O/U shotgun for mostly skeet

[flexible]

Hi everyone; looking for some advice. I've been a pistol shooter for decades, competition too, and I just took my first skeet lesson and really enjoyed it.
Both my current shotguns (50 year old Remington 1100 & 15 year old Beretta 686) are a little beat up and I'm looking for a new O/U.

I'm looking at a used Krieghoff or new Blaser.

does anyone have recommendations?

thanks
flexible.

 

[Hopkins]

Krieghoff K-80. You can't go wrong in that used they hold their value and are very easy to sell. Unlike target rifles target shotguns don't in practical terms get shot out. The receiver on the Krieghoff is built like a vault. Tube set guns for the 3 other skeet gauges should be available in the used market. I used my 20 gauge tubes to practice when I shot because the added weight matched the 28 and 410 tubes and 20 was easier to reload for.

 

[kudu]

I can't say that I have ever seen a Blaser on the skeet range, not saying they are bad, but I have no experience with them. I shoot a Beretta 682, but am just as likely to take out one of my old 1100's to play with. It really is hard to beat an auto shooting skeet. Where an O/U shines is with tubes for small gauge competition, same gun, same weight, different gauge. I rarely shoot a 12 gauge for skeet, usually 28, or 410.

Krieghoff is a fine shotgun, can be rebuilt/tightened up by shotgun smiths, and are on a regular basis. Many competition shooters carry another trigger group as a spare, although I can only remember one time I saw someone have to swap out for a broken spring. Kolars have a following, but have heard of some problems. Hard to beat Beretta, especially the DT line. My 682 only has about 50k rounds through it, so hardly broke in. Find what fits and go with it.

 

[PapaG]

Nice thing about an O/U is you can much more easily save your empties for reloading. After back surgery, the need to go around bending over to pick up empties negated the reduced felt recoil advantage of my 1100.

 

[Sav .250]

A Valmet . Never heard of it ? Nice piece.

 

[Diverdave]

Take a look at SKB unless you are rich.

 

[Hopkins]

Have a 682, Perazzi Mirage S DT and a Krieghoff.
I started with the 682 and moved to the Krieghoff for skeet. The 682 and higher grade Berettas are nice but Krieghoffs and Kolars have a larger following in competitive skeet. My Krieghoff has a faster lock time than my 682 which as a pistol shooter you will notice.

 

[oneounceload]

Either choice will serve you well, see which one balances best for you. Personally, I find the K-80 to be overly heavy and I do not like the double palm swell. If you are considering a used K-80, then also add a Perazzi and the Kolar to your options. Kolars are represented very well on the skeet fields, in part due to their excellent tube sets.

 

[bangswitch]

Not sure of your price range, but look also at the Ruger Red Label. You can pick up a new one for $1200, comes with a semi-hard case and full set of screw in chokes.

 

[oneounceload]

^^^ If he is looking at a Blaser or used K-80, his budget is about 3-5X that Red Label, just to give you a reference point

 

[HexHead]

I have a Blaser rifle, not their shotgun, but are familiar with them. Where the Blaser F3 shines is if you use other barrel sets. You can switch in any combination of gauge from 12-28 and barrel length from 26"-32", and the weight and balance of the shotgun will not change. It will always feel like you're shooting the same gun.

They also cock on opening, not closing, since Blaser feels nobody should have to struggle to close their shotgun.

 

[bangswitch]

^^^ If he is looking at a Blaser or used K-80, his budget is about 3-5X that Red Label, just to give you a reference point

Sounds like I'm shopping for a Volkswagen at a Mercedes dealership

 

[oneounceload]

I shoot with a bunch of retired guys. Oldest shoots a K-80 with a custom stock; another shoots a case color hardened K-80 that also has sub gauge tubes and a new parcour barrel set; a third shoot a Kolar with tubes; yet another a DT-11; a fifth shoot a Zoli with a custom dog-leg stock; a brand new member shoots a Blaser F3.

A few of those cost as much as my car. Me? I have a 20 year old Browning Gti and a Beretta A400. Would I get a higher-end gun like one of those if I hit a lotto? Sure, because I could have it set up exactly the way I want it instead of compromising. Otherwise, it still comes down to the old adage, "It's the Indian, not the Arrow"

BTW the first gent is 87, is M class in sporting clays and has been shooting that K-80 for well over 20 years. He no longer shoots 50,000 rounds a year like he did when he was sponsored by Fiocchi, but if he can see the target, it is going to get smashed. Some of these folks who have been shooting a Model 12 or similar for forty years at trap, can do just fine as well. It takes skill and LOTS of practice to get good enough to compete on a world basis - something I certainly do not have to worry about!

 

[RUT]

Unless you're going to put your heart and soul into skeet shooting I wouldn't waste my money on those high end jobbies. They won't make you shoot any better.

 

[oneounceload]

They might if you get the stock properly fitted to you; their balance and triggers are awesome as well

 

[RUT]

>>They might if you get the stock properly fitted to you<<

Yes, and that would apply to any shotgun. My point is, if you're only a "casual" skeet shooter buying a K80 might not be the best use of your money.

 

[oneounceload]

Agree with that.......but sometimes it is amazing how backyard becomes casual, which becomes going to the club, which becomes entering some fun leagues, which becomes shooting registered targets, which then becomes an all-out obsession!

 

[Hopkins]

Krieghoffs and Perazzis and higher grade Beretta shotguns and others transcend being mere guns. Even the base models of the first 2 makers represent true craftsmanship as do a list of others. Its like trying to compare Chris Craft wooden boats to Duracrafts. Both float and are watercraft but there the similarity ends. The Op's post asked opinions about 2 makes, both upper end firearms. There is more to shooting clays or wing shooting than a score or what is in the bag.

 

[Hunterdad]

A Valmet . Never heard of it ? Nice piece.

I shoot a Tikka 412s for trap and skeet. Great guns that a lot of people don't know about.