Want a sporting clays gun help me pick
What are some good 12 gauge over unders or maybe semi autos under $400 that hold up well for sporting clays trap etc
Has to come with removable chokes
I can port it put on new sites etc so it doesnt need any of those features before hand.
Shot my first round of sporting clays today "first time I have shot a clay pigeon ever actualy" and got 22 out of 50 with a youth model 870 in 20 gauge and a super full choke tube another guy got exactly the same with a 12 gauge 870 and modified choke was also his first time.
Most fun I have had shooting in a while. Cant wait to go again but I want to go with something actualy fits me and puts out a bit more lead.
Has to come with removable chokes
I can port it put on new sites etc so it doesnt need any of those features before hand.
Shot my first round of sporting clays today "first time I have shot a clay pigeon ever actualy" and got 22 out of 50 with a youth model 870 in 20 gauge and a super full choke tube another guy got exactly the same with a 12 gauge 870 and modified choke was also his first time.
Most fun I have had shooting in a while. Cant wait to go again but I want to go with something actualy fits me and puts out a bit more lead.
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Try an EAA, I don't know too much about them and have never shot one but have heard they aren't too bad. Other than that you aren't going to find an over under for around $400, at least that is of any decent quality. You may be able to find a decent USED auto for around $400. A Remington 1100 is a good one. 0 -
Red is right. You will be hard pressed to find a o/u for $400 that will hold up or help you improve, short of theft or holdups. Usually, the used start around $700, and most times don't have choke tubes. The Baikal Sporting Clays isn't too bad, but is usually around $500+. To get something better that will last and you can shoot without feeling a little on the short end of things, the Ruger Red Label, Beretta 626, and Browning Citori are the makers you want to look at.
Generally, stay away from high rib trap type guns, as these are set up for a different type af target predentation. The Remington sporting 11-87 seems to work well as do the Browning Gold and
Beretta 390's. The Benelli's are great for hunting and shooting sports, but now we're in the $800+ group again. The other fella's will weigh in here too. I have seen a young guy VERY proficient with an 870 and could shoot with the best of them, but he was the exception due to his speed of cycling and young eyes and reflexes. Not saying it can't be done, and he certainly was poetry, but generally, you would be at a disadvantage for follow up shots.0 -
Holdup to the level of useage, and cost under $400? As they'd say in New Yawwk "fuget-a-bout-it".
Not trying to be a snob, but the lower end shotguns won't hold up the the pounding/cycling that comes from firing more shells in 1 hour than most shotguns fire in a year (or firing in 1 month than most shotguns will ever fire in there lifetime). If you serious about clays, your looking at firing 10 boxes of shells a week, every week, for years to come. Besides, quality shotguns hold there value while inexpensive ones only go down.
Save up you funds and look at USED Citori's. Find the one that comes smoothly to your shoulder and feels like a natural part of your body. The extra money up front will save you a ton of money and frustration down the road.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
I gues I should have re phrased my request a little, at this point at most I would be shooting 6 boxes a week and thats on the very hight side.
Secondly I can replace anything that breaks from normal wear and tear hammers firing pins etc thats not a problem. I dont need the perfect clay gun just one that doesnt have a youth stock and isnt a 20 gauge nor a pump heheh.
How about this for a question would a over under or a semi auto hold up better in a cheep model gun? Im thinking that the semi auto may because of less forces at work on it.
Think I will get a semi auto now that I think about it more.0 -
From my experience, the O/U will hold up better than the semi over the long haul. That being said there are ways to control recoil. Lighter loads, recoil reducers, ect.
I will guarantee you that you will upgrade your shotgun more times that you can imagine if you stick with the game. And over time finding a gun that fits is the most important thing.
Your mileage may vary.
"If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."0 -
You said that "small parts can easily be replaced".Well now,you just might reconsider buying foreign guns for just that reason.Bad things are heard about replacement parts from the imports.Aside from that,you mentioned "removable chokes"....not neccessary.The long time champ in our sporting clay club was using a Browning Trap grade gun with full and full chokes.He didn't spend time trying to decide,like the duffers,which choke was best,he walked up there with his gun and busted the birds.The difference was,he used that same gun for shooting EVERYTHING.Learn where your gun shoots and learn to hit with it is much more important than fiddling with the chokes at every turn.He was a man who could afford any little thing his heart desired but he knew shotguns and how to hit with them.I learned a whale of a lot from him as all of us did.Most important,pattern your gun with all shot sizes you intend to shoot.That will build your confidence like nothing else.By the way I shoot a 330 Savage O/U with full and modified.Not nearly as good as our old friend.PEACE
BILL
KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY.BUT NOT HOT.....single action S&Ws are keepers0 -
Well I talked to my gunsmithing instructor about it and he said benelli, remington or berreta. Got over to the shop today and looked at 2 brownings and 2 benneli all used Picked up a Benelly super 90 with 3 choke tubes.
I would say it will be about a 98% condition once I refinish the stock re do the butt pad and clean up the light rust on the rib I paid $580.00 A little more than what I planned to but things change Gues the guy who had it used it for duck hunting and maybe a little trap it looks perfect inside its just the outside that needs work.
Things to do
Port the barrel
extend and polish forcing cone
re finish stock
fit buttpad correctly
maybe add a midrib bead
Oh and btw Modoc I dont plan on changing chokes during a round I just want the option to pick one I like before hand.0 -
If you are going to do a minimum round of sporting clays, it is 100 rounds plus the 5 stand for warm up. Most folks who are serious will shoot a grid, crossing clays, and shoot another 100 rounds.
