Clays Shotgun Deals

[rbstern]

IMHO, a starter clays gun is any of the Turkish made O/Us for $500 or so, or any reliable semi-auto with interchangeable chokes. Or better yet, a borrowed or rented club gun. If someone starts with one of those, decides they really like the sport and want to improve, money is better spent on ammo and practice rounds, rather than a gun. The gun should come later, when the shooter understands more about the sport, their needs, their limitations, etc.

 

[Clarke123]

DoubleGun in Nevada almost always has some used gun bargains ... some are the older Japanese
pieces that were really put together like a Toyota ... built to last!

As with any gun, a shotgun must fit YOU, and it must pattern reliably ... otherwise you will never know whether it is the gun or you that
keeps your scores down!

BTW: Spending an hour or two with one of Etowah's Instructors is a wise investment!

 

[jeep78]

It is a good idea to try the make and model gun before you buy. I do more shotgunning than anything else. I thought I always wanted a Silver Pigeon,.....until I shot one. Hated it. Glad I never got one.

 

[Clarke123]

It is a good idea to try the make and model gun before you buy. I do more shotgunning than anything else. I thought I always wanted a Silver Pigeon,.....until I shot one. Hated it. Glad I never got one.

It could have just been the way the Beretta was set up:

Beretta's come in RH/LH (Cast); Brownings typically are Cast Neutral If you came from shooting a Browning there would be a change.
Further, if you have a long arms AND a long neck then both length of pull and butt height adjustments may be necessary to achieve consistency ... and the list goes ... on.

I was fortunate enough to have a Beretta SP III that had a factory adjustable stock (comb and butt plate). I learned what I had to do to get mine to shoot like I wanted to ... makes a big difference!

I would like to see an ODT forum just for shotguners ... there are lots of tweaks out there on shotgunworld and elsewhere that could be shared here. Heck, I reposted one here on tweaking the Cast and Drop on the Beretta AL391 ... (if memory serves me correctly!)

https://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/beretta-al391-tweaks-cast.1897165/

 

[jeep78]

It could have just been the way the Beretta was set up:

Beretta's come in RH/LH (Cast); Brownings typically are Cast Neutral If you came from shooting a Browning there would be a change.
Further, if you have a long arms AND a long neck then both length of pull and butt height adjustments may be necessary to achieve consistency ... and the list goes ... on.

I was fortunate enough to have a Beretta SP III that had a factory adjustable stock (comb and butt plate). I learned what I had to do to get mine to shoot like I wanted to ... makes a big difference!

I would like to see an ODT forum just for shotguners ... there are lots of tweaks out there on shotgunworld and elsewhere that could be shared here. Heck, I reposted one here on tweaking the Cast and Drop on the Beretta AL391 ... (if memory serves me correctly!)

https://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/beretta-al391-tweaks-cast.1897165/

I understand all that. I am textbook average in body, height and weight and do not usually need much tweaking for any consumer product.

I did not like the balance, swing, or recoil impulse. I could shoot it and hit with it, but it was a chore, not a pleasure.

 

[Clarke123]

I understand all that. I am textbook average in body, height and weight and do not usually need much tweaking for any consumer product.

I did not like the balance, swing, or recoil impulse. I could shoot it and hit with it, but it was a chore, not a pleasure.

There is that! Read the reviews on the Browning Cynergy. Now that's a pretty much Love/Hate product!
I went to Brass Pro and found that they really are "Barrel Heavy" and had a "Fat Forearm" to boot.
The Citori CXS sitting right next to it fit me better, much better!

Oh, and the weight of the shotgun DOES matter ... A lightweight 20 will kick harder than a standard weight 12
shootinh the same weight 1 OZ load!

 

[DADI03]

I would like a shotgun section here myself.

I always use 1 ounce for clays and depending on the distance out I will change the size of the load. But I normally use #8

 

[7pt62THOR]

I've got the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon and love it, but I also shoot an old Stevens 311 SxS and really enjoy it. Two of the kids on our team got the Benelli 828u and their scores dropped dramatically. One of them previously shot a Benelli Super Sport and the other had been shooting a Mossberg Silver Reserve. Those 828's are beautiful, but very light. One traded the Benelli O/U for a heavier Browning (can't remember which model) and the other went back to the Super Sport.
Before investing in a higher end $hotgun, make sure you are gonna use it more than once or twice every year. Make a trip to a LGS/range that stocks many brands and models and shoulder all of 'em to see which one fits you and your wallet best.

 

[potenza]

I bought a used Beretta 686 from garland mountain, after shooting a Russian O/U for a year or so. Started with a semi , then the Russian and now a beretta. I like the sport and try to go once a week, weather permitting. If you got the $$$ , go for it. Or come shoot mine @ garland mountain, just to see if you like it. They also rent many high end shotguns, cheap. And have used ones for sale.

http://garlandmountain.com/products/

Go for a kriegoff, only$12,000

 

[500mag]

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!

I shoot there too - was there Saturday, good people.