I LOVE SHOTGUNS

[okimreloaded]

I went shooting today and had a blast. I shot my buddies 30 30 first and then my 10/22 and that put me in a pretty great mood, but I really had a blast shooting trap for the first time. It put me over the top. I haven't felt better. I totally sucked at it but some experienced dude gave me some tips. Shotguns should be prescribed therapy. I mean yes, the rifles were fun, but the SHOTGUN was amazing. I loved watching that clay fly apart, I loved pumping it and I loved watching my shells come flying out and smoke too.

First time shooting a shotgun.

my 870 jammed like 4 times with cheap ammo, the extractor kept tearing through the cheap metal rim on the winchester shells.

[shoupdawg]

Went claying for the first time this past Monday. Was fun. I bet it's easier if I have a 20 or 24" vs. my 18".

[CSACANNONEER]

Went claying for the first time this past Monday. Was fun. I bet it's easier if I have a 20 or 24" vs. my 18".

Depends on your distance from the thrower, how the gun fits you, chokes, etc.

[IrishPirate]

Went claying for the first time this past Monday. Was fun. I bet it's easier if I have a 20 or 24" vs. my 18".

I LOVE shooting my mossberg 500!!! blasting clays is MUCH easier with longer barrels....the only trade off is it takes you longer to get on target because you're moving more steel, but if you're throwing straight out in front of you it's no big deal at all (targets coming from the sides are harder). Your 18.5" is most likely only cylinder bore so there's no constriction helping to tighten your pattern and if you don't get the shot off quick it's going to spread out before it gets to the target. If you can, invest in a 24"-28" ported barrel that's threaded for choke tubes. These are great for clay pigeons and great for real ones too!!

[BigDogatPlay]

A 21 - 24 inch barrel with choke tubes is all you really need for just about any shotgunning, even trap and sporting clays. You don't gain velocity with longer barrels, modern shells burn out in 18 - 20 inches or so, and they are that much harder to swing. I've got an 1100 with a 30 inch trap barrel on it and I actually shoot it better with a 22 inch with tubes.

Having the stock fitted is just about an absolute must, as mentioned.

[valleyguy]

I went shooting today and had a blast. I shot my buddies 30 30 first and then my 10/22 and that put me in a pretty great mood, but I really had a blast shooting trap for the first time. It put me over the top. I haven't felt better. I totally sucked at it but some experienced dude gave me some tips. Shotguns should be prescribed therapy. I mean yes, the rifles were fun, but the SHOTGUN was amazing. I loved watching that clay fly apart, I loved pumping it and I loved watching my shells come flying out and smoke too.

First time shooting a shotgun.

my 870 jammed like 4 times with cheap ammo, the extractor kept tearing through the cheap metal rim on the winchester shells.

You should snag one of those Interstate 982's over at Big 5 -- $200 before DROS. It's a 870 knock off that works better -- pumped well over 1000 rounds through mine, not a jam yet.

Btw, the Interstate short coach gun actually shoots clays really well too -- think about grabbing that one at Big 5 when they get them again, they're a nice buy.