So, the idea is to get first of all a shotgun that will stand up with the use (O/U or semiautomatic will work) and then one that fits you. The lower cost shotguns will not hold up under the wear (I know, because I gotten rid of Stoeger and Benelli auto's and O/U's-they could not sustain the use.
So take the advise of those above and save your pennies and get a good used O/U or a higher end semiautomatic. "Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it." Lord Chesterfield0 -
quote:Originally posted by Oklahomabound
If you are going to do a minimum round of sporting clays, it is 100 rounds plus the 5 stand for warm up. Most folks who are serious will shoot a grid, crossing clays, and shoot another 100 rounds.
So, the idea is to get first of all a shotgun that will stand up with the use (O/U or semiautomatic will work) and then one that fits you. The lower cost shotguns will not hold up under the wear (I know, because I gotten rid of Stoeger and Benelli auto's and O/U's-they could not sustain the use.
So take the advise of those above and save your pennies and get a good used O/U or a higher end semiautomatic. "Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it." Lord Chesterfield
Huh the place we went to was 60 rounds 10 stations 5 clays each dont know anything about a 5 stand warm up of course you are probably talking about professionally which I dont have the time now to even contemplate.
If this bennelli breaks under my use and becomes to expensive to fix I will sell it and get something more expensive but for now I will use this untill I have the income to support something more expensive. Being a full time student doesnt lend much time to making money on the side so I need to conserve my funds.
The plus side is the more this breaks the more I learn because I will be the one fixing it, im in school for gunsmithing, I dont have to pay somone to fix it that is unless its a factory only fix which hopefully most breaks wont be.0 -
Why do you want to port the barrel? Save your money. I got 1 gun with ported barrels, an O/U, because I got the gun cheap [ $350.] with 8 choke tubes and it was ported.Log on to Trapshooters.com and see some comments on ported barrels. Just take the gun and shoot it. Don't spend a lot of money on it right away, you may not like it after shooting it for a month or so. The first thing, how does the gun fit you? You can spend $5,000 on a gun BUT if it doesn't fit you, you fight it it learning to shoot it. Next, pattern the gun. Most gun clubs have a pattern board. Find out where it shoots. Make sure you try all 3 choke tubes. Are you reloading? Good luck, wheelerdealer 0 -
From what others that have them have said, other than cleaning and oiling, you aren't going to get much experience fixing the Super 90. It's probably about the toughest,most trouble free, least finicky auto out there. You got a good deal, you need to remember your gun dealer's birthday.....often. The ports can reduce recoil, but also increase the noise level,... a lot. The only thing maybe better would have been a new Benelli. Now you won't wimper so much when you put another scratch in it. It's the first one that hurts most. Nice gun and enjoy the new toy! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by wheelerdealer
Why do you want to port the barrel? Save your money. I got 1 gun with ported barrels, an O/U, because I got the gun cheap [ $350.] with 8 choke tubes and it was ported.Log on to Trapshooters.com and see some comments on ported barrels. Just take the gun and shoot it. Don't spend a lot of money on it right away, you may not like it after shooting it for a month or so. The first thing, how does the gun fit you? You can spend $5,000 on a gun BUT if it doesn't fit you, you fight it it learning to shoot it. Next, pattern the gun. Most gun clubs have a pattern board. Find out where it shoots. Make sure you try all 3 choke tubes. Are you reloading? Good luck, wheelerdealer
Well I am going to get credit for porting it and the noise level isnt to big of a deal dont plan on using it hunting much if any. Also nothing I am doing to the gun at the moment costs me a cent can do it all at school and get credit for the stuff I havent already gotten credit for like porting the barrel.
The reason I am leaning toward porting it is this sucker is LIGHT its gotta weight less than my 20 gauge 870 I can see why the previus owner put a limbsaver recoil pad on it "even thow he didnt put it on correctly" bet it kicks like a mule will test fire it on monday and see. That is after I fix the recoil pad and extend and polish the forcing cone, turns out the stock isnt to bad once I got the tape residue off it may just nead a coat of poly and some buffing hopefully will make it good as new. It had some darn pretty finish under all the tape residue.0 -
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=28774125
"Aim small, Miss small"0 -
quote:Originally posted by redice
What are some good 12 gauge over unders or maybe semi autos under $400 that hold up well for sporting clays trap etc
Has to come with removable chokes
I can port it put on new sites etc so it doesnt need any of those features before hand.
Shot my first round of sporting clays today "first time I have shot a clay pigeon ever actualy" and got 22 out of 50 with a youth model 870 in 20 gauge and a super full choke tube another guy got exactly the same with a 12 gauge 870 and modified choke was also his first time.
Most fun I have had shooting in a while. Cant wait to go again but I want to go with something actualy fits me and puts out a bit more lead.Honestly, this reminds me of an old Monty Python line, "Go spot the looney and play with spam. I did" Seriously, since you are very new to this sport, I predict you will end up buying a $1,500 to $2,000 o/u minimum before it is all over with. You will kick yourself for all the money you are going to spend repairing / modifying an under $400 shotgun shooting clays, trap and skeet. This sport takes a toll on cheap shotguns, plus you may end up developing some bad technique and habits because of it. I did and got the t-shirt to prove it. Good luck, and welcome to the club.
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed"
. and the antithesis to this philosophy was uttered by Bill Clinton "I smoked it, but I didn't inhale."[V]
NRA Life Member0 -
Mossberg makes an O/U, Might be worth checking out!?!
Ruric,0
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