Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

slothlacrosse

slothlacrosse

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Oct 19, 2010
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#1
I've always borrowed shotguns to shoot trap/skeet, but I'm looking to get my own shotgun.

I'd prefer an OU, but would get an autoloader.

What would you guys recommend for a good all around trap/skeet shotgun?

Let's try to keep it under $3000.
 
#3
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

Hard to go wrong with Beretta either. Ive been shooting a Browning I really like. The Berettas feel a little thin in the forestock for me. Browning is a bit beefier.
 
#5
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

Remminton 1100 is nice and cheap. Check out Browning Citori shotguns. I have a 525 and a 626 from that line and they are great. Beretta also makes great shotguns. Spend as much as you want, they all do the same thing. Its the guy behind the gun that matters. I took an 870 to a national trap competition and shot a 193 in my first year of shooting trap so it can be done. I personally use a Browning BT-99.
 
#7
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

For me nothing shoots like my Benelli Cordoba until i jump up into the really high end shotguns like the Perazzi's and the Cesar Gurani's. That being said. If i were to spend the money on an over and under below 3k it would definately be either a Browning Citori or a Browning Cenergy
 
#8
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

It's probably best that you shoot a couple O/Us before you make a decision. I'm actually surprised to see a number of recommendations for Citoris, but that's because my personal preference runs to Beretta.
You should probably shoot a like the Superposed/Citori/Winchester 101 and also shoot a gun like a Beretta 686/682/Remington 32(3200/332).
You may find you prefer one over the other.Most from any mentioned above can be had from about 1000 and up depending on features. A Beretta 682 Gold can be had used around 2500-3000 and is definitely worth the price if you can swing it. If not any of the 686's can be had under that price.
If you are going to buy a Semi Auto and your budget is 3000 a Beretta cannot be beat, and a 391 Urika Sport starts around 1500 and you can work up from there. Remington 1100's are great guns, and I recommend them to my friends for clays all the time but at a much lower budget, used you can go from about $500 to the sky. I also like the SX-3s for function but not for finish, I'd go to the Browning Gold Hunter for it's wood and metal I don't really know Browning's pricing for either.

If you like to be different and are willing to take on a challenge Beretta sold, and I believe discontinued, a break barrel semi auto called the UGB25. They are supposed to have reliability issues post 10k rounds and seem to be little more than a novelty, a purportedly soft recoiling novelty.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Beretta-UGB-25-Trap-NIB-Xcel-CLOSEOUT-PRICE-.cfm?gun_id=100212729

Good luck to you in finding the right gun for you.
 
#10
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

I prefer my Citori. However the best shotgun is always the one that "fits" the best. Go to the local trap and skeet range and see if they have any loaners or rentals and see if you can find one that mounts easy and feels the best for you. When you find the one buy it.
 
#11
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

How close are you to Ligonier Pa? You have Joel Etchen Guns there and you could shoulder about anything you'd like. Picking an "across the course" shotgun is probably going to land you with a flat shooting sporing clays gun. I prefer a flat shooting shotty myself.

This is truly a personal preference issue and we will all recommend something different. This is deffinatly not a one size fits all where you learn to work around the gun. It needs to come up and feel natural to you right from the get go.

Good luck.
 
#12
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

I would look at Browning's and Beretta and see what fits you best. I shoot a DT10 EELL really nice gun but is a little higher than 3000. Also do 32" barrels it will help you much more on trap. Try to find a used combo like a Cynergy with o/u barrels and a unsingle you should be set then.
 
#14
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RockKrawler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Take a look into the SKB line of shotguns, excellent value for your dollar.
My current Sporting Clays / 5 Stand gun is an older SKB 600 12ga.
RK

</div></div>

I agree....great guns for the money and I like the Berettas. I have a basic SKB 505 and a Weatherby SSC (SKB) with a ton of rounds through them. Unless I went Krieghoff, Dupont, Perazzi money SKB and Beretta would be my choice. As noted above, a skeet/sporting clays gun and a trap gun are very different.
 
#15
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

A big thing to do with O/U's in the Browning design or Beretta is that either you like one or the other it's very rare that a shooter feels totally comfortable shooting both. Also a dedicated trap style gun is very different animal than a skeet gun, being most shoot higher and have longer barrels compared to their skeet counterparts. Your best bet is to get out and shoot as many as you can then judge from their.
 
#16
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun


[/quote]
a skeet/sporting clays gun and a trap gun are very different. [/quote]

Trap and skeet shooting are pretty similar. In both sports, shooters use shotguns to fire at clay targets that are shaped like a saucer with a high dome. On ranges, machines throw the targets which offer much to participants.

