I am looking for a semi-auto 12ga, will be mostly used for sporting clays. I would like to find something that has a nice walnut stock to go with a blued barrel. I would like to find the best shooting/looking gun in the 5-700 dollar range. What should be on my list to look at or avoid? Thanks in advance.
need a shotgun for breaking clays...help wanted
- Thread starter Jon_Z
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mc223
Member
Call me old fashioned, I use a 1956 model Browning Sweet 16. Always liked the low recoil and super patterns.
I'm biased.
I shoot a Remington and in fact have a Remington 11-87 for sale.
"Remington 11-87 Premier, 28 inch barrel. LC. Vent rib. Enhanced Receiver Engraving. Almost brand new! Only 2 rounds of Sporting Clays. $800 obo."
I do hear a lot of good things about Beretta 391's. In fact, this 11-87 is my back-up gun. It needs to go so I can afford a Beretta.
But they are not inexpensive.
I shoot a Remington and in fact have a Remington 11-87 for sale.
"Remington 11-87 Premier, 28 inch barrel. LC. Vent rib. Enhanced Receiver Engraving. Almost brand new! Only 2 rounds of Sporting Clays. $800 obo."
I do hear a lot of good things about Beretta 391's. In fact, this 11-87 is my back-up gun. It needs to go so I can afford a Beretta.
But they are not inexpensive.
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BozemanMT
Member
Beretta 391
Used they go in that range easy
Fine gun
Pretty too.
That would be my choice if I was going semi-auto.
Now, someone is going to come on and tell you about fit and how it shoots for you. But really, all you need to know is "is it pretty"
and the 391 is pretty for a sem-auto.
Used they go in that range easy
Fine gun
Pretty too.
That would be my choice if I was going semi-auto.
Now, someone is going to come on and tell you about fit and how it shoots for you. But really, all you need to know is "is it pretty"
and the 391 is pretty for a sem-auto.
The Deer Hunter
Member
bwhited, whats wrong with the gun?
only 2 rounds of sporting clays, thats minimal.
only 2 rounds of sporting clays, thats minimal.
Before my Citori, I used my Benelli Super Black Eagle for sporting clays. The Black Eagle is a little more expensive, but there are cheaper Benellis out there. The Benelli has very low recoil due to the recoil operated action instead of a gas operated action. When I used to compete, I shot 1,000 rounds every Saturday for 5 years. Never had one malfunction. It is a very fast swinging gun. Mine had a sythetic stock and a 3.5in chanber.
RNB65
Member
Take a look at the Beretta 3901 American. It's a US made (by Beretta USA) version of the discontinued Beretta 390.
http://products.berettausa.com/frame_tabellaprodotti_2002.asp?sgmt=5&Model=3901%20American
http://products.berettausa.com/frame_tabellaprodotti_2002.asp?sgmt=5&Model=3901%20American
toivo
Member
I thought gas actions were supposed to be softer-shooting than recoil-operated ones. Not sure--I have two gas-operated guns, but I have never shot a recoil-operated semi.Back to the question: I have a Remington 1100 Sporting 12 that has really nice wood. They go for a bit more than $700, but you could look used. The 11-87's I've seen have pretty good wood too.
Yeah, Berettas are nice, but avoid that fake wood stuff they're putting on some of the 3901's. If you're not going to get real wood, you might as well get synthetic. Speaking of which, last time I was in WalMart they had a synthetic Beretta 390 in 12-gauge for $539. Might be a left-over, because I don't even see Berettas on WalMart's guns list anymore.
oletymer
Member
BozemanMT, pretty is all that matters? I almost choked on my toast reading that coming from you. And MPbond, recoil operated shotguns kick less than gas operated? And to top it off, 1000 rounds every Sat. for 5 years! Those are the biggest whoppers I have seen posted in a long time.
By whopper, do you mean lie? It was a little exagerated. If it was raining or snowing, we didn't shoot. But yes, when we practiced, we shot roughly 1000 rounds each time. I competed in the NRA's Youth Hunter Education Challenge. All that shooting is probably why we won the sporting clays event every year that I competed. My average in trap when I used to compete was 98 out of 100. In skeet it was 97 out of 100 and before you say something, I know a round only consists of 25 birds, but we always shot 4 rounds because everyone would end up with a 23 or 24. We had to wait for someone to make a mistake. After practice, my dad would go down to the basement and reload for the rest of the day.
