Been looking at semi-autos, 20ga. to be used on the skeet, trap, and sporting clay ranges. Light loads required. Never had a semi before but age and arthritis are pointing me toward this style. Has anyone have any suggestions on which would be a proper semi to look at in choosing a gun with the above requirements. My sholder thanks your inputs.
Selecting a semi-auto for range
- Thread starter old boar
- Start date
kahr Carrier
New member
Try a Remington 11-87 ,but I dont know if they have that make in 20ga. My skeet companion is an older gentleman an shoots a 12ga 11-87 with no problem and he suffers from some ailments.
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
I am very pleased with my 1100 in 20 ga, I think I hit more birds with it than anything else..
I have a Browning Gold hunter 20 that is pure magic. It is dead reliable, and hits what I want it to. You can't ask for more out of a shotgun. It is 3" capable as well. I shoot mostly 3/4 oz reloads at 1050 FPS, that is one LIGHT 20 load for a gas auto!!!! I have shot a Benelli Montefeltro 20 that is 3" capable as well. It will not cycle lighter than 7/8 oz field loads (at 1150+). It shoots very well, but felt recoil is quite a bit stiffer.
I have owned (1) 1100 and (2) 11-87s in 12 ga. I still have the 1100 and no 11-87. I would not buy a new Remington shotgun period, been there and done that. They are not what they used to be, reliability and durability are just not there. The O/U that they are marketing these days is not a deal either.
If I were in the market again I would take a long hard look at the Beretta 391 20ga, I have handled one and shot it a little. It is one FINE shotgun, but as new and did not like the light loads. It might loosen up a tad and cycle the light loads but that is unknown at this time.
I have owned (1) 1100 and (2) 11-87s in 12 ga. I still have the 1100 and no 11-87. I would not buy a new Remington shotgun period, been there and done that. They are not what they used to be, reliability and durability are just not there. The O/U that they are marketing these days is not a deal either.
If I were in the market again I would take a long hard look at the Beretta 391 20ga, I have handled one and shot it a little. It is one FINE shotgun, but as new and did not like the light loads. It might loosen up a tad and cycle the light loads but that is unknown at this time.
Thanks for the input. Will look at the Beretta 391. Have seen a few on the circuit and they performed well. Never have seen any auto loading Remingtons. Have been hearing more and more bad things about the new Remingtons. This is a shame cause I grew up with them and always looked at Remington as a leader in good dependable firearms. If the Beretta 391 holds up as well as my 40 year Beretta O/U it will out last me by a few years. Thanks again.
The Beretta 391 is the most popular auto for clays shooting. It has replaced the Rem 1100 as the gun to have.
You might want to try a 12 ga and see if you can tolerate it. Many shooters went to the 391 because of recoil.
Sporting clays 391's are often tuned to reduce recoil. Extra weight and things like Porting and Forcing Cone Work are often added.
Check out www.seminolegun.com orwww.angleport.com
The 390/391 's I have shot on the sporting Clays courses often weigh as much as an O/U. Had one that had four mercury recoil reducers and weighed as much as my K80. Guy was recoil sensitive. Gun felt like a .22 (recoil )
You might want to try a 12 ga and see if you can tolerate it. Many shooters went to the 391 because of recoil.
Sporting clays 391's are often tuned to reduce recoil. Extra weight and things like Porting and Forcing Cone Work are often added.
Check out www.seminolegun.com orwww.angleport.com
The 390/391 's I have shot on the sporting Clays courses often weigh as much as an O/U. Had one that had four mercury recoil reducers and weighed as much as my K80. Guy was recoil sensitive. Gun felt like a .22 (recoil )