Clays!!

[Pax Jordana]

Well I'm back to an old haunt I'd left 4 years ago (family membership only covered me til 18). They're all revamped and nice, and their sporting clays facilities look great. I've done my share of rifling and pistoling, and tacti-cool shotgunning, but never anything sporting.

I have an 870, but I think I want an O/U for sporting. 12 gauge, preferably used. Useable, everything else is a perk.

Well I always roll my eyes a little at the "BEST GUN FOUR CCW??!!#" posts in the handgun forum, but I'll admit I'm out of my league here.

Someone kindly point me in the right direction?


EDIT, later: I can't figure out how to change my topic line in editing. I should've made it more specific.

 

[kudu]

I would keep using the 870 if you are familiar with it. As you shoot with other people observe what are the most prevalent shotguns being used, heck most shotgunners are happy to let someone try out their gun. See what fits you and what you like before running out and buying an O/U. Auto's are sweet for recoil, I love shooting them, but hate picking up my hulls because I reload, so I usually shoot an O/U or SxS when I shoot.

 

[Pax Jordana]

That was my main caveat with the 870.. that and, I think I need like half an inch taken off the buttstock.

Though it is pretty fast right now with its black plastic bits and 18'' cylinder bore bbl..

 

[backlash]

Funny, I just shot sporting clays for the first time last weekend, and I'm looking for a used 870 with the proper length bbl. I was using my friends mossy 500. I would have used my Nova, but it's only got a 18 1/2" bbl How were you doing with that 18" 870???

 

[Whole Hog]

Start with the 870 you've already got and if you get hooked then look at O/Us or something else. I shot sporting clays (plus a little trap and skeet) for several years with my Wingmaster and took great joy beating guys with fancier guns, but I eventually bought a Browning Citori Lightning and shot it for 10 years. Just recently I decided to get more serious about the game and found a smoking deal on a NIB Browning 425. It will take me at least a few more years to need any more gun than that.

Kudu, that's the best sig line I've seen.

 

[Rock_Steady]

Pop a longer barrell on that 870 on the cheap, and have fun with it. As the folks here told me on my similar thread: when you can run that pump better than the people you shoot with can run their autos and o/u, you will be ready to move up. I'm finding it rather fun to shoot with a "handicap". Something about the reliability of a pumpgun that I find comforting, too.

 

[Pax Jordana]

I'll tell ya, I've shot clays with the 18.5'' cylinder bore bbl and it's a kick! You just have to shoot 'em before they get too far out.

My current gear is an 18.5'' cylinder bore and a 26'' (I think? the stock express smoothbore barrel) with the screw-in choke system. I have a modified in there now, with an extra full lead only for turkey.


Guess I should buy a cylinder bore choke? or an IC?

C'MON PEOPLE, I WANT TO BUY STUFF

 

[Dave McCracken]

Lots of SC shots are doable with an IC choke. I'd get that, pattern with your loads of choice and a sportin' you shall go.

Use 9s on the close shots, 8s on OD shots (Out Dere) and 7 1/2s on WOD (Way Out Dere) shots.

As you go, you'll figure out what works best.

Enjoy....

 

[GRP]

No halfway serious sporting shooters are using pump guns. An 870 is a great gun to try out the sport. I wouldn't put any money into it though. Things happen fast in sporting, you have enough to do without muscling that pumper. Once your hooked, get that double gun or a gas autoloader.