Shotgun Help - Gas vs. Inertia

[bpxx75ace]

Shotgunning experts please weigh in!

So I recently started skeet shooting and have been renting guns where I shoot. The only shotgun I own is a pump with a modified choke which doesn't do well for skeet. I'm looking at a few semis but I don't know much about gas vs. inertia systems. Which is better? Which has lower felt recoil? I feel like I can shoot doubles better with a little less recoil since the gun has a tendency to jump off my shoulder after the first shot. Probably my lack of skill I'm sure.

Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MNRSports]

In very, very general terms, gas operated will shoot "softer" while inertia operated will have a bit more "felt" recoil. Gas guns are more forgiving across a wide range of shells where an inertia can be more finicky with light loads. Gas guns can be a bit more heavy and/or bulky but that is not either good or bad, it just depends on the fit and feel to an individual. Inertia guns are much more tolerant with dirt, grim, and even temperatures. For trap and skeet I would lean toward a gas gun. For hunting in harsh field conditions ie waterfowl, I would lean toward a inertia gun. My personal favorites for gas would be Beretta all day long. Another great gas gun is Remingtons Versa Max. For inertia, it would hands down be Benelli, but Stoeger and Franchi also offer very fine inertia guns at a lower cost. Classic Brownings are blow back and handle amazing imho but seem to kick a bit more. At the end of the day, it's a great time period for shotgunners with so many fine platforms to choose from. All the best!

 

[Maggiemaeodie]

For skeet, I prefer a over/under. I don’t like picking up hulls. You should try one if you get a chance.
For hunting, I like my semi.

 

[MNRSports]

For skeet, I prefer a over/under. I don’t like picking up hulls. You should try one if you get a chance.
For hunting, I like my semi.

I think everyone who starts out with semi's eventually move to 0/u's if they stick with it. The exception is those crazy good shotgunners who can pull off amazing shots with those singles.

 

[Jsmit484]

I would say most serious skeet and trap shooters are shooting over/under shotguns.

With that said, I use a gas operated Beretta A400 Xtreme and its extremely soft shooting. I hunt with it primarily, and shoot skeet and trap mostly for fun i the off season. It'll take about every shell load with great results. Beretta makes an A300 gas operated shotgun that's another, more affordable great shooting option for someone starting out. I bought the A300 and liked it so much I eventually got two A400s.

Honestly though, it's hard to buy a bad gas or inertia driven shotgun these days. Benelli and Franchi out out really good inertia driven shotguns for the money and they're great too.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

I've shot several gas-operated shotguns over the years and finally traded into one of my own. They ARE soft-shooting with a gentle, but slower, movement of the bolt.
I have never used sn inertia-driven shotty for comparison, though.

 

[bpxx75ace]

Thanks for the insight gentlemen. I appreciate it. I most likely wont be hunting so I think I'm going to go with gas. Probably the Beretta. Has anyone shot the Weatherby SA-08? They're gas as well. Slightly less money but not enough to affect my decision. Just wondering about quality vs. the Berettas? Off to the gun store unless someone has a deal for me LOL!!!

 

[jdm333]

If it matters to you, inertia guns are much easier to clean. Getting the gunk off of the gas piston/operating area adds some time and effort. Rent a Benelli super sport if the range you shoitv at has one.

Get a mojo stick for picking up hulls.

 

[Gimmebackmybullets]

Length of pull on whatever you choose will make a world of difference in your score if it fits you correctly. And when you are hitting clays consistently, you dont feel the recoil as much.

 

[gh1950]

Well, late to the discussion, and my experience is mostly with sporting clays, so I will share this.


First, there are several national and state champions in sporting clays that shoot semi-autos. So I disagree that "most" "migrate" to O/U. So if a semi-auto is what you want, go with it.

Look up Fred Missiledine and Rudy Etchen.

As between gas and inertia, most clay target shooters will shoot a gas gun. That said, there is a definite following for the Benelli recoil operated guns. As mentioned recoil guns are incredibly clean, but modern gas guns are not incredibly dirty, so there's that. My experience is with Berettas, and you can shoot several hundred shells before a good cleaning is required. Even then, a shot of Breakfree will get you through a round.

The suggestion in the post before this is right on, no matter what type gun you choose, spend the extra money to have a qualified stock fitter fit your stock, not Sam at the skeet range.

I've shot both type actions side by side, and in my mind no question that gas guns shoot softer by lengthening the recoil motion. Enough to make a difference when you are shooting 400 rounds a day.