Shotgun for Clays...

[ExtremeX]

Im looking for an upgrade from my Mossberg 500...

I would like a semi-auto, and was thinking of the Benelli Vinci or the SuperSport.

Are there any other brands working taking a look at? Ive heard of the Browning Maxus but dont have any experience with them, how does it stack up?

Any recommendations?

[jamespres2001]

Model 1100™ Classic Trap 30" barrel Choke

[erik_26]

Well I myself have been eying the Beretta A400 Xplor. It claims to be the fastest and softest recoiling gun in the world.

It can shoot 2 3/4" to 3 1/2". It can cycle 7/8 oz loads all the way up to the strongest magnum loads.

Beretta isn't usually the first, second, third or even fourth name that normally pops up when talking about shotguns.

Calgunners either have no experience or are very tight lipped about this gun. Only a couple gents have claimed to have shot it and said it was a great gun.


The other gun that has caught my eye is the Winchester SX3. This also claims to be the fastest, softest recoiling gun.

Both look sexy, but not something that most would take into the blind (unless you got the camouflaged synthetic stock). The Beretta is $1500+ and the Winchester is $1000+.

Both also claim simple breakdown and easy cleaning.


I know that Remington 1187 is a solid proven gun. Other then the complaints of rust or 'patina' if you will, right off the show room floor. But the gun cycles great and performs well at the range or on the hunt.

Now take everything what I say lightly. I am very new to shotguns. Just a greenhorn. Most my shooting is rifles and pistols. But lately I have been bitten buy the shotgun bug. Something about turning clays into clouds of smoke is very satisfying.

I don't hunt yet (but have friends that do so that is how I know about the 1187 reliability on the hunt).

I have shot a few different shotguns. I have a Mossberg 500 Pump that is what I normally use.

Hopefully my limited input will give you a couple more options to explore.

[Newshooter]

What clay games are you planning on shooting? Skeet, sporting clays, trap... Do you want an all around gun or one that would work best for a specific discipline?

The Vinci and the Maxus are field guns and will shoot pretty flat (50/50). The Supersport is a sporting clay gun that will shot a little higher than flat (60/40). Then there are dedicated trap guns that will shoot high (90/10). If you want a gun that will work for all disciplines, don't get one with a raised stock or one that will shoot high.

I have a Maxus and I love it. I also really like my Beretta auto. I am not a fan of the Benelli's because they tend to not like 1 oz target loads which are typically used for clay shooting. People will say the Benelli's will loosen up after shooting a bit but my buddy's 16 year old Super Black Eagle will NOT cycle a 1 oz trap load to this day. Remington 1100's have a good reputation but I have not shot one.

Just remember...fit is what is important so the gun points where you look and you don't get beat up by improper fit or techique.

Have fun in your quest...there are many to choose from.

[erik_26]

Just remember...fit is what is important so the gun points where you look and you don't get beat up by improper fit or techique.

Spot on, I forgot about this crucial point.

Kind of goes for all guns though. Fit is very important.

[Capybara]

Wow, that Winchester SX3 is a beauty, very nice looking. That Beretta? Not so much. I prefer my O/U Ruger Red Label Sporting Clays to autoloaders but to each his own. I have owned an autoloader, it was a pain to break down and clean, while an O/U is the easiest gun in the world to clean. Since you are a newbie, thought I would mention that part.

Most of the best clays people I have shot with use O/Us.

Dan

[BigDogatPlay]

I shoot both break action and semi-autos. Both have their advantages and disadvantages in particular games. I've been using an 1100 as my singles trap gun for a while now and score in the 85+ out of 100 range consistently, sometimes better.

If you are in the market for a semi-auto Remington is always a good place to start. 1100 (I own them) or 11-87, properly configured, will last you lifetimes of the hardest core clay shooting. 1100s in good condition can often be found on consignment racks at very reasonable prices. My late 70's vintage 1100 has untold thousands of rounds through it and it looks and shoots as good as the day it left the plant.

Beretta makes semi-autos that are simply outstanding. The A400 line and the A391 Ulrikas are some of the finest shooting semis I've ever handled. That comes with a >$1000 price tag for a base model new at a store, and higher end models get above $4000 pretty quickly. The 3901 is a plain jane version of the 391, that shoots very well, MSRP is ~$650. It would serve well.

Benelli sporting semi's are rugged and shoot very well. I've heard about the "shoot loose" thing mentioned by another poster, but I've never seen it with my own eyes. Being inertia driven, as opposed to gas driven, they shoot a bit harder on the shoulder than gas guns, but the quality is solid. Benellis come with a price tag to match, a sport model Vinci will set you back $2K.

Do not overlook Franchi, new or used. These are well made guns and many people I know who own them and won't shoot anything else.

[rumblebee]

Beretta does not come up when asking about shotguns (in the top four)? I think it's the newer models that don't have a whole lotta play...on this board You might have better luck searching around on the below

http://www.shotgunworld.com/

Beretta's are great shotguns, period. I own an AL390 and AL391. I have only got to handle to A400 light....my impression was, I bought a AL391 Tekney's The A400 was too light for my liking and the wood looked like plastic. I've heard even the reg A400's are a bit on the light side...if you like that, cool deal.

