I have gone clay shooting roughly half a dozen times so far with borrowed shotguns, and I think its time I got my own. I think its by far the most fun type of shooting (though I have never shot full-auto or at explosive targets!). I am envisioning this gun being used almost exclusively for clay shooting, including sporting clays and informal shooting. I wanted an opinion on the best choice for me. I have narrowed it down to (if you can call this narrow):
1) Pump shotgun - Seems to be my cheapest option, and would probably be perfect other than the fact that I will be shooting doubles sometimes, and there is no getting around the fact that a pump will be a liability. I am leaning towards either an older 870 Wingmaster or an Ithaca 37.
2) Semi-auto shotgun - More expensive, less recoil, and obvious advantage for shooting doubles. Was looking at the Rem 1100, but I also tend to like older guns so I was also looking at the Auto-5, but getting the impression that has alot more recoil??
3) SxS Double Shotgun - This is my favorite design, and what I really want. I have been looking at the Stevens 311 as well as some older Ithacas. I am concerned though that I am going to buy one of these and find it to be less than idea for clay shooting, and that parts & accessories will be basically non-existent for a 60 year old gun. I have never shot a SxS and really like it for reasons of style and nostalgia. Are there any other older, American made SxSs that I have not considered?
I have no real interest in the O/Us. Also, lets say my max budget is $800. Of the three designs I am considering, semi-auto is probably my least favorite. To date they only types of shotguns I have shot are pumpguns and O/Us. Are all the observations I have made about each design correct? What are your thoughts?
Thanks
1) Pump shotgun - Seems to be my cheapest option, and would probably be perfect other than the fact that I will be shooting doubles sometimes, and there is no getting around the fact that a pump will be a liability. I am leaning towards either an older 870 Wingmaster or an Ithaca 37.
2) Semi-auto shotgun - More expensive, less recoil, and obvious advantage for shooting doubles. Was looking at the Rem 1100, but I also tend to like older guns so I was also looking at the Auto-5, but getting the impression that has alot more recoil??
3) SxS Double Shotgun - This is my favorite design, and what I really want. I have been looking at the Stevens 311 as well as some older Ithacas. I am concerned though that I am going to buy one of these and find it to be less than idea for clay shooting, and that parts & accessories will be basically non-existent for a 60 year old gun. I have never shot a SxS and really like it for reasons of style and nostalgia. Are there any other older, American made SxSs that I have not considered?
I have no real interest in the O/Us. Also, lets say my max budget is $800. Of the three designs I am considering, semi-auto is probably my least favorite. To date they only types of shotguns I have shot are pumpguns and O/Us. Are all the observations I have made about each design correct? What are your thoughts?
Thanks