Need some recommendations.

[Oldschool shooter]

I'm looking for an O/U to use, mostly for skeet and sporting clays. I get together with a few guys from work and we shoot once per week. Just started skeet shooting last year, and my old Lefever Nitro Special choked modified and full, along with my skills on a skeet range, aren't working too well. Looking to spend between $800 and $1200, so I know I'm not looking at a high end purchase. Need some recommendations on what would be the most bang for my buck. Thanks.

 

[dieselchief]

used citori, older fixed choke model. one that was hunted with, not from a club member who pounded the stuffing's out of it league shooting. dc

 

[treedoc1]

Don't sleep on an Remington 1100 Competition Synthetic or similar.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Lower grade Berettas and Brownings with screw in chokes as open fixed choke guns are hard to find.

 

[Jessesky]

Used 686. If you scout around you can find one. They are great guns. This is my only competition gun (as can be seen in my profile pic), I got it for $1,075 with the set of briley chokes. It’s a p.beretta 686 onyx sporting with 30” barrels. I still think I it’s worth more than I paid, but you definitely can find it.

At a certain point in the 680 series you stop paying for performance gains, and start paying for wood grade.

 

[kudu]

Used target gun, someone who maybe upgraded or decided to get out of the clay target scene. Beretta, Browning, something that feels right to you. As was posted, don't discount an 1100 or Beretta auto. I can shoot every bit as well on skeet or sporting with an autoloader as with my Beretta 682 Sporting gun. Just have to pick up hulls if it's allowed.

 

[cdb1]

In your price range OP I would look for a used Browning or Beretta O/U as has been suggested already. You can also find new Brownings for around $1600.00 which would be my first choice if I could stretch my budget somewhat.

If history holds true someone will post on this thread that a $600.00 Stoeger, CZ, etc will work just as well and those of us suggesting Browning/Beretta are nothing but snobs.

You might get lucky with an inexpensive O/U, it does happen, but odds are you’ll be buying nothing but trouble. About the most common issue I see is bad barrel regulation. Unless there is a new process I’m not aware of, barrel regulation must be done by hand which costs money, hence, one of the reasons Browning and Beretta O/U’s cost what they do.

A semi-auto was suggested too. You can get a high quality semi for much less money than an O/U. I shoot semi’s better than O/U’s, many people do.

 

[12Bravo20]

As much as I like my Turkish O/U, I can not recommend one for anyone that shoots once a week or more. Everyone gave good suggestions so far.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Haven't come across any Berettas around here. Saw 1 used Citori for 1400, the wood looked pretty beat up, lots of scratches and dents. Choked full anf modified. Also saw a nice looking Winchester101, choked full and full. Fell in love with a Rottweil O/U, made in Italy, choked full and modified. Would it be worthwhile to but one of these and have the chokes opened up to suit my needs?

 

[kudu]

Would it be worthwhile to but one of these and have the chokes opened up to suit my needs?

Depending on the cost, might go for someone installing screw in chokes. I had a Winchester 101 Diamond grade trap gun for a few years. Decent gun, shot it fairly well. Feels more like a Citori than a Beretta. Never have run across a Rottweil. Where about in Michigan are you at? The Cabelas in Dundee sometimes has some very nice used O/U's. Pacific Shooting Sports near Detroit has target guns.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I'm about an hour and a half from the Dundee store, but only half hour from the Clinton Twp. Cabelas. I'm an hour north of Detroit.

 

[rule303]

The older Japanese built SKB shotguns are excellent, and can easily be found under $1k. The later guns have screw in chokes. Service and parts are still available from SKB USA.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

A friend mentioned the SKB, haven't come across any locally. Kind of old fashioned, would like to hold it and shoulder it before I buy, not sure about buying online.

 

[Bill M.]

It will cost a lot to add chokes to a O/U. I think you should be able to come onto a 12 gauge Citori or Beretta in decent condition for around $1200 to $1400. I know that is above your budget but that is what I think they cost. A fixed choke gun should be well under $1000. The FN made Win 101 maybe a choice. Then for me it would be a new CZ with the 5 year warranty or maybe a Yildez,

 

[cfullgraf]

A Browning Citori or Beretta 686 are considered the minimum for reliable clay games guns if you shoot alot. Remember, serious clay game shooters consume ammunition by the pallet load.

Used versions should be available in your price range, or a bit higher. If they have not been abused, they will be quite reliable.

If you are only planning to shoot several times each year, a budget priced over/under shotgun will serve you well.

When I was shooting competitive skeet in the 1990's, I'd shoot about 5000 rounds per year through my Browning Citori. That's a low number for many clay game shooters.