Sporting clays gun

[alexfitch225]

I'm fairly new to the clay shooting world, what are things I should look into for that purpose? Last year I ran a mossberg 500 with a 18 inch barrel and that gun certainly showed my skill level. I was looking at another 500 but this one has a 26in barrel, also looked at a 870 and a winchester sxp the sxps action was insanely long but overall it seemed nice. Just need some insight thank you all!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[bigwheelzip]

A 28" barrel for your 500 can be had for a bit under $200, though you might want to get a proper semi or OU. Great fun whatever you choose.

 

[alexfitch225]

A 28" barrel for your 500 can be had for a bit under $200, though you might want to get a proper semi or OU. Great fun whatever you choose.

I've heard semis tend to have issues with clay loads. Is that true? I've never fired a semi 12 gauge.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[bigwheelzip]

I've heard semis tend to have issues with clay loads. Is that true? I've never fired a semi 12 gauge.

I'm a rank armature, but the few people I know that use them, have no problems.

I've read of some unique designs that didn't feed certain shells reliably, but that seems the exception.

There are far more experienced shooters floating around the forum that will chime in.

 

[alexfitch225]

I'm a rank armature, but the few people I know that use them, have no problems.

I've read of some unique designs that didn't feed certain shells reliably, but that seems the exception.

There are far more experienced shooters floating around the forum that will chime in.

Good deal. Thanks again!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[arjay]

I found that a longer and heavier gun really helped with follow through and not stopping my swing.I finally settled on a 30" over under,even for skeet.

 

[pawngal]

A Remington 1100 is a popular choice around here.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

There are many choices and none of the good choices are cheap. You need to try (rent) some and see what "fits" you. After much research and trial and error, looking for a well rounded OU, I ended up with a 12 gage Beretta Silver Pigeon which is a sweet sporting clay, skeet and hunting gun. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[tops]

If you want to get kind of serious about sporting clays get a Browning or Beretta O/U 12 ga. with 32 in barrels. If you want to shoot and have some fun once in awhile any gun or gauge will do. Larry

 

[Nevada Ed]

One thing nice about a O/U is that you can have two different
size chokes, which some shooters like to up their pattern on
birds at different yardages.

On the other hand any pump or auto that fits you................
will do the job also.

A Modified lead choke will generally cover most courses.......
you will have to decide on pellet size and drams used.

Good shooting.

 

[alexfitch225]

One thing nice about a O/U is that you can have two different
size chokes, which some shooters like to up their pattern on
birds at different yardages.

On the other hand any pump or auto that fits you................
will do the job also.

A Modified lead choke will generally cover most courses.......
you will have to decide on pellet size and drams used.

Good shooting.

What loads do you normally go for? I'm leaning towards either a semi auto or a pump (since the gun will be used for 3 gun) last year I used some federal clay loads with the mossberg i did decent with it up until 3 clays went up after 2 went up and I didn't have enough ammo loaded up for the last 2. Loaded the 2 shells as quickly as I could and swing and a miss both shots.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[chief38]

I shoot sporting Clays only a few times a year and so I just use my 1957 vintage Browning Superposed hunting gun. It has 26" barrels, Imp Cyl. and Mod. Cyl. chokes, and I have shot it so long know it feels like an extension of my arms.

While this may NOT be the ideal Sporting Clays gun configuration, it is what I am used to and what I am comfortable with. I suppose if I were to get into Clays more seriously, I'd buy a dedicated shotgun, but for me my good old Pheasant gun works perfectly. I actually shoot it quite well on the Orvis Sporting Clays Course.

I have never counted, but would estimate that my Superposed has had well over 15,000 rounds through it - maybe more.......... NEVER a hic-cup!!

 

[wilkoi]

Beretta Silver Pigeon, 12GA, 30 inch. Not cheap but once you are bitten by the Sport Clay bug the only cure is to keep shooting.

Think the 3 B's. Browning, Beretta, Benelli. All great guns. But whatever you can afford, works.

 

[dkals]

#1 most important, what is your price range?

#2 you also want to shoot 3 gun so that rules out over and under shotguns.

I've never shot sporting clays where 3 targets fly after a pair of targets. You shoot sporting clays in pairs. Report pair or true pair. You may shoot 2 or 3 pairs at a station but you always reload between calling the next pair. With any semi auto or pump you can pull your plug and get in 4 or 5 rounds if need be.

