Good 12 ga. O/U for newbie getting into sporting?
Greetings!
I'm a new member to this site and joined because I've decided to start getting into skeet and sporting clays. I'm a newbie to O/U shotguns and clays shooting but not to shooting sports, was on a Hi Power rifle team for a couple of years some time ago, and enjoy pistol-shooting as well. But the clays sports have captured my interest, shooting at moving targets rather than stationary.
So...I'm looking for some suggestions regarding a good sporting O/U 12 ga. to start with. I love my Benelli SBE, but it was so much easier to hit the clays with my cousin-in-law's Beretta Silver Pigeon II that I decided to start seriously looking for a good, solid O/U. Would *love* to keep the purchase under $1500 and used is fine, but am willing to spend more for a really solid gun that I'll buy once and hand down to my son. Some of my specific questions:
* What are some good alternatives (specifically O/U) at the same level and grade as the Beretta Silver Pigeon?
* What are some of the things I need to consider when purchasing a used O/U?
* The Beretta seemed to fit me pretty well, what are some of the "fit" issues I should consider?
* What length of barrel is recommended?
* In general, what features are the most important for a sporting-only 12 ga. O/U? And yes, I'll stick with 12 ga., need all the help I can get! [:D]
If there is a "newbie forum", please let me know where to go...I didn't see anything at first glance. But I'd still value some feedback from the experts. Don't need a Krieger or Parazzi (sp?) but am looking for a good, solid, well-built gun. The Berettas seem really nice but I'm sure there are others in the same class just as nice.
Thanks everyone!
KC
K.C.
I'm a new member to this site and joined because I've decided to start getting into skeet and sporting clays. I'm a newbie to O/U shotguns and clays shooting but not to shooting sports, was on a Hi Power rifle team for a couple of years some time ago, and enjoy pistol-shooting as well. But the clays sports have captured my interest, shooting at moving targets rather than stationary.
So...I'm looking for some suggestions regarding a good sporting O/U 12 ga. to start with. I love my Benelli SBE, but it was so much easier to hit the clays with my cousin-in-law's Beretta Silver Pigeon II that I decided to start seriously looking for a good, solid O/U. Would *love* to keep the purchase under $1500 and used is fine, but am willing to spend more for a really solid gun that I'll buy once and hand down to my son. Some of my specific questions:
* What are some good alternatives (specifically O/U) at the same level and grade as the Beretta Silver Pigeon?
* What are some of the things I need to consider when purchasing a used O/U?
* The Beretta seemed to fit me pretty well, what are some of the "fit" issues I should consider?
* What length of barrel is recommended?
* In general, what features are the most important for a sporting-only 12 ga. O/U? And yes, I'll stick with 12 ga., need all the help I can get! [:D]
If there is a "newbie forum", please let me know where to go...I didn't see anything at first glance. But I'd still value some feedback from the experts. Don't need a Krieger or Parazzi (sp?) but am looking for a good, solid, well-built gun. The Berettas seem really nice but I'm sure there are others in the same class just as nice.
Thanks everyone!
KC
K.C.
0
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Other than avoiding the "off brand imports" and anything that carries the Weatherby name tag, the best advise is "Buy the one that fit's you the best". If it's a little above your budget, it will still be less expensive, in the long run, than buying (and selling) several that "almost" fit. 
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Hello K.C. and welcome to Gun Broker. we don't bother with a newbies forum here since we feel free to pick on or harass anyone, we don't care how long they have been a member of GB! Your $1500 price range puts you in a good position to purchase a real quality clays gun. I'll be up front and tell you that clays is not my game, I prefer skeet, but I have quite a few friends who are serious about the sport (and I sold most of them their guns) so I have a few ideas of what makes a good clays gun.
Of course you need screw in chokes, you just can't be competitive without them in sporting clays. Way back when the sport became popular most of the shooters used barrels of around 26 inches (just like the skeet guns of the same period), some even less. These days 28 inches is considered about right and a few go with 30 inch tubes. These types of shotgun sports are all about a smooth swing and the longer (heavier) barrels usually mean a smoother swing with less chance of having the gun stop or hangup when following the clay bird.
