Right, when I run into a string of misses at skeet, I usually discover that I have started lifting my head off the stock.
Clay shooting : choosing my first gun - Suggestions?
- Thread starter Dr.Wong
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Right, when I run into a string of misses at skeet, I usually discover that I have started lifting my head off the stock.
oneounceload
member
Not ALL of us (
) are that way, but in general you are correct. Now, if he went over to ShotgunWorld.com, the responses would all be the other way
eastbank
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i think you should buy what ever you want if you have the money too, but don,t think a less costly rifle or shotgun will not shoot. i,m amazed by a friends savage 110 in .308 that will give less than inch groups at 100yds with his reloads with 150gr bullets. sure my remington heavy barreled .308 shoots better, but he didn,t pay 800.00 for his savage. and that goes for shotguns to, when i see a man shoot 42-44 at sporting clays with a mossberg 500 time after time,it shows the mossberg has it in it,but does the shooter? eastbank.
Sheepdog1968
Member
I was all set to upgrade from my Mossberg 500 for trap league to something nicer. Then, I started to hit 23 and 24 our of 25 reasonably often. As such I lost interest in upgrading. If I were to upgrade, it would be to a kind of shotgun that I've really wanted to own for a long time and even then it wouldn't be the uber optimized for trap. If you don't have a shotgun, I would get something that you like that fits within your budget. Just about any shotgun will do the job just fine.
Armored farmer
Member
I guess I would be happy to compare my ATA averages to anyones on THR. I'm not saying they are the best or couldn't be better with a nicer trapgun, but I am saying they are AA and have been for about 30yrs.
Dozens of 100x100s, even from hdcp. All with either a Mod 12 or an 870.
I have a 4E Ithaca trapgun, I just never shot it as well as my Mod 12.
Dozens of 100x100s, even from hdcp. All with either a Mod 12 or an 870.
I have a 4E Ithaca trapgun, I just never shot it as well as my Mod 12.
d2wing
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For one thing, trap is not very demanding for gun handling. A lot of guys do fine with 500's and 870's and heavy guns. In sporting clays it makes more difference. Another is you can adapt to a particular gun and be happy with it. If you switch to another gun you may not do as well. Nothing wrong with using a cheap gun. But it is a handicap for some types of shooting. For Sporting clays I like an over under because the weight is between your hands and you can turn easier. In trap you have the gun mounted and every shot is in front of you. Clays can come from a variety of positions and you must mount the gun and may have to take a target from another direction in a double. A nice trap gun would feel like a pig. I recommend a standard upland hunting gun, not a duck gun or trap gun.
mudstud
Member
I think the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I is an excellent choice for a beginners sporting clays and skeet gun! I would just like to mention that you may be better served by the "Sporting" variation, rather than the standard field gun. The reason being, the standard field guns have an automatic safety, meaning every time you open and close the gun, the safety automatically resets, requiring you to remember to push the safety off every time, before you shoot. This gets to be a PITA, and you may very well lose some birds because you forgot to push the safety off. The Sporting guns have a manual safety and don't automatically reset. I think the price for a Sporting 686 and a field gun are about the same.
Further, I would recommend 30" barrels, or at the very least 28". The longer barrels are conducive to a better swing. Stay away from 26" barrels! Especially since you are 6' 5"!! The standard LOP on Beretta 686's runs about 14-1/2", with a thin rubber pad. At your height, and with long arms, that is probably too short, but not to worry, this is a very minor issue, and can easily be remedied by replacing the factory pad with a thicker pad. A 1" pad should give about a 15-1/4" LOP. Any decent gunsmith should be able to solve any LOP issues.
Good luck however you decide to go!
Further, I would recommend 30" barrels, or at the very least 28". The longer barrels are conducive to a better swing. Stay away from 26" barrels! Especially since you are 6' 5"!! The standard LOP on Beretta 686's runs about 14-1/2", with a thin rubber pad. At your height, and with long arms, that is probably too short, but not to worry, this is a very minor issue, and can easily be remedied by replacing the factory pad with a thicker pad. A 1" pad should give about a 15-1/4" LOP. Any decent gunsmith should be able to solve any LOP issues.
Good luck however you decide to go!
The Beretta the store staffer recommended is the stock answer in most circles to the what gun do i start with question. That gun and the other comparative models from Browning miroku etc are unquestionably a good choice well tried and tested and accepted the world over.
The only reservation i have on recommending one of the same guns to you is the fact you are new to the sport/ discipline.
Just throwing a sporter at you over the counter you shell out the hard earned you walk out the door and live happily ever after.
Well this could be the case but it could also be the start of an expensive frustrating learning curve. Many scinarios could occur , you may fall out with sporting decide you want a dedicated skeet or trap model because you like this disapline or that. Or decide you like a X Gun X Model better than your original choice after a relatively short honeymoon.
The old WED in haste repent at leisure adage springs to mind here.
Your relative newness to the sport and not necessarily have you decided exactly what you want and need from the sport, i would eire on the side of caution here and think long and hard on your purchase.
