Looking for advice: shotgun for sporting clays

[nixdorf]

Hello all,

I was recently invited to shoot sporting clays with a friend. I’m hooked, and now want to buy a suitable semi-automatic shotgun.

I am very familiar with pistols and rifles, but not so much with shotguns. The shotguns I own are a Remington 870 pump 12-gauge and a 60-year old break-action, single shot .410.

For reference, I borrowed a Benelli Super Black Eagle in 12 gauge for my sporting clays trip. I liked it.

I’m hoping you fine folk can recommend a good shotgun and chambering for sporting clays. It is possible the same shotgun may see some use for hunting fowl, but it would be primarily used for clays.

I also don’t know what I don’t know, so any other thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Armored farmer]

If you can find a Remington 1100 sporting competition.
It has adjustable stock and choke tubes.
It would be a gun that you could seriously complete with.
I have one myself, it is my dedicated sporting clays gun. I have also shot a few rounds of trap with it.

You already have a Remington 870, this will point and balance similarly.
Son #1 broke his first 25x25 followed immediately by his second 25x25 for a 50x50 trap score this spring at the Illinois State ATA trapshoot with this gun. (It shoots trap too)

 

[kudu]

Nothing wrong with learning to shoot sporting with the 870, it's not ideal, but it will work well if you can pump fast enough, I often run a pump gun just for fun, my score might drop by 2-3 birds out of a 100 but I can generally pump as fast or faster than an autoloader can function. Remember that shotgunners use both eyes open when shooting, rifle shooters sometimes have a hard time adapting to the "pointing" of a shotgun as opposed to the aiming of a rifle.

A good 1100 auto would be a fine choice as recommended by Armored farmer as would any gas autoloader. The inertia autos like the Black Eagle usually have to run the hotter target loads to work reliably. After shooting a long time most shooters will run very light target loads and find they work just as well breaking clays as a heavy more punishing load.

Lots of guys shoot autos, Remington 1100, 11-87, Beretta guns, 390, 391, A300, A400. An occasional Browning or Winchester is seen. Many prefer an O/U shotgun so that you can pick which choke you want for each target presentation. Choke of the barrel is important, it's not very often you would ever need more than a modified on a sporting course, most get by with a skeet or I/C choke.

When it is all said and done it won't take very long before the cost of ammunition far surpasses the cost of what ever gun you decide to buy to use for your particular type of shooting. Get something that feels good to you when you bring it up to your face. I always focus on a point and close my eyes and mount the gun, when I open my eyes if the barrel is lined up looking square down the barrel with the bead centered on whatever you are focusing on it is a quick way to see if the gun at least somewhat fitting to you. You want it to be a natural feeling with no adjusting the gun once it is mounted.

 

[PapaG]

I second the 1100 suggestion. While I am a dedicated 870 nut, having six of them and often shooting trap, skeet and games with them, the Rem auto will work well for you. Just don't overchoke for sporting clays. When I pull out an 1100 or my superposed the guys ask if my 870 is in "timeout".
870 TB, TC, two Classics, a Wingmaster, and the black sheep Express. Probably more on the way.

 

[cdb1]

As stated by kudu an 1100 is a good choice. From what I’ve seen 1100’s fit a broader spectrum of people than just about any other semi.

On the other hand there are other shotguns that might fit you better than an 1100.

 

[George P]

Gas guns will be better suited than inertia guns for high volume ashooting from a recoil standpoint, as they tens to be heavier, handle lighter loads, and elongate the recoil pulse enough to help with perceived recoil.

The number one gas gun in Sporting clays at this time is the Beretta A400 (the blue smurf one); that said there is a Fabarm model that is getting a lot of good press as well.
Expect to pay ~$1400 or so for one; that puts you fairly close to a Beretta basic O/U

 

[Sappyg2.0]

If I were looking for a semi automatic for SC I'd look at, and shoot, as many as I could.

The berettas are legendary for performance and that's where I would start my search. I know one guy that shoots s fabarm. He likes it fine but doesnt break more clays because he's shooting a fabarm. He uses that gun because that's what he likes. We both use OU guns but prefer semi automatic for sporting clay.

In stead of recommending a semi I'll recommend what I would look for in a semi for sporting clays:

28-30" barrel.
Adjustable stock for cast and drop.
Extended bolt release.
A fairly wide rib.
Little to no bead.
Around 7 lbs.
A rounded butpad.
Gas operated... NOT inertia

 

[cdb1]

that said there is a Fabarm model that is getting a lot of good press as well.

I have FABARM L4S field model. It’s easily the favorite shotgun I’ve owned and I’ve owned a bunch. For any type of clays I’d get a FABARM sporting model, they fit me better than Berettas. If Berettas fit me better then that’s what I’d get.

 

[George P]

If I were looking for a semi automatic for SC I'd look at, and shoot, as many as I could.

The berettas are legendary for performance and that's where I would start my search. I know one guy that shoots s fabarm. He likes it fine but doesnt break more clays because he's shooting a fabarm. He uses that gun because that's what he likes. We both use OU guns but prefer semi automatic for sporting clay.

In stead of recommending a semi I'll recommend what I would look for in a semi for sporting clays:

28-30" barrel.
Adjustable stock for cast and drop.
Extended bolt release.
A fairly wide rib.
Little to no bead.
Around 7 lbs.
A rounded butpad.
Gas operated... NOT inertia

I would agree with most of these; except I would opt for 30-32" barrel and weight closer to 8# for sporting clays; it really helps with recoil and swing dynamics.