Clay shooting : choosing my first gun - Suggestions?

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good info on all posts for a new clays shooter, if he stays in the game he will soon decide what shotgun he wants to use. i only say if he starts out with a low end gun he will not be out alot of money if decides the clay games are not for him. eastbank.
 
I chased ATA targets all over the midwest for 20yrs with a Mod 12 Win and a SuperX Win. I went to a 870 Competition after that. None of them were expensive guns.
I always wanted a Ljutic though, still do.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the informative responses. I've read them all thoroughly and there's clearly a bit of a debate as to whether a) a pump-action or an O/U is the right choice; and b) whether spending so much money is worth it for a beginner.

As far as the pump-action debate is concerned, I'd like to get into Sporting and Skeet so perhaps the O/U is the better choice for me. Clearly if you're skilled enough a pump will do fine - to be honest I've never tried a pump so maybe I should do that before deciding.

As to the cost, there is the very real concern that I lose interest (unlikely but I won't rule it out) but as some of you have said, you don't lose too much value on the gun so perhaps this isn't a massive concern.

This was lurking at the back of my mind :

Guy walks into a store wanting a first gun to try shooting and is talked into a $2300 Beretta....

I can afford the gun - but I don't want to throw my money into something that isn't right for me, which leads me to the next point.

There seems to be consensus that the most important aspect is that the gun is comfortable for me. I agree with this whole heartedly. Can we perhaps discuss what I should look for when it comes to comfort? When I held the Berreta, the guy behind the counter started talking about my height and the length of my arms but didn't elaborate. I'm 6'5 with long arms. Right now I haven't shot enough to know what I'd like in a gun when it comes to comfort and fit.

Thanks again for all of the insight!
 
I'm going to get some flack probably, but my first and only shotgun has been a Remington 1100. You can get them setup for all different clay games. Very soft-shooting.
 
Get the Beretta if the price is not a big deal. Otherwise, get a Yildiz O/U as others have mentioned. They are a great value for the price, and the two I have owned work great. I would not go with a pump gun for shooting clays.... plus I hate picking the hulls up off the ground.
 
There seems to be consensus that the most important aspect is that the gun is comfortable for me. I agree with this whole heartedly. Can we perhaps discuss what I should look for when it comes to comfort? When I held the Berreta, the guy behind the counter started talking about my height and the length of my arms but didn't elaborate. I'm 6'5 with long arms. Right now I haven't shot enough to know what I'd like in a gun when it comes to comfort and fit.

Thanks again for all of the insight

Go to your local sporting clays and skeet courses. Explain your newness. See if they have rentals in a variety of makes and models and try as many as possible that initially seem to fit. See if other shooters will let you borrow or try their gun. While height and arm length are factors, they are not the ONLY factors - there is cast on or off, pitch, toe in or out, drop at comb, drop at heel, etc. all factoring into gun fit.There can be seasonal differences as well. Shooting in a hot summer climate where you only have a T shirt on versus in the winter in a cold climate where you may be dressed like the Michelin man will also need to be factored. Before getting anything with any customization though, start with a regular gun - if you decide you do not like it or the games then reselling it will not be a major loss. Any gun built for you alone can be difficult, so save that for a while down the road when you are sure you want to pursue a higher level of competition.

Since you said you can afford it, I would not worry about buying a used pump or similar that has the handling characteristics of a pig on a shovel

If you were to go to www.shotgunworld.com and ask these same questions, you'd be amazed at how the responses will differ from here. There, most folks are target shooters; here more are hunters or 3-gunners or have a shotgun for HD
 
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I am a huge proponent of making sure that a shooter's first shotgun is adjustable for length of pull, cast, and drop. Ideally, it would also have an adjustable comb.

This is why I often recommend Benelli 'ComforTech' stocked semi's as first guns; they're a lot cheaper than most doubles, and they are quite adjustable. Folk that buy them wind up spending less time fiddling and complaining and more time shooting. Some move on to ultimately buy a double, but many simply stick with the Benelli.
 