I am not saying all recoil operated guns kick less. My Benelli kicks less than ANY gas operated one I have fired. Mostly A500's and 11-87's. What I said about recoil kicking less is the Benelli sales pitch that I got when I bought it. So far it appears to be true with the guns that I have shot.
I really don't care if you beleive me or not. I know that back when I was competing, I usually placed in the top 5 at competitions at 16 years of age against guys anywhere from my age to 80. If you don't have anything useful to this thread, just stay out of it. I don't mean to offend you, but I also don't like being called a liar. If I say something and I am wrong, I will admit it once someone proves me wrong. But I don't lie just to make myself sound like a tough guy. I grew out of that a long long time ago as well as butting into conversations with nothing useful.
I am not saying all recoil operated guns kick less. My Benelli kicks less than ANY gas operated one I have fired. Mostly A500's and 11-87's. What I said about recoil kicking less is the Benelli sales pitch that I got when I bought it. So far it appears to be true with the guns that I have shot.
I really don't care if you beleive me or not. I know that back when I was competing, I usually placed in the top 5 at competitions at 16 years of age against guys anywhere from my age to 80. If you don't have anything useful to this thread, just stay out of it. I don't mean to offend you, but I also don't like being called a liar. If I say something and I am wrong, I will admit it once someone proves me wrong. But I don't lie just to make myself sound like a tough guy. I grew out of that a long long time ago as well as butting into conversations with nothing useful.
Slugo
member
I would choose the Beretta 3901 American >>
I have a synthetic model, but you can also get it with very nice wood. Much simpler gas system than the Beretta AL391 and a little less expensive. I've owned them all from 1100's in every ga. to Browning Golds and a few Betettas. The 1100 has seen its better days. The quality of the new ones is suspect. There are a ton to choose from, but, I stand by the new 3901. Great autoloader and you can shoot a ton with no hiccups at all...
I have a synthetic model, but you can also get it with very nice wood. Much simpler gas system than the Beretta AL391 and a little less expensive. I've owned them all from 1100's in every ga. to Browning Golds and a few Betettas. The 1100 has seen its better days. The quality of the new ones is suspect. There are a ton to choose from, but, I stand by the new 3901. Great autoloader and you can shoot a ton with no hiccups at all...
[email protected]
Member
mpbond said:
I saw that and thought id calculate this for a sec....now i realize that you bought your ammo by the case, probably for a good price, maybe from a dealer like i do, and that you were a member, had a clay card or equivilant, and you were gettin everything cheaper than it is here... but just for fun,
If you did that, at the club that I shoot at, bought the club ammo, bought clays at full price you would pay over $8,200 a day!
This observation makes me rethink my club... not that I have a choice or alternative, but it scares me
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Hmm. 1000 rounds a day means 1 round a minute for every minute of daylight (unless you live in Alaska).
I don't think I ever shot 1000 rounds in one day even when I was an IPSC fanatic (And nothing wastes ammo like IPSC)
I don't think I ever shot 1000 rounds in one day even when I was an IPSC fanatic (And nothing wastes ammo like IPSC)
[email protected]
Member
most competitions around here might run half a case or maybe a case and a half if its heavy, but four cases in a day! whew
gaweidert
Member
To get back on subject, I have shot sporting clays with my Beretta AL390 with a 26" barrel, my Remmington 970 with a 28" barrel and my Winchester 1300 Camp Defender with a 22" barrel. All has been for fun. I don't compete but just enjoy the walk down the trail and breaking what clays I hit.
I got the AL390 for $300 used. The action needed a real good cleaning, but she works like a champ. The previous owner hunted with it so it wasn't that heavily used before I got it last November. I take the pump guns just to get used to using the pump action in a real time situation. I am starting to actually like using them. Even for doubles. When I take one of my boys, I let them use the Beretta and I use the pumps.
