Converting a field gun into a skeet gun?

[harmonic]

I've got one of these:

http://san1.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/105471000/105471938/pix970076359.jpg

It's a Beretta 686 Essential with interchangeable chokes. Only, mine has the receiver matching the finish of the barrels.

I'd like to start shooting skeet. Is a skeet gun set up like a field gun? Thanx.

[ClarkEMyers]

Maybe, maybe not- try it and see how it goes.

Skeet was originally developed as field gun practice but veered away toward a specialty - hence the reinvention of Sporting Clays. FREX many people like tubes in smaller gauge events for extra weight forward to groove the swing - not the poke and shoot of a timberdoodle gun but who has enough woodcock around to shoot these days?

Some folks will match their skeetgun to their trap gun with a high comb high shooting gun to keep the bird well in sight at all times.

Go for it and decide what's best for you.

[harmonic]

Thanx. What I've observed so far is that for trap, I have to keep the front bead directly underneath the bird until I'm ready to fire. Then I have to raise the muzzle up until it just covers the bird.

But from what I've seen w/skeet, since the bird comes from the side, that wouldn't be necessary, would it?

[ocharry]

i shot skeet with a field grade browning for years,,,and then one day i bought a skeet browning,,,it is different(comb of the stock is just a little higher) and it is way more purdy,,,,and it has screw chokes and the bird picture is a little different

can i break a 25 with the skeet gun,,,,why yes i can

did i ever break 25 with the field gun,,,,many,,,many times

you should shoot the gun you have and enjoy the skeet crowd,,,my experiences on the skeet field have been very fun and enjoyable with alot of nice guys and girls

i used to shoot with and older fellow,,,and he was a big guy,,,everyone said he was a doctor,,,,but anyway nice guy liked to talk about shooting and have a good time on the field of play,,you know the type,,,, anyway he used a 20ga. browning if i remember right,,,,and he would close that little gun so hard you could hear the forearm viberate from the skeet house porch,,,now that's been 25 years ago but i can still hear that gun rattle when he closed it,,,,funny how things like that stick with you

i always shot skeet with a low gun,,,and i loved it when they cranked it up for international

yep i think you are gona like this game,,,and what ever you do give the sporting clays a whirl too,,,,way cool

good luck and have a good time,,,,and don't let what you are shooting stand in the way of an enjoyable afternoon

ocharry

[Jim Watson]

I am not a major big time skeet shooter, my occasional skeet gun is a field grade Anschutz-Miroku. I have shot purpose built skeet guns and they did not immediately raise my scores.

Skeet was orignally described as "The gun game for the game gun." and for a long time there was little difference except that a skeet model was liklier to have a vent rib. Nowdays the guns are longer, heavier, and straighter, but that does not mean the bird gun won't break targets for you.

Just get some skeet choke tubes for your Beretta and you will be in good shape.

[throdgrain]

To echo most of the sentiments on here - use what you got mate :D

[ClarkEMyers]

But from what I've seen w/skeet, since the bird comes from the side, that wouldn't be necessary, would it?

Might want to pattern your own gun with your own tubes. If you don't know where the pattern is going it's hard to center the pattern. For many guns it is possible to move the pattern around a bit with tubes - FREX a little moleskin on the stock and a tube that throws high is an option.

If you're going straight at trap without slowing your swing using that go up at the end technique you are beyond any advice I can give.

I'd look at the books - I like Missildine but that's showing my age as much as anything - and notice that the stations are not all the same and so the shots and leads and aim may differ a little bit depending on the bird's - known - flight. There are stations where the shot is more like a straightaway in trap with a rising going away bird and a high shooting gun might be what you want. Then again another station maybe not.

I wouldn't say he was a hustler since it was all in fun but I've known a highly competitive shooter who would show up with an old Model '97 trench style - before they got to be as valuable as a dedicated competition shotgun - that was his granddaddy's old gun (wasn't really) -

Mostly don't sweat it and go have fun.

[harmonic]

Thanks for all the advice. You gentlemen are most generous.

[sernv99]

whether or not it is a field gun doesn't really matter.....the chokes in the gun matter the most. If the gun fits you correctly, then you are 90% of the way there. Just buy some skeet or IC chokes and you are done.

[Scoupe]

That'll make a dandy skeet gun there.

If I were to take it out for a steady diet of skeet, I'd put some weight on it with a clamp-on barrel weight. I'd also build the comb up with a couple sheets of Dr. Scholls Moleskin until I got the right eye height. Then I'd put the softest butt pad I could find on it, shoot the lightest loads I could find or load, and have a ball.

[Cuzzin]

The Beretta will be fine. Just get some moleskin as suggested - or, get a Beartooth comb kit and adjust your sight picture up over the rib some so you don't have to cover your target with the muzzle. Keep that cheek welded to the stock and you will do fine at skeet.

[mswestfall]

harmonic,
Does the gun fit you now?