In skeet, shooters fire from eight different stations positioned around a half-circle. The targets cross in front of the shooters from either side of the front of the half-circle. On some stations, shooters fire at one target flying from the left, and another flying from the right.

Trap shooters stand at one of five stations located on a much narrower arc behind a single hidden thrower. From there they fire at targets that zip away at unpredictable angles.

Your still trying to hit the bird.

Trapshooting is the granddaddy of the clay target shooting sports. It dates back to 1750 or earlier in England and became a way to practice shooting skills when hunting real gamebirds wasn't possible.

JMTC

Good luck with your choice.
 
#17
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

Trap and skeet couldn't be more different. That's like saying NASCAR and Indy racing are pretty similar because they both involve a finish line and cars and are both trying to get to the finish line first. As with trap/skeet, different tools for different applications. Try shooting skeet with a trap shotgun. The ramped rib will have you shooting over every bird except the going away target on 7. Trap targets are all moving away and shot rising and thus lead is built into the rib for just that type of shot. You can shoot trap with any shotgun but would be severely handicapped shooting skeet with a trap gun...as I said, they are very different.
 
#18
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

I understand that trap and skeet are two completely different diciplines.

I'd prefer to buy 1 shotgun to shoot both with. I don't shoot enough trap or skeet to justify buying 2 shotguns, but combined it makes sense.

If it's not possible, I'll just keep borrowing shotguns as needed.
 
#20
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

The only thing that matters between trap and skeet is your ability to change chokes. A shotgun that fits YOU is all that is important. The man behind the gun has nothing to do with shotgun shooting, a shotgun is a point and shoot affair. If it fits your body and naturally points you will instinctively hit the bird. Shooting a shotgun proper has nothing to do with rifle technique. I have seen a high power shooter try to apply rifle technique to skeet shooting....not a pretty sight. Like watching a monkey frig a football.
 
#21
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

Usually the stocks have different height combs to adjust for the height of the vent rib as discussed above in both disciplines.


I am not a fan of them but I do believe Benelli builds the Sport/Sport 2 or used to that had interchangable low/high carbon fiber vent rib to be able to use one for both. I would also bet you could get a decent double with two bbls. One for each but not changing the stock your still behind the eight ball.

Two Beretta 391 (one for skeet/hunting, one for trap) will fit your budget. Have some left for a nice case to protect the two of them (americase) and a few cases of ammo for some practice.
 
#22
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

Having done the shotgun deal for several years, I would be out in left field to tell you there is a magic shotgun out there that is great for both trap and skeet. They are different and to be competitive you need different guns. However if only shooting every now and then, if I were looking for that one shotgun, I would get something that let me shoot skeet well and then make it work for trap. As mentioned before, harder to go the other direction.
If you are going to be a casual shooter, the shorter barrels that let you shoot skeet better will not hurt you for several yards on the trap line. You could have an adjustable comb on the stock and be set for both.

Good luck with your search and enjoy the shooting.
 
#23
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

Hang on,all disciplines of "clays" are additive. I shot competitive trap for many years,met a lot of great folks,had wonderful times. Remember gun "fit" is the most important factor. You can shoot the most expensive shotgun available and if it doesn't fit you are at a huge disadvantage. Learn and practice good fundamentals. Hang around your local clubs,keep your eyes are ears open,you'll learn a lot. Remember to keep an open mind.
 
#26
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

I have a gorgeous 12 ga. Citori Lightning Feather I'll sell you at a very good price.

DSCN0169.jpg
 
#27
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

I would get a SKB 85TSS. It is modular. Buy it for what you shoot most and then save for a little while and buy new barrels for the other.

For example you cold buy a complete mono or double 34" gun for trap. Save for a little while, and then get just a new set of shorter barrels for skeet. All fits in one case. Then later you could get sporting clay's barrels if you got in to that. You even could go to 20gauge for skeet.

Depending what wood and options you want you might be able to get it for $3000.
 
#28
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

Shot an old 3200 remington for years and a browning gti for trap skeet and sporting clays. Currently shooting a browning xs special 32 in barrel for skeet sporting clays and doubles trap and a Krieghoff kx 5 trap single for singles and handicapt. Shot my way into AA last year and took A class at the pa grand last year with a 199. Whatever gun you choose i reccomend the longest barrels and an adjustable comb and choke tubes are a must
 
#30
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

With your price range i would recommend having 2 guns. It is difficult to shoot either sport well with a gun used for both. A bt 99 and an 1100 or beretta semi would be a great way to get into both sports. I personaly like break action guns as they are more safe as you can easily check your barrel for obstruction and everyone can see that you chamber is clear.
 
