Shotgun Newb

you kinda need to figure out what you want to do with it. Hunt, trap, skeet, maybe home defense
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Great call, olddrum1. Dunno about the Perazzi suggestion though ;)

The signal-to-noise ratio in this thread is unusually low. The OP said he'd never operated a shotgun before but he's being bombarded by very specific factoids about steel shot, shell lifters, chokes, magnum loads, etc. There will be a time for all that but at this point, it's just a random data dump.

Only olddrum1 bothered to ask the OP what he wanted to use a shotgun for. I believe there has yet to be an answer. Maybe we need to wait for that before we can dispense meaningful information.
 
Oh, I'll plan on using it for skeet
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Well if price is no object take a look at a nice over/under. They're a little more spendy but you'll be happy with the feel of one. If recoil is an issue take a look at a semi-auto. It's mechanism will help soften some of the recoil.

If you're new to the sport and you can afford to spend a little more, definitely stick with a O/U or a semi-auto. Pump-action guns have their place (and they are a lot of fun!) but if you are new to clay shooting, it will be frustratingly difficult to try to hit doubles if you have to shuck a round in between birds. I'm not saying it's impossible but I've let a lot of lead pellets go to waste trying to hit doubles in sporting clays with my 870.

As far as make and model are concerned, only you can be the judge of that. You'd be hard-pressed to find a "bad" gun anymore. You'll have to do your own hands-on testing and see what you like and how much you're willing to pay. When I first got into shotgunning, I was pretty infatuated with the Benelli SuperNova but after putting it (and other makes and models) up to my cheek I ended up leaving the store with an 870. Nothing beats going to the store and handling the gun for yourself.


P.S. Don't cry foul, Mossberg fans. I have a 500 too! ;)
 
Did someone mention Skeet?
Okay, now we're getting somewhere. You've just narrower the field considerably. The first time I shot a shotgun was on a Skeet field about 45 years ago. I was using a borrowed field gun, and after a couple of rounds of Skeet I was hooked. Over the years I've tried the other shooting sports and hunting, but have come back to Skeet.

First, don't even consider a pump nor anything other than a 12-ga. Skeet requires a quick second shot and, no matter what you hear to the contrary, you'll be hindered by a pump gun. The only reason to shoot Skeet with a pump is because you want some practice with your field or HD gun. That leaves you with an auto loader or an U/O for targets. The majority of competitive Skeet shooters use an O/U, but an auto-loader has it's merits.

Gas autos have an inherent ability to produce less kick because of the manner the mechanism deals with recoil energy. On the other hand, the heaver O/Us swing smoother and their added weight helps reduce kick. (Recoil is the energy imparted to the gun from the firing event -- kick is how your body senses the recoil being transferred to you). With an O/U you have the option of having it tubed to shoot smaller gauges, something not possible with autos.

Most Skeet guns are similar, it will take some time and experience to learn what subtle differences between them best suit your shooting abilities. I confess, my first Skeet gun was the cheapest O/U I could find. Back in the 60's that was the Winchester M-101. I shot 101's casually and in club matches for about 20-years. I started shooting competitively in the mid 80's and promised myself a new gun if ever I made Class-AA. I made AA, in 12-ga, early in my rookie year and bought my first tubed Perazzi so I could shoot all events.

Before you make your initial selection, beg, borrow and/or rent as many different guns as possible. Some will feel natural when mounted, swing smoothly and hit where you aim, others won't. You'll gain valuable information and get to know the difference between a gun that fits you and one that doesn't. Once you determine what gun best suits you, then your budget will determine it you're in the new or used gun market.

Good luck and have fun.
 
Welcome.

I suggest hanging out at the local clays range. Oft a well spoken and polite stranger will get handed a shotgun to try out and some advice.

Make that LOTS of advice.

Ye Olde Archives here have lots of data. So does another BB I mod, TheHighRoad.org, where is posted a series of threads that comprise Shotgun 101, a beginner's manual for shotgunners and shotgunning.

HTH....
 
As long as the OP understands that Skeet is a game unto itself and not just another name for any clay target game, Zippy's points are spot on. Many folks may not understand that Trap, Skeet, 5-stand, Sporting, FITASC, Helice, International Trap, International Skeet, are all clay target games and no where the same as each other, let alone a hand thrower in the backyard.

