Aircooled6racer Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Hello: I was wondering what the best shotgun for shooting 5-stand, Trap, Skeet and Sporting clays for fun? I had alot of fun at 5-stand with my Versa Max Tactical but was wondering what would be better for under $1500? Just thought I could gain some great info from all you people. New or used does not matter to me as long it is reliable and well made. Let me know. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 If you can find a nice Beretta 303 grab it. This model was one of the best autoloaders made for SC. The 391s are also nice but the 303 has a much smoother action.I shoot a Custom Grade Kolar O/U but have 4 Beretta 303s that I will not part with. I shoot them in the rain or if I am really tired on Sunday afternoon on the last 100 targets of a 400 target match. I also shoot them for FITASC events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjstubbl Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Remington 3200 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranger Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 I bought a Browning 325 European 32" 12 gauge for less than $1500. My suggestion would be to check around the clays clubs and sites with the goal of getting the best USED shotgun for $1500. Many competitive clays shooters are looking for the magic shotgun and regularly buy/sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishlad Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 At $1500 or less...IMHO: Autoloaders- Beretta 390/391 series(not familiar with the new ones) with chokes tubes. Probably 30" bbls Remington 1100- many options- same as above. O/U- Browning 325/425 series sporting clays models...probably 30" barrels, but maybe 32". The "American" versions have porting, over-bored barrels which are heavier compared to the 'European' models which are hard to find. Beretta 680 series-686 more than likely, maybe a 682 series used. 30" or 32" barrels. Older 682's are much heavier than the newer ones....hence the 30 or 32 barrels. Those options(sporting/skeet) will handle most of the sports very well. Trap "okay". But, all the above are well known, proven, parts, service and options available and have "re-sale" value. At that price-point, I'd avoid other discontinued or 'off-brands'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 Hello: I really appreciate the info and have been asking around here a little bit. I have some of the guns that are listed and still not sure about O/U or semi for me. My family actually shot today. We shot with a friend who brought some 28ga, 20ga and I brought my new Versa Max Tactical. My 14 year old shot the best(his first time), then my wife and 10 year old son. I won't mention how I shot I will look into the guns listed above to see what looks good and then see what I can find here. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS_A18138 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 A400 sporting or my wife loves the versa max...stay away from O/U unless your willing to pay some money. I watch some of the top sporting shooters in the nation shoot all the time and at least 3 of the top master use old 391's! anthony matarese 2008 Nation NSCA sporting champ-HOA...won it with 391 Tony Rivera and my daughters team mate- 2006 Nation NSCA sporting champ-HOA...won it with 391 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Eric, I have a 20g O/U you can borrow. It is a sweet swinging gun. I also have an older Browning Superposed 12 O/U. Both are Skeet/Skeet guns. Skeet and Trap are pretty simple. One choke will do; Skeet for Skeet and Full for Trap. When you get into other Clay shooting, O/U dominate because of the flexibility of using two separate chokes at the same time, usually one for the near bird and a tighter one for the far bird. I have an older Beretta 682 Sporting O/U you can use also. I will be a Zia on Saturday but will be shooting skeet this weekend for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranger Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 I shot sporting clays regularly with over-unders and autos for years. I moved to the OU as my primary Clays gun because it did not require as much cleaning, had the ability for two chokes (we had some clubs that liked to throw one close bird and one far bird in a presentation), and was less prone to breakage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 At $1500 or less...IMHO: Autoloaders- Beretta 390/391 series(not familiar with the new ones) with chokes tubes. Probably 30" bbls Remington 1100- many options- same as above. O/U- Browning 325/425 series sporting clays models...probably 30" barrels, but maybe 32". The "American" versions have porting, over-bored barrels which are heavier compared to the 'European' models which are hard to find. Beretta 680 series-686 more than likely, maybe a 682 series used. 30" or 32" barrels. Older 682's are much heavier than the newer ones....hence the 30 or 32 barrels. Those options(sporting/skeet) will handle most of the sports very well. Trap "okay". But, all the above are well known, proven, parts, service and options available and have "re-sale" value. At that price-point, I'd avoid other discontinued or 'off-brands'... +1 He covered all the proven competition shotguns for that price range. Excellent post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nontactical Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 At $1500 or less...IMHO: Autoloaders- Beretta 390/391 series(not familiar with the new ones) with chokes tubes. Probably 30" bbls Remington 1100- many options- same as above. O/U- Browning 325/425 series sporting clays models...probably 30" barrels, but maybe 32". The "American" versions have porting, over-bored barrels which are heavier compared to the 'European' models which are hard to find. Beretta 680 series-686 more than likely, maybe a 682 series used. 30" or 32" barrels. Older 682's are much heavier than the newer ones....hence the 