#31
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slothlacrosse</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've always borrowed shotguns to shoot trap/skeet, but I'm looking to get my own shotgun.

I'd prefer an OU, but would get an autoloader.

What would you guys recommend for a good all around trap/skeet shotgun?

Let's try to keep it under $3000. </div></div>

I have a Beretta Urika Gold II, very nice shooting shotgun, shoots better than the Benelli M2 IMO.

I also have a Beretta 686 Silver Onyx Over/Under, it is a very nice shotgun too.

I prefer the Over/Under for sporting clays, it is easier to load and seems to shoot better too.
 
#32
Re: Need a good skeet/trap shotgun

They were $1300 at the time, but a couple years ago or less, CDNN had Weatherby Orion (SKB) over and unders for sale. Last I recall they were running $1700ish.

Mine doesn't have the adj cheek pc, but the rest is pretty much the same.

I shot this gun against others and even though it was a bit heavier, I ended up favoring it over most. Even a few of the really nice guns on the line. The Grip angle and length of pull just fit me out of the box.

Very fond of the Beretta 686 as well.
 
#37
I've used shotguns all my life. I've shot a lot of different ones as well because on Saturdays sporting clays practice we would all try our friends guns.
We all competed and all shot O/Us. They are the best tracking shout guns - by far! And if the gun doesn't fit you will shoot badly. My brother had a top of the line Beretta sporting gun and we both couldn't shoot it. And then I have a 28GA Beretta Silver pigeon and never miss with that one, off the shelf too.

You can buy any O/U gun that can be fitted for you but some cannot because it's super expensive. That's obviously extra but if you really want to compete and shoot at the top it's the only way to go. There is a really good reason to have an O/U fitted.

I bought a Browning 425 Sporting clays gun and had it fitted. That gained be about 5-shots out of 100. So, I was shooting in A class by then and that upped my scores from 93/100 to 98/100 and I began winning or tying for the win. I was also reloading and shooting a lot. A number of years at the top of my game I reloaded and shot ~25000 shells/year - shooting ~500 shells a week!

That Browning is still with me, built like a tank! and shoots with the best guns in the world at a very reasonable price. The only thing that can and eventually will go wrong with the Browning is the barrel locks. They wear out an the gun opens itself when shot. Replace springs and keep going, or don't let it get to that point. Not expensive either. My Browning 425 is still running on the original springs after probably 75,000 shots (2 barrels so half of that each).

Well maintained as mine is, these Browning O/Us will outlast their owners! Mine below is 33-years old! And yes, it's been refinished. Inevitable, no safe queen this one.

Pictures (2) of that gun below (high res):

i-w6dTRLK.jpg


This second picture shows the lever that opens the gun for loading. It works like a wear clock for the springs. Right now it's past the center line and to the right. When it was new it was left of the center-line about the same amount. So, it's ready for a springs change!

i-WmChzw2.jpg
 
#39
slothlacrosse said:
I've always borrowed shotguns to shoot trap/skeet, but I'm looking to get my own shotgun.

I'd prefer an OU, but would get an autoloader.

What would you guys recommend for a good all around trap/skeet shotgun?

Let's try to keep it under $3000.
Click to expand...

Ok, i will play also...... since it has been over 12 years, what did you get?

Do you still have it? Thoughts on it in hindsight?

This way bumping a completely DEAD thread is not a total waste of time..... 😉
 
#40
JAS-SH said:
I've used shotguns all my life. I've shot a lot of different ones as well because on Saturdays sporting clays practice we would all try our friends guns.
We all competed and all shot O/Us. They are the best tracking shout guns - by far! And if the gun doesn't fit you will shoot badly. My brother had a top of the line Beretta sporting gun and we both couldn't shoot it. And then I have a 28GA Beretta Silver pigeon and never miss with that one, off the shelf too.

You can buy any O/U gun that can be fitted for you but some cannot because it's super expensive. That's obviously extra but if you really want to compete and shoot at the top it's the only way to go. There is a really good reason to have an O/U fitted.

I bought a Browning 425 Sporting clays gun and had it fitted. That gained be about 5-shots out of 100. So, I was shooting in A class by then and that upped my scores from 93/100 to 98/100 and I began winning or tying for the win. I was also reloading and shooting a lot. A number of years at the top of my game I reloaded and shot ~25000 shells/year - shooting ~500 shells a week!

That Browning is still with me, built like a tank! and shoots with the best guns in the world at a very reasonable price. The only thing that can and eventually will go wrong with the Browning is the barrel locks. They wear out an the gun opens itself when shot. Replace springs and keep going, or don't let it get to that point. Not expensive either. My Browning 425 is still running on the original springs after probably 75,000 shots (2 barrels so half of that each).

