Shotgun suggestions for Sporting Clays

[littlejake]

Back in the 70s, I used to shoot Trap with a Remington 870 Wingmaster, 30 inch, full choke, 12 ga. This was when Standard Oil owned the La Habra Hills and had a trap range on the land.

I'm looking to get into sporting clays. I'll probably rent a gun and hire an instructor for a few lessons.

I'm thinking I'd like an over-under 12 ga with interchangeable chokes.
Perazzi is way out of my price range. So, in the reasonably priced range, what should I be looking at?

[AAShooter]

Browning and Beretta both make O/Us that would work well for this.

[AAShooter]

http://internationalsportingclays.com/best-sporting-shotguns/

[RedFord150]

I chose a Beretta O/U for myself.
Find a really good shop that sells SG's and have them fit a gun to you. The ranges usually have a Pro Shop thast might be a great choice.
If you can find an off the shelf gun that fits you, this will save you $ in the end.
Good luck.

[Bill Steele]

I reload, so I prefer an O/U as it saves on walking around picking up empty shells. I favor Beretta's and currently own a 686 SP1, kind of an entry model level in their line.

If you don't mind retrieving your spent shells, there is better "value" in a good semi. I think the Beretta AL391 is hard to beat (used purchase). I also own an A400 Xplor and love the way it shoots, it will cycle my lightest 3/4oz skeet loads, some so light they won't even cycle the trigger on my 686 still cycle my A400.

I think fit is pretty important when it comes to scoring, so getting a good idea which guns fit you and which ones clearly don't will keep you from making a big mistake. Many of the later model semi's (like the two above) come with shim plates to allow you to fit the gun to you in both drop and cast (vertical and horizontal angle) of the butt stock. This many times is all you need to get a perfect fit.

If you are unsure what good fit means, there are a number of youtube videos covering the subject. Also, going to a sporting shotgun specialist shop can really help in understanding what you need fit wise.

There is just about nothing as addictive as clay sports, good luck with your search.

[plsmyk]

I recently purchased a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I Sporting (the field/hunting version is a bit different than the sporting) when I got back into shooting Sporting Clays/Skeet. I've been very happy with it and would recommend one to anyone looking for an O/U. I liked the "feel" of the Beretta more than the Brownings I looked at.

[RudyN]

I just got a Browning White Lighting from Santa the past Christmas and really like it. The best shotgun is the one that feels best to you


Sent From The Telegraph Office

[Newshooter]

The one that fits you is the best.

The one for me was the Browning 525 (725 now). It was between the beretta 686 or Browning and the Browning worked best FOR ME.

[savannah]

I had mine fitted to me. I chose Beretta 682 gold.

[Revoman]

The 682 Gold is a nice shotgun, but Beretta now has the newer model 692. A little beefier in the receiver area.

If you're gonna shoot LOTS, then pay a little more for the shotgun upfront as it will pay back in the long run by not breaking down as often. There is a difference between 20K and 100K so buy well if that's your plan.

If not, then any of the 'B' shotguns will work great. Beretta, Browning, Benelli for example. Not that there aren't other shotguns out there, just that those seem to be the most used at every range I've been to.

Browning also seems to stand behind their products a little better than Beretta. Although I did have a stock finish issue with the Beretta and it was fixed, I have heard stories where that didn't happen so readily. I have not heard any ills with Browning.

Berettas tend to be heavier than Brownings as well. Sometimes that good, other times not. Heavy is good for less recoil, but obviously gets heavy when shooting all day. They are way heavier when sub-guage tubes are inserted if that's a plan for you as well.

If you're in the Azusa area, I highly recommend stopping by Pacific Sporting Arms for a look see. They have very nice shotguns there and John will help with the fitting too.

[Thefeeder]

Back in the 70s, I used to shoot Trap with a Remington 870 Wingmaster, 30 inch, full choke, 12 ga. This was when Standard Oil owned the La Habra Hills and had a trap range on the land.

I'm looking to get into sporting clays. I'll probably rent a gun and hire an instructor for a few lessons.

I'm thinking I'd like an over-under 12 ga with interchangeable chokes.
Perazzi is way out of my price range. So, in the reasonably priced range, what should I be looking at?

"I'll probably rent a gun and hire an instructor for a few lessons" Nailed it!

Try before you buy and learn before you buy is the best way to go

We can bark out different shotguns until next month.....none will help you decide

Basics for a clays gun: Interchangable chokes, 28" or longer barrels...the rest is what you like and what fits you or you would pay to be fitted to you.

Meanwhile, grap the Wingmaster, some shells and give it a try....you may just get another barrel for it and call it good or have the choke opened up to IC or LM down the road. Got'a give it a try, get out there and don't give equipment to much weight for now.

Go break some clays again!