oneounceload
member
Benellis ARE very good guns and one will be right at your max budget
HD and skeet gun?
- Thread starter Schwarf
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rbernie
Contributing Member
They are. My field gun/HD gun is a 12ga M2 Field with a 21" barrel. I have it shimmed to fit me using the factory kit, outfitted with the factory drop-in raised comb and extended buttpad to fit LOP to my needs, and I put a +2 Nordic extension on it to bring the swing weight back equal to the 28" barrel and to give me a better HD setup. (I use a longer plug to make it hunt-legal when I go afield..)
It's absolutely the one shotgun that I reach for for most any need...
There's nothing magic about an 18" to 20" short riot barrel on a shotgun for home defense. Skeet is shot using shotguns with a relatively short barrel of around 24" to 26" with a very open choke that is almost a cylinder bore, so any true "skeet" gun would serve well as a home defense gun. To turn your Skeet gun into a home defense gun just load shells with larger lead shot from BB to 00.
Now many people mix up the game of skeet with Trap or Sporting clays which is usually shot with longer barreled tighter choked guns for the longer range targets shot in those games. Not that you can't use a 28" or longer barreled shotgun for home defense, the only advantage of the short barrel is better mobility in tight quarters like a hallway.
Most people over think the home defense issue and are attracted to the short barred riot guns they see on TV and in the movies. If you want a pump gun with versatility get a Mossberg with both field and riot barrel or buy a Remington 870 with a field barrel and purchase a riot barrel if you feel the need. You can also get a O/U or SXS with 24" to 26" barrels with interchangeable chokes to give versatility yet the gun will be as short as a pump with an 18" to 20" riot barrel.
Now many people mix up the game of skeet with Trap or Sporting clays which is usually shot with longer barreled tighter choked guns for the longer range targets shot in those games. Not that you can't use a 28" or longer barreled shotgun for home defense, the only advantage of the short barrel is better mobility in tight quarters like a hallway.
Most people over think the home defense issue and are attracted to the short barred riot guns they see on TV and in the movies. If you want a pump gun with versatility get a Mossberg with both field and riot barrel or buy a Remington 870 with a field barrel and purchase a riot barrel if you feel the need. You can also get a O/U or SXS with 24" to 26" barrels with interchangeable chokes to give versatility yet the gun will be as short as a pump with an 18" to 20" riot barrel.
The best pure route for HD would be to get a pump gun and spend the rest of the $ on a multi-day defensive shotgun course and ammo. You would be far ahead in being able to effectively protect yourself vs. just buying 2 barrels and shooting some skeet.
oneounceload
member
26" was popular about 20 years ago - the trend is towards longer barrels like 30 and 32 inches. Cyl is .000, Skeet is .005 - at HD distances, no biggie though
tacxted
Member
I use a rem 870 with an 18" threaded barrel and ghost ring sights for HD, Does fine on the skeet range too. 2 birds 1 stone.
Have shot sporting clays too but you are at a disadvantage on longer targets.oneounceload
member
Most skeet ranges I go to now do not allow barrels under 24" long
MSgtEgress
Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2006
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- 195
***? jaguarxk120, not using a pump for skeet? Disrupt your aim?? what a load of Barbara Streisand (BS). You don't aim a shotgun in skeet. If you do you will miss. I have been shooting a model 12 for skeet since I was 14. Skeet is more a matter of gun fit than how you reload. There is MORE than enough time to shuck it on doubles. The biggest problem is putting it down for several months for a stackbarrel or auto and picking it up again. You may forget to pump it for the first few stations but it comes right back. I agree that with a 2K budget you can afford dedicated guns for both. A CZ Ringneck 12ga runs around 1 k and and Remington 870 another 650. use the rest to by ammo or reloading equipment
Sauer Grapes
Member
For 2 grand, buy one of each! Was never much for HD shotguns.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Fortunately, I've not had that issue in the DFW area nor in the ranges I've been to recently in eastern Iowa while on business travel. Most ranges seem pretty pleased to take your cash, and are happy to score you as long as you are safe on the range.
madwell
Member
I have heard good things about the CZ 712 utility. It would work ok for both tasks.
What about getting two of the same gun? For instance two Remington 1100's one with a long barrel and one with a short barrel. Well with in your price range same controls and function from gun to gun, and a backup gun if one ever goes down. Two is one, one is none.
What about getting two of the same gun? For instance two Remington 1100's one with a long barrel and one with a short barrel. Well with in your price range same controls and function from gun to gun, and a backup gun if one ever goes down. Two is one, one is none.
With that budget, I would opt for a gas operated semi-automatic shotgun with two barrels, a shorter one for HD and a longer one for the clay sports. If no short barrels are sold for the shotgun you would prefer in that configuration, just buy a long one and have it cut to the desired legal length where you are. And while you are at it, the HD barrel could also wear a tritium front sight. They are just cool stuff 
Like others have mentioned it, I do not believe the extended shell capacity of some more tactical models to be necessary on a HD shotgun.
Like others have mentioned it, I do not believe the extended shell capacity of some more tactical models to be necessary on a HD shotgun.
mgkdrgn
Member
Any of the pump guns are going to make any skeet doubles ... ummm... "interesting".
For your budget, a good used Rem 1100 and a set of choke tubes, maybe an extra shortie barrel for HD use would be a reasonable setup, and you'll have $1000 left over!
For your budget, a good used Rem 1100 and a set of choke tubes, maybe an extra shortie barrel for HD use would be a reasonable setup, and you'll have $1000 left over!
Re pumps on the skeet range - It depends on how serious you want to be. There is a lot going on with a pump gun on doubles. In competition skeet you need to break 395 or more out of 400 targets to win a shoot, more like 400/400 to win a major shoot. No one does this with a pump.
