Please Push My Research Over The Edge

[wayne93117]

At a stopping point with my research and am asking for some help. I'm looking to get into Trap and Skeet and wanting to purchase a new shotgun for the task. I'm pretty excited about the look and feel of a O/U but wondering if I'm missing any significant advantages of a semi auto. I understand the difficulties of trying to get two tasks out of one gun and the

After extensive research the two that speak to me the most are the Baretta A300 and the CZ-USA Canvasback. I know these are two very different guns, but I'm trying to figure out which will get me off and running into the hobby on the best foot. I'll most likely shoot 1-2x a month over at Richmond R&G. They both fit the price I'm looking to spend around $800 all in. I've got little interest in a used gone, really want something brand new.

Reaching out to you guys for some final pieces of advice before I jump in.

Has it just boiled down to preference?
Is on easy to learn on than the other?
Which will provide the greatest growth potential to last me 2, 3, 4 years?
Significant advantages to one or the other?

[bigbearbear]

I went with semi-autos as shotguns are my primary home defense firearms, they have higher capacity which is a bonus for me. In fact, I started looking at shotguns for home defense but after shooting some clays (trap), I became addicted and now shoot almost every week.

Semi-autos tend to kick less, however, they also require min. amount of recoil in order for the action to work. Some new semi-autos, like the new Benelli ETHOS works with 7/8oz loads (as claimed by Benelli) but some don't.

If your primary use for the shotgun is to shoot trap and skeet, I would say go and try the different shotguns and see which one fit you best. Don't exclude a shotgun because it is O/U or semi-auto.

['ol shooter]

Does you local Trap/Skeet range have rental guns? That would be a good way to try them out.

[wayne93117]

Does you local Trap/Skeet range have rental guns? That would be a good way to try them out.

A bit tough as I'm flying solo. I'm looking to take some lessons and make friends/shooting partners at the range. My local also doesn't have rentals.

[Thefeeder]

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Your going to love busting clays....Its just a matter of getting out there

Here is my take on the process....Its smarter to learn to drive before one buys a car. Get together with friends and try different guns before you decide on what YOU like, not what I like or someone else likes.

Some useful info

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=425953

Since your in the Bay Area, there is also the Norcal Skeet Clinic ...Sticky on the top of the Shotgun forum.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=405000

Go shoot, have fun, the rest will fall into place

[hermosabeach]

Ignoring the benefits of a gas gun over an O/U, there is something classy about a fine over under.

When shooting clays you never load more than 2 shells.

When hunting ducks and such, I tend to see people miss on the 3rd shot. If you were off with the first two, the third is usually not needed.

The gas guns- beretta, remington 1100 and Franchi are great guns but the gas system is one more thing to keep clean.

With the O/U you can shoot a light 7/8 ounce load in a 12 gauge or a light dram equivalent in a 1 ounce or 1 1/8 ounce.

For ducks and geese you can shoot the faster loads/ Max Dram or even step up to a 3" load.

For clays, 20 gauge is as good as 12 gauge to me. 12 gauge gives you a deeper shot column that is great to ensure you have enough pellets to get a live bird to drop.

Clays will break with 2-3 pellets and you don't need the depth of a shot column to break them. So for a newer shooter, a younger shooter or a smaller shooter the 20 gauge is great for clays.

To me a semi shoulders very similar to an O/U. Doubles feel strange to me....


If you can find a range that has rentals, try out as many as you can.
If you find folks to shoot with, ask them if you can try their other gun as you are attempting to select your idea gun to purchase.

[Newshooter]

Buy the one that fits you the best. If it fits, you will feel less recoil and won't get pounded after a day on the field.

If you do decide on an auto, Beretta makes an awesome gun that will cycle almost anything. I havre fired 7/8 oz loads, managed recoil loads and 3" mags through my Beretta and it has not failed me...EVER! The auto will also come with shims to help you fit the gun whereas an o/u takes more work to fit.

That being said, once I got my Citori XT o/u,the auto hasn't left the safe except for days in the duck blind.

[Wheelsonly]

Here is a video of my newest semi auto...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0G2F_uzDgM&list=UUb4VThq4Uv04K8rKi4yGetQ&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQx7OYCaOI&list=UUb4VThq4Uv04K8rKi4yGetQ&feature=share&index=3

[JagerDog]

If you don't have at least a grand for a used Citori stay away from O/U.