The offer to try the guns is a good one but fraught with compromises, many in number to list here in entirety. They could vary from your shooting/gun handling style fit issues its virtually endless, and because you have no hard and fast rules set in your mind what you want or need to be effective at this sport is a big negative all by itself.
So where does that leave you, well i can only comment on the route i would take or advise friends or family to do in your scenario.
I would go along to the local trap club, get to see a few guns and chat with a few people most will be only to willing to offer advice, you will get to handle a few different guns, and who knows even get to shoot a few. Within a couple of visits you will have an idea what gun you want. It could be you buy the silver pigeon after all or perhaps a citori or cynergy, but it could be just as possible you decide that ancient 3200 remington was the gun for you and your search will begin for your holy grail.
If this all seems to be a long old dusty road to you and you want a start NOW!
Then this blokes advice to you is to perhaps start with a good used older model a Miroku 3000 perhaps reasonably priced and competent, or perhaps a Winchester 5000 or even a used Beretta but whatever you chose buy wisely if its in good order when you get it a used model wont loose you anywhere the money a new gun will the second you buy it, let somebody else loose the buyers slice not you. You will be able in most cases able to get your money back on a good used gun, or near to it. A new gun ..NEVER!.
Now once you have fuly got to grips with what you want to do in the sport, then fine go out and buy a new gun of your make model and style, but right now.. Tread softly thats my advice.
The only reservation i have on recommending one of the same guns to you is the fact you are new to the sport/ discipline.
Just throwing a sporter at you over the counter you shell out the hard earned you walk out the door and live happily ever after.
Well this could be the case but it could also be the start of an expensive frustrating learning curve. Many scinarios could occur , you may fall out with sporting decide you want a dedicated skeet or trap model because you like this disapline or that. Or decide you like a X Gun X Model better than your original choice after a relatively short honeymoon.
The old WED in haste repent at leisure adage springs to mind here.
Your relative newness to the sport and not necessarily have you decided exactly what you want and need from the sport, i would eire on the side of caution here and think long and hard on your purchase.
The offer to try the guns is a good one but fraught with compromises, many in number to list here in entirety. They could vary from your shooting/gun handling style fit issues its virtually endless, and because you have no hard and fast rules set in your mind what you want or need to be effective at this sport is a big negative all by itself.
So where does that leave you, well i can only comment on the route i would take or advise friends or family to do in your scenario.
I would go along to the local trap club, get to see a few guns and chat with a few people most will be only to willing to offer advice, you will get to handle a few different guns, and who knows even get to shoot a few. Within a couple of visits you will have an idea what gun you want. It could be you buy the silver pigeon after all or perhaps a citori or cynergy, but it could be just as possible you decide that ancient 3200 remington was the gun for you and your search will begin for your holy grail.
If this all seems to be a long old dusty road to you and you want a start NOW!
Then this blokes advice to you is to perhaps start with a good used older model a Miroku 3000 perhaps reasonably priced and competent, or perhaps a Winchester 5000 or even a used Beretta but whatever you chose buy wisely if its in good order when you get it a used model wont loose you anywhere the money a new gun will the second you buy it, let somebody else loose the buyers slice not you. You will be able in most cases able to get your money back on a good used gun, or near to it. A new gun ..NEVER!.
Now once you have fuly got to grips with what you want to do in the sport, then fine go out and buy a new gun of your make model and style, but right now.. Tread softly thats my advice.
Virginian
Member
I never advise anyone to start their kid driving with a Camaro SS or a Mustang Cobra, and I would not advise anyone to start clay target shooting with a Perazzi, regardless of their budget. Learn the game(s), and learn what you like, and what works and feels good to you, first. Get a good used Remington 1100 or Beretta 3** and start shooting.
oneounceload
member
If you have the money for a Perazzi, nothing wrong with that; if you have been professionally fitted, Perazzi will custom build it the way you want for no extra charge
eastbank said:
I have shot very few clays, but do strongly want to do so. To that end, about 2 years ago, I gave my 2-year-old Remingtom M870 Wingmaster with light barrel, to my brother as an heirloom, which would pass down to his son. Son (nephew already knows it, and shoots it). I made good heirloom gift. But, now I needed a replacement 12 gauge. I settled on the Browning Citori in 12 gauge, with 28" barrels. It hits where I point.
Of course always wanting more, I have a wandering eye for the Browning BT-99 Grade III,not merely for clays, but perhaps more exciting, for pheasant. Those of you who have owned a BT-99 or a BT-100, am I off base on this thinking. I enjoy the challenge of a single barrel shotgun. So this I bend your ears, and inquire: "to BT, or not to BT, for wing shooting, that is the question. 8^)
Geno
I have shot very few clays, but do strongly want to do so. To that end, about 2 years ago, I gave my 2-year-old Remingtom M870 Wingmaster with light barrel, to my brother as an heirloom, which would pass down to his son. Son (nephew already knows it, and shoots it). I made good heirloom gift. But, now I needed a replacement 12 gauge. I settled on the Browning Citori in 12 gauge, with 28" barrels. It hits where I point.