If you want a shotgun for sporting clays and 3 gun look at the Beretta's X line. Xcel, Xplor or Xtreme. Just add a light modified choke, they come with modified, improved cylinder and full chokes. Use the light modified for sporting clays, use the improved cylinder for 5 stand or skeet, use the modified for trap and use the full choke for 3 gun.

Also with the Beretta you can buy extended magazine tubes which you can use for 3 gun or even snow goose hunting.

Briley MFG - Briley Beretta Magazine Extensions

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BhNGTv9APk[/ame]

 

[alexfitch225]

#1 most important, what is your price range?

#2 you also want to shoot 3 gun so that rules out over and under shotguns.

I've never shot sporting clays where 3 targets fly after a pair of targets. You shoot sporting clays in pairs. Report pair or true pair. You may shoot 2 or 3 pairs at a station but you always reload between calling the next pair. With any semi auto or pump you can pull your plug and get in 4 or 5 rounds if need be.

If you want a shotgun for sporting clays and 3 gun look at the Beretta's X line. Xcel, Xplor or Xtreme. Just add a light modified choke, they come with modified, improved cylinder and full chokes. Use the light modified for sporting clays, use the improved cylinder for 5 stand or skeet, use the modified for trap and use the full choke for 3 gun.

Also with the Beretta you can buy extended magazine tubes which you can use for 3 gun or even snow goose hunting.

Briley MFG - Briley Beretta Magazine Extensions

Briley Magazine Tube Extension - YouTube

I was just looking at a mossberg 930 seemed pretty good for the price has a 10 round capacity so it should be decent for 3 gun. Any compelling thoughts on that particular one?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Gamecock]

If you aren't going to reload, a gas operated gun, like the above mentioned Remington 1100, is a good choice for it's significantly reduced felt recoil.

If you are going to reload, I'd recommend an O/U double, such as the Browning 725.

 

[tops]

What loads do you normally go for? I'm leaning towards either a semi auto or a pump (since the gun will be used for 3 gun) last year I used some federal clay loads with the mossberg i did decent with it up until 3 clays went up after 2 went up and I didn't have enough ammo loaded up for the last 2. Loaded the 2 shells as quickly as I could and swing and a miss both shots.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

In Sporting Clays you are only allowed 2 shells in your gun. No shot larger than 7 1/2. In 12 ga. the max. shot charge is 1 1/8 oz. Larry

 

[alexfitch225]

If you aren't going to reload, a gas operated gun, like the above mentioned Remington 1100, is a good choice for it's significantly reduced felt recoil.

If you are going to reload, I'd recommend an O/U double, such as the Browning 725.

Can't run a ou with 3 gun. As much as I'd like to it just isn't in the cards.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[H Richard]

If you are serious about Sporting clay's, a O/U is the only way to go. Often shots will be combination near and far making both a IC choke and a Mod or Full choke the best option. With a single barrel, a Mod choke would be the compromise, but lessen your chances of making all your hits. When I retired, I was shooting Sporting Clays about once a week, 100 rounds. I really appreciated the Browning Citori Special Sporting Clays model I bought. For a couple years I also shot it in the summer Trap league, but a BT99+ makes that sport a lot better also. The Citroi Sporting Clays does make a good skeet gun also.

 

[dkals]

I was just looking at a mossberg 930 seemed pretty good for the price has a 10 round capacity so it should be decent for 3 gun. Any compelling thoughts on that particular one?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

The only experience I have with Mossberg is a shooting buddy has an over and under that has had firing pin problems several times. I know nothing of their semi autos. Google Mossberg complaints to get an idea. If you're price conscious I'd look for a used 1100 before going Mossberg. Just my 2 cents. Remington has built millions of them and they last. Easy to get parts for an 1100 if needed and you can get an extended tube for 3 gun.

Remington 870/1100/11-87 Magazine Extension, 10 Rds : REMINGTON 870/1100/11-87 SHOTGUN MAGAZINE EXTENSION TUBES | Brownells

Randy likes the 930 line and he is not an easy reviewer.

Review: Mossberg 930 12 Gauge Autoloader "A Big Surprise"

Gun Review: Mossberg Model 930 'Tactical' Autoloading Shotgun - The Truth About Guns

Mossberg 930 Autoloader | Mossberg Owners