The Ruger has had mixed reviews from sporting clays shooters. I know several shooters who shoot the guns and do well with them. The main complaint seems to be recoil. If recoil is not a problem they are fine guns and will give years of service.
Ruger has continually improved the guns, and the newest sporting models sport Briley chokes and barrels that seem lighter and swing better. I owned a 20 ga sporting gun and I shot it well, sold it to a buddy when I bought my K80. I really miss that gun!
I feel that Rugers are as durable as the Brownings and Berettas, but have a stiff trigger and some have loose ribs that rattle.
Ruger doesn't solder the ribs at every post, only at the front and rear and the ribs dovetail into the supports, because of this some guns have ribs that rattle, in my estimation 1 out of every 3 guns. This is only cosmetic and does not affect function. Older Rugers seem loose because they cock the triggers when you close the gun, not when the gun is opened like most O/U's. I believe this has been changed on the newer guns. Because of this a lot of experienced double gun shooters felt the ruger was loose and felt junky. This is not the case, the Ruger action is as tight and sturdy as any double made.
The Ruger is a great gun to start Shooting Sporting Clays with.
My $.02 as usual
Geoff Ross