I've read pretty much every "first shotgun" thread, and can't find a good discussion of my question, so please pardon me if it seems like it's been asked before...
I'm very interested in getting into the clay sports. I've shot trap at a couple clubs with rental guns (12ga auto and O/U) and skeet (12ga auto). I haven't had a chance to try sporting clays yet, but it looks fantastic.
I don't currently own a shotgun. I'd like to buy one that gives me the best overall idea of what clay sports I like most, and what I most value in a shotgun. I'm very interested, for some reason, in a 20ga semi, as I think that would pretty much be the perfect all-around shotgun (clays, field, hd, etc). The only real concern is trap.
Can I get a good feel for the game of Trap with a 20 gauge? I've read that Trap is "exclusively" a 12 gauge game. Will I severely handicap myself with a 20ga to the point that I'll never really know how much I like the sport, or what kind of potential I might have for it?
Along those lines. . . I can obviously pick up a pump for way cheaper than a semi. Would a pump never fully allow me to figure out how much I might like skeet or 5 stand or Sporting Clays?
I know that whatever game I really get into, I'll want a nice O/U set up specifically for that game. Maybe one for every game. My question is, what set up will allow me to fully explore each game so that I can figure out where to put my money in the coming years.
Thanks!
I'm very interested in getting into the clay sports. I've shot trap at a couple clubs with rental guns (12ga auto and O/U) and skeet (12ga auto). I haven't had a chance to try sporting clays yet, but it looks fantastic.
I don't currently own a shotgun. I'd like to buy one that gives me the best overall idea of what clay sports I like most, and what I most value in a shotgun. I'm very interested, for some reason, in a 20ga semi, as I think that would pretty much be the perfect all-around shotgun (clays, field, hd, etc). The only real concern is trap.
Can I get a good feel for the game of Trap with a 20 gauge? I've read that Trap is "exclusively" a 12 gauge game. Will I severely handicap myself with a 20ga to the point that I'll never really know how much I like the sport, or what kind of potential I might have for it?
Along those lines. . . I can obviously pick up a pump for way cheaper than a semi. Would a pump never fully allow me to figure out how much I might like skeet or 5 stand or Sporting Clays?
I know that whatever game I really get into, I'll want a nice O/U set up specifically for that game. Maybe one for every game. My question is, what set up will allow me to fully explore each game so that I can figure out where to put my money in the coming years.
Thanks!