Gaming Shotgun on a Budget.

[Smith357]

I want to get a shotgun for playing Sporting Clays and such but I'm on a very tight budget (under $400), I figure I will most likely end up with an older Remington 1100 or 11-87. My question is are there any other shotguns I should look at, I've been out of the shotgun game for about ten years now and am not familiar with any of the new budget guns.

I'm still kicking myself for selling my Beretta A-303 Upland and Citori Hunter.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Under $400 puts you into the Rem 870 if you want a good newer shotgun. Lots of people do very well with them. A good used 1100 would be one of your best bets for semi-auto if you can find one. SM on this board knows them well and probably has posted what to look for if you do a search. There are some O/U (like Stoeger) that sell for under $400 but if you are going to be doing any amount of shooting, they may not hold up. As a field gun where you shoot maybe a couple boxes of shells a year, they are probably OK. But when you shoot at least a couple boxes each time you go out for SC, I wouldn't trust them for the long haul. Most of the newer budget guns are not meant to take the pounding shooting clays dishes out. The Mossberg pump might be also worth looking at. Not things of beauty but fairly rugged.
Kick yourself a couple extra times for getting rid of those great guns but most of us have done the same at one time or another -- usually when money was really tight and the family had to eat. If it had just been me, I'd have lost some weight and eaten a lot of peanut butter and bread. But kids and wife rate better than that. That is how I lost my 4" 1967 python and my 1958 M70 in .264 Mag. Now I think I'll go kick myself again -- even though it has been 30+ years.

 

[03Shadowbob]

I just bought a Mossberg 500 with 28" barrel from Wally World for $230. It's a pump so not the most ideal gun for SC but it's cheap and fun to shoot. You should be able to find an older semi for $400.

 

[ArmedBear]

Used 1100. With a little work, and maybe a visit or two to eBay, you can do well for $400 if you're patient.

The new Mossberg 930 is a good shooter. It hasn't been out forever, so I can't say how it will work 100,000 rounds from now, and some people report that it's hard to find one in their area. But if you can find one, take a swing.

 

[Srigs]

Mossberg 500 is an ideal shotgun for a bird upland gun. Then swap out the barrel and make it into a HD gun. Best of both worlds.

 

[RNB65]

I'm not a fan of using pump guns for sporting clays. In almost 20 years of shooting sporting clays, I've seen someone shooting clays with a pump gun exactly twice. Both times it was someone clay shooting for the first time using their hunting shotguns and neither guy appeared to be enjoying it very much.

Yes, it can be done. But I think it's a big handicap. I'd look for an old 1100 or really beat up O/U before buying a pump for sporting clays. Also, check the used gun stores for an old Beretta 303. Not sure what they sell for, but they're a terrific clay shooting gun.

 

[Frog48]

For semi-auto shotguns, you could get a brand new Remington SPR453, Baikal MP153, or Charles Daly for under $400.

 

[IDriveB5]

There is nothing in the world wrong with using a pump action for sporting clays. With your budget, I think it would be your best bet.

 

[Frog48]

There is nothing in the world wrong with using a pump action for sporting clays. With your budget, I think it would be your best bet.

I agree wholeheartedly. I use my Mossberg 835 and very much enjoy it.

 

[Smith357]

I am definatly not interested in a pump gun. Short stroking on the followup shot is all to easy.

I stopped at the local gun shop and looked at the Stoeger 2000, Condor, and Upland, and the Remington SPR453. The two semiauto offerings seemed very nose heavy next to the 11-87, The O/U and SxS Stoegers felt very good even though fit and finish were a bit rough (what do you want for $329). None of these guns are near the quality of an old Remington. I think unless I happen to stumble across an under priced Beretta 303 or 390, the 1100 or 11-87 is what I will get.

Thank you to all for your input.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I've short stroked a pump.

Once, in the last 70K rounds or so.

I'm willing to take the chance it'll happen again....

 

[hub]

you can get an 870 express for $275 at walmart and remmington has a $30 mail in rebate on all express models. $245 for a new 870 is pretty hard to beat. i dont think short stroking would be an issue. you said sporting clays right? doesnt sporting clays represent waterfoul, upland game birds, and rabbit hunting. how many hunters use a pump for that? i do. anyway if your not looking for a pump, i would also suggest the mossberg reserve series o/u. i think its around that price range. my stepdad has one and i took it quail hunting last year and it shot pretty good and was very lightweight, maybe worth looking into.