Some Shotgun Questions?

03-26-04 | me

[dc27]

My fellow freepers. I have a few questions about the purchase of a shotgun. I have just discovered how much fun shooting clay pigeons at the local club. I have only been a couple a times and rent a Browning over/under from the club. But that can get expensive and its a different gun each time. The person that I took some lessons from recommended a Baretta over/under.

My questions are semi-auto vs. over/under, brand, barrel length, 12 vs 20 gauge? I will be using the shotgun for clays mostly. Thanks in advance.

[TMSuchman]

I would recommend a Mossberg, or a Remington. You can not beat them cost & reailablity. I prefer a 12 gauge myself. It is good for all types of shooting. I enjoy hunting small game with one & small shot. I sometimes use a 410 too, for the same reasons.

[AlbertWang]

The most important thing about a shotgun is fit. The gun must fit you. If the gun fits, it doesn't hurt to shoot it, and you are a pigeon breaking machine.

I prefer an over/under, I shoot an Italian gun, my gunsmith, now departed, worked over the stock, It has little resale value, but it is the last gun I would sell.

Having said that, it makes more sense to spend a couple hundred bucks having the stock fit on a $1,500 stack tube rather than spending the same $200 fitting the stock on a $300 pump gun.

[dc27]

Thanks a lot for the feedback. You are right about the fit. The person who was instructing me said that a beretta would fit me better. I had a difficult time getting the Browning to fit nicely against my cheekbone. I was budgeting around $1000 for a gun.

[MissTargets]

You didn't state what kind of clays you are shooting. Is is trap, skeet, or sporting clays? Shotguns are set up differently for each of the disciplines. Trap guns shoot higher than skeet, or sporting clays. If it is skeet, or sporting clays that you will be shooting, you will need the over/under.

Welcome to the sport of shotgunning, you will have a blast.

[dc27]

I will be shooting sporting clays. I was hoping I could use the Beretta 390 semi-auto. From what I have read on FR, this gun got pretty good reviews. But, if I would be better off with an over/under, I better start saving my pennies. Any recommendations?

[MissTargets]

The 390 would be a great gun for sporting clays. Very soft shooting. Reasonable price to start out in also. I use a Remington 1100, when I shoot sporting clays (about once a year). Semi-auto's are very popular.

If that is what you can afford right now, then that's the way to go. Keep it clean, and it will serve you well. Later on, when you are a champion, and win lots of money, you can get the over/under. :)