Sunday afternoons at the range, sure. Leagues - well, maybe. Our leagues are team events so you may be handicapping your squad by shooting a pump. If the squad is ok with it or the squad is a squad shooting pumps for a reason, why not. I shoot my grandfathers old fox sxs occasionally - it's not conducive to high scores, but it's fun.
People that shoot pumps, a lot, rack the slide without even thinking about it - if you shoot enough to get to that point it won't be a problem. Until then though, It's one more thing you have to consciously think about and it's one more variable you have to deal with in that second or so you have to make a shot.
As far as skeet guns go - the trend these days is for a 12 gauge o/u (so you can tube it for sub gauges), heavy, and 30" bbls. For an autoloader 26" or 28" bbls would be fine.
Sunday afternoons at the range, sure. Leagues - well, maybe. Our leagues are team events so you may be handicapping your squad by shooting a pump. If the squad is ok with it or the squad is a squad shooting pumps for a reason, why not. I shoot my grandfathers old fox sxs occasionally - it's not conducive to high scores, but it's fun.
People that shoot pumps, a lot, rack the slide without even thinking about it - if you shoot enough to get to that point it won't be a problem. Until then though, It's one more thing you have to consciously think about and it's one more variable you have to deal with in that second or so you have to make a shot.
As far as skeet guns go - the trend these days is for a 12 gauge o/u (so you can tube it for sub gauges), heavy, and 30" bbls. For an autoloader 26" or 28" bbls would be fine.
At major shoots you have to shoot 100% just to make it to the shoot off to have a chance at winning against the 15 or 20 other competitors that went perfect. Then you shoot doubles at stations 3, 4, and 5.
I shot casual skeet with a pump for a long time before I started competition. I got a real skeet gun for competition.
Now a days, sometimes for fun, I go shoot skeet with a pump and I am always forgetting to cycle the action on doubles.
Want a humbling experience, shoot a round of skeet with a .410 pump and a full choke.
tacxted
Member
whats this a pump is to slow for doubles? when i said i shoot skeet with a 870 riot shotgun what i really meant was: The first time i went to a skeet range, ever, i hit a double with my pump... pump on a skeet range, not an issue.
Pump shot guns are not too slow to hit doubles at skeet. In the 1930s, pump shot guns were the gun of choice for many top competitors. It is just over/unders and semi-autos are quicker between shots and easier to stay on target.
Causal and fun rounds of skeet can definitely be enjoyed with a pump, and good scores can be shot. But it is a disadvantage for the serious competitor.
Here is an interesting article on the Ohio Vintage Skeet Championship. Competitors must shoot 1930s vintage style guns and equipment.
http://ohioskeet.org/Site/Hal Hare's Skeet Blog/4A479D1E-DFC0-4AF2-B80C-A60E87C99B6A.html
olafhardtB
Member
- Joined
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- 393
Know a guy who had a problem with critters eating his poultry. He got a good flash light and a Mossburg 500 youth model 20 gauge with choke tubes. He left the modified choke in it. It is real handy and blows coons and polecats to pieces with an ounce of 4's or 5's. Every Wally World around here has this and other gauges of M 500's for
$209. That leaves over $1700 in your budget. If pump guns are so complicated to shoot, why are they the predominant American repeating shotgun? Just have fun with it, plink. A carton of canned soda pop and a box of shells will be a good start to your booger blasting career.
$209. That leaves over $1700 in your budget. If pump guns are so complicated to shoot, why are they the predominant American repeating shotgun? Just have fun with it, plink. A carton of canned soda pop and a box of shells will be a good start to your booger blasting career.
single stack
Member
The original post asked about HD and possibly skeet and country doubles.
The OP isn't likely asking about a competition gun.
For HD I'd recommend a Mossberg 500. Get the combo for under $400.
That leaves $1600 to pay for a used Browning Citori 12 or 20 gauge field grade.
Easy peasy!
The only issue left is whether or not the buyer is a nooby or not and can shop for a used gun with confidence.
BTW I shoot skeet with a Model 42 .410 with full choke often and no, I don't take it to tournaments.
The OP isn't likely asking about a competition gun.
For HD I'd recommend a Mossberg 500. Get the combo for under $400.
That leaves $1600 to pay for a used Browning Citori 12 or 20 gauge field grade.
Easy peasy!
The only issue left is whether or not the buyer is a nooby or not and can shop for a used gun with confidence.
BTW I shoot skeet with a Model 42 .410 with full choke often and no, I don't take it to tournaments.
kimbernut
Member
Benelli Ethos
For your consideration before jumping on the Versamax. This gun will fill the bill and be glamorous too!
For your consideration before jumping on the Versamax. This gun will fill the bill and be glamorous too!
Jaxondog
Member
To all of you on here that say a "pump gun is not good for skeet"...must either be very young or never went to a skeet and trap championship tournament's back in the '60s. A lot of champions with pump's, I'd like to see you tell some of them a pump has no place in skeet. No, I'm not one of them but my job was keeping the houses loaded so I saw a lot of great shooter's.
oneounceload
member
That was then, this is now. There is is not one serious shooter using a pump none.
For pasture clays or for fun to warm up for hunting? Sure, use a pump. Personally, I would go the semi route for HD as well. Like serious skeet, one less thing to worry about. It is real easy to short shuck a pump in a time of major stress.
For pasture clays or for fun to warm up for hunting? Sure, use a pump. Personally, I would go the semi route for HD as well. Like serious skeet, one less thing to worry about. It is real easy to short shuck a pump in a time of major stress.
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