machinists_mate78
Member
I would like to get into skeet shooting and I was wondering what is a good shotgun to begin with. Im thinking semi auto or over/under, but my price range is around $500. Any suggestions?
Good auto or O/U for skeet
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Bailey Boat
Member
That's going to rule out a dependable O/U. So sticking with an autoloader look for a used Beretta or Remington. Make sure it has changeable chokes so you can correctly choke it for whatever game you play...... Check pawn shops and local classifieds....
orphanedcowboy
Member
I have heard good reports on the Mossberg SA-20 and I have a 930 that I haven't had any issues with.
I got an email from Weatherby, they say the SA-08 is $449, but I haven't actually searched it out to see any reviews.
If you shop wisely, and not jump on the first "deal", you can stretch your dollar buying used.
Until this year I hadn't bought a new gun, until the Maxus came out, in 3 or 4 years.
I got an email from Weatherby, they say the SA-08 is $449, but I haven't actually searched it out to see any reviews.
If you shop wisely, and not jump on the first "deal", you can stretch your dollar buying used.
Until this year I hadn't bought a new gun, until the Maxus came out, in 3 or 4 years.
oneounceload
member
If you don't mind used, your options open up a bit more. And if you can up the amount by 50% to 750, they really open up more.
Virginian
Member
Get a good used Remington 1100. They ruled the skeet fields before the over and unders became the more fashionable choice.
NoAlibi
Member
+1
I started shooting skeet in 1974 and the best that I could afford on a detectives salary at that time was a Remington 1100. I can afford considerably more now, but I still shoot 1100s.
If you keep 'em clean (don't forget the the barrel gas ports) and change the rubber o-ring regularly they will rival the quality O/U in reliability and give you a softer shooting gun to boot!
If you decide that skeet is not for you or you want something different, the 1100 is an easy gun to sell - if you buy it right, you'll probably get all your money back. I also use them for duck, dove and quail hunting, so if it will be your only gun then as Bailey Boat suggested you will want a barrel with changeable chokes.
Virginian
Member
If you are careful with them you may never have to change an 'O' ring. Most get destroyed during cleaning. With nine (9) 1100s and 11-87s over 46 years I have only needed to change one; a 1977 in 20 gauge, and it had a stringer but was still working fine. Two of mine came originally with the metal 'V' ring and I changed those to regular 'O' rings so I wouldn't lose them.
My first 1100 in 1963 took a world class standing joke skeet shooter to junior league high average shooter in 15 months.
My first 1100 in 1963 took a world class standing joke skeet shooter to junior league high average shooter in 15 months.
TomADC
Member
Too bad you are so far away I'd let you check out my 12 ga. SKB 585 have most all choke tubes for it, but have one to many O/U's.
They shoot well, I shoot skeet, sporting clays and 5 stand with it.
They shoot well, I shoot skeet, sporting clays and 5 stand with it.
atblis
Member
The Beretta 391 would be my first choice for an auto-loader. I think they are better guns than the Remingtons, but unfortunately it'll be hard to stay around the $500 mark.
The Remingtons do work though, and if you can find one at a good price, no reason not to buy one.
The Remingtons do work though, and if you can find one at a good price, no reason not to buy one.
This 390 isn't the prettiest gun, but it is a hell of a good gun. Great balance, reliability, and overall feel. MUCH better trigger on all counts than an 1100 has unless it's got an aftermarket trigger group or something. Also, it shoots target and magnum loads. No O-ring, easier to clean.
http://www.impactguns.com/store/082442802404.html
That's what I'd get. And I have both, a 390 and an 1100.
chevyforlife21
Member
stoeger
Hammerslagger
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For an inexpensive O/U Skeet Gun the Stoeger Condor made by Armintino in Brazil. Average street price, new, was about $300 two years ago.
It is a cheap simplified copy of a Beretta O/U, using mostly investment cast parts. However, it is a better shotgun (lasts longer shooting Skeet) than one big name Japanese gun that costs twice as much and typically needs sears, hammers, and/or springs at 16K to 20K shots.
I club member and average 22/25 shot has one that he put 25K through without repairs before buying another.
It is a cheap simplified copy of a Beretta O/U, using mostly investment cast parts. However, it is a better shotgun (lasts longer shooting Skeet) than one big name Japanese gun that costs twice as much and typically needs sears, hammers, and/or springs at 16K to 20K shots.
I club member and average 22/25 shot has one that he put 25K through without repairs before buying another.
Milkmaster
Member
+1 biggest bang for the buck starting out. Great to learn and still works even if you decide to buy something different later.
bggwind
Member
I know some of the feedback on the Stoegers have been strong as of late. Check out Shotgunworld.com and the forum section dedicated to specific manufacturers for more info.
Dick's in my area had them for $349 after a $50 rebate.
Dick's in my area had them for $349 after a $50 rebate.
oneounceload
member
and which gun is that? Brazilian guns are very cheaply made, even worse than Turkish, and will not last long with any amount of practice shooting. Quality guns cost more, but last longer, need fewer repairs and just work better. In the long run, they are cheaper to use because you also get most of your money back when selling
jfrey
Member
I started out years ago shooting skeet with a Remington 870. Yes, it can be done quite effectively. Went to an 1100, then to a Winchester 101, then finally to a Beretta 682 Skeet. Recently tried my Stoeger 2000 with skeet choke by Briley and did fairly well with it too.
A lot of it is the shooter behind the trigger, not the gun. You don't need an ultra-expensive gun to enjoy the sport.
Academy has the Stoegers for around $499.00.
A lot of it is the shooter behind the trigger, not the gun. You don't need an ultra-expensive gun to enjoy the sport.
