I find myself wanting to get into Skeet/Trap, but my only shotgun I own is a Mossburg 590 pump... Not a skeet gun in the least, so I am looking for a cheap idea for something that I can purely use for Skeet/trap. I dont need an O/U unless that just happens to be the best value one. Semi auto i assume would be fine... Can anyone recommend something to me that I should look into? I am not really sure what I need for only a Clay shooting gun..
I need a cheap Skeet/Trap shotgun
- Thread starter REL1203
- Start date
jaguarxk120
New member
Take a hard look at a used Remington 1100, on any good day you will see at least one on the trap fields being used. Impossible to wearout, you can get different chokes/barrels for them and in different grades.
If you just want to have fun and become a much better shooter.
Federal game shok #6 shot about half the pellets of regular loads.
With 590 Accu choke barrel.
Can find them here:
http://www.arizonagunrunners.com/cg...dat&category=Mossberg+Accessory+Barrels+590A1
or here:
http://www.pro-patria.us/home
Federal game shok #6 shot about half the pellets of regular loads.
With 590 Accu choke barrel.
Can find them here:
http://www.arizonagunrunners.com/cg...dat&category=Mossberg+Accessory+Barrels+590A1
or here:
http://www.pro-patria.us/home
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To expand on jaguarxk120's comment, you might consider doing what I did for a cheap trap and skeet gun: Get a R-1100 Trap model (with the monte carlo stock and 30" over-bored barrel. Get a second matching barrel, have it shortened 4" and choked. Add a shell catcher and a Remington combo case and you're ready for trap and skeet.
Any 12ga shotgun, with a 28" barrel - and screw in changeable chokes will work for you as an entry level gun.
A semi-auto / in terms of value will give you more gun on a budget. Most of the long term O/U's are in the $ 1500 - $2000 even used ( Berettta, Browning, etc ) for a decent level target grade gun.
In the semi-autos a Remington 1100, 11-87 or Beretta 390 or 391 series are very common on Skeet fields and good options like Zippy and others advised. Something around $1,000 will give you a lot of options.
But I don't think there is anything wrong with shooting a pump gun for a first gun either - like a Browning BPS Hunter model, Rem 870, etc ...the BPS is my personal choice and new they are about $ 500 now / used $375 or so ...and a gun you'll probably keep for a long time / even if you stay in the clay target games - and move on to some O/U's down the road.
A semi-auto / in terms of value will give you more gun on a budget. Most of the long term O/U's are in the $ 1500 - $2000 even used ( Berettta, Browning, etc ) for a decent level target grade gun.
In the semi-autos a Remington 1100, 11-87 or Beretta 390 or 391 series are very common on Skeet fields and good options like Zippy and others advised. Something around $1,000 will give you a lot of options.
But I don't think there is anything wrong with shooting a pump gun for a first gun either - like a Browning BPS Hunter model, Rem 870, etc ...the BPS is my personal choice and new they are about $ 500 now / used $375 or so ...and a gun you'll probably keep for a long time / even if you stay in the clay target games - and move on to some O/U's down the road.
They still are selling the 390 at Bud's for $579 shipped. Great all purpose gun.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_65/products_id/25000
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_65/products_id/25000
oneounceload
Moderator
Before going and buying a gun that may or may not work for you - shoot your pump for a bit, and while at the local club see if you can borrow as many different types and makes as you can and see how they work for you. When (if) you find the brand and model that works, then buy one. As BigJim mentioned, a good target grade O/U like one of the B guns is going to run about $2500 and up for new, a little less for used. Some of their field versions can be had for less, but they tend to weigh less as they are designed for more carrying than shooting. In a target gun, weight is your friend, as are typically longer barrels for improved swing dynamics.
Even new semis are getting up there in price, but good used ones from Remington and Beretta can be found for under $1,000.
Buy the fit, not the name. Buy quality so you will have something that lasts and isn't always in the shop. If you truly get into clay target shooting, the cost of the gun will be the cheapest over the long run, so buy quality first. Targets and ammo will cost you more.
Have fun!
Even new semis are getting up there in price, but good used ones from Remington and Beretta can be found for under $1,000.
Buy the fit, not the name. Buy quality so you will have something that lasts and isn't always in the shop. If you truly get into clay target shooting, the cost of the gun will be the cheapest over the long run, so buy quality first. Targets and ammo will cost you more.
Have fun!
What does getting 4" cut off a 30" barrel do? Why not just use the 30" Barrel?
Good question, the 30" on an automatic is too slowing swinging for skeet. The longer sighting radius of the 30" works great for the slower (the targets aren't slower, you just have more time to get on them) and longer shots in trap, but the quicker handling shorter barrel is preferred for skeet. Think of trap as shooting for accuracy and skeet as shooting for speed. It's only natural that different guns perform better. Krimmie commented:They still are selling the 390 at Bud's for $579 shipped. Great all purpose gun.
Of course you could get one 28" barrel that would be a compromise in both trap and skeet -- you might as well use your Mossberg. Many folks do. And, many folks wish they were getting higher scores without realizing they are really a better shooter than their compromise gun is allowing them to be. Your scores should be limited only by your ability, not the gun you shoot nor the ammo you use. A compromise/all-purpose gun is okay for learning the basics; but, if you're a fast learner you'll soon be looking for a game specific gun. On the other hand, some casual shooters never progress beyond the point where they are well served by a general purpose gun.Good advice above. since you're just starting the clay games until you can shoot different makes(brands) and types(semi,o/u,pump) it's hard to really recommend one or the other. what works and fits for me could be just the opposite for you.
does your local range maybe rent guns? that would be a start if they do to see what your likes and dislikes are.
for me i like Beretta O'U's
just shoot what you have untill you get a better idea what you want.
this is the most important thing to remember when shooting clays
"KEEP IT FUNand every thing else will fall into place.
does your local range maybe rent guns? that would be a start if they do to see what your likes and dislikes are.
for me i like Beretta O'U's
just shoot what you have untill you get a better idea what you want.
this is the most important thing to remember when shooting clays
"KEEP IT FUNand every thing else will fall into place.