Most of these disciplines have the need for a quick follow-up shot, so the auto or O/U is the best way to go.

For casual fun, some hunting, etc. other options are also very doable.
 
There are a lot of good used shotguns on the market these days too ...but Dave, Zippy, OneOunce and others laid it out for you ....

To start out with / you need an entry level gun that will let you play more than one game ...... I agree a pump gun isn't probably your best choice / but many of us started with pump guns when our budgets were a little lean ...

In general, ( I know you said no budget constraints but ..) that's kind of like saying you want a great 1911 handgun ....and someone comes back recommending a bunch of $ 3,000 guns / when what you meant was around $ 1,000 ....

Most of us that are Target shooters / look at levels of guns that will give us 10,000 shell performance a year / for a min of 10 yrs .....and that isn't going to be found in your "bargain guns" ....but not all "bargain guns" are poor choices either --- it depends. In general ....

pump guns will cost you around $500 - $700 ( like a Browning BPS Hunter model, 28" barrel, with screw in chokes ).

Many semi-autos ( Beretta 390 / 391 series ) around $ 1,000 ...

Over Unders - Browning / Beretta both make strong guns ...starting in the
$2,000 - $3,000 price range.... like the Browning Citori, XS Skeet model, adj comb, 30" barrels around $ 2,750 ......

There are lots of other options out there / with pluses and minuses ....but don't buy a gun until you spend a little time at your local gun club / try some guns / talk to some shooters / find out where they are buying guns - both new and used .....

Higher end competition level guns .... Perazzi, Blazer, Kolar, Krieghoff .....are very nice guns as well .... $ 8,000 - $ 25,000 / and if you really have "no budget" .....look at them /talk to some guys about them as well....

but I love my Browning Citori's (Citori XT Trap - for Trap / Citori XS Skeet - for skeet, sporting and bird hunting ) / my Benelli semi-auto Super Sports ...for skeet, sporting, bird hunting .... / even my old Browning BPS pump guns in a 12ga .....even though I don't shoot them much anymore ....lots of good memories there too ( and Zippy, Dave and OneOunce and others still have a little fondness in their hearts for a good pump gun once in a while ...)...
 
To add to Jim's good points, remember that O/Us come in two flavors - field and target. The target variety tend to be a little beefier and also more expensive - they're built to handle hundreds of thousands of rounds as opposed to tens of thousands of rounds.

Some of the newer semis are now reaching the $2,000+ mark (retail), especially in the Benellis.

Going to the local club and borrowing/renting as many types and brands that you can will do you a world of good - You'll determine which ones fit YOU the best and work for YOU the best, regardless of someone else spouting that gun's greatness. If it doesn't work for you, then it doesn't.

Buy the fit, not the name. Buy quality at the outset, and you won't worry about it breaking in the middle of a tournament
 
I'm not sure what part of the world you're in but, as stated by others, hang out at the skeet course. Ask other shooter what they recommend. Tell them you are in the market. MANY fellas will offer to let you shoot their guns. They will offer alot of advice. Nothing beats hands on shooting.
Even though you mentioned price is not a big hurdle for you, I suggest you not break the bank on a first shotgun. After you shoot for awhile, you'll probably find something else you really want. (My first car was not a Vette)
Welcome to the sport. Just a warning- It is addicting.
I starting shooting sporting clays about 12 years ago now. The first two years I shot about 40,000 rounds. I couldn't get enough.
 
wow, lotta stuff to remember lol

I'm in the part of the world that has all skeet ranges closed on accord that they're all under layers of snow and ice lol
 
Real men shoot Skeet ....in the snow and ice .....not me, but real men do ....

Or at least I used to ....now I don't even shoot in the rain ...
 
Real men shoot Skeet ....in the snow and ice .....not me, but real men do ....

Or at least I used to ....now I don't even shoot in the rain ...
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Pshaw -

REAL men shoot Sporting Clays and FITASC using a low gun........in the snow, sleet, rain, heat.....even sunshine now and again..........:D:p
 
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