entry level for new(er) target guns and the cost of a round of clays and ammo is not insignificant either, but you can have fun with an older semi. You might be able to find an older Beretta A300 or Remington 1100 in your price range. Winchester and Browning autoloaders are probably fine as well but I am not familiar with them. Definitely you are looking for a (gently) used gun and even at that, I would keep another couple hundred handy. You want a minimum 26" barrel on an autoloader and 28" on an O/U. I would also want a flat shooting gun.

Novas are pumps. I would not recommend a pump for clay games for a beginner.

[Barbarossa]

This wouldn't be a bad start

http://www.basspro.com/Mossberg-International-Silver-Reserve-II-Field-Over/Under-Shotgun/product/12080905022023/

[BOBGBA]

Nothing wrong with a Benelli pump. Shooting a pump is fun. Not sure why some people assume you'll be happier with a good semi-auto.

There's a lot of other factors that enter in to the decision.
Here's a few:
Recoil sensitivity
Age & health
What kind of gun really interests you now (at your budget)

I shoot them all - O/U, SxS, Semi-Auto and pump - ALL of them are fun...........

[davek8s]

I'll have to check out the Mossberg next time I visit Bass Pro

This wouldn't be a bad start



http://www.basspro.com/Mossberg-Inte...2080905022023/

I like the idea of an O/U, but I don't know anyone that owns a budget O/U. That's why I'm leaning towards a name brand pump action. I don't have any issue with recoil and my main interest is finding a shotgun that's in my price range.

Nothing wrong with a Benelli pump. Shooting a pump is fun. Not sure why some people assume you'll be happier with a good semi-auto.

There's a lot of other factors that enter in to the decision.
Here's a few:
Recoil sensitivity
Age & health
What kind of gun really interests you now (at your budget)

I shoot them all - O/U, SxS, Semi-Auto and pump - ALL of them are fun...........

[ScottB]

Nothing wrong with a Benelli pump. Shooting a pump is fun. Not sure why some people assume you'll be happier with a good semi-auto.

There's a lot of other factors that enter in to the decision.
Here's a few:
Recoil sensitivity
Age & health
What kind of gun really interests you now (at your budget)

I shoot them all - O/U, SxS, Semi-Auto and pump - ALL of them are fun...........

I like pumps and shoot them well, but for a beginner, and a beginner in shooting sporting clays in particular, I think it adds an unnecessary element of complexity. Autoloaders are also the softest shooting if recoil is an issue

[Thefeeder]

I'm looking to buy my first shotgun for sporting clays priced around $500. Originally I was looking at an entry level over under like a Maverick 88 or Stoeger Condor. The reviews I've read say that both are decent shotguns and will work well for trap, skeet, and hunting.

After looking around more I see that for the same price I can pick up a Benelli super nova or I could save some money and get a nova, 890 or 500.

So what does Calguns think? Right now I'm leaning towards the Benelli nova or super nova. Mostly because of the brand name. Is there any advantage to using an O/U for clay shooting?

My take on the matter, take whatever shotgun you currently have and go shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays. When your a decent shot and comfortable, then you may want to look into something else to shoot.

You may have to reconfigure your present shotgun for field use but it will serve you well and not cost a bunch to get started......the money you are going to spend on an O/u will serve you best used on shells and clays

[davek8s]

Normally I would complete agree with your advice. Using what you have and spending money to practice is better than buying another firearm.

My problem is that I don't currently own a shotgun so I'm starting from scratch. I do have some cash saved up because I was going to buy reloading components if HRC was elected. But with the way things turned out I've decided to spend that money on something else.

My take on the matter, take whatever shotgun you currently have and go shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays. When your a decent shot and comfortable, then you may want to look into something else to shoot.



You may have to reconfigure your present shotgun for field use but it will serve you well and not cost a bunch to get started......the money you are going to spend on an O/u will serve you best used on shells and clays

[Thefeeder]

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Go buy yourself a used field/hunting shotgun with a 26+" barrel and interchangeable choke tubes. Pumps are cheep and work well for a beginner.
You can shoot all the games and shoot just single targets until you get better for doubles and learn to run the gun

Approach it like you did when you learned to drive..... learning to drive was about how much time you spent driving, not what you drove.

Again spent the money on shells and clays...there is no substitute for actully getting out there and shooting, learning to mount, stance, gun fit, swing, leads, etc.

Tip: Shoot and hang out with the Greyhairs at the range who shoot well.....they will show you the ropes

[pennstater]

Normally I would complete agree with your advice. Using what you have and spending money to practice is better than buying another firearm.

My problem is that I don't currently own a shotgun so I'm starting from scratch. I do have some cash saved up because I was going to buy reloading components if HRC was elected. But with the way things turned out I've decided to spend that money on something else.

^^^So true!^^^. Just an idea. I recently returned to shotgunning with upland birds in mind and a little trap. I bought a Mossberg930 semi-auto 12ga. A very good S/G for trap, I was rather surprised how well it fit, swung and shoots. It cost a bit over $500 out the door. Mine is camo, but they come in wood/blued and other camo patterns. So, there's that.

[davek8s]

Choosing a shotgun for sporting clays

Approach it like you did when you learned to drive..... learning to drive was about how much time you spent driving, not what you drove.

Tip: Shoot and hang out with the Greyhairs at the range who shoot well.....they will show you the ropes

2 great pieces of advice!

^^^So true!^^^. Just an idea. I recently returned to shotgunning with upland birds in mind and a little trap. I bought a Mossberg930 semi-auto 12ga. A very good S/G for trap, I was rather surprised how well it fit, swung and shoots. It cost a bit over $500 out the door. Mine is camo, but they come in wood/blued and other camo patterns. So, there's that.

I'll check out the 930. If it's a little more money I'll consider it.

[pennstater]

2 great pieces of advice!







I'll check out the 930. If it's a little more money I'll consider it.

I bought mine thru www."Budsgunshop".com. Easy to navigate. There are a few models of the 930, so look around.
Just found one on there for $449. Blk/ Blue, three chokes and shims if you need them. #85128