EEH Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 HI guys I am think about shooting clays have never done it ,,what kind of shootgun would be sutable ((without breaking the bank))) I think o-u any suggestions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scribble Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) I have used a Browning citori and it was a great gun a little pricey but not too bad. I have tried several verona's, beretta's, Stoegers, franchi's they all are good guns to start with. I would lean more towards the verona or Beretta as they are good for the price. What price range would help greatly. Edited July 3, 2008 by cooter79 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Beretta 682 is my choice for O/U and Beretta 391 in autoloader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uscbigdawg Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I was dead set to get a Browning in '03 and then the price spike went through the roof. I still like the Citori Sporting Clays from around then (don't know the equivalent model now) but am looking at a "cheaper" gun as a starter. The ones from Escort look and feel good (surprisingly). Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Beretta 682 is my choice for O/U and Beretta 391 in autoloader. What he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Robinson Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Find a good used Citori. Beretta is a good gun but if you were to break something, Browning parts are far easier to get. Brownells carries just about everything for a Citori and nothing for the 6xx series Beretta. If you think you'll really get into Sporting Clays, go ahead and look for a sporting clay model like a 425 or 525 sporting. The older Citori Special Sporting is also a great gunand can be found used sometimes for under a grand. jacquas.com is a great place to search used sporting guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Find a good used Citori. Beretta is a good gun but if you were to break something, Browning parts are far easier to get. Brownells carries just about everything for a Citori and nothing for the 6xx series Beretta. If you think you'll really get into Sporting Clays, go ahead and look for a sporting clay model like a 425 or 525 sporting. The older Citori Special Sporting is also a great gunand can be found used sometimes for under a grand. jacquas.com is a great place to search used sporting guns. YMMV, but I have over 80k rounds thru my 682 and nothing has broken or gone wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidwiz Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 The Beretta O/U and semi-autos are good. I found a used Browning 325 that I like very much. You can probably find a good deal on a used Browning 425 or 525 too. Once you find a gun that you like, it might be a good idea to get the stock fitted, if you are going to be shooting SC a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Hate to disagree and start a Browning vs. Beretta debate, but if you need to get one of the two fixed, I can guarantee that it will be easier, faster, and very possibly cheaper to repair the Beretta. There simply aren't than many shops that service Brownings - even though it's far and away the most popular O/U on the market. It's one of the main reasons my "game" gun was *not* a Browning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Browning V Bereta and repair. ? humm the Browning is hard to reapair and the cost of repair did not make it a dollar wise thing to get in to for a repair shop. The gun smith would starv to death waiting to repair one. My Browning has over 300 events on it with no repair other than what I can do to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holliday89 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I use a Valmet 412st. Now known as Tikka 512s. I looked at browning & bereta but didnt like the feel, length, weight. This is all personal feel. Thankfully i shoot with friends that have all that have been mentioned so far. The one i did the best with from the start & felt the best (for me) was the Valmet. Nothing wrong with the Br or Be just didnt "feel" right to me. If your gonna go trap shooting, make some friends and see if they will let you try what they are shooting for one round. Use your ammo and i dont think thay will say no. Good luck. PS word on ammo. I went to the local walmart tuesday and they were selling a box of 25 for 5.99 or 100 for 21.88. The cheapest I have found lately. Like always buy it now, cuz the price or stock wont last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 You can't go wrong with the advice above. Beretta or Browning if you want to stay in the cheaper price range. If you look real hard you should find a great used one in the $950-1400 range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishlad Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Define, "without breaking the bank". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Ellis Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I have taken the path less traveled. When I started the clays games, my first 1,000 birds was with a Rem 870. An 870 works well for most everything but busting clay frisbees isn't one of them. The pump action isn't suitable for any game that has doubles. In addition the gun will beat you up and will take its toll in dropped birds due to shooter fatigue. Been working with a Beretta 391 for the last 7,500 birds and haven't found a reason to change. I'm the only guy with an autoloader on the trap field but I don't care. It fits. It works. For trap I fit a T&S shell catcher to prevent the ejected hulls from flying over to the next competitor. Bad form and against the rules. For the other games I just pop it off. For me, a properly fitted auto-stuffer works just fine. I'd like an OU for the cool factor but I really don't believe that I'll break more birds with one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 We have a couple of fantastic sporting clay ranges around here. I don't compete, but I do enjoy a sunday's 'golf' match as often as feasible. I shoot a Beretta 390 that I got for