I’ve been going out w/ a few guys on a semi regular basis to shoot some casual clays. At first, the only gun I could hit anything with was a friend’s Citori. Since everyone wants to shoot it, and it’s the easiest manual of arms, first timers spend a lot of time with it. So, I’ve been spending more time with the available pumps. Usually a Winchester and a Mossberg. Not sure of the exact models, but the only real difference is the safety location – and one round capacity.
When there are three people on the firing line and five people with hand throwers tossing as fast as they can, it’s a BLAST!!! Yesterday, I twice hit five as fast as I could run the gun - with a pump. We don’t keep score, and with everything going on, it’s impossible to verify, but I know what I hit. No, I won’t say how many times I missed – but my hit rate is improving.
I used to think I needed the semi auto Bennelli that occasionally shows up (only ‘cause it’s half price of a new Citori). Now, I’m convinced that (and this is a BIG “if”) IF I learn to run it, then all I need is an 870 express.
I have two questions:
1: If you were to buy a new (or readily available used – please don’t tell me to search for three years for an old wingmaster unless you have one for sale in the $300 range) 870 express for this purpose only, would you want the 26 or 28 inch barrel? Also, any clues on what the choke on this gun is compared to the other guns? I don’t, but I’d rather it be tighter so I continue to improve my skillset.
2: I’ve never shot a formal clay game. Therefore, I am completely ignorant in this arena. But, from what I’ve read, it seems that the “birds” come from predictable directions at predictable speeds. Is this so? If it is, then is what I’m doing better or worse for my shotgunning skills. It seems to me that, since the hand throwing is so unpredictable, it should be better practice for acquiring a target you’re not expecting. But I’ve been wrong before. Once. Ok. More than once, but that’s a different thread…
PS: The Winchester has required disassembly every trip for the last three. Not sure what cleaning, etc. is done on it, but it doesn’t seem too bad when I pick it up. The Mossberg requires riding the safety as it will apply itself when the need is not there. Hence my decision on the ubiquitous Remington.
When there are three people on the firing line and five people with hand throwers tossing as fast as they can, it’s a BLAST!!! Yesterday, I twice hit five as fast as I could run the gun - with a pump. We don’t keep score, and with everything going on, it’s impossible to verify, but I know what I hit. No, I won’t say how many times I missed – but my hit rate is improving.
I used to think I needed the semi auto Bennelli that occasionally shows up (only ‘cause it’s half price of a new Citori). Now, I’m convinced that (and this is a BIG “if”) IF I learn to run it, then all I need is an 870 express.
I have two questions:
1: If you were to buy a new (or readily available used – please don’t tell me to search for three years for an old wingmaster unless you have one for sale in the $300 range) 870 express for this purpose only, would you want the 26 or 28 inch barrel? Also, any clues on what the choke on this gun is compared to the other guns? I don’t, but I’d rather it be tighter so I continue to improve my skillset.
2: I’ve never shot a formal clay game. Therefore, I am completely ignorant in this arena. But, from what I’ve read, it seems that the “birds” come from predictable directions at predictable speeds. Is this so? If it is, then is what I’m doing better or worse for my shotgunning skills. It seems to me that, since the hand throwing is so unpredictable, it should be better practice for acquiring a target you’re not expecting. But I’ve been wrong before. Once. Ok. More than once, but that’s a different thread…
PS: The Winchester has required disassembly every trip for the last three. Not sure what cleaning, etc. is done on it, but it doesn’t seem too bad when I pick it up. The Mossberg requires riding the safety as it will apply itself when the need is not there. Hence my decision on the ubiquitous Remington.
