Skeet Shooting Questions

[keshido]

Although I have owned firearms and have been out skeet shooting before I want to start taking it a little more seriously (Turns out I'm better at skeet than Golf so I might as well spend the money here). I have a few questions and I'm hoping I can get some good answers here.

- Which Gauge should I stick to?
- Chokes, I have multiple chokes that quite frankly I don't know what they really do. Which should I focus on using for Skeet?
- Recommended entry level shotgun for the sport.


Thanks ahead of time for reading this post and for answering if you do.

 

[the_great_white]

i would stick to 20 gauge for skeet shooting. lighter weight and less recoil, which matters when you get up in shot count.
there is a "skeet" choke, but i use modified.
i only have a mossberg 20 gauge pump and a remington 1100 12 gauge......i prefer the mossberg, it's just more fun.
there are a lot nicer rigs for skeet and trap, that just happens to be what i own.

just about all skeet/trap ranges only allow two shells in the gun at any given time for what it's worth to you.

 

[mikey357]

12 or 20 Gauge, unless you decide to get into it "Whole Hog", in which case you will want a 12 Gauge Over/Under with Subgauge Tubes in 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge and .410...

Just starting out, I would recommend a Remington 1100 or 1187 or a Beretta 390 or 391 in the Autoloader category, or a Browning Citori or Beretta 680-Series O/U--All are good, reliable guns that will be easy to Sell or Trade if/when you decide to UPGRADE...

As far as Chokes go, use a Skeet Choke for Skeet Shooting--No need to "Reinvent The Wheel", so to speak...Let me know if I can answer any more questions about it for you....mikey357

 

[keshido]

Thank you for the replies. I wasn't aware that there was a skeet choke, I seem to run into the whole modified, full choke deal all the time.

 

[drewga11]

A decent 20 gauge semi auto with a modified choke is all you really need. Anything beyond that is just a matter of what you like and want. I picked up a nice CZ semi auto 20 gauge for under $500 new and paid around $550 for a automatic skeet thrower with a wobbler kit that was on sale, and so far both have performed flawlessly.

 

[the_great_white]

i might also add that i don't have a dedicate skeet/trap gun, i just use what i actually hunt with.

 

[Lazarus]

I had a 11-87 and now I have a 1100 both have 28" barrels. I prefer the 11-87 as it had removable chokes. But as was mentioned true skeet guns are usually O/Us. If I had to buy a dedicated skeet gun I'd go with a O/U in 20ga. O/Us are so cool.

 

[Cadcom]

Go with a 12 gauge. You can use a 1 oz load if recoil is an issue.
Once you start with trap/skeet you will want to try Sporting Clays (which is addictive!)
For that you will want a 12 ga. Skeet choke is all I use in both barrels regardless of what course I shoot.
People over think the choke selections.

 

[97 winchester]

Although I have owned firearms and have been out skeet shooting before I want to start taking it a little more seriously (Turns out I'm better at skeet than Golf so I might as well spend the money here). I have a few questions and I'm hoping I can get some good answers here.

- Which Gauge should I stick to?
- Chokes, I have multiple chokes that quite frankly I don't know what they really do. Which should I focus on using for Skeet?
- Recommended entry level shotgun for the sport.


Thanks ahead of time for reading this post and for answering if you do.

I am not an expert or competition shooter but have shot many rounds of skeet and trap.
I would start with improved cylinder if you have that choke. If you already have that it is the best choice imo. Modified choke is a little too tight,full choke makes it a very tough game.
I would use the gauge you like the best for your other shooting/hunting.
If you really get into it you will probably change a bit of what you start with anyway. I have used 12,20 and .410. All are actually used in competition along with 28.
I preferred and used 12 gauge the most because I and my father
both were into reloading and had several different 12's. !2 is much better than anything else for trap which we also shot frequently(weekly).
I would go 12 gauge pump or o/u with improved cylinder , 1oz. loads of #9 or 8
shot and shoot a bunch. It'll be great!

 

[keshido]

I am not an expert or competition shooter but have shot many rounds of skeet and trap.
I would start with improved cylinder if you have that choke. If you already have that it is the best choice imo. Modified choke is a little too tight,full choke makes it a very tough game.
I would use the gauge you like the best for your other shooting/hunting.
If you really get into it you will probably change a bit of what you start with anyway. I have used 12,20 and .410. All are actually used in competition along with 28.
I preferred and used 12 gauge the most because I and my father
both were into reloading and had several different 12's. !2 is much better than anything else for trap which we also shot frequently(weekly).
I would go 12 gauge pump or o/u with improved cylinder , 1oz. loads of #9 or 8
shot and shoot a bunch. It'll be great!

Thanks great advice.