I am headed to Bass Pro Shop on monday with a friend of mine, he wants to pick up a 20 gauge shotgun for his son's 14th birthday, my knowledge of shotguns extends to my dad's Mossberg 500 and my Remington 870, both are for HD scenarios and a few range days but that is it. The gun he wants to by his son will primarily be for skeet/clay pigeon shooting with the old man and he would like to stay under $350. His son is a skinny kid, about 5'10" and I can't imagine him being more than 140lbs. Any input would be appreciated ? Thanks, Darrin.
A little help please ?
- Thread starter Targa
- Start date
Dreaming100Straight
New member
Why a 20 and not a 12? You can't get a skeet/trap gun for $350, but can get a Mossberg and perhaps a Remington 870.
If the intent is to shoot informally, shooting skeet singles with his dad, look for a good break open single shot that fits the shooter and has a long barrel, at least 28 inches, preferably 30 or 32. This is for sight radius, balance, and ability to swing and follow through, not for ballistics.
Maybe you can find an old used gun at that price, you can shoot doubles with a pump, but you'll be at a disadvantage against people shooting semi-autos or double barrels.
Don't rule out 12 gauge, shooting 7/8 ounce low noise low recoil ammo, a 12 actually kicks less than a 20 shooting a normal load. This ammo has "may not cycle semi-auto" warnings printed on the box.
The Wingmaster version of a 870 would be a good pump for clays but they retail for a lot more than $350.
Maybe you can find an old used gun at that price, you can shoot doubles with a pump, but you'll be at a disadvantage against people shooting semi-autos or double barrels.
Don't rule out 12 gauge, shooting 7/8 ounce low noise low recoil ammo, a 12 actually kicks less than a 20 shooting a normal load. This ammo has "may not cycle semi-auto" warnings printed on the box.
The Wingmaster version of a 870 would be a good pump for clays but they retail for a lot more than $350.
g.willikers
New member
There's plenty of good, older Remington 1100s around for sale for under $400, generally.
Especially the field grade ones.
They are a little on the heavy side, but make an excellent clay bird gun, for minimal expense.
Especially the field grade ones.
They are a little on the heavy side, but make an excellent clay bird gun, for minimal expense.
motorhead0922
New member
Targa, did you find anything today?
g.willikers said:
Heavy is not necessarily a bad thing for trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Heavy guns kick less so you don't develop flinch and the weight helps to keep you from overswinging ahead of the bird and then stopping and trying to spot shoot in front of the bird, which usually causes a miss.