Another first shotgun question

[.338Sako]

I like my Mossberg 590 special purpose rather well. It is fully accessorized.

 

[Dave McCracken]

But 1 oz, my friend, my only competition is with myself. To shoot better than the last time.

BTW, the worst 870 trigger here beats the Beretta version like a drum. The big advantage to the B gun is I don't fling good hulls all over the landscaping.

The OP did ask about pumps.

As for Model 12s, they're excellent shotguns. However, the newest 12 is about 40 years old and some are getting quite tired. IMO, rebuilding a 12 is of advantage more for a hardcore fan and not a newbie. But it is YOUR choice....

 

[valnar]

That was an excellent article you linked. Thanks. Yes, I am 6'3"


OK, different question but I'll keep it here since it's my thread.

Why are there different guns recommended for trap vs skeet? Why is a gun that shoots high for trap not good for skeet? Just curious.

 

[Hotshot10]

Why are there different guns recommended for trap vs skeet? Why is a gun that shoots high for trap not good for skeet? Just curious.

Some trap shooters like the float the bird above their barrels, so that the barrel does not cover the bird as they shoot. As soon as the top of the front bead touches the bottom of the bird, they pull the trigger.

Many shots in skeet are from side to side; they are made by leading the bird anywhere from a few inches to a few feet. If the shotgun shoots high, that can make the shots more difficult (i.e. adding another factor besides the level of the barrel and the rate of swing).

I once watched a standout college skeet shooter from Lindenwood use her trap gun on a skeet range. The results were not pretty. She probably could have shot well with more practice, I suppose, but it was much easier for her to use a dedicated skeet gun.

 

[oneounceload]

But 1 oz, my friend, my only competition is with myself. To shoot better than the last time.

All the more reason, Dave, to take every non-essential problem possibility out of the equation - and pumping a gun - for MOST folks (not all) has them moving the gun off the target line for that second bird

Why are there different guns recommended for trap vs skeet? Why is a gun that shoots high for trap not good for skeet? Just curious.

Skeet shooters typically like a flat-shooting gun - 50-50 POI/POA, trap folks go more for 70-30, while those of us who shoot sporting tend to go in between at about 60-40, but flat 50-50 is also preferred over the trap gun - as in both skeet and sporting, yu can have targets that are dropping, so a flat shooting gun or one with a slightly high POI makes more sense when going after targets on their way down

 

[oneounceload]

If I get a shotgun with a choke "installed", does that mean I cannot change it?
If I get an older shotgun without a choke (like an old Winchester 12), can a choke be added/changed easily?
Would it be more beneficial to get something modern that has these options?
For sporting events, why do "hard hitting" 12 gauge shotguns seem to be the norm? I would think for a non-self defense scenario that 20 gauge would be easier to handle.

Shotguns come one of two ways - with removable and changeable choke tubes or with a single "fixed" choke intergral to the barrel. A fixed choke can be opened up to a less constrictive measurement, or it can be drilled and tapped to accept choke tubes

As to whether or not it is more beneficial - that would depend upon its intended uses.
If it is purely for one particular clay game - skeet, for example, then having fixed chokes appropriate to that game would not be a hindrance - and in most cases would be a benefit as the weight and balance would be unaffected by the tubes in the end of the barrel

For sporting games, the 12 rules the roost - bigger payloads, more choices of ammunition from extra light to extra heavy. The targets must be broken to win the game - sometimes just one bird can separate the winner from a lot of also-rans

 

[SWAMPUS]

Pump choice

All right ,here goes.Pumps are a good choice but,not so good for skeet.An auto or o/u or sxs is better for that quick 2 nd shot,unless you can shuck it fast.If you really want a pump,my recc. is a new Ithaca. American made in Sandusky,Ohio on all the old Ithaca patents and machinery.In your budget @ $800.Excellant shotgun. The Model 37 is a tried and true shotgun.Smoe time ago Ithaca's were shoddily made overseas.Not so now.All reviews are excellent.Can even get a 28ga on order for $1000.If I were in your position it'd be an Ithaca.I own and shoot a BPS.Exc.gun also.Price about the same.But there's something about an Ithaca Mod.37 that can't be beat!

 

[SouthernWake]

I will echo the thoughts of a Browning BPS and Ithaca, as they are essentially the same design. I have an older BPS from 85 in 20 ga that is my go to for everything from turkey and ducks to small game and keep a few rounds of #3 buck for the house. I bought the gun as a field gun and it has never let me down. I would recomend the 20 ga to anyone as it will do the job of a 12 anyday as long as you have the patience to wait for your shot. However the 12 is better of your moving to a place where they only stock one type of shotgun gauge (which I've never seen).