30 or 32 barrels. Those options(sporting/skeet) will handle most of the sports very well. Trap "okay". But, all the above are well known, proven, parts, service and options available and have "re-sale" value. At that price-point, I'd avoid other discontinued or 'off-brands'... +1 He covered all the proven competition shotguns for that price range. Excellent post. Couldn't agree more. Actually, in general the sporting shotgun market is in the gutter, and as a result, you can get a lot of gun for $1500 right now. Search the web and avoid the retailers, as they don't seem to have figured this out just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share Posted December 30, 2012 Hello: I have narrowed it down to a Beretta AL391, Beretta A400 and a 28" barrel for my Versa Max. I have a shoulder that does not like too much recoil (downhill ski racing accident) so semis will be the way to go for me. I am also thinking a complete gun starting with a "B". Anyone have both of these? Which is better? Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjstubbl Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I had a 391 and it was a good gun. I like my sx3 the best now. It is very soft shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share Posted January 1, 2013 Hello: I shot an SX-3 and didn't think much of it. My Versa Max shoots softer to me. Just trying to figure out what barrel length 28" or 30" and which Beretta to get? The AL391 has better looks than the A400 xcel but the A400 has more modern features it seems. I wish I could shoot the A400 to try the KO. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K13 Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Go to your states ATA trap grounds when they have a shoot and there will be vendors there with trailers full of guns . They will let you take them out and shoot them to see if you like them. Look for a gun that has an adjustable comb and butt plate,if the gun fits you it won't beat you up and you will break more targets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 I shot sporting clays regularly with over-unders and autos for years. I moved to the OU as my primary Clays gun because it did not require as much cleaning, had the ability for two chokes (we had some clubs that liked to throw one close bird and one far bird in a presentation), and was less prone to breakage. I went to over-unders for the same reasons. That second choke can take your scores to the next level. The Browning 425 and 525 have served me well. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportdog Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Hello: I have narrowed it down to a Beretta AL391, Beretta A400 and a 28" barrel for my Versa Max. I have a shoulder that does not like too much recoil (downhill ski racing accident) so semis will be the way to go for me. I am also thinking a complete gun starting with a "B". Anyone have both of these? Which is better? Thanks, Eric You are getting great advise on guns. I love and shoot all the B guns myself - avoid the Benelli for high volume clays because the initia system will not soak up recoil on your shoulder like the Beretta and Brownings will. The Beretta 303s are a great addition as mentioned earlier - don't rule out a Browning B-80 if you find one. They are a Beretta 303 made for Browning back in the 80s. Getting hard to find but priced very reasonable and make an excellent all around hunting-clays gun depending on the model/set-up. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exebshootr Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 The kick off of the a400 works amazing, i had the a400 xtreme and it made a HUGE difference in felt recoil. Ive also had an sx3 wich was a great gun too. But you cant go wrong with anything from the A400 line, from 500 years of firearms beretta deffinatly know what shooters want! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted January 2, 2013 Author Share Posted January 2, 2013 Hello: Going to look at the A400's tomorrow. Still trying to decide on a 28" or 30" barrel to play all the games with. Will have to see what they feel like I guess. The KO is a must for me it seems since I am a wuss Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranger Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Both my clays autos are 30" - Beretta 390 Sporting Clays and Browning Gold Sporting Clays. If you are going to shoot Sporting Clays and Trap - I suggest the 30 inch for auto. If Skeet - maybe 28" but I shoot my 30s at Skeet, too. The extra barrel length really helped me on long crossers. My OU is a 32 inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exebshootr Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Personally i ind the 28 is a great barrel length Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 Hello: I tried to look at some A400 yesterday but they can't keep them in stock here. Going to try one other place today if I get time. I think I will go for the 28" barrel, after talking to some good shooters here. They said it would be a better all around gun. The 30" would be better for trap and sporting clays they said. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Eric, Call Los Ranchos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S391 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 (edited) Find a clean, used Beretta 391 Sporting and shoot the daylights out of it. IMHO they are the best value on the planet. Edited February 20, 2013 by S391 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted February 20, 2013 Author Share Posted February 20, 2013 Hello: I guess I should have done an update. I bought a Beretta AL 391 silver side Sport(sons gun). I also bought a Beretta AL391 Tenkys Target model. The best part is that I have just over the $1500 budget for both I have been learning alot about shotgun stuff and can now actually hit something Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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