Academy has the Stoegers for around $499.00.
The Stoeger O/Us are rough and clunky, despite having a simplified Beretta-style lockup.
However, I've known a few people who used them for practice, hunting and after-work trap leagues, and never had the tiniest bit of trouble with them after thousands of rounds.
Yes, this surprises me, too.
But it's true IME... While the Brazilian guns aren't as nice in fit and finish as Turkish guns, if it's a shoot-it-'til-it-breaks contest between, say, the prettier Mossberg Reserve series from Turkey, and an ugly Condor, my money is on the Condor. Every time.
That said, neither gun is one I'd choose. The most basic Beretta autoloader as in the link above has MUCH better balance and handling, and is a "forever gun".
I'm not a great fan of the 1100. The stock is crude and narrow, and the primitive pistol grip design lines up my finger so it hits the sharp, too-short excuse for a trigger on the side of my finger. That said, with a custom stock, a trigger shoe, a trigger job and a few other tweaks, the 1100 can be a great skeet gun. I wouldn't spend the money on that work, myself, but that's personal preference (after messing around with the innards, I don't care for the things -- but they're fine until they break).
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Starter gun
Walmarts-yeah,I know-has a nice o/u $500 w/tubes.More tubes available at gunshops.They're not a high quality,but you said you're just starting out.If you don't like skeet you're safe.Get the bug -there'll be no stopping you!
Walmarts-yeah,I know-has a nice o/u $500 w/tubes.More tubes available at gunshops.They're not a high quality,but you said you're just starting out.If you don't like skeet you're safe.Get the bug -there'll be no stopping you!
How serious are you about skeet and how often do you want to shoot it? If you just want to bang some clays occasionally use whatever gun makes you the happiest no matter what it happens to be.
But if you are going to do it on a regular basis and want to get competent at it consider investing in a better quality o/u than one you can get for $500.
At our club a round of skeet is $4.00, a box of shells is around $6.00 so each round of skeet costs $10.00. If you shoot only 4 rounds of skeet per week you are spending over $2,000 per year. If you are going to invest that much in targets and shells why scrimp on the gun?
A good used Beretta or Browning is an excellent choice, better than the Stoegers or the various Turkish-made delights on the market. And despite the protestations of the Remington fans, the 1100 will never have either the reliabilty or the longevity of a quality o/u.
But if you are going to do it on a regular basis and want to get competent at it consider investing in a better quality o/u than one you can get for $500.
At our club a round of skeet is $4.00, a box of shells is around $6.00 so each round of skeet costs $10.00. If you shoot only 4 rounds of skeet per week you are spending over $2,000 per year. If you are going to invest that much in targets and shells why scrimp on the gun?
A good used Beretta or Browning is an excellent choice, better than the Stoegers or the various Turkish-made delights on the market. And despite the protestations of the Remington fans, the 1100 will never have either the reliabilty or the longevity of a quality o/u.
If you are really stuck on spending only $500 for a semi then shop around for an 1100 or a 390.
If you can up the ante then try to find a 391 that you can afford. You will not be disappointed.
And if the 391 price is a stretch I wouldnt bother looking at any O/U's.
Like PJR said, shooting is expensive and if you practice alot you will quickly have more money in shells though the gun then in the gun itself. And if you intend for that to be the case, you'll want a high quality gun.
I like the 1100 but my recommendation is spend more and get a 391.
If you can up the ante then try to find a 391 that you can afford. You will not be disappointed.
And if the 391 price is a stretch I wouldnt bother looking at any O/U's.
Like PJR said, shooting is expensive and if you practice alot you will quickly have more money in shells though the gun then in the gun itself. And if you intend for that to be the case, you'll want a high quality gun.
I like the 1100 but my recommendation is spend more and get a 391.
DeepSouth
Random Guy
The main advantage (to me) of the O/U and side by side is that you can have more than one choke option. That can be a big advantage in some situations.
Are you going to be competition shooting on an 'official' skeet range, or just playing in a pasture.........there is a BIG difference.
Here are the offical rules from the National Skeet Shooting Association.
Pages 32 & 33 show a layout of an official field, with the 8 shooting stations, high house and low house.
Are you going to be competition shooting on an 'official' skeet range, or just playing in a pasture.........there is a BIG difference.
Here are the offical rules from the National Skeet Shooting Association.
Pages 32 & 33 show a layout of an official field, with the 8 shooting stations, high house and low house.
TomADC
Member
Another advantage of an O/U over an auto is if you reload you don't have to chase the shells. Plus imho O/U are easier on the brass than a auto. Which means more reloads per shell.
Oh and if you do reload find a brand you like and stick with it, I like Winchester AA's.
Oh and if you do reload find a brand you like and stick with it, I like Winchester AA's.
snooperman
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- May 4, 2009
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Used Ithaca featherlite 20 ga
You might be able to get one for $500.00. I have shot skeet for years with mine, and have won many matches with it. It is light, fast, and butter smooth, a real delight on the skeet range or in the field. The stoeger Condor is a nice over-under that is a bargain IMO, don't over look it. I personally thingk the Remington too heavy for good skeet work , but that is a personal opinion, others like it very much.
You might be able to get one for $500.00. I have shot skeet for years with mine, and have won many matches with it. It is light, fast, and butter smooth, a real delight on the skeet range or in the field. The stoeger Condor is a nice over-under that is a bargain IMO, don't over look it. I personally thingk the Remington too heavy for good skeet work , but that is a personal opinion, others like it very much.
Dogbite
Member
I have owned a 391, it was an amazing gun for clay games.
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