Howdy,

I had an opportunity to shoot sporting clays for the first time recently, and handled a Berreta well, but was wondering what ya'll would recommend in the sub $2000 dollar range.

The nearest range to me is about a 30 min drive, so i reckon i won't be going all the time, but i'd be interested and receptive to any reccomendations you have in a semi-automatic sporting clay gun, under $2k.

I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity and found out I can easily navigate the expert courses...it's a great sport!

Thank you for the opportunity and kind consideration.

-TH

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Rather be outdoors

You should be able to pick up a Beretta 390 or 391 automatic for less than $2k easily. I've shots lot of Sporting Clays with a variety of shotguns, and I prefer the feel of the Berettas too. The MOST important thing about a shotgun is how it fits you. Try everything before you buy.

In my opinion you cannot go wrong with a Beretta A-400 XCEL Sporting with the Kick-off system. I have put my O/U's away and shoot this for all clay sports.

It has a very light recoil and functions flawlessly. I bought mine used but 95% for 1400.00 including an extra set of Briley chokes.

Before 200 rounds was a little hard on the shoulder, now with the A-400 200 is a breeze. Also I have had zero malfunctions in 8K plus rounds. I do clean it after every session.

The only thing I would like different is a dark receiver so I would feel more confident in the dove field. Right now I shoot a SBE for all my bird hunting.

I would go to the local SC range and see if someone will let you shoot some of their auto shotguns.

Best of luck in finding what you want. K.

I bought a Browning XS Skeet for $1,650.00 with 30 inch barrels. I guess I prefer O/U guns, don't have to chase down hulls, if you reload. My son has an Extrema2, 28 inch barrel which he loves. Saw a Post on Trapshooters.com about Beretta 400 that had about 40,000 rounds through it before cleaning.

I have my dads Model 12 made in 1922, a year before he was born. Mod. choke, he's gone since '83. I'll never forget the first time I beat him at the local trap club. Maybe '63.

I've owned a bunch of high-end Trap/Sporting guns.

Still like that Winchester for breaking clay and birds.

If you can find a used Browning XS for under 2k buy it, though I have never had such luck. If you are just getting into the game, I would go with a Nikko O/U in 12Ga 30", nothing fancy but it is a 1980's Winchester 101 w/o the Winchester name. The field grade guns top out at about $1,500 and hold their value. I also have several folks I shoot with who swear by the Rem. 11-87 sporting clays or trap guns. They tend to top out just below 1k, and appear to break clays well in the right hands. Just remember the skeet is a danger to us all and must be stopped at all costs, I shoot as many as I can...

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always trust your cape...

I picked up a great Browning XS Special with 32" barrels. I use it for clays, skeet, and 5-stand. You should be able to find an XS Special (skeet, clays) for under $2k. Mine came in at $1,700, used, and it had a $700 stock refinish done to it; and it was a year-old gun.

I shot sporting clays with a Benelli M2, 28" bbl pretty regularly for three years. I chose a Benelli due to it's inertia recoil, dependability and ease to clean. I figured if I was going to buy a new shotgun (actually the only new shotgun I've ever bought in my life!), it had to double as a hunting/camping/home defense piece of equipment as well as a competition shotgun. Not only that, but it's available with a left hand action. I have shot well over a 1,000 rounds between cleaning without any misfeeds, camped with it on the ground beside me and carried it in the woods and in sporting clays events in the rain. It was absolutely the best choice for me, given my intended uses. I like it... I like it a lot! Oh yea, it usually sells from around $1,000, mas o menos.

Hog

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

If I were to use an auto loader,,I'd just pick up a suitable 1100 or 11-87. You don't need anything fancy,,you just need to be able to shoot well.

They are soft recoiling so a days worth of rounds won't pound you into the ground. You can enjoy the sport.
I never quite understood the need for a special gun for sporting clays when the sport throws clay targets that simulate hunting situations.
But then I just go for the fun of it. They do look at my Marlin pump gun kinda funny like.

Buying a 3K gun won't be worth much if it doesn't fit you. I would go to various LGS and find one to your liking.

I have a Benelli SuperSport that I use for sporting clays. It is much cleaner to shoot than any gas-operated autoloader and more reliable than the 1100's. It is a soft shooter with inertia recoil, carbon fiber ComforTech stock and ported barrel. The stock comes with shims to adjust for cast and drop, to help fit you better. You can also get interchangeable recoil pads for a different length of pull. It is also fairly light to carry and comes with 5 extended choke tubes. I have been shooting clays and trap for 40 years and this Benelli is definitely one of my favorites.

Thank you for sharing your opinions on this, so far. Admittedly, I am a complete newbie to this sport. But, I have great enthusiasm.

