Tips for a decent O/U in the $800 range needed

[the count]

I have a 12ga Mossberg 500 as a home defense weapon. Recently got turned on to skeet shooting by a friend. The Moss is really not the right gun for that. One of the instructors recommended the CZ Redhead as being an excellent value in the $800 range. Really want to stay around there give or take $100. Any suggestions what might be an alternative to the CZ (not really considering semi auto but will listen).

 

[atblis]

Used
Browning
Beretta
SKB

 

[oneounceload]

Since skeet targets are all the same distance all the time, you might also want to consider a used Beretta/Browning semi with a skeet choke. Many will tout the Lanber from CDNN as well - IF it is the target and not the lighter field version, that is another alternative.

The gun is the least expensive item........shells and targets will cost more over the long run

 

[hopper810]

Stoeger's are "imported"by Benelli,not made by Beretta. the Condor line is made in Brazil and the auto's in Turkey

Here's link to a article about what's available in different price ranges in O/U's.It's pretty much right on IMO,but others will differhttp://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=253741&sid=8f7677f8ab93b87dd9ab7520d4463935

 

[atblis]

Definitely buy used. Shop around, or perhaps save up a little more and do it once. I've been out of the loop for a few years, but my experience with the Turkish, Brazilian, Russian guns is that they seem alright at first, but eventually fail. Generally the trigger groups get you. Usually parts are a pain to get, if you can at all.

The problem with CDNN guns is that many times they're at CDNN because the importer dropped them or went out of business. That often means you can forget about getting parts.

IMO, SKB presents the best value for what you get. For $1200 you have a gun that is a true competition grade gun. By that, I mean they'll take decades of pounding rounds through them.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=230185882
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=231007522

Hard to beat a Beretta 391 for blasting clays. Everybody wants an O/U, but a good auto will smoke them just was well. If you plan on shooting a lot (10ks of thousands if not 100s), then yeah a quality O/U makes sense. Don't buy a Remington auto. They suck.

 

[JFtheGR8]

+1 on the Lanber. When (if) they catch on you can expect to pay more. Bachelders services them here in the U.S. CDNN was easy to deal with as well.

 

[chas08]

If you are wanting to buy new in your price range, I have three words.
Lanber...Lanber...Lanber. A lot of gun for the money, I love mine.

 

[the count]

well, after considering the CZ Readhead and the Lanber 2087 I decided to go with the Lanber. Got if for $617 incl. ship from CDNN. The unblemished version. In the catalog the blemished ones were listed for $450, an super deal, but they said they now cost $550, so for the extra $50 why take a chance with something that might really bug you visually. So with the FFL fee I am dishing out $650 vs more like $850. Hope it all pans out

Found this nice photo of the 2087 on the web

 

[swampshooter]

Hopper FYI, Benelli is owned by Beretta, they are one and the same. I would look for a good used Browning Citori, Beretta, SKB or Winchester 101.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I had a Weatherby Orion 12 gauge O/U that was the worst gun for me to shoot! There was barely any drop of the rear stock at all, so aiming down the barrels, even over the ventilated rib proved nearly impossible for me! I had to crook my neck so far to the right to lay my right eyeball onto the rib in order to take a shot, or the shot would be way too high!

After getting it all set up with all manner of decent choke tubes I traded it at a terrible loss.

In my book, there is no such thing as a Nice $800 O/U shotgun, the two are not compatible (nice and $800) YMMV.

 

[hopper810]

We are both right.but Beretta doesn't make the Stoeger. Importing and making them is different.

It's like when Remington was handling the Bakil(sp) line,they imported them but didn't make them.

 

[atblis]

Price sounds right. I have heard good things about the Lanbers, but have never got my paws on one.

What chokes does it use?

 

[the count]

Price sounds right. I have heard good things about the Lanbers, but have never got my paws on one.

What chokes does it use?

Comes with 5... Not sure which ones they are though

 

[atblis]

Didn't mean what constriction, but are they mobil chokes, rem chokes etc. A little research seems to indicate that Lanber has their own type of choke.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

If your still open to suggestions, get the 18' barrel for your mossy and use it.
It comes with the right choke for skeet, cyl. shoot it for a while decide if you even like skeet first. The gun will surprise you, how well it works, and its truly satisfying whippin the pants off of shotgun snobs. Added benefit your mossy becomes slick as glass, and you become rattler fast with your HD gun!
Back when skeet was invented ever one used pump field guns with the barrels sawed off to 24"! A Mossberg 835 is my sporting clays gun. 2 years ago I was at a benefit shoot for the Arthritis Foundation,when we were on the back 9, torrential cloudburst! I watched guys, poor rain water out of the barrels of some really expensive guns . One was a Beretta DT! I just shook off the mossy and threw it in the trunk.

Missed it that you bought the Lanber, they're a real sleeper for the money, as for O/U vs. repeater. the OU stays cleanest in the action,and never has powderfouling, O-ring, Plug gas port, galled parts type troubles. They clean up alot faster also. CDNN has Lanber tubes for $9.99!