I got the AL390 for $300 used. The action needed a real good cleaning, but she works like a champ. The previous owner hunted with it so it wasn't that heavily used before I got it last November. I take the pump guns just to get used to using the pump action in a real time situation. I am starting to actually like using them. Even for doubles. When I take one of my boys, I let them use the Beretta and I use the pumps.
nico
Member
I'm surprised noone mentioned it yet, but the Winchester SX2 is right in that price range. My field model was $600 5 years ago and has no issues whatsoever through a few thousand rounds. It has a nice walnut stock and decent blueing and is very soft shooting. Beretta and Benelli both make nice guns, but I've shot both and wouldn't trade my gun for one. That being said, the best way to decide is to handle a bunch of guns in your price range and buy the one that feels the best to you.
About the recoil vs. gas operated issue, a gas gun will generally shoot softer than a recoil operated gun. This is very evident when shooting my gun and my dad's Super Black Eagle back to back. They weigh about the same but the recoil of his gun is much more substantial.
About the recoil vs. gas operated issue, a gas gun will generally shoot softer than a recoil operated gun. This is very evident when shooting my gun and my dad's Super Black Eagle back to back. They weigh about the same but the recoil of his gun is much more substantial.
LUGNUTZ426
Member
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GO TO DICKS....CHECK OUT A STOEGER CONDOR OVER/UNDER FOR $299 OR A
REMINGTON SPARTAN OVER /UNDER FOR $399. SIMPLER AND MORE RELIABLE THAN AN AUTOLOADER. ALSO YOUR SHELLS CAN BE EXTRACTED INSTEAD OF TOSSED ABOUT. PREFERRED BY RELOADERS. CAN'T GO WRONG AT THAT PRICE. THERE IS ONE OF EACH IN MY FAMILY AND THEY BOTH POINT WELL AND SHOOT STRAIGHT. STEP UP TO A BERETTA OR BROWNING OVER UNDER WHEN YOU START SHOOTING SERIOUS COMPETITION. UNTIL THEN KEEP IT CHEAP AND SIMPLE...HOPE THIS HELPS
REMINGTON SPARTAN OVER /UNDER FOR $399. SIMPLER AND MORE RELIABLE THAN AN AUTOLOADER. ALSO YOUR SHELLS CAN BE EXTRACTED INSTEAD OF TOSSED ABOUT. PREFERRED BY RELOADERS. CAN'T GO WRONG AT THAT PRICE. THERE IS ONE OF EACH IN MY FAMILY AND THEY BOTH POINT WELL AND SHOOT STRAIGHT. STEP UP TO A BERETTA OR BROWNING OVER UNDER WHEN YOU START SHOOTING SERIOUS COMPETITION. UNTIL THEN KEEP IT CHEAP AND SIMPLE...HOPE THIS HELPS
hmm......................O/U
Lugnutz has got me thinking about the o/u option, I went to Dick's and really liked the Spartan. I was really surprised with the weight(lighter than I imagined), I also saw that they make a 16ga. I have taken a lot of small game with an old H&R single shot 16. A few guys I shoot sporting clays with like their 20's. I am strongly considering the spartan in 16, does anybody have any thoughts as to that combination for SC? Thanks again for all the responses,
Jon
Lugnutz has got me thinking about the o/u option, I went to Dick's and really liked the Spartan. I was really surprised with the weight(lighter than I imagined), I also saw that they make a 16ga. I have taken a lot of small game with an old H&R single shot 16. A few guys I shoot sporting clays with like their 20's. I am strongly considering the spartan in 16, does anybody have any thoughts as to that combination for SC? Thanks again for all the responses,
Jon
The Deer Hunter
Member
Get an old school 870 trap version with nice wood.
32" barrel and really, really nice wood and checkering.
I saw one for $350 at ******* the other day that i really want
32" barrel and really, really nice wood and checkering.
I saw one for $350 at ******* the other day that i really want
It's been my experience that a lighter gun is better for hunting and worse for the clay games. My O/U is almost 10 pounds and I swear it is a softer shooting gun than my 1100. It seems heavy at first, but I've come to really, really like it.
That being said, for the price you could pick up a decent used 1100, or even a new one if the price is right.
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