Utility style shotgun on the clay range?

[BrobeeBiter]

Do you take your utility styled shotgun out to the clay range?

Continuing our spring and summer of self-isolation, I've been giving my Marine Magnum Tac14 as good of a workout as I can muster....lately it's found itself in my hands while seeking practice on the skeet range - I thought I would share in the hopes it motivates others to take their utility shotguns give them a skeet workout:



Would love to read about your adventures at the clay range with your utility styled gun!

Thanks for watching,

Best wishes,

Brobee

 

[George P]

Many of the clubs I shoot/have shot at do not allow tactical/short barrel shotguns. Between the blast/noise and the damage a few yahoos committed shooting signs and machines, they just banned them altogether.

 

[PapaG]

Many of the clubs I shoot/have shot at do not allow tactical/short barrel shotguns. Between the blast/noise and the damage a few yahoos committed shooting signs and machines, they just banned them altogether.

Probably a great idea. I'd have no problem with a police 870 on the skeet field, however.

 

[Alex Clayton]

When I had a place to shoot out in the wild we used to do this a lot. Had a cheap bird thrower and we would have a lot of fun with informal clay popping with "house shotguns" Miss being able to do it.

 

[I6turbo]

I enjoy shooting shorter barreled shotguns on clay targets, particularly when making up our own games with our own thrower. I generally don't like the feel of a long-barreled semi-auto or pump as much as I do a shorter overall length. I agree that the longer guns typically improve clay scores a little bit in the most serious competition once you get used to them, but I just like shorter shotguns. A pump or semi-auto with a 20" barrel plus its receiver has about the same sighting radius as an O/U or SxS with 26" barrels, and I like that length.

I have one shotgun with a 30" barrel (Ithaca 37) but am in the process of shortening it to 20" and installing screw-in chokes. This is after having done the same with my old Browning Auto 5 and it instantly became my favorite shotgun to take out and shoot.

 

[Speedo66]

Can these tactical guns exchange barrels like regular shotguns?

If so, a longer inexpensive Ebay barrel can be substituted for a trip to the range.

 

[rkittine]

Our local club (private) has not problem with the use of a tactical shotgun on any of our clay ranges. Skeet, Trap, Bunker Trap, 5 Stand or Sporting Clays, but no loading of any more than 2 rounds at a time and not shot larger than 7.5.

Bob

 

[Armored farmer]

Oh yeah.
It's not at all uncommon to see a field gun on the sporting clays course right before the dove or quail season opener.

I've shot many rounds with my .410

 

[Rudolph31]

 

[whatnickname]

Funniest thing I ever saw years ago was a guy at the World Skeet Shoot win the 410 event with a Mossberg 500. The other competitors wouldn’t even shake his hand. Serves them right, competitive shooters, particularly skeet and trap shooters, treat new-comers like they have an advanced case of pneumonia and in doing so hurt the sport by keeping new-comers away.

 

[SharpDog]

Do you take your utility styled shotgun out to the clay range?

Continuing our spring and summer of self-isolation, I've been giving my Marine Magnum Tac14 as good of a workout as I can muster....lately it's found itself in my hands while seeking practice on the skeet range - I thought I would share in the hopes it motivates others to take their utility shotguns give them a skeet workout:



Would love to read about your adventures at the clay range with your utility styled gun!

Thanks for watching,

Best wishes,

Brobee

Yes I do. I take my 7+1 Benelli super 90 for skeet and shoot around a 22 / 25 average. For me it's more important to be proficient with my weapon than it is to have the highest score.

 

[George P]

Oh yeah.
It's not at all uncommon to see a field gun on the sporting clays course right before the dove or quail season opener.

I've shot many rounds with my .410

Field gun is different than HD gun

 

[George P]

Funniest thing I ever saw years ago was a guy at the World Skeet Shoot win the 410 event with a Mossberg 500. The other competitors wouldn’t even shake his hand. Serves them right, competitive shooters, particularly skeet and trap shooters, treat new-comers like they have an advanced case of pneumonia and in doing so hurt the sport by keeping new-comers away.

And that broad brush insult is simply not true..................BTDT; but boy show up at a 3-gun without the latest tactical cool gun and you WILL be laughed at

 

[earlthegoat2]

Field gun is different than HD gun

You know, I consider my self pretty knowledgeable of shotguns in general I think I know what an HD gun is. What constitutes a field gun exactly and within the context of the skeet or trap ranges, what are the inherent strengths and weaknesses of such?

My first thought is a field gun may have a tight choke that is relatively unsuitable to the skeet field.

 

[rkittine]

Plenty of 400s shot during registered skeet with Winchester Model 12s so why not a Mossberg pump.

 

[Boattale]

You know, I consider my self pretty knowledgeable of shotguns in general I think I know what an HD gun is. What constitutes a field gun exactly and within the context of the skeet or trap ranges, what are the inherent strengths and weaknesses of such?

My first thought is a field gun may have a tight choke that is relatively unsuitable to the skeet field.

Field gun description varies with the quarry. My criteria:

Upland game = IC something - often a nice double barrel with M second barrel. Any gauge. 26" or so BBL.
Waterfowl = 12 gauge something with a longer BBL 28" or 30" is ideal. And tighter choke, heavier gun to smooth out the swing. Gas semi auto or pump normally.
Turkey = 12 with lead or 20 with the new super shot. Short barrel super tight choke. Decent sighting system.
Squirrels = 20 gauge M or Full. Something light to carry.
Deer = 12 gauge pump or gas auto, sights appropriate to shooting slugs or buckshot. Slug guns will optimally have a rifled barrel and a low power scope or red dot sight.
Predators = 12 gauge gas semi auto or pump. Full choke that works well with #4 or larger lead shot.

