So, I went Clay shooting for the first time...

[Tay]

So, this past weekend I went skeet shooting for the first time. And I must say, I ABSOLUTELY FREAKING LOVED IT.

So, now I've decided that the next gun I'm going to buy is going to be a shotgun.

What would you guys recommend for a beginner like myself? I want a pump and something that could be used for both home defense and clays?

My budget is $150-$300. I know... I like to spend a lot of money. XD

 

[SEIndSAM]

I'll bet Clay wasn't too happy about this????

 

[09hemi]

i see what you did there ^

 

[snorko]

I'll bet Clay wasn't too happy about this????

Yeah, my first thought was "OMG is he ok?" Then I thought about the estate sale (sorry clay)


On topic though, sounds like you want a combination package. Both Remington (870) and Mossberg (500) market the shotguns with both short cylinder bore barrels and longer field barrels.

 

[BoomstickBuff]

One thing to consider - if you are shooting skeet, it may be a bit challenging to shoot doubles with a pump. I know there are folks that do it successfully, but many people will go for a semi-auto or over/under to make doubles a bit easier. It may be tough to find a semi-auto or over/under in your price range, but thought I'd throw that out for consideration.

Glad you got a chance to try shooting clays and that you enjoyed it. Have fun!

 

[gregkl]

Please don't misunderstand what I am about to say. I am not intending to insult you. But many people go out back and shoot clay pigeons and call it Trap or Skeet which are very different games with specific rules.

You can shoot all three with one shotgun, but some variations work better with one or the other.

 

[selinoid44]

Save your money and get a Beretta over/under or a Browning semi auto. It wont take much longer to save the money and get something you will enjoy much more for the sport of skeet or trap.

 

[Leo]

Since you know that you already like shooting clay targets, I would work on your budget and by the right shotgun the 1st time.
I have found that a person is generally better off with a good used quality gun in great condition such as a Remington 1100 or a Beretta 391 than a new one of those cheap chinese copies. A good quality brand name gun will also retain it's value when you decide you need to move up to something of higher grade.

By the way, welcome to the world of target shotguns!

 

[Whip_McCord]

Glad you enjoyed skeet. We try to get out and shoot skeet (occasionally trap) once a week, when the weather breaks. We are going to try starting next week.

Get out and shoot at a nice club. Try other shotguns as much as possible. Most shooters are happy to let you try their gun. As stated above, get a good gun. As to Beretta or Browning, try them out. I, as well as a few buddies, shoot the Browning better. Berettas just don't fit us well. Others find Beretta fits them better. Try several guns and see which fits you best. Enjoy the shotgun games. They are lots of fun and a nice way to enjoy the outdoors.

 

[Bang-bang]

Stoeger M2000 Semi-Auto Shotgun, I got 1 it works well only had 1 problem and it was an easy fix. (add the rcoil reducer, for 75.00 more), check the the reviews, and you can try mine

 

[Tay]

I'll bet Clay wasn't too happy about this????

Well, he's a bit... shattered over the incident.

Yeah, my first thought was "OMG is he ok?" Then I thought about the estate sale (sorry clay)


On topic though, sounds like you want a combination package. Both Remington (870) and Mossberg (500) market the shotguns with both short cylinder bore barrels and longer field barrels.

Estate sale is this weekend at your nearest club. All his "relatives" will be there.

My buddy has an 870 and it was pretty fun and easy to shoot.

I'm not to worried about using a pump. I think adds a bit more of a challenge, and I like that. I haven't had the chance to shoot an O/U yet... but I've seen a few and they just make me drool.

Glad you enjoyed skeet. We try to get out and shoot skeet (occasionally trap) once a week, when the weather breaks. We are going to try starting next week.

Get out and shoot at a nice club. Try other shotguns as much as possible. Most shooters are happy to let you try their gun. As stated above, get a good gun. As to Beretta or Browning, try them out. I, as well as a few buddies, shoot the Browning better. Berettas just don't fit us well. Others find Beretta fits them better. Try several guns and see which fits you best. Enjoy the shotgun games. They are lots of fun and a nice way to enjoy the outdoors.

I'm more than willing to wait a little longer and save some more money to get a better gun. You mentioned Beretta or Browning. Any specific models?

 

[Ericpwp]

I started with an 870. You just have to give it a good crank after your 1st shot. Now I use an 11-87 that I bought on black friday. The semi autos are great for not getting your shoulder beat up after shooting all day. I think stoeger was bought by benelli and have the same action as their high end semi-auto models.

 

[Leo]

The Beretta 600 series (680, 682, 686, 687) has been the standard for target shotguns for a numerous decades, esp. the 682 competition models. The 682 Gold and Gold E Competition are my choices. You can get fancier from there. Perazzi, Krieghoff, Ceasar Guerini, start at double the money. I am willing to have my stocks professionally fitted. The Berettas fit me properly with very little adjustment.

I worked the World Sporting Clays championships in San Antonio twice. Semi autos are very popular in that sport. The Beretta 391 in various flavors outnumber all the other semi autos put together. Even if I didn't shoot shotguns at all, I think the proven popularity is a pretty big endorsement.

I am confident recomending either.

 

[Tay]

The Beretta 600 series (680, 682, 686, 687) has been the standard for target shotguns for a numerous decades, esp. the 682 competition models. The 682 Gold and Gold E Competition are my choices. You can get fancier from there. Perazzi, Krieghoff, Ceasar Guerini, start at double the money. I am willing to have my stocks professionally fitted. The Berettas fit me properly with very little adjustment.

I worked the World Sporting Clays championships in San Antonio twice. Semi autos are very popular in that sport. The Beretta 391 in various flavors outnumber all the other semi autos put together. Even if I didn't shoot shotguns at all, I think the proven popularity is a pretty big endorsement.

I am confident recomending either.

Thank you very much! I'll definitely be doing some research tonight when I get home from work.

 

[pitbull88]

Barrel Question?

I have a Mossberg 500 with a 20 inch barrel for home defense. Can I use it to shoot sporting clays or do I need a longer barrel? Advice please?

 

[Ericpwp]

You can use anything you want. Try it and see if you hit anything.

If you can't reach out with it, you can always put a new barrel on it.

 

[Bang-bang]

"I think stoeger was bought by benelli and have the same action as their high end semi-auto models." Correct and they are very nice, and at a lower price than most 12g's.
I can say mine is a high round count, and only had 1 problem which was taken care of with no hassles. Gotta love hittin the clays!!

 

[Mosin-Me-Nagant]

ATI TACSX2 12ga 18.5" Bbl Tac Semi-Auto ATIGTACSX2 - Shotguns - Firearms

Maverick 88 Security Shotgun - Shotguns - Firearms

Those are both decent starter shotguns that will serve as multi purpose. Ideally, a 28" barrel would be your minimum length for clays. These are two more examples, but I agree more with an 870 or 500 2 barrel combo package.