GunsAreGood
New member
A lot of good advice given in this thread and I do not have much to add except have you looked into getting a replacement barrel for you existing shotgun. You will already be familiar with the gun and should cost you less than buying a new gun. Sometimes replacement barrels can run expensive so do some looking around. If that is not something you want to do than there is nothing wrong with an Remington 870 28'' barrel. I shoot one and am shooting as well as the people that are shooting $2000 and up shotguns.
oneounceload
Moderator
I think that might need some better clarification
GunsAreGood
New member
I don't know what needs to be explained but I will try. I shoot trap with a $300 Remington 870 and I perform better than the guys who are shooting with high end $2000 shotguns. I was trying to explain to REL1203 that an entry lever $300 shotgun will serve you well as a trap gun.
The post that I liked best ( on another Forum ) was when a pro level shooter posted something like this.
When I started out they did not have all those fancy do - dads. No buddy told me I was using the wrong gun. No buddy told me the barrel was not the right lenght. Back than no one knew much about gun fit. They didn't tell me I needed to spend $4000 on gun. We would just pick one up out of the rack at the store and go shoot.
But some how without all those do - dads I shot my first hundred . And went on to compete in ( than went on to list a few of the many competitions he had won with a shotgun that did not fit , barrel wrong lenght , wrong type shotgun, cost little, etc.)
When I started out they did not have all those fancy do - dads. No buddy told me I was using the wrong gun. No buddy told me the barrel was not the right lenght. Back than no one knew much about gun fit. They didn't tell me I needed to spend $4000 on gun. We would just pick one up out of the rack at the store and go shoot.
But some how without all those do - dads I shot my first hundred . And went on to compete in ( than went on to list a few of the many competitions he had won with a shotgun that did not fit , barrel wrong lenght , wrong type shotgun, cost little, etc.)
To me get the best quality gun you can afford that fits and go shoot. it kind of irritates me when a topic starts going the way this seems to be.
as well as the people that are shooting $2000 and up shotguns.
to me this kind of statement doesn't really do anyone any good. it usually leads to some not so nice posts from some folks.
entry lever $300 shotgun will serve you well as a trap gun.
a quality brand will do this. A Rem 870 is a quality gun as is Mossburg,and the Brownings offering.
the above are just my opinions and mine aloneYMMV
. it kind of irritates me when a topic starts going the way this seems to be.as well as the people that are shooting $2000 and up shotguns.
to me this kind of statement doesn't really do anyone any good. it usually leads to some not so nice posts from some folks.
entry lever $300 shotgun will serve you well as a trap gun.
a quality brand will do this. A Rem 870 is a quality gun as is Mossburg,and the Brownings offering.
the above are just my opinions and mine alone
YMMVTargets is dumb. They don't know whether the pellets are fired from a $300 Remington or a $100,000 Fabbri. Targets only know if the pellets are on the mark.
I frequently read on the Internet about the guys who brag and boast how they humiliate guys with more expensive guns. Read about it often, rarely see it happen at the range.
But then everyone shoots better behind the keyboard.
I frequently read on the Internet about the guys who brag and boast how they humiliate guys with more expensive guns. Read about it often, rarely see it happen at the range.
But then everyone shoots better behind the keyboard.
hadnt considered the 870 as an option, but i see alot of great reviews for it. Its also priced right where I can afford it, and there are some nice accessories for it.
Would something like this, with a 28" barrel and the right choke work fine?
http://www.impactguns.com/store/047700255873.html
Is there any advantage going with the Super Magnum and 3.5" shells when I plan on only using it for Skeet/trap (for the time being)?
Would something like this, with a 28" barrel and the right choke work fine?
http://www.impactguns.com/store/047700255873.html
Is there any advantage going with the Super Magnum and 3.5" shells when I plan on only using it for Skeet/trap (for the time being)?
Really a trap gun and a skeet gun are on opposite ends of the spectrum. You want a longer barrel gun for trap so you can gently swing on the target. With skeet you want a short barrel with, at the tightest, a Imp. cyl. I have a citori xt trap and while great for trap it is not the best for skeet. As someone mentioned earlier. I would opt for an auto and maybe you could get a shorter barrel. I use to shoot both with a gold hunter and did quite well, if your not competively shooting I wouldn't spend the money on a really expensive gun it makes a small difference and when you shoot trap that small difference means a lot.
oneounceload
Moderator
The advantage that a semi or O/U has over the pump is weight. More weight means less actual recoil. Properly fit, it also means less felt, or perceived, recoil.
That is your friend when you get into shootoffs, etc. and have been shooting a few hundred rounds that day.
Weight, coupled with a decent length barrel, also aids in keeping the swing smooth, especially on crossers on the skeet field.
GunsAreGood - gotcha on the explanation - I was a little groggy from a pain med - sorry about that, it was perfectly understandable - my bad!
That is your friend when you get into shootoffs, etc. and have been shooting a few hundred rounds that day.
Weight, coupled with a decent length barrel, also aids in keeping the swing smooth, especially on crossers on the skeet field.
GunsAreGood - gotcha on the explanation - I was a little groggy from a pain med - sorry about that, it was perfectly understandable - my bad!