a song. Look at the WalMart version as well. Not as fancy as the 'full' model, but nearly every bit the same gun. The equipment race in clays almost seems worse the USPSA. These guys show up FULLY geared up to play with their golf carts/ side by sides and seriously expensive trucks. The $3000 gun is cheap compared to the support equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEH Posted July 6, 2008 Author Share Posted July 6, 2008 Think I will look for used Browning go to range and find one of the guys to let me shoot one to try thanks guys.Eddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PINMAN44 Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Browning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS_A18138 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Blaser F3 sporting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpcdvc Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 IMHO, go somewhere that has a bunch of the brands mentioned and see what fits you the best. That is the most important thing when it comes to a shotgun. How does it come up when you shoulder it? Does it line up with your line of sight when you shoulder it with your eyes closed and then open them after it is shouldered? That being said you can fit a shotgun somewhat to the shooter but you need a smith that is a true shotgunner and understands what you need and how to give it to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangram Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 (edited) "Without breaking the bank." you asked. A Beretta 391 dressed to break the kind of clays you are interested in. If you say I want to shoot/try everything get a sporting version. I own and shoot a 391 and 682 Gold E. That said Blazer, Caesar Guerini, and many others make fine firearms. Someone talked about fit and feel. I agree it is important. Another part of me says I may have a gun that feels great, but that is not the same as the gun that will help me break the most targets. Not know what will break the bank? It is vociferously argued there no low priced O/Us worth buying for competition. Of course there are my cheap gun is just as good as your ego inflating trinket proponents who will contest the field. Oh yes just pretend the 391 has two barrels, if you squint just right and use the correct tinted shooting glasses.... Edited July 14, 2008 by Tangram Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhe888 Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 The least expensive gun that will be good in Sporting is the Beretta 391. An 1100 is a good gun, but less reliable than the Beretta and more prone to breakage. But you can get a nice Browning or Beretta O/U used for somewhere around $1100. Other makers make nice O/Us, but Beretta and Browning rule that roost, and will be more saleable later if you choose something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kframe_mike Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 You wouldn't be going wrong with a SKB either.I've got an older 500 in 20 that I absolutely love.I was working on getting a used 505 in 12 this weekend,but didn't want to take the hit on the Benelli M1 I was trying to trade.This shop has several new 500 series guns in 12 and 20,and they have them priced right.Basically,you get Browning or beretta quality for a bit less money.BTW,I really love SKB O/Us.-Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Bond Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Heed the advice of the guy who told you to try some out. Most guys are delighted to have you try their gun and it is as noted above far more important that the gun to fit you well and point the way you desire than it is for it to bear a brand name. The advantage to an o/u is that you have two chokes in play. The disadvantage is chokes are expensive and you should have two of each. An o/u points and swings better for some but if you have shot an auto or a pump you might have a different experience. Of course a decent auto gun costs less unless you go with one of the o/u models from Turkey or eastern europe which are not as expensive as Browning or Beretta. I have not seen one of these imports break yet. These cheaper o/u models might work well for you to get started and if they do not last forever, you only invested about $400.00. If you want something nicer, in addition to the Browning or Beretta, there is the CZ. IMO they are just as high in quality and for less money, you will get an incredible piece of wood on it. I would also tell you that I see plenty of guys shooting their hunting guns including a good many Benelii shotguns. The important thing is that you enjoy what you are doing and this extends to accessories as well. Heck, I see guys show up with guns that look like they fell off the truck at least 3x but they have a freshly waxed late model golf cart to tote it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I have been in the high grade shotgun business for appx 25 years, Perazzi, Krieghoff, Kolar, Seitz etc. The best bang for the buck in an O/U is the Beretta 682 series. They can stand the abuse from competitive sporting clays with no problem. The barrrel shoulders can be replaced at the kitcken table as can the hammer springs and ejector springs. If you have a major problem(very rare) Coles Gunsmithing can fix it. They also offer rebuilding, restocking and refinishing services. Unfortunately there are very few places that do factory warranty work or repair on Brownings. Check pricing with Joel Etchen's Guns on Browning and Beretta boht new and used to get a good idea of the market pricing. They are also the largest Beretta Target Gun Dealer in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishlad Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 There simply aren't than many shops that service Brownings - even though it's far and away the most popular O/U on the market. Unfortunately there are very few places that do factory warranty work or repair on Brownings. That's because they don't break often. But, if they do, Art's Gun shop and Midwest gunworks have good reputations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now