DR: aside from picking a gun that is appropriate, be it O/U, semi-auto, pump, SXS, or single shot (like the BT-99 that was mentioned), there is the matter of "fit". Shotguns, ideally, are fitted to their owners - certainly not everyone does this and many who do not shoot quite well - but ideally a fitted shotgun is the way to go.
This is because the shotgun, unlike other firearms, does not have a rear sight mounted on the gun. The rear sight is the shooter's eye. If the eye is to the left or right of alignment with the front bead when the gun is mounted, or is high or low relative to the bead.....the shot pattern will go left, right, high, low. When the shotgun is properly fitted and properly mounted, it will shoot where you are looking....you don't have to aim in the traditional sense.
I am a tall fellow also, with long arms....a normal over the counter 870, let's say, will have a stock that is designed for a person of average size...with shorter arms. The distance from the trigger to the butt on such a gun may be 13-14 inches. With my long arms, I need to have a stock that is over 15 inches, otherwise my eye is not going to be in the right place when I mount the gun......and that is just one of a number of measurements that determine fit.
Pete
 
One thing that has not been mentioned is weight. If going with an o/u or pump, it's advisable to go with heavier models to deal with recoil. Shooting 1200fps shells on a light Remington 870 ain't fun.
 
A good Beretta Semi-auto one of the new A400 models appropriate to your choosen discipline. Soft shooting adjustible fit proper stock and rib, and an easy sell if you decide you dont like the clay games. You can shoot trap or skeet, singles or doubles and you can hunt with it. You can even buy a different length barrel for it to make it more versatile. They come with chokes and stock shims.

Take the store owner up on his offer what works for others may not work for you. Try the Semi and try the over under and see what you like best.
 
^^^ +1, what I am shooting now for a change of pace and I am liking it. Took a few months to get used to the handling differences, but it is fast becoming my go-to gun for clays
 
^^^ me too. I have three Citoris including one trap model, but I go to my 1980s vintage A303 every time.
 
I like my 28 in modified pump Winchester with a vented rib. Never let me down. 175.00 bucks some yrs ago. Like the wing master too. Jmo. Best wishes. Ps I prefer 12 ga.
 
One thing guys are talking about here is fit. It doesn't matter which off the shelf gun you choose, it is designed to fit a majority of shooters adequately. If you are a goofy proportioned fella like myself, a $2500 gun isn't likely to fit you any better than a $350 gun. 6'2" tall with a 6'7" arm span, gorilla paws for hands and gunboats for feet weighing in a 170 lbs. Doesn't matter which gun I pick up off the shelf, it isn't going to fit.
 
last night i got three rounds at trap before the rains came in. i shot a 24 with the BT-100( i have shot many straight 25,s and 50 with it) and a 22 with the 1949 win 97( the best i have ever done with it) and a 22 with the 1906 remington(i have shot a few 25,s with it). i plan on shooting the 97 win more this year. eastbank.
 

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Clays

Don't rule out a quality pump such as a Browning BPS or a Remington 870 Wingmaster. I would suggest 28" vent rib barrel with chokes in 12 ga. I would also suggest an Accuriser (sp) to increase the comb height for trap. Don't forget ear protection. Then shoot, shoot, shoot. One of the great trapshooters of all time was Larry Gravestock. He shot a Remington pump and won Vandalia, I think, 3 times. It's not the gun, its the shooter. As other's have suggested you get into the sport at a resonable price. Enjoy!
 
Do not buy a pump it wll frustrate you as a beginner. A S-A or OU will be best. Make sure the gun fits easy to do in the store. Mount the gun several times so you get use to it. Then close your eyes and mount the gun now open if the two beads look like a figure eight you now have a gun that is close. If there is any rib that you can see between the beads it does not fit correctly. Can be adjusted but try a different gun. If you are shorter in statue try a youth model just to see how that fits. If you need a shorter stock and you cut it you may have difficulty selling the gun if you decide you do not like shooting. Buy another rear stock and cut that one not the original. No gun or rifle fits me I need length. An actual trap gun will frustrate you if you shoot sporting or skeet. A trap gun is made for trap. It is easier to shoot trap with a skeet gun than vice versa just change barrels. If you are not concerned with reloading then why would you care if the empties are ejected. Biggest disadvantage betwwen SA and OU is that you only have one choke choice with a semi where you have two with an OU. MOst important is practice, practice, and practice. Shot a 23 at skeet with a SxS coach gun with external hammers. Clays has a lot of mental attitude some days the clays look like flying garbage can lids at 10 mph next time there the size of quarters at 80 mph. I could be all wet but these are the things that I have learned. There is a lot to the buy once cry once philosphy. Good luck and have fun. Gus
 
I feel like you should see if there are any ranges or such that will let you try a couple shotguns in your area. It's hard to really know how a gun works with or for you without trying it out.

