shotgun and skeet shooting

[ct126x]

Hey CG, need advice on first shotgun purchase and skeet shooting. Never shot a shotgun or gone skeet shooting before. Currently own and shoot 2 pistols. Had my eyes on the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590. Want to start shooting skeet, but don't know where to start. Any advice would help greatly.

[ZX-10R]

I have an 870 I got in December. 200+ rounds shooting skeet and it shoots better than I do. Best round yet is 20/25...Worst is 13/25 (HAHA). No hangs ups no jams. I highly recommend cleaning it before shooting it and making sure it is well oiled. My buddy did not do that and he had jams his first outing but after he cleaned it thoroughly and oiled it he had no more issues whatsoever.

They are inexpensive guns $300 after rebate and reliable. I have a preference toward Remy as I have owned one of their rifles, handled a few others, and now have a shotty from them. lI would like and over under but those prices are steep. Aside form me, 3 other buddies have 870s. Not to be the joneses but no problems with any of them and good accuracy is a good thing.

[Scorcher]

Do you guys feel disadvantaged shooting a pump as compared to an autoloader or double barrel? Been thinking about getting a shotgun for this purpose as well but I'm having trouble deciding if I would rather save up for an autoloader...

[Thefeeder]

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The only way to pick a shotgun is to try them. Shoot your friends guns ang buy the one that you shoot fairly well to start. Also I'm big on buying used....much better value for your dollar.

A good start for this is shooting the low 7 station on a Skeet field. Its the easyest shot in all of clay shooting.

Fit is the one aspect to choosing a shotgun that all beginners fail to take into acount.

If it don't fit...You won't hit

[ct126x]

None of my friends own a shotgun I guess I'll go to the gun shop and try out which one fits best and go from there.

[ExtremeX]

My first and only shotty is a Mossberg 500 and I’ve had excellent luck with it. Been extremely reliable with no malfunctions. Have an 18.5 and a 28" barrel.

After seeing the issues my brother has had with his remmy, my personal recommendation is a Mossberg.

[lmudave]

The 870 is a great all around shotgun. I think for a first shotgun its inexpensive, versatile, and a good way to see if you like skeet/trap shooting. I have a few autoloaders and SxS's that I've used for skeet, but my most versatile and usable is a Browning BPS pump action. Don't invest huge on a nice Over/Under or other expensive gun until you know that its something you want to get into.

[bjl333]

Hit up Calgunner "Thefeeder" and see if Lou still does his intro class to skeet. He has an 870 he can let you borrow.

[ct126x]

Hit up Calgunner "Thefeeder" and see if Lou still does his intro class to skeet. He has an 870 he can let you borrow.

I noticed you're located in Socal, I live in Norcal. Does Thefeeder live in Norcal?

[bjl333]

I noticed you're located in Socal, I live in Norcal. Does Thefeeder live in Norcal?

Yeap, He is Norcal. He roams the shotgun forum a lot, or you can go to Member Services and look him up.

[ct126x]

Awesome! Thanks, I'll give him a PM.

[Hunter4life1990]

1100 or 1187. i shoot the 1100 in competition and my brother uses the 1187. both have well over 10,000 rounds with 0 problems and thats no lie. i got my 1100 for $325

[Rusty_Buckhorn]

the 870 or Mossberg will suit you just fine. For the price of an autoloader, you could by 3 870's, and not bust any more clays than with the pump.

[Scorcher]

the 870 or Mossberg will suit you just fine. For the price of an autoloader, you could by 3 870's, and not bust any more clays than with the pump.

Yea I can see how this would make sense. You can always upgrade...

[chucksolo69]

I personally shoot a Winchester Model 1400 and a Beretta 12 GA that I use for skeet. With the Winchester I have cleaned 25/25. I choose to use an automatic because to me, it feels like it shoots softer than a pump or OU gun. Just make sure that when leading the clay, you don't stop swinging through when you squeeze the trigger, if you do, you'll miss for sure. Oh, make sure the gun fits you too.