What's Your Clay Game Gun?

[Stay Low]

Me? I am the proud owner of a Beretta Diamond Pigeon 687 EELL which I use for skeet (mostly), sporting clay (some) and wobble trap (every now and then). Sometime I shoot a Beretta 390 Gold that's been angle ported, back bored, etc. when I wanna shoot a semi.

I ask because it seems the trend at our range is toward Kreighoff K-80 and I wonder if a change is worthwhile. Can yall say peer pressure? Probably won't help my scores but it gives my mind something to think about when the other part of me is working.

 

[TrapperReady]

Either a Browning 425, which has been lightly modified by Kolar Arms (relieved forcing cones and some minor stock fitting), or a bone-stock Beretta 391 Urika Sporting.

At our well-attended summer trap league, there are a couple K-80s, a whole mess of Browning O/Us, some Beretta O/Us, 870s, 1100/1187s, etc... The guys shooting the K-80s do very well, but I'm highly suspicious that it's not the gun. Using my Browning, I normally break 23-24/25, while with the Beretta 391, I'm in the 24-25/25 range almost every time.

If you want the high-end($$$) gun and can afford it, then why not? On the other hand, if you're still missing some birds that you shouldn't, then you may want to use some of the funds on instruction and practice. Just remember, if you spend as much on a gun as many people spend on a car, then you've got no excuses left.

 

[Kingcreek]

I use a stock Beretta 390 sporting for skeet and sporting clays.
Last time out I used my SX2 cause I wanted to tune up a little for duck/goose season.

 

[P95Carry]

My shotgunning follows on from hanguns at top position, rifles at #2 .... then shot guns.

I had until last January, a lovely Browning Citori Hunter ... served me well with trap and skeet but .. too much $$$'s tied up in it so - on consignment it went. It made about $650 for me ..... $400 of which I promptly blew having seen a minty Mod 27 Smith N frame with 5" tube!!

I have now replaced that with one of those fairly inexpensive Russian deals ... Baikal ...... which I have now settled into well and like greatly ..... sure suits me. Same gun will probably serve for game but for ''in the field'' I may well still use my real beat-up Laurona O/U ..... rather a short bbl but so easy to tote ....... owes me nothing!

 

[jsalcedo]

I've been using my old Remington 870.

It has a dial a choke soldered on the end of a 32'' barrel

For some reason I can do really well with it.

The hard plastic butt plate does get to be a pain after 200 shots or so.

I'm going to try the SPAS 12 next time I go because it patterns very well and should get some interesting looks at the stations.

 

[PJR]

Having shot a variety of guns, my final choice is a Perazzi MX8. It fits, handles superbly and is everything I want in a gun for all the games.

I looked at the K80 however I haven't handled one that is as dynamic as the Perazzi. I own an older K32 that is set up for trap but it doesn't feel nearly as nice as the Perazzi.

 

[Dave McCracken]

A shotgun is merely a device to comfortably direct a cloud or clouds of shot when and when we want it to be.

Gamer shotguns need to be reliable, durable, well fitting, capable of being shot well in OUR hands. Nice esthetics are a bonus.

I shoot 870s exclusively for divers reasons. I have shot some mighty fine guns belonging to friends. These include Purdeys,Parkers,a Woodward, a Kolar,some Kreighofs, Ljutics, Winchester M 21s, and the ubiquitous Browning/Beretta O/Us. There's also been a few 1100s and 390-391s in there.

I liked and coveted all of them. None showed me a clear advantage in breaking birds over my 870s other than having the second shot available w/o manual actuation.

Stay Low, those K guns are very nice. Whether they'll break any more targets for you than your EELL is a matter of conjecture.

In your shoes, I'd keep the Beretta, and put the money I'd spend on a K-80 towards a custom fitted stock, better triggers (if needed), lots of ammo, and maybe a seminar with Todd Bender or other Skeet luminary.

OTOH, if you mount and swing a K gun that causeth thy heart to sing, yield to temptation and defy good sense. Some things in life need more than logic and sometimes shotgun choice falls into that category.

HTH...

 

[Gunner45]

You all are going to laugh, but I use my Winchester Ranger 120 that I got for my 16th birth day. It's basicly a 1300 with cheaper wood.

