Histate Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Hi everyone had a question and was hoping to get some suggestions and advice. I was looking at getting a browning o/u to shoot skeet with, ive been looking at the browning xs skeet, theres been a couple of guys that have the xs skeet where I shoot and the shotgun feels nice. Now heres my dilemma ive noticed that browning came out with the new 725 skeet gun, from what I gathered it is an improvement from the previous citori's in feel and design. I haven't had the chance to shoulder one yet so I cant compare the xs and the 725. what do you all feel about the two? should I get the xs skeet im sure I can find one for around $2000 plus or minus couple hundred or should save up a thousand more and go with the 725 skeet? I wish money wasn't a thing but at 2gs the xs is pushing my limit but I might be willing to spend more money if the 725 is a better investment, my thinking is buy once cry once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.E. Kelley Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Unless you plan to ONLY shoot skeet I would lean you toward the 725 Sporting. Sporting guns are built to take on all targets rather than built for one particular game. FWIW, I just picked up a Franchi Instinct Sporting ($1,600) and I am pleased with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histate Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks P.E there's no sporting clays fields where I live, ill shoot trap some times if my friends go to the trap fields, but I primarily only shoot skeet. what is the difference between the 725 skeet and sporting all I can find is the sporting is a little lighter it has an option for a 32" barrel and the forearm is different. would these difference make for a different shooting gun compared to the skeet version? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.E. Kelley Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 If the stock dimensions are the same and you have chokes. Go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 The difference I have notice is the balance of shot; Skeet, 50/50, Sporting Clays 60/40, Trap 90/10. Most of this can be worked around by raising or lowering the comb. I have a Sporting Beretta that I use for Skeet, Sporting Clays, 5 Stand, and rarely Trap. The XS and 725 are both good guns. I shot a Superposed for years. The switch to Beretta was a learning experience which once I had an adjustable comb put on the gun all my issues went away. I just prefer the swing of the Beretta. My friend uses Browning Sporting and rules the 5 stand matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Hello: Find one with an adjustable comb. Other than that pick one that fits you the best. I have learned a lot in the last year or so of shooting skeet, trap and sporting. Skeet still kicks my butt but I still have fun shooting it. I would also consider barrel length also. For an all around the 30" seems to me to be the best. I have a 682E Beretta and an older 682 that my son shoots. The 32" 682E is lighter than the older 28" that my son shoots. Try one of each if you can. I shoot just for fun and enjoy shooting different guns but I have shot skeet the best with an old Krieghoff 28" model 32 and Kolar 28 gauge tubes installed. It is heavy but works for me. You may find an old Browning 525 with tubes for a good price. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Eric, You need to change your location! ha ha. You're in the deep south now. Lots of clay shooting down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histate Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Thanks for your guys suggestions. I'm definitely gonna want an adj. comb. Even though i havent heard of anything bad about the 725 i wish I could try to shoulder them to see and compair if the fit and feel would be good for me but none of the gun shops where I live have any of these o/u. So it makes the choice of which one to choose sporting or skeet feel like a blind one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Go to Shotgun World to read the reviews/opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranger Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Do not rule out older OUs. I shoot a Browning 325 32" European for all the games. No telling how many rounds through it as I bought it well used 10 years ago and put many shells through myself. I sent it off to a Browning OU specialist and had the springs replaced once other than that - no maintenance except cleaning. Think carefully about barrel length - many old skeet guns were 26 or 28 - I prefer 30 or 32 but each his own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicMP Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Browning has the Crossover Target that will be available soon. I'd give that a real hard look, it has allot of similar characteristics of many of the good ones. If I can sell my Loki I may pick one of those up. I have a 30" desert tan Cynergy on order that I'm sure I will piss off the traditionalist at the local club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histate Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) thanks everyone for all the suggestions I haven't ruled out the older clitoris. I shot a club members 32" 425 this past weekend i believe it was a golden clays with adj. comb and the SG was very well balanced. first time shooting it I busted 22 out of 25. its now got me rethinking about the weight and length of the SG. It felt real nice and seemed to make the swing and follow though easier. ive noticed that the 725 are close to a pound lighter than the 4-625 series in the same barrel length im wondering if this will make a big difference Edited June 17, 2014 by Histate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddKS Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Do not buy a shotgun you have not tried. Fit and feel on a shotgun is a personal thing. The gun either shoots where you naturally look and point or it does not. The swing either feels right or it does not. I agree that the adjustable comb is nice. I have one myself. That said you can end up way down the rabbit hole trying to "make it work". I have several stamps on my passport from that journey. I have a Browning XS skeet that I use for skeet. I have not shot sporting clays in a couple years but when I shot seriously I used my XS skeet for registered sporting clays with no problems. If you have shot and been successful with the XS Skeet I would not go away from that choice because you think it might not work for clays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) Don't worry about weight on a target shotgun you are not going to be carrying it like a hunting gun. You will appreciate the extra weight after shooting a couple of hundred targets. Less felt recoil. Make sure you like the balance of the gun the weight should not even be noticeable when you mount the gun properly. My 2 Kolar o/u and my Seitz single barrel trap gun tip the scales right around 9-9 1/2 lbs. Edited July 3, 2014 by Jaxshooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histate Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Thanks guys for the info I ended up getting a xs special 30" with an adjustable comb. Guns balance is good and like jax mention the added weight helps with the recoil and seems to help with the swing and follow through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuk Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Sounds like a nice gun. Will last you as long as you want too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Can someone tell me the difference between an Improved Cylinder and Skeet Chokes on an 1100? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redial Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Um, WHAT kind of shotgun were you considering in #12 (above) ?? Sorry, that's my editor/proofreader past coming out again. Cheers! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Looks like I stepped in to an O/U post, but only read the Skeet part. But, I did get a PM with the answer, Thanks Will.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histate Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) thanks Canuk it is a nice gun, thinking about getting an adjustable butt plate to make it fit me a little better Edited August 18, 2014 by Histate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histate Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 hey Redial thanks for proofreading just caught my mistake LOL!! but for some reason cant edit it now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histate Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Im glad you got your answer Sparky as far as I know the skeet will have a wider pattern than the IC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hitman Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 725 shot and felt really good to me and if I had the money I would pick one up but I am quite happy with my 325. But like said don't discount older shotguns, the money you save can be spent on getting it fit and ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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