[jumpdog789]

I am wanting to join a skeet/sporting clay club in my home town. I am looking for a gun that will work well for this, and will not require me to sell my first born to purchase it. I have been told that the Remington 1100 or 1187 should be ok. I have balso been told that o/u guns are better because they are heavier. Can anyone enlighten me as to what I need to be looking for?

[Greyhawk50]

Quote:       Originally Posted by jumpdog789

I am wanting to join a skeet/sporting clay club in my home town. I am looking for a gun that will work well for this, and will not require me to sell my first born to purchase it. I have been told that the Remington 1100 or 1187 should be ok. I have also been told that o/u guns are better because they are heavier. Can anyone enlighten me as to what I need to be looking for?

I'll throw out my 2 cents.
First off, I recommend a quality gun built to last. Shooting Skeet/Sporting Clays will wear out the average hunting gun in just a few years.
Next; the fit is more important than the brand name of a quality gun. Place the butt pad in the crook of your elbow with your arm bent, bend your trigger finger about 1/2, insert the bent finger in the trigger guard and if it falls just in front of the trigger, the stock is about the right length. This is crude but it works most of the time.
Next;Shoulder the gun with your eyes closed. Open your eyes and if you're sight pattern looks good, it has about the right drop. Again, This is crude but it works most of the time.
Next; If you will be saving your casings for reloading, I recommend an O/U. Some Ranges wont let you pick up the empty hulls.
Next; 1100 vs 11-87. The 1100 has had problems with breaking when using "hotter" loads. They will shoot forever with standard loads. The 11-87 was redesigned to correct this problem.

I shot Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays for several years and had good success with Browning, Beretta and Remington.
Most important is a durable gun that fits you. Just avoid the less expensive field guns.
I hope this helps.

[9mmXDm]

As someone who does sporting clay's, not on a regular basis but for fun when I can...

I use a Benelli Nova .20. Great pump action shotgun and price isn't bad either. I think they are going for under $400 now.

I think what it all comes down to is what is your budget like? How much can you and are willing to spend on a gun?

Personally right now I am very interested in the Benelli semi autos but at $1299 or so I cannot afford one currently, but this gun is very light weight. I mean its lighter then my Benelli Nova pump action. And as people may or may not know semi autos usually weigh a lot. I was amazed at how light weight the Benelli semi auto was that I picked up and held at Gander Mountian.

[Bailey Boat]

Buy the most expensive O/U you can afford of the major brands. The more adjustments (LOP, POI and comb) the better. Have someone knowledgeable help fit it to you and learn how to shoot it. IF you later decide that the games aren't for you, you'll stand a better chance of getting your money back out of the gun......

[joestratton1]

I wanted to start shooting skeet also, I found a Ted Williams 12gauge (winchester 1300) on gunbroker for $200.00. Its not as nice as some of $2000.00 and up guns I see at the range, but its been super reliable and gave me a chance to try and learn without a major investment.

[nathangdad]

the first thing for you to do is to "try out" some different guns to find what fits you best.

However, note this is not for those wanting an inexpensive gun. So, get ready to part with some serious cash to get into and enjoy these sports.

On the flip side, there are a lot of people who truly enjoy these sports and make some great friends.

[G. Green]

Quote:       Originally Posted by nathangdad

the first thing for you to do is to "try out" some different guns to find what fits you best. However, note this is not for those wanting an inexpensive gun. So, get ready to part with some serious cash to get into and enjoy these sports. On the flip side, there are a lot of people who truly enjoy these sports and make some great friends.

Fit IS a big deal. Some of the most expensive OUs have reps for not fitting out of box so don't be shy about getting your gun cut.

[Paper]

Quote:       Originally Posted by G. Green

Fit IS a big deal. Some of the most expensive OUs have reps for not fitting out of box so don't be shy about getting your gun cut.

Fit fit fit!!!

But, also remember that a gun that fits you also requires the person pulling the trigger to pull it at the right time and have the gun pointed in the right place..

I have an old $100 11-48 Remington in 20 gauge with an Improved choke that I've seriously embarrased fellow shooters with $2500 Over/Under 12 gauges and 2 full sets of chokes..

I shoot trap with a old High Standard 28 gauge pump and I crush birds with it at 16 yards, again with an IMP choke..

And, I remember the day I bought a beautiful Browning BT99 trap single with a 34" barrel and managed to MISS 24 out of 25 birds..

So, find a gun that fits, and practice, practice, practice!! Part of the fun of shotgun sports is the practice!! And remember that it's not the gun, but the person pulling the trigger knowing where that gun tosses the shot.

[Dookiebutt]

Shoot what fits you best and practice often. That Silver Pigeon might as well be a fence post if it fits you poorly and you never practice.

I used to regularly shame the guys at the range with a 1965 Model 37 Featherlight. They called it the "farmer gun". It humbled many $2500 guns.

I usually shot a Browning Special Edition Sporting Clays. That was not a gun you could or would hunt with. I ended up buying a relatively inexpensive O/U from a pawn shop the I would also take to the range which also spent many hours in duck boats. The practice at the range made me a pretty effective water-fowler.