For me, field guns are blue and walnut are meant to look good, carry well when needed and shoot to POA. Most will have a vent rib with a bead that will never be used.

And the opinions will be many...

 

[entropy]

Do you take your utility styled shotgun out to the clay range?

Continuing our spring and summer of self-isolation, I've been giving my Marine Magnum Tac14 as good of a workout as I can muster....lately it's found itself in my hands while seeking practice on the skeet range - I thought I would share in the hopes it motivates others to take their utility shotguns give them a skeet workout:



Would love to read about your adventures at the clay range with your utility styled gun!

Thanks for watching,

Best wishes,

Brobee

I bring my 18" barreled Ithaca 37 out and shoot a round of Trap every year to remind me why I don't use it for a Trap gun, and why I don't have my Ljutic sitting next to my bed.

But George P is right in that a lot of clays ranges won't let you bring such a gun on the range. I shoot mostly at a little two-trap club, where me doing that is a bit of novelty, but the bigger Trap/Skeet clubs, I wouldn't do that.

But a bit of hand trap out in a field with one is fun.

Funniest thing I ever saw years ago was a guy at the World Skeet Shoot win the 410 event with a Mossberg 500. The other competitors wouldn’t even shake his hand. Serves them right, competitive shooters, particularly skeet and trap shooters, treat new-comers like they have an advanced case of pneumonia and in doing so hurt the sport by keeping new-comers away.

Sadly, this can be true. I try not to be that way by inviting new shooters to try my guns, and offering tips, if they are willing.

 

[George P]

You know, I consider my self pretty knowledgeable of shotguns in general I think I know what an HD gun is. What constitutes a field gun exactly and within the context of the skeet or trap ranges, what are the inherent strengths and weaknesses of such?

My first thought is a field gun may have a tight choke that is relatively unsuitable to the skeet field.

Field guns are lighter than target guns; they are more meant to be carried a lot and shot a little; a target gun is generally heavier and is designed to be shot a lot and carried a little. target guns typically have different stock styles and dimensions. With the advent of changeable choke tubes, that has become a moot point for the most part.

Example: I have a Browning 20 gauge target gun that weighs 7#8oz whereas my 20 gauge field gun is a pound less. My 12 gauge target gun is closer to 9# while my field gun weighs right at 7#............

 

[cfullgraf]

Funniest thing I ever saw years ago was a guy at the World Skeet Shoot win the 410 event with a Mossberg 500. The other competitors wouldn’t even shake his hand. Serves them right, competitive shooters, particularly skeet and trap shooters, treat new-comers like they have an advanced case of pneumonia and in doing so hurt the sport by keeping new-comers away.

That has not been my experience but I have not shot any registered targets in 20 plus years. But when money is involved, I guess folks can get testy.

I recently joined a club and have been shooting in their fun skeet leagues. Everyone has been friendly.

 

[George P]

And fun leagues are just that - FUN! We used to finish our weekly night league with various money-pot games like a Custer, long-bird, etc. Lots of fun

 

[Ernie Bass]

No do not take my HD or Utility woods guns to a trap range, I have shotguns for trap etc. However I do not shoot them any more other than a few for bird hunting. Even gave my Ultra light down to my son. I do have HD and 12 gauge utility guns for Deer hunting. I let the trap guys alone and have their thing. What I cannot stand is when one of them starts putting down a utility gun used for for Deer hunting especially when I have so much experience with them. I do not need trap or skeet for training with buckshot or any kind of Deer hunting training or HD. Plenty of different targets at different ranges for the tools I use them for etc.

I love shotguns, but HD, Deer Hunting and trap two different worlds to me. I respect them and ask that they respect me.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

My best shotgun is a 12 gauge Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 28-inch, modified choke barrel that I bought new in 1971. It doesn't even have a vent rib but I take to the trap range & when I'm on my game I beat guys that shoot guns worth ten times the resale value of my gun.

 

[whatnickname]

My best shotgun is a 12 gauge Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 28-inch, modified choke barrel that I bought new in 1971. It doesn't even have a vent rib but I take to the trap range & when I'm on my game I beat guys that shoot guns worth ten times the resale value of my gun.

I bought the identical shotgun in 1974. Along the way I acquired a vent rib target barrel for the gun with Screw in chokes. Had a vent rib put on the original barrel. I still have that shotgun and although it’s got a few handling marks on it, it’s still in about 97% condition. I can’t tell you how many hundreds of rounds I’ve put through it. Never once has it failed to run. It’s like an old pair of shoes...just plain comfortable. Still have the sales receipt from the big box store (O.G. Wilson’s) $130 out the door. That was big money for a college student working full time to put himself through school. Today I own shotguns that are much more expensive. That one will always be special...so many good memories. Say what you want about Remington, that has been one good shotgun!

 

[eastbank]

the clubs i shoot at are very friendly to any and all, the rules are, ear-eye protection, no shot under #7.5, no loading untill on the line-one shell at a time. safety is the biggest concern. if your a new member- shooter we will be glad to walk you thru a few rounds untill you are comferable and most will let you try their shotguns. several of use bring two-three different shotguns with ammo for newbies to use . we all know how inportent it is to get new members into our group and lastly no one i know makes fun or snide remarks about any ones shotgun or scores. WE ALL WERE NEWBIES AND ALL HAD TO START SOMETIME.

 

[George P]

What's with all of those heavy clothes?