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Clays Shotgun Deals

Clarke123

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Love Them UGA Dogs!
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I shoot clays socially with a few friends at Etowah Valley Sporting Clays. A couple of them asked my opinion on a good, affordable "Starter" Clays Gun. WOW, now that is a challenge as you can shoot Clays with just about any 'ole gun you have. They then explained that they wanted something really designed for Clays:

Here's what I found (and feel free to disagree!)

1) Beretta Silver Pigeon I Sporting (Usually $2,148 Retail - I found at $1,892.99)
AND Beretta just announced a $150 Mail-in Rebate to reduce these numbers!)
https://www.centerfiresystems.com/p-45167-ber-j6869h0-686-slvr-pgn-spt-12-30-ob.aspx

2) Browning Citori CXS (Usually $1,899.00 Retail - I found at $1,795.00)
http://www.herosarms.com/HA2595_Citori_CXS_White_12-28/HA2595.htm

3) SKB (Kind of a "Surprise") $1,695 Fully Adjustable - Skeet Version $1,400

http://www.herosarms.com/skb.htm
http://www.dawsonent.com/categories/SKB/New/Specials

Then there are any number of used Clays Guns:

http://www.dawsonent.com

Am I sowing Confusion? You Betcha!
The choice of a "Clays Gun" is a tough enough one, and seemingly impossible
when you consider that "Fitting" the gun to you personally is a whole another thing:

Cast Neutral, Cast Right Hand, Cast Left Hand, Length of Pull, Drop at Grip, Drop at Heel, Comb height ...

https://www.theyorkshiregent.com/shooting/gun-fitting-guide-fit-shotgun/

Have Fun ... That's What This Is All About!
That and saving some coin!

Oh, if you want "Only The Best": Fly over to London and spend a month and a wad of coin having a Purdy made just for you!
 
Affordable is very differing from person to person. The gun I use is less than 500 and I do pretty good with it I think. I have shot other ones and they don't feel like they should cost 2 to 3 times what mine does. I've never had a single issue with it. Mine is pretty heavy but when you shoot a few rounds the weight helps out some with the recoil.
 
I went on a company clay shoot a few years ago, the loaner guns were silver pigeons! I really don't understand at all why they don't kick like a 12 gauge? Amazing guns right there.
 
I went on a company clay shoot a few years ago, the loaner guns were silver pigeons! I really don't understand at all why they don't kick like a 12 gauge? Amazing guns right there.

Ammo has a lot to do with that as well
 
Been able to find sp1 sportings for 1800ish for awhile now, now with the rebate and also if you can get around not paying tax but maybe a small transfer fee....not a terrible deal at all. I wish the sp1 sportings came with extended chokes though. I spent a small fortune on brileys for mine.

As far as recoil, definitely a difference in target and heavy target...100 rounds of heavy target will give you a headache for sure.
 
Affordable is very differing from person to person. The gun I use is less than 500 and I do pretty good with it I think. I have shot other ones and they don't feel like they should cost 2 to 3 times what mine does. I've never had a single issue with it. Mine is pretty heavy but when you shoot a few rounds the weight helps out some with the recoil.


For an entry level sporting clays ou....the sp1 is about as affordable as it gets.
 
I use my ATI O/U, got it for $400 at Folks Country Superstore. Or I use my Mossberg 930 JM Pro, also under $500. Just picked the wife up a Mossberg SA-20 Semi auto 20 gauge for $420.

All for Etowah Valley
 
For an entry level sporting clays ou....the sp1 is about as affordable as it gets.

I'm not saying that's not a bad deal but that's a lot of money. I use a Stoger comp o/u and hit in the upper 70's to low 80's. The recoil isn't to bad at all either, it's lighter recoil than the silver pigeon. I have shot thousands of rounds out of mine with zero issues. I paid 460 for it and love it. It's no show piece but it goes bang every time. I shot Saturday and my buddy just got a Silver pigeon and it was beautiful, but I am rough on everything I own and would be scared to use it out of fear of scuffing it up.
 
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