Best Shotgun For A Skeet Beginner ?
 

I started shooting skeet last year with a couple of guys from work and my 20 year old son. I started using my dad's 12 gauge which has proven to be unreliable. So I'm in the market for a replacement gun.

One of the guys I shoot with has a 20 gauge pump that he would sell me cheap but my son thinks that it is a girls gun and thinks that I should buy another 12 gauge. My son is a much better shot than I and I would like this to be something that we continue to do together and don't want to turn him off.

Anyway some of the other guys in the office have told me that an over and under is the only way to go, but I'm not prepared to pay what a new good quality one would cost $1500+. Particularly given that we don't go out that often.

I went to a gun shop that supposed to have some used over and unders and the guy recommended a new Browning Fusion Gold autoloader. I really liked it, particularly that fact that it is a fairly light gun.

I talked again to one of the guys in the office and he again insisted that an over and under is the way to go. Any thoughts out there from experienced skeet shooters? BTW I could perhaps ultimately see doing some bird hunting as well.

I have to inquire about the unreliable gun you were using. Was it malfunctioning or was it not hitting the pigeons? If it was choked too tight, say improved or improved-modified then you would have to be dead-nuts on with your lead. The pattern will hold so tight that there is no fudge room, while a modified, or better still cylindre bore, will open up a lot and give you a better hit probability. Remember it only takes a pellet or two to bust a clust (but takes the majority to dust one).

I'm partial to pumps and auto-loaders, especially if doing double duty sport and field. You might be happy with a simply Remington 1100 or 11-87 in 12 ga. Pushing #8's or #9's down the bore will impart very little recoil to your shoulder as the gas ports will bleed off a lot of kick to cycle the gun. Similarly any Browning auto-loader would be fine as well.

I don't like the Bennelli nor Beretta (but they do have some nice looking ones). Bennellis will bruise your checkbone, especially if you decide to play with slugs. Also with the Bennelli, at least for me, I can feel the rotary bolt and get distracted by it during rapid fire, I actuallt see the barrel working in circles following the rotation of the bolt.

You should be able to get into a good auto-loader for about $500, maybe less.

Thanks Mike,

It was unrelaible in the sense that one out of ten rounds was a misfire. It would strike the cap but not fire the round. Not a good situation.

I agree with Mike that an 870, 11-87 or 1100 Remington would be a good choice you see pro's use them.I would get one with screw in chokes, then you could use it in any number of manners,skeet,trap,sporting clays or hunting.Sporting clays are real popular around here.I would get a 12 gauge as there are so many loads made for it,with a recoil pad and a shooting jacket you should not get sore if you learn not to fight recoil.I belive that recoil is way over played whether it's a large caliber rifle,hangun or shotgun. I often shoot my 44 magnums with my weak hand to show beginners how to roll with recoil but still be in control...........
William Rogers..........

My Winchester 12 ga 1400 auto, purchased in '68, is still working just fine. I shot traps with it occasionally but I guess the choke is just too tight (right....). Also, I think its a bit heavier than modern autos.

I knew a woman who was a national doubles champion and she used an old Win 12 ga Model 12 all the way through the1970's when she switched to a Browning O/U 12 ga. She and her dad cleared the skies dove hunting.

BTW, she practiced with a Model 12 .410. Said it sharpened her aim.

Re: Best Shotgun For A Skeet Beginner ?
 

Find a nice 12ga. autoloader in your price range. And, bring your son with you to go pick it out :)

Winchester/Remington/Browning....all good brands.

Benneli or Berretta are my guns of choice I shoot thousands of rounds a year and the Ol' Benneli just keeps on going and going.

Jammington and Winchester have declined in quality substantially in the last decade so if you do buy one get an older one.

For trap I think an over/under is best and you can find good SKB's Ithaca's or Browning Citoris used in the same price range as quality autos.

If you like pumps, the Benneli Nova is less than $300, it has the shortest and most reliable action on the market, plus a darn good hunting gun as well. It's very light so you might want to weight the stock to decrease the punishment magnum loads can deliver.

Everyone has a different