If you like the fit of the Beretta then that could be the way to go and there are usually plenty of fine used guns available when experienced shooters upgrade. Just make sure that when handling various guns you are wearing the same clothing and gear that you will be wearing when shooting, including your hat and shooting glasses. A few months back a good friend of mine purchased a Spanish Lanber Model 2088 clays gun and with 28 inch tubes and I thought that this gun, which cost under $1000, had the fit and finish of shotguns costing much more money. I know a couple of guys who shoot Weatherby Orions and like them as well as one Ruger nut who swears by his Red Label. Most of the other guys are deep into Perazzi, but these are outside of your (and my own) budget.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Browning Superposed 12 ga is a great choice for your money 1500
Used of coarse0 -
If you like the way the Beretta fits I would look for a Beretta. Another thing I think is important is a manual safety, on the beretta field models the saftey is automatic (everytime you break it open it flips to safe) Ported barrels is nice too but that can be done to any shotgun. You should be able to find a nice beretta sporting model in you price range. A Browning Citori is also good.
ben0 -
any browning high rib citori will do. go with 28 or 30" bbls with invectors. try to stay with a gun that shoots a 60/40 pattern so you can see the targets better. get the adjustable comb stock. that way you can play all the games. btw...all citori high ribs are 60/40's. weatherbys tend to be 50/50. if you are a field hunter, 50/50 is what youve most likely gotten use to...in other words put the bead on it and bang. clay shooters like the whole picture. hope this helps.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
Reading the first response, What was your opinion of the weatherbys? I was considering buying a weatherby athena grade 3 Classic field . Looks to be a sweet gun. Have any thoughts?
Mark0 -
I like the off-brand imports. They're cheap and reliable. They do everything a Beretta can do, but at a fraction of the cost.
If you're buying a used gun, especially if it's a private person to person sale (i.e. not on gunbroker), ask to shoot a few rounds through it first. That will give you a better indication of how it handles than anything else.
you will need interchangeable chokes, no doubt about it. Like they said, longer barrels give smoother swings, but shorter barrels give faster target acquisition (a real plus in international-style games). It depends on personal preference and what you plan to use it for.
Shop around, take your time, and see what works for you. Best of luck.0 -
quote:Originally posted by scudmuscle
Reading the first response, What was your opinion of the weatherbys? I was considering buying a weatherby athena grade 3 Classic field . Looks to be a sweet gun. Have any thoughts?
Mark
Simply this, everyone of the Weatherby Orians's I was around had defective parts in the trigger group, and would start firing both barrels with a single trigger pull. The attitude of the Weatherby Repair shop was basicly, "you bought the POS, it's your problem not ours". I traded mine off on a used Browning (GTI) and never looked back.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Thanks for the prompt responses everyone, I really appreciate the feedback. Good advice on the 60/40 pattern, hadn't thought of that. On the skeet range I've discovered some habits I'm going to have to overcome, tend to really want to "aim" the gun (habit from high power rifle competition) rather than point and shoot. The heavier O/U was just easier for me to get on target and carry through my swing than the SBE.
K.C.0 -
(Re: Mark Christian's post regarding price of high-end guns)
Thanks for your post, Mark!
Heh...and I thought a high-end saxophone was expensive! I'm just amazed that a firearm can cost over $7K - $8K. What drives the price on these high-end guns? Is it the workmanship in the stock and/or trigger, receiver? Barrels? Other materials? All of the above? Does it help to break more birds? [;)]
I think the Berettas and Citoris will suit me at my current (and hopefully better in the future) level of proficiency. Again, appreciate the feedback.
K.C.0 -
Tenor, $7-$8000 is nothing, you should see the guys with the $30,000 Kolars around here. Of course I'm in Wisconsin so Kolar is a hometown favorite. When you buy a Kolar you actually go to the factory and they measure you, and then they build a gun just for you. You can get anything you want done to the gun from release triggers to extensive engraving. 0
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