I'll thoroughly research each post and report back.

Kind regards--

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Rather be outdoors

[QUOTE=TheHobbyist;136493474]Howdy,

I had an opportunity to shoot sporting clays for the first time recently, and handled a Berreta well, but was wondering what ya'll would recommend in the sub $2000 dollar range.

The nearest range to me is about a 30 min drive, so i reckon i won't be going all the time, but i'd be interested and receptive to any reccomendations you have in a semi-automatic sporting clay gun, under $2k.

I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity and found out I can easily navigate the expert courses...it's a great sport!

Thank you for the opportunity and kind consideration.

Go to the range and tell the guys what you are looking for. Post what you want and someone will sell you a good shotgun, they will be looking for another.

Works for me.
Guy22

[QUOTE=TheHobbyist;136493474]Howdy,

I had an opportunity to shoot sporting clays for the first time recently, and handled a Berreta well, but was wondering what ya'll would recommend in the sub $2000 dollar range.

The nearest range to me is about a 30 min drive, so i reckon i won't be going all the time, but i'd be interested and receptive to any reccomendations you have in a semi-automatic sporting clay gun, under $2k.

For price try a BROWNING GOLD EVOLVE, or a REMINGTON 1100 COMPETITION. Well under $2k, and used sometimes under $1k.

When I shot sporting clays in Ohio back in the early 90's. Most of the "Big Gunners" were shooting long barrel O/U.
They looked down on Auto's. What you need a third shot?
LOL

Guy22

I love shooting clays, skeet and trap. My ultimate favorite shotgun would be a Browning 325 without porting. I could use it for all three games and for bird hunting

A 30" blued barrel with Invecter chokes, with a well fitted, nicely grained stock and a plated receiver. Live could only be so good.

There can be only one....

Winchester Super X1

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I used to shoot a Beretta 390 and 391. Great guns cant kill them. Ive seen alott of Benellis break.The Super X1 is Awsome. I shot Trap with a BT99 and was my preferrd gun. These guys at the trap club will let you try theres.

Last year I found a Browning Special Edition Sporting Clays LNIB with 2 extra extended chokes for $1200.00 With an o/u you have 2 chokes and You do not have to bend over to pick up hulls.

A person whose screen name is Perazzi is recommending a Winchester? There's got to be a story on this one.

The most important thing is to have a shotgun that fits you. Secondly, buy a shotgun that is durable and reliable. There are plenty of good guns out there.

First determine what fits you well. If it doesn't fit... you won't hit.
Close your eyes and mount the gun, then open your eyes and look at the beads. Are they stacked like a snowman? Good. If the semi comes with shims that is good, but pick one that is fairly close to begin with. Make sure any O/U fits, though. If the fit is way off and you can only see the back of the receiver or way too much rib...move on. Do you like the weight distribution?

You have received some excellent recommendations already:
Benelli Supersport (like DanceTiger this is my primary SC gun)
Winchester SX1 (this is the older model)
Browning O/U's (used)
Beretta 390, 391, 400
Beretta O/U's (used)

Good luck in your quest. I love shooting sporting clays! It really is a lot of fun.

If you can find a Perazzi O/U under $2k...buy it.

When I retired and could start shooting more, I bought the Browning Citori Special Sporting Clays. Had a Kick Eze pad put on and am still using it. Used it for trap as well for a few years until I bought a BT99+ last year. Still use the Citori for skeet and sporting clays. It fits like a well worn boot, just right, which is the key to any shotgunning.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Well, For a different clay sport!!

I actually use a '63 Browning Superposed 32" Broadway for 5-stand.. love the old guns.

Trap, it's a P'gun, MX-15 and for doubles an MX-3 special.

At 63, I don't bend over as well as I used too lol

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Is that a custom SX1? Can you tell us what has been done to it? I have a few SX1s myself and am beginning to think about some custom work.

It's a late Bob Baumgart gun.

He satin chromed the receiver and did the internal upgrades, chrome mag tube etc.

He converted the stage 1 trigger to a stage 3 utilizing the newer gold plated trigger from, I believe, the DU guns.

It has thinwall choke tubes by Carleson.

And, The late Bill Mains engraved the grip gap detail for me.

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I have a Beretta A400 xcel with 30" barrel and kick off. It's tough to beat in a semi and under your $2k limit.

In o/u, I see that Ruger has reintroduced the Red Label with some improvements 26", 28" and 30" at $1400 retail with a molded soft case.
That seems like a good deal if you can find one yet.

In a single shot, the Browning BT99 is a fine gun and can be had around $1250 with a "regular" stock. I think the adjustable add about 100 bucks.

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