I won a trap tournament with it back in high school. I ended up beating a guy with a nice o/u to take first place. I just didn't know that his gun was suposed to shoot better than mine. Oh, the prize was a turkey, a case of shells and gift certificate to a local sporting goods store.

I have though about getting another shotgun, but I have not been able to justify it. Maybe if I get into skeet or something.

For now I use my old pump gun for Trap and once in a blue moon Sporting clays.

Gunner45

 

[Dot_mdb]

I'm learning skeet and shooting a Browning BPS pump. The regulars tell me I have to get an O/U. What they don't understand is that I'm shooting skeet to practice handling the pump shotgun. The Browning is my first shotgun. Two weeks ago I finally managed to hit both targets on a double from station 6. I plan to stick with the pumps, but what else would you expect from someone who prefers revolvers and bolt actions?

Bill

 

[Dave McCracken]

Gunner, why not? If it works for you and casues your bell to chime, do it.

Bill, good on ya. Those doubles do speed learning the shuck.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Hehehehehe....

Ok, the "slummer's" coming in now...

Last time I was at the range shooting wobble trap, I decided to try an experiment.

I used my S&W Model 3000 police gun, 18.5" cylinder bore barrel, to break 22 of 25 targets on the first go through, and 22 of 25 on the second, as well.

I normally rent a gun when I go out to the range, though.

I want to get something different, though, and I've been thinking about a Stoeger 28-gauge Uplander.

But I want to handle one, first, before I buy.

 

[kudu]

My main gun is a Beretta 682 Supersport with Kolar all gauge sporting titanium tubes and a carrier barrel with 30" barrels. All gauges are same weight and same balance point. The 12ga is pro-ported to Knock some recoil down. Trap gun is a Winchester M12 pre64 trap with custom wood.
When I want to play I pick up any old thing, like Sunday I took my old 97 Winchester pump gun to the skeet range and shot a straight 25, then a 24, and then shot a 20 from the hip just to relax. Just goes to show it ain't the gun, it' the shooter. Don't go worrying aboutgetting s K-80 unlees you ahve to keep up with the Jones's.
Most of the good shooters started small and learned how to shoot guns that probably didnt fit them, but they kept on trying untill they got it right.

 

[rajaniblue]

Dot, you keep shooting skeet with that pump, and when you do finally try it with an O/U, you'll be amazed at how much time you have to shoot your pairs!!!

My first gun I ever used for clay targets was a Browning BPS pump. Yeah, I have quite a few beautiful O/Us now, including my baby - my Browning Special Trap hi-grade - but I still shoot clays with the pump sometimes for fun, and for two years it has been my turkey gun (got a nice one this past spring).

Won't ever get rid of the BPS.

 

[Dot_mdb]

rajaniblue,

Hehe, funny thing is when I watch others shoot the doubles it looks like they have all the time in the world whether they are shooting a pump or not. Then when I'm shooting it is as if someone pushed the fast button and the machines throw the clays with extra gusto.

Someone, I think Dave, suggested practicing with the targets launched "on report". I tried that a week ago at the end of a practice session and intend to make that drill a part of each week's shooting in the future.

Bill

 

[Riss]

Sorry to break the news

Let me tell you a little story....... Have seen many a many guys go through Kreighoff, Browning Superposed 425(my favorite behind the Ruger Red Label. Silver Pigeon. etc. No matter what, it should feel good in the hand and on the shoulder. Personally I have shot them all and settled for a Mossberg 9200 semi and Ruger Red Label. If it does not fit, get rid of it. A more expensive gun will not make you a better shot. It may pattern better and be more forgiving, but will not mask all of your errors. One of my favorite friends to shoot with shot anything on hand. And let me tell you he could switch from right to left and clean anyones clock with a 410 side by side on the skeet range. Never before and never since have I seen anyone shoot like that. And never will again in my lifetime, as he passed away Feb of 98. A world class pistol and shotgun shooter, who never made it past the local and regional champs. since it took him away from his real love . Shooting. Shoot what you like and what feels good. A gun should fit like an extension of your body . Either you got the knack for it or you don't. Sorry for the rant, had to let that one out.