Need Help ASAP

[jaydog]

I want to start shooting trap at my new club (Sunnyvale)

I found a gun, Beretta 682. It might be a white onyx.

It will cost twice as much as a Mossberg 930 Field, 28".

Should I be starting with the auto mossberg 930 (new) for 1/2 as much AS the Beretta (no history) ???

I am thinking that I can always "hand down" the mossberg for a buddy when I find a minty gun.

Please Advise for a newbie. See u soon.

[JagerTroop]

I wouldn't invest a ton of money in a gun/activity until I was sure I liked it. That's just me though. I would start with something "entry level" and go from there. However, you may come to realize that the Beretta was exactly what you wanted/needed all along. Then you'll be cursing my name.

In the end, it's really up to you. I know that's not much help, but I'm not the one buying the Moss or Beretta. Buy whatever you feel comfortable with. It sounds like you already know what you want to do. You can always "hand down" the Mossberg when you feel it's served it's purpose, then upgrade.

good luck.

[-hanko]

The Onyx is the entry-level Beretta gun.

You answer is based on your budget. Beyond that, the Beretta will be lighter, easier to point, and able to run through tens of thousands of shells and then be able to be readjusted to as-new condition.

Spend the money once, cry once, etc.

You need to hang out on shotgunworld.com for a while

-hanko

[AAShooter]

Jager has the right idea. I shot trap with a Remington 870 field gun for the first two years. I shot everything: singles, doubles and handicap. I shot a lot of birds and many others let me shoot their guns and after that time I could make a good decision in buying a trap gun. I general suggest people use a general purpose shotgun for trap until they can consistently score in the 20's out of 25 birds. Then look at a trap gun purchase. Remember, Ping clubs don't make the golfer--neither does the shotgun make you a shooter.

Although I love my trap gun, today I would probably make a different choice if I was buying a trap gun again. Your needs and preferences change. Also realize that trap guns are pretty specialized and not very versatile so you want to be pretty committed to the game before you make the big $$ investments.

Many people get into trap and find it not their cup of tea. Trap is a very repetitive game where you have to do things right very consistently to win at the upper levels. Shooting 100 out of 100 birds often ends in a shoot off for winner. Top shooter are machines . . . breaking hundreds or thousands of birds in a row. And sadly, trap is a declining sport. Livermore probably has one of the best trap ranges in the area.

Sporting clays tends to be a more interesting/versatile sport . . . using a variety of skills used in hunting. Top shooters often shoot in the 80/90%. A sporting clays gun is a much more versatile gun and could be used for skeet, trap and hunting. Although it would not be an ideal trap gun, it may make more sense for a casual shooter that just wants to shoot a variety of clays.

[BigDogatPlay]

I see people at my club shooting everything from old Winchester 12 and Mossberg 500 field grade pumps to 930s and 1100's to full on and fitted Browning, Beretta and Perazzi competition guns.

I started with a plain jane Wingmaster many moons ago and my current O/U isn't anything fancy. I still use my Mossberg 500 from time to time and I have an older 1100 field gun that I am tinkering on with the idea of making it over into a dedicated clays gun.

Trap as a game is enjoyable, to me anyway, but it is very much about muscle memory and consistency. It doesn't equate at all to hunting situations. Sporting clays is a game with much broader appeal and it requires a sronger skill set.

[Thefeeder]

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It comes down to the same answer each time the question of which gun to buy for a clay shooting comes up.

Answer: Try different guns before you buy to find one that feels comfortable and fits you.

Interchangable chokes are a big plus when choosing a shotgun for versatility.

[Unforgiven]

I've been shooting shotguns for many years, mostly sporting clays. If you buy a nice shotgun, you can shoot it for years and years. Don't buy a gun specific to trap, buy a sporting gun and you can shoot trap, skeet and sporting. It's hard to find a better all around gun then a Beretta 390/391.

[Rob454]

Buy the gun that fits your shooting style the best. Just because its more expensive it does not mean youll be a better shooter.
Ive been using a Savage 110 for deer and a Mossberg silver reserve for birds for years and years. Never had a problem with either one. ive had buddies who have WAY more expensive guns and they havent come home with a deer in a cooler or birds in a bag.

You may want to borrow a shotgun or rent one to find if you like the sport. No point in getting all geared up just to find you dont care for it.