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Shotgun for Sporting Clays

JackiePapersJackiePapers Member Posts: 544 ✭✭✭
edited October 2007 in Ask the Experts
Any recommendations? Assuming 12 ga, but auto or....? Brands?

Money IS an object!!! [:D]
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Comments

  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    Define what you mean when you say money is an object. A good sporting clays gun can run upwards of $10,000 (Perazzi) but you can do it with an old used 870 for $200.
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  • linthicumlinthicum Member Posts: 825 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    10-4 on the 870, I bought one for my son in June. 1350 rounds through it so far. And shows virtually no wear at all, If you looked at the gun you would think it is NIB.
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  • cce1302cce1302 Member Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    some people poo-poo mossburg, but I have used my 835 for everything-skeet, trap, sporting clays, deer (with slug barrel), turkey, goose, wabbit, and crow. It's a great all-around shotgun when money is an issue.
    the 500 is good too, and, of course, any of the offerings from Remington.
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  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Think seriously about a O/U with choke tubes, even if it's a used Citori field grade.

    Like ALL shotgun games, fit, fit, and fit are the 3 most important things to look for. Remember it this way, "if it don't fit, it ain't worth chit".

    Ever try to change choke tubes between shots on a mixed double? Say with 2 different traps throwing a Battue @40yd and a rabbit @ 10yd.

    50 birds/round, 3 rounds/week is 7000 birds a year. Toss in a few rounds of skeet (just for fun) and your up over 10,000 shells a year (and that's not anywhere close to what the serious shooters fire). My Citori GTI has over 50,000 rounds through it, and the action is still tight. Let me know how your Mossy (or other entry level pump) is holding up after that many rounds go down the pipe.
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  • md1634md1634 Member Posts: 644 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Try a used Beretta 12 ga. 390 or 391. If it has extended chokes all the better. Great handling,reliable gun. My wife and I shot almost 6,000 rounds out of two 391's (that we use for clays) in four days on a dove hunt in argentina. Had to clean them only twice.
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  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,460 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jackie -
    Invite a friend with you whenever you shoot clays. Invite people that have different brands & styles of shotguns. Buy their clays for them. Borrow their shotgun & shoot a round yourself. You will know when you find the right gun for you.
    I know guys that have bought and sold a 100 guns trying to find the "magic". They are so confused they are not comfortable with anything!! Try to buy the right gun the first time.
    Greg
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  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    The biggest thing in any shotgun sport is how the gun fits you. If you have a well fitting shot gun you will break more clays and it will be more comfortable for you to shoot. Find a person in your area that understands shotgun fit and they will be able to help you find the right gun. A nice over under like a Perazzi MX-2000S or a Krieghoff K-80 is great but if it doesn't fit properly you will hate to shoot it. I have yet to find a over under that fits me properly, but a nice side by side like a Garbi 100 or a Siace Superlight fits me like a glove. You might have to spend a bit more money to find the right gun for you, but you will only have to buy once. If money is an object now than all you have to do is save up a bit more to get the right gun for you. If you live in Southern California send me a e-mail off the board, I am in he fine gun business and I would love to help you find the right gun.
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  • duckhunterduckhunter Member Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Remington 11-87 Sporting Clays model Softer recoil. Choke tubes. Lighter barrel.
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  • gskyhawkgskyhawk Member Posts: 4,773
    edited November -1
    maybe a little of subject but do you plan on reloading you shells ? if so you may want to stay away from the auto or pumps ,as some clays course will not let you take the time to pick up your empty hulls

    with a O/U or SxS thats not a problem because you just eject the shell right into your hand
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  • MaaloxMaalox Member Posts: 5,155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by md1634
    Try a used Beretta 12 ga. 390 or 391. If it has extended chokes all the better. Great handling,reliable gun. My wife and I shot almost 6,000 rounds out of two 391's (that we use for clays) in four days on a dove hunt in argentina. Had to clean them only twice.


    I agree with this. I have a AL 391 sporting and it is a great all around clays gun.
    Regards, MAALOX
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  • goldeneagle76goldeneagle76 Member Posts: 4,359
    edited November -1
    alot of people on here have been steering me towards the Winchester SuperX3 semi-auto for sporting clays/skeet.
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  • claysclays Member Posts: 1,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I also used to shoot a Beretta semi-auto till a friend let me try his Benelli. I shot over 200shells in one day and the action was just about as clean as when I started. No gas piston or rings to clean. Soft recoil and a very pointable gun. Took my Legacy to Mexico last year for quail and it performed flawless.
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  • JackiePapersJackiePapers Member Posts: 544 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks to all the great responses! I love this board! [:D]
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  • Beer gutBeer gut Member Posts: 141 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Beretta semi auto, Beretta over and under, Browning Citoi over and unders
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  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    870 Wingmaster
    11-87
    Urika

    All great guns.
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
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