Of course always wanting more, I have a wandering eye for the Browning BT-99 Grade III,not merely for clays, but perhaps more exciting, for pheasant. Those of you who have owned a BT-99 or a BT-100, am I off base on this thinking. I enjoy the challenge of a single barrel shotgun. So this I bend your ears, and inquire: "to BT, or not to BT, for wing shooting, that is the question. 8^)
Geno
oneounceload
member
The BT-99 is a great trap gun, but IMO it is way too heavy to tote all day after pheasant - single shot or not - use your Citori O/U for that
Pete D.
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- Sep 13, 2010
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- 2,657
trap/pheasant
I carry one of three shotguns when I am hunting either grouse or pheasant. The heaviest of them is six pounds and quarter. The Browning stays home.
Pete
Let me echo OneOunceload's comment.... the BT-99 is a fine firearm but at nine pounds..... not a gun that I want to carry across and through a day in the Uplands.
I carry one of three shotguns when I am hunting either grouse or pheasant. The heaviest of them is six pounds and quarter. The Browning stays home.
Pete
AJumbo
Member
Get one that fits, and that you like. Pretty much everything else is secondary. If the one you like is kinda spendy, get it anyway.
Armored farmer
Member
As far as the BT for hunting.....
I can't remember for sure, but I'm thinking that it doesn't have a safety??
I can't remember for sure, but I'm thinking that it doesn't have a safety??
RainDodger
Member
Most people here know more about this subject than I do, but here's what I found... I've got a passel of shotguns... 870, Win Model-12, Browning semi-autos and a dedicated semi-auto trap gun.
Out of all of those, my Browning Citori (a Gran Lightning) fits me the very best. With only 28" barrels, it is still the gun that I take to the trap range. It fits me better than my "real" trap gun and that's what matters. Get what fits you best and buy all the quality you can afford. You'll never regret it in my opinion. I run your basic Full over Mod chokes and it works great for me.
Edit: Pete D. has a point... an O/U is gonna be heavy for the field. When I hunt I carry my trusty old Browning 2000 semi-auto.
Out of all of those, my Browning Citori (a Gran Lightning) fits me the very best. With only 28" barrels, it is still the gun that I take to the trap range. It fits me better than my "real" trap gun and that's what matters. Get what fits you best and buy all the quality you can afford. You'll never regret it in my opinion. I run your basic Full over Mod chokes and it works great for me.
Edit: Pete D. has a point... an O/U is gonna be heavy for the field. When I hunt I carry my trusty old Browning 2000 semi-auto.
oneounceload
member
Today, 07:04 AM #66
kbbailey
Member
That said taking a 9# single shot in the upland seems rather foolish to begin with
kbbailey
Member
As a single barrel break open that would really be a non issue as you can just carry the gun broken open if that's an issue.
That said taking a 9# single shot in the upland seems rather foolish to begin with
Armored farmer
Member
Really??
I cant believe nobody suggested he pick up a Seitz to hunt pheasants.
Im done here.
I cant believe nobody suggested he pick up a Seitz to hunt pheasants.
Im done here.
oneounceload
member
Well, a Ljutic will work as well as a Seitz...
Hi All,
Some time has passed since starting this thread. Where I'm from the firearm licensing takes around eight months so I've been at it for less than a year!
I ended up with a 30-inch 12-guage Beretta Silver Pigeon (Sporting).
The bottom line : it's been one of the best purchases I've ever made. The amount of fun I've had and shared with others has paid the gun off five times over. It seems choosing a good quality gun and simply learning how to shoot with it was the right choice (over worrying about the perfect fit - that'll come later).
Something that wasn't mentioned when you were all helping me decide was the fact that I'd be joining a "club". Fellow Beretta owners have welcomed me to the sport with open arms using the Silver Pigeon as common grounds. I've seen the same with the Browning guys (although in the end we all end up having fun together). Owning a gun with a respected name that attracts a bit of controversy has made the experience greater - something I did not expect.
Happy shooting!
Some time has passed since starting this thread. Where I'm from the firearm licensing takes around eight months so I've been at it for less than a year!
I ended up with a 30-inch 12-guage Beretta Silver Pigeon (Sporting).
The bottom line : it's been one of the best purchases I've ever made. The amount of fun I've had and shared with others has paid the gun off five times over. It seems choosing a good quality gun and simply learning how to shoot with it was the right choice (over worrying about the perfect fit - that'll come later).
Something that wasn't mentioned when you were all helping me decide was the fact that I'd be joining a "club". Fellow Beretta owners have welcomed me to the sport with open arms using the Silver Pigeon as common grounds. I've seen the same with the Browning guys (although in the end we all end up having fun together). Owning a gun with a respected name that attracts a bit of controversy has made the experience greater - something I did not expect.
Happy shooting!
oneounceload
member
Glad to hear all worked out well! The Beretta is a great gun as well; you should have many years of enjoyment from it.
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