Shotgun Recommendations for Sporting Clays

[BJames]

I went to a sporting clay place over the holidays with my son and in-laws. It was a blast - pun intended.

Can anyone recommend a good semi-auto sporting clay in 12 gauge as a first shotgun? Ideally, I'd like to start with something decent, but not too expensive.

I'll definitely go rent some more guns to try things out, but thought I'd get some good advice here on where and what to look for.

I shot with a pump, a semi and an over-under. Seems the over-unders are great, but much more expensive. I see Turners has a Baretta A300 Outlander for $650 on sale. Or, is it better to find a better gun at a similar price - used?

[ysr_racer]

Beretta, Browning and Remington all make good autos. Take your pick.

I have a Remington 1100 with about a million rounds thru it. You can't go wrong with an 1100.

[TZL]

What is "not too expensive"

I think Beretta makes some great (soft) shooting gas guns

Remington 1100 is an old mainstay and you can find then for around $500-700 used

Winchester SX3/2

Maybe a used Benelli Supersport?

[Thefeeder]

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I'm a big fan of shotguns that are adjustable to fit the shooter throuth the use of shims...although not a perfect fitting, its can get close enough. Makes it possible to shoot the shotgun with minimal recoil and get your eye and barrel on target.

This is a good way to go if you don't understand what guns fit you at the moment....it can always be adjusted down the line.

Other than that....buy what YOU like.

[Capybara]

I was at Big 5 the other day and they had some sort of inexpensive O/U next to the single shot Baikals I was looking at. I didn't ask to see it, not sure who makes it but it wasn't bad looking for under $400.00.

[TZL]

It's a maverick/ mossberg hunter

$329 on sale, I'd skip it....there is a reson no one shoots polymer o/u

I was at Big 5 the other day and they had some sort of inexpensive O/U next to the single shot Baikals I was looking at. I didn't ask to see it, not sure who makes it but it wasn't bad looking for under $400.00.

[ysr_racer]

I went to a sporting clay place over the holidays with my son and in-laws. It was a blast - pun intended.

Can anyone recommend a good semi-auto sporting clay in 12 gauge as a first shotgun? Ideally, I'd like to start with something decent, but not too expensive.

I'll definitely go rent some more guns to try things out, but thought I'd get some good advice here on where and what to look for.

I shot with a pump, a semi and an over-under. Seems the over-unders are great, but much more expensive. I see Turners has a Baretta A300 Outlander for $650 on sale. Or, is it better to find a better gun at a similar price - used?

Where do you live?

There's a tournament at Triple B in So Cal this weekend. They'll be about a hundred guns you can try if you ask nicely

[Chaozu]

Get something with adjustable chokes and a 28" or 30" barrel. As mentioned, you can't go wrong with a 1100.

[vmsturbo]

Been using a Benelli M2 with a 28" barrel, so far so good

[ckyrulez]

Remington 1100 is a definite classic.

If you're willing to spend a little more, I would recommend a Browning Maxus. Very low recoil for a 12 gauge, fairly light, and easy to clean. I currently own a Browning over/under that I use for sporting clays, but I'll probably be buying a Maxus in the not-to-distant future.