Benelli's are also great, just a different "action".

Good luck...you're on the right track

<edit to add, if you're near pacificsportingarms...you should stop in...online is good too>

[FresnoCNC]

I will second Beretta, I shoot with an AL390 and think its awesome. Ill let others try it and everyone that has shot it seems to love it.

[erik_26]

Beretta does not come up when asking about shotguns (in the top four)?

As I mentioned, I am very new to shotguns. I have been shooting shotguns off and on for 21 years (since I was a kid). But then it never really peeked my interest until recently. So I don't know a whole lot about different models and brands. I always kind of thought all shotguns were the same (minus their actions). So I was ignorant.

But to be fair in the context in which I mentioned Beretta doesn't typically come up in the top four brands was no insult to Beretta. This is just my personal experience.

Normally I hear, Remington, Benelli, Mossberg, Browning. Mostly in that order (at least in the circle of people I deal with). From my very limited knowledge, if I remember correctly from research, Beretta didn't really breakout into the main stream shotgun market until the 80's. Later on when the A391came on the scene, critics gave high praise to the A391, so much that they said Beretta will not ever make an A392. And they were right. The A391 is regarded as a great gun. Beretta knew that they set the bar high for themselves and developed the A400 that has some new technology and fixed one of the flaws of the A391 (exhaust port cleaning, (base on reading not actually person experience)).

It is actually interesting that you mention the A400 as being light. One critic actually claimed the opposite.

Now in no way is this an insult to Beretta. I have two Beretta pistols and absolutely love them. In my opinion that are excellent reliable firearms. I think that they not only look good, but feel good and function even better.

I am very much leaning to adding the A400 to my collection. If their shotguns are as good as their pistols, I know I will be very satisfied.

[rumblebee]

Absolutely, no insult was taken on my end...I own no part of Beretta Company or stock (unfortunately)

This is a very good read (best semi for clays).

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=284912

Everything I have read on the A400, the "lightness" has been mentioned. That is not a bad thing if you like (at all). But, I prefer a little more weight to my SG's. Easy to add weight, harder to trim it off.

I'm far from an expert (on anything) I just know what I like and have been shooting Beretta SG's for 12+yrs, both hunting and clays. There are lots of good semi's out there....you just need to find the right one for YOU

As I mentioned, I am very new to shotguns. I have been shooting shotguns off and on for 21 years (since I was a kid). But then it never really peeked my interest until recently. So I don't know a whole lot about different models and brands. I always kind of thought all shotguns were the same (minus their actions). So I was ignorant.

But to be fair in the context in which I mentioned Beretta doesn't typically come up in the top four brands was no insult to Beretta. This is just my personal experience.

Normally I hear, Remington, Benelli, Mossberg, Browning. Mostly in that order (at least in the circle of people I deal with). From my very limited knowledge, if I remember correctly from research, Beretta didn't really breakout into the main stream shotgun market until the 80's. Later on when the A391came on the scene, critics gave high praise to the A391, so much that they said Beretta will not ever make an A392. And they were right. The A391 is regarded as a great gun. Beretta knew that they set the bar high for themselves and developed the A400 that has some new technology and fixed one of the flaws of the A391 (exhaust port cleaning, (base on reading not actually person experience)).

It is actually interesting that you mention the A400 as being light. One critic actually claimed the opposite.

Now in no way is this an insult to Beretta. I have two Beretta pistols and absolutely love them. In my opinion that are excellent reliable firearms. I think that they not only look good, but feel good and function even better.

I am very much leaning to adding the A400 to my collection. If their shotguns are as good as their pistols, I know I will be very satisfied.

[BigDogatPlay]

Beretta does not come up when asking about shotguns (in the top four)?

I think you and I posted about the same time, but from my post....

Beretta makes semi-autos that are simply outstanding. The A400 line and the A391 Ulrikas are some of the finest shooting semis I've ever handled.

It's very hard to have a discussion about good quality shotguns of any type without mentioning Beretta.

[Capybara]

Yes, see a lot of Berettas out there on the trap ranges. Good shotguns.

Dan

[Newshooter]

Anthony Matarese Jr. has won numerous sporting clay titles using a Beretta 391 semi-auto. Can't go wrong with a Beretta.

[rumblebee]

I agree. Lots of good ones out there. I've been shooting Beretta semi's for 12+yrs and before that 12yrs, 20yrs with other brands\models. I like my Beretta's

I think you and I posted about the same time, but from my post....



It's very hard to have a discussion about good quality shotguns of any type without mentioning Beretta.

Yes, see a lot of Berettas out there on the trap ranges. Good shotguns.

Dan

Anthony Matarese Jr. has won numerous sporting clay titles using a Beretta 391 semi-auto. Can't go wrong with a Beretta.