Also it doesn't matter whether or not a gun is expensive or not as long as its of good quality and you shoot it well. Furthermore just because a gun is expensive that does not mean it will work well for you.

For example the worst outing of skeet shooting or dove hunting I have ever had was with a Browning Citori 725. My friend who owns the gun loves it and shoots it great but not me, I tried it several different times and in different shooting capacities with no success.
 
Former instructor, avoid the pump. Especially for clays. I shot a Beretta 686 o/u, but the key is how it fits you. Second choice would be a Remington 1100 or 11-87 gas semi auto for less recoil. Those guns have won thousands of matches. One way to see how it fits is to mount the gun with your eyes closed then see how it is pointing. Another way is to mount it while looking in a mirror. The muzzles should be pointing at each other.
Try a few different guns if you can. Some are adjustable too. Most guns are universal fit with only slight difference and you will learn to adapt. A gun fitting should be done but never is. Few seem to know anything about it. Anybody can sell a gun.
What ever you choose you can learn to shoot it. Pattern it to see where it shoots. Learn to mount it properly and practice that. Then learn what it looks like when you break the target, your sight picture. Not that you aim, but you watch the target and are aware of where you muzzle is. Practice and enjoy.
 
After reviewing your original post, it sounds like the dealer is giving you good advise and he is going to get you started. The Silver pigeon is a well proven gun and well suited to your purpose. The guy might not be right about everything but he sounds like he knows a lot and it would not hurt to trust him.
 
Thanks for the advice!

I think we've ruled the shotgun out for now (I'm no Larry Gravestock... haha). I think it would be wise to keep it simple at first, so I think I'm going to go for an O/U. I like the silver pigeon, but as far as I can tell, you can't get one with a raised rib. Does this make a big difference to your shooting?

I won't rule this out, I'll see if I can get hold of one :

A good Beretta Semi-auto one of the new A400 models appropriate to your choosen discipline. Soft shooting adjustible fit proper stock and rib, and an easy sell if you decide you dont like the clay games. You can shoot trap or skeet, singles or doubles and you can hunt with it. You can even buy a different length barrel for it to make it more versatile. They come with chokes and stock shims.

I need to have a stock that is over 15 inches
Thanks Pete, it's good to get actual measurements from someone in the same boat.

The guy might not be right about everything but he sounds like he knows a lot and it would not hurt to trust him.

I think he's trustworthy - I just want to make sure I'm making an informed decision.

One way to see how it fits is to mount the gun with your eyes closed then see how it is pointing.

Thanks to those who suggested this, I'll give it a go with the Pigeon and what ever else I get around to trying.

For those who are of the opinion that a cheaper gun will be just as good - I'll have to do some shoppiong around. The guy who's helping me out said "You don't want a cheap gun. You want to start off with a good one" - and then he suggested the Silver Pigeon.

Can't wait to shoot!
 
you can't get one with a raised rib. Does this make a big difference to your shooting?

Not to me, but then I shoot Sporting Clays and FITASC, not trap. While some SC shooters are gravitating towards using raised ribs and high combs, most do not because there are too many different target presentations.

No matter which way you go - "Head on the stock and eyes on the rock" - focus HARD on the bird, trust your eyes and brain to point the gun where it needs to go, and most importantly - HAVE FUN!
 
If your dealer is a Beretta dealer, see if he has an SV-10 and try that vs a Silver Pigeon. It has a slightly different feel and you can select whether you want it to eject or just extract the shells. Most skeet courses don't want shells all over the ground.

One of the things I HATE about this forum, is whenever anyone asks about a relatively expensive gun, the cheapskate yahoos show up suggesting a $300 gun is all they need. I recall a few weeks ago a guy was asking if anyone had any experience with a Blaser rifle and the yahoos showed up telling him a Savage was all he needed. It's hard to take gun advice seriously around here.
 
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