Well maintained as mine is, these Browning O/Us will outlast their owners! Mine below is 33-years old! And yes, it's been refinished. Inevitable, no safe queen this one.

Pictures (2) of that gun below (high res):

i-w6dTRLK.jpg


This second picture shows the lever that opens the gun for loading. It works like a wear clock for the springs. Right now it's past the center line and to the right. When it was new it was left of the center-line about the same amount. So, it's ready for a springs change!

i-WmChzw2.jpg
Click to expand...
First time I have ever heard of a person shooting out a shotgun barrel. What wears down in the shotgun barrel, and how many shells would you figure you shot prior to replacement?
 
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#41
TACC said:
First time I have ever heard of a person shooting out a shotgun barrel. What wears down in the shotgun barrel, and how many shells would you figure you shot prior to replacement?
Click to expand...

Professional and competition level skeet and trap shooters can definitely wear out barrels… but takes hundreds of thousands of rounds.

Tubes can work harden. And erode. But mainly you have issues with latch lugs, hinges, etc. seen many a worn out barrel set on English doubles as well. Barrels too thin to pass safety test. Keep in mind that many of these guns were shot daily, hundreds of rounds , during long grouse seasons where the guns were in constant use, loaned to shooters by landowners/shooting clubs. And many for 100-140 years at this point. Much of the shooting done in the days of no plastic shot cut and corrosive primers/early smokeless powders.

Wearing out a modern shotgun with modern loads? You’d have to be a professional or exhibition shooter to pull that off! Or abuse the hell out of your gun!

Sirhr
 
#42
JAS-SH said:
I've used shotguns all my life. I've shot a lot of different ones as well because on Saturdays sporting clays practice we would all try our friends guns.
We all competed and all shot O/Us. They are the best tracking shout guns - by far! And if the gun doesn't fit you will shoot badly. My brother had a top of the line Beretta sporting gun and we both couldn't shoot it. And then I have a 28GA Beretta Silver pigeon and never miss with that one, off the shelf too.

You can buy any O/U gun that can be fitted for you but some cannot because it's super expensive. That's obviously extra but if you really want to compete and shoot at the top it's the only way to go. There is a really good reason to have an O/U fitted.

I bought a Browning 425 Sporting clays gun and had it fitted. That gained be about 5-shots out of 100. So, I was shooting in A class by then and that upped my scores from 93/100 to 98/100 and I began winning or tying for the win. I was also reloading and shooting a lot. A number of years at the top of my game I reloaded and shot ~25000 shells/year - shooting ~500 shells a week!

That Browning is still with me, built like a tank! and shoots with the best guns in the world at a very reasonable price. The only thing that can and eventually will go wrong with the Browning is the barrel locks. They wear out an the gun opens itself when shot. Replace springs and keep going, or don't let it get to that point. Not expensive either. My Browning 425 is still running on the original springs after probably 75,000 shots (2 barrels so half of that each).

Well maintained as mine is, these Browning O/Us will outlast their owners! Mine below is 33-years old! And yes, it's been refinished. Inevitable, no safe queen this one.

Pictures (2) of that gun below (high res):

i-w6dTRLK.jpg


This second picture shows the lever that opens the gun for loading. It works like a wear clock for the springs. Right now it's past the center line and to the right. When it was new it was left of the center-line about the same amount. So, it's ready for a springs change!

i-WmChzw2.jpg
Click to expand...


Well, since we're going to bring this thread back from the dead...

I'll argue you need more than springs. The locking mechanism determines where the lever ends up, not just springs.
My clays shotguns have replaceable pins, and the ability to get oversized pins to account for wear on the action.

My Lanber has about 30,000 rounds and is just swinging to center now. But I keep the pivot surfaces coated with good high pressure grease and not just gun oil. It still shows wear on the action and pins both from breaking in.
 
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#43
Docsherm said:
Ok, i will play also...... since it has been over 12 years, what did you get?

Do you still have it? Thoughts on it in hindsight?

This way bumping a completely DEAD thread is not a total waste of time..... 😉
Click to expand...
I didn’t buy anything. Since the initial post- I quit my regular 9-5, joined the Army, got out of the Army, and probably haven’t fired a shotgun in since Trump’s first term
 
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#44
slothlacrosse said:
I didn’t buy anything. Since the initial post- I quit my regular 9-5, joined the Army, got out of the Army, and probably haven’t fired a shotgun in since Trump’s first term
Click to expand...

Look into sporting clays.

It's a game that teaches you how to hit everything, not arbitrary targets within a small range or the same targets every round.

It's actually fun instead of boring. 🤣
 
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