Shotgun Newb

Milamber

Milamber

uva uvam vivendo varia fi
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So as the title states, i am a newbie with an interest in shooting some skeet. I was wandering about a shotgun to make that possible. I want something reliable and budget friendly. Thought i would ask you guys to help steer me in the right direction. Thanks in advance
 
I'm pretty sure you can get a PhD in skeet/trap/clays (or so those who spend a lot of time around the games will have you believe). It doesn't need to be complicated and it all depends on what level you're planning on taking it too. If you're going to shoot a lot of matches and take it seriously, you should invest in a good fitting gun. If you're going to be a casual shooter (like me), a good reliable but not super-sexy gun will work. I've got a Remington Baikal SPR 310 that I paid $400 for. The big difference between it and other more expensive guns is the weight and fit (being heavier and not adjustable and more of a generic fit for more users). But I have fun with it and it does jam up on me at the range the 3 or 4 times a year I go.

There are quite a few guys on this forum who could school you far beyond my elementary pass I've made here.
 
Thats what i was looking for though. I am not looking at getting into any competitions or anything, but i would like to have something decent to shoot at the range. THe range i belong to has a pretty nice area for shooting clays and i would like to shoot now and again when i go.
 
Almost any off the rack gun will fit the "average" (5'9"..180#) person well enough to play with on occasion. Please stay away from off brand guns priced cheaply. They lose value and will only serve to frustrate you.
You make no mention of a gauge preference but used Remington 1100's come in all of the common gauges and you should be able to find a decent one in the 4 to 500.00 range.
Holler back if I can help.....
 
Semi, pump, O/U, or SxS? Are you wanting to use it for more than shooting skeet? Hunting maybe? What is budget friendly to you?
 
For something in the $500 range, I'd be looking for a good used gun. Maybe an 1100/1187. Just make sure you get the choke you want.

If you want to try an 1100 and want to come by Rowan Wildlife, you can try one of mine.
 
Like those others have said, an 1100 is hard to beat all around. I know you said you probably wouldn't hunt, but I couldn't begin to count the number of birds I've put on the ground with one growing up. It's gotta translate...
 
Thanks for all the replys and i might ho dove hunting with it but prolly not much. I have been looking at some CZ's anybody got any input on those or why I shouldn't buy one?
 
2slow said:
For something in the $500 range, I'd be looking for a good used gun. Maybe an 1100/1187. Just make sure you get the choke you want.

If you want to try an 1100 and want to come by Rowan Wildlife, you can try one of mine.
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I may do that. And what kind of choke do i want for skeet?
 
Shortbus said:
Glad to know. Just saw it in a mailer and thought I would throw it out there.
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The price is not good but it would be a good choice for a beginners OU. The CZ line of shotguns contains some excellent values also. Gander, Bass Pro, Cabelas sale items are usually on the high end of most good gun stores, you will very rarly find a good deal on a firearm at any of them. Sometimes a long drive to a good LGS is the best deal besides the internet. $100+will buy a lot of gas to drive to a good store or forum sponsor.
 
Milamber said:
Thanks for all the replys and i might ho dove hunting with it but prolly not much. I have been looking at some CZ's anybody got any input on those or why I shouldn't buy one?
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I have a CZ 920 semi auto 20 ga for my daughter. It's been very reliable with factory ammo.

Milamber said:
I may do that. And what kind of choke do i want for skeet?
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Skeet choke would be the best choke. But chokes run about $30 or so, as long as it has choke tubes. The older guns are fixed choke so be careful about chokes there. If it has choke tubes, and it's a good price don't let the choke it has in it stop you from getting it.

Also, my wife has a Yildiz OU that has worked well for her. IIRC they run in the $400's.
 
chiefjason said:
I have a CZ 920 semi auto 20 ga for my daughter. It's been very reliable with factory ammo.



Skeet choke would be the best choke. But chokes run about $30 or so, as long as it has choke tubes. The older guns are fixed choke so be careful about chokes there. If it has choke tubes, and it's a good price don't let the choke it has in it stop you from getting it.

Also, my wife has a Yildiz OU that has worked well for her. IIRC they run in the $400's.
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Thanks
 
Talk to and shoot your buddy's guns if you can.
That will help you narrow down the guns to what you like and what fits you.
Take a couple lessons from a skeet instructor to refine your abilities after you get a gun.
 
If you dont mind a road trip, Mid South Guns in Wagram NC has more shotguns than I have ever seen in one place. New and a LOT of used.
 
Some people say "skeet" to refer to all of the clay shooting shotgun sports or even to informal clay target shooting with a handheld thrower.

I am going to assume that you are looking to get into shooting on a skeet course which consists of two machines, one in a high house and one in a low house. Skeet targets are engaged at relative short range so a more open choke is needed.

You will have "doubles", two targets thrown simultaneously, so you need a double barrel or a repeater. A pump is the least expensive repeater. It takes some practice to be able to cycle a pump to hit doubles but it can be done. Next up on the price/quality scale is a semiauto. Lots of good new and used guns around.
 
Okay, okay, I've seen enough. If you want to shoot some of my guns let's plan to meet at RCWA one day and I'll bring a few. I have O/U's, semi autos and pumps in all of the gauges., pick your poison. PM me and let me know when....
 
For an O/U in that price range I'd take a hard look at the Savage 555 or CZ and semi check out the Tristar Viper G2. I am extremely hard on my equipment and that Viper that I take duck hunting has really impressed me. The only thing I don't really like about it is loading shells can pinch your thumb. I've dropped that gun in the river and marsh multiple times and I just pick it up and keep shooting the rest of the day. If I can't break it I doubt you could.
 
NJSC said:
For an O/U in that price range I'd take a hard look at the Savage 555 or CZ and semi check out the Tristar Viper G2. I am extremely hard on my equipment and that Viper that I take duck hunting has really impressed me. The only thing I don't really like about it is loading shells can pinch your thumb. I've dropped that gun in the river and marsh multiple times and I just pick it up and keep shooting the rest of the day. If I can't break it I doubt you could.
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Cool thanks
 
Bailey Boat said:
Okay, okay, I've seen enough. If you want to shoot some of my guns let's plan to meet at RCWA one day and I'll bring a few. I have O/U's, semi autos and pumps in all of the gauges., pick your poison. PM me and let me know when....
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Seriously take up Bailey Boat's offer. The more and different type of guns you handle AND shoot, the better idea you will have with what direction to go in when looking for shotgun. If you plan on shooting skeet on fairly regular basis, you will find that the gun will be the cheapest expense and going "cheap" on the gun itself is not the ideal way to go. Yes, budget guns can and do function well as intended but if you plan on moderately to high shooting volume, stretch you budget and get a quality gun. Pay once cry once. Clays and ammo will be the expensive part. It costs me $35 each time I shoot 4 rds of skeet at my club (ammo/clays) and I shoot sometimes 2-3x a month so it can add up pretty quickly. If you go the O/U route, look for a used Browning Citori or a Beretta Silver Pigeon. For semi's (I would suggest looking at gas systems over inertia), look for used Beretta 390 series or A400. Remi 1187 is also a good choice.

The gun I shoot is a Browning Crossover Target w/ 30" barrels (currently known as a CXS on Browning's website). It is an absolute clay crusher both on the skeet and sporting clays courses when using proper chokes. I have even used it pheasant hunting, though not ideal due to it's weight, it still folded up them big birds with ease. Good luck in your search!!
 
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