Entry level trap/skeet shotgun

[ysr_racer]

We go to Raahauge's in Corona every Friday morning, you're welcome to join us.

[ysr_racer]

Something about an A hundred being the best

What do you have?

Am I better off with three A100s, or one A300?

[RNE228]

Watch the used racks at LGS for a Rem 1100.

I picked up a Skeet model a couple years back; has been a great clay gun. Have put a bunch of rounds thru it at Sac Valley, and a few at Comanche Hills and Coon Creek. Still need to make it out to Raahauge's in Dunnigan(NorCal)

[bigbearbear]

A Beretta Silver Pigeon I Sporting or a Browning Citori 725 will be a good place to start. They both have excellent track record and can be fitted with precision fit stock if you want to have a fully adjustable stock for the shotgun.

Wife and I shot Benelli shotguns for many years before switching to O/U, semi-autos are good general purpose shotguns to have in your collection and generally gives better bang for your bucks. So if you have limited budget, consider a semi-auto from Beretta or Benelli.

[RNE228]

This is best idea. Sometimes it is hard to find a range that rents though...

I found Birds Landing rents; I rented an Beretta O/U a few weeks ago.

Before you spend any money, go to the range a few times, rent or borrow a gun, shoot a bit and look at what others are using. Avoid any thing that appeals because of the "look" or the idea" of it (i.e. vintage, sxs, etc). You want what works. Its about the sport, not the gun.

[RNE228]

Does Bobcat still make the A300? What would you do with a skidsteer?

Am I better off with three A100s, or one A300?

[Newshooter]

I recommend buying a quality gun that you'll use and keep for years. Don't waste money on a cheap gun, you'll be using this gun for the rest of your life. The shotgun forums have many threads about what gun to pick. My personal choice for a do everything gun is a 12 gauge semi auto with 28 inch barrels.

Amen...Buy once, cry once

[Ducky's Dad]

Come on, guys! OP is on a budget and already has an 870 and wants to start shooting BEGINNER clays. Just about any 870 would be a great starter gun for him, and HE ALREADY HAS ONE, even if he has to find a used barrel for his game. Give him sensible advice, not the usual crap. Some of you are on the money, others are just bloviating.

[russ69]

Come on, guys! OP is on a budget and already has an 870 ...others are just bloviating.

The 870 can be used for trap but a pump is a poor choice for skeet or sporting clays, that's why we didn't recommend it.

[Horrendo Revolver]

Something 5-700 is fine less is better.

New:
Weatherby SA-08

Mossberg 930

Beretta A300

Remington V3 Sport - https://grabagun.com/remington-83400...eld-sport.html

Remington 1100 - https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ynthetic_black

Used: The world is your oyster.

[Ducky's Dad]

The 870 can be used for trap but a pump is a poor choice for skeet or sporting clays, that's why we didn't recommend it.

Real men shoot pump guns. That's why you didn't recommend it. He's a beginner and on a budget and he has an 870 and 870s have successfully shot millions of rounds of skeet. He'll learn the game and figure out what he wants to buy, and shooting skeet and trap doubles with an 870 will make him a better shooter. He doesn't need to get a new gun now. It's too damn soon to throw money away, because he does not yet know what he is doing.

[ceh383]

Real men shoot pump guns. That's why you didn't recommend it. He's a beginner and on a budget and he has an 870 and 870s have successfully shot millions of rounds of skeet. He'll learn the game and figure out what he wants to buy, and shooting skeet and trap doubles with an 870 will make him a better shooter. He doesn't need to get a new gun now. It's too damn soon to throw money away, because he does not yet know what he is doing.

This and, if he gets serious about clay shooting, he'll be likely to change guns in a year or two any way. Shoot what you have and learn, both the game and what you like/don't like in a gun.

[skinnyjay]

I would recommend an over/under with 28" barrels. If you just shoot trap, I would recommend 30".

At Triple B trap ranges, you have to be careful because racking the gun (pump) triggers the mic alot, and lets a clay go when you don't want it to.

Semi's are cool but depending on the gun, the spent shell sometimes ejects it to the person on your right. Loading the breech also sometimes sets of the mics at the trap ranges.

O/U's are best because of the safety aspect. You can use two different chokes when shooting skeet. They're alot more customizable. They're usually the more common shotgun at clay fields but often the most expensive. Barrels can also be interchanged. I have a Beretta 682X and it has a single 32" barrel and 28" double barrel.

Overall, anything will be fine. No need to be drop too much money. The gun is cheapest part of the sport if you continue to shoot clays long term.

A high quality gun will only make you a little better. Practice is what makes you good.

Jay

[870classic]

question: doesn't Triple B's rent shotguns? If so, ask their advice on which shotgun to start off with. (Renting)


Personal observation: Start with a semi auto 12ga. Less recoil and more pellets to increase your chances of success.

(Personal preference for the last 35 years)
For ATA trap singles, 16 yard and 20 yard handicapped, I use an 870 12ga
For skeet I use an 870 20ga.
For Sporting clays I use a Beretta 682.

YMMV. Best regards,
870classic

[Thefeeder]

The 870 can be used for trap but a pump is a poor choice for skeet or sporting clays, that's why we didn't recommend it.

That is one of the most repeated misconceptions on the net. I'll be glad to show that it is in person

Meanwhile, here is a vid --Shooting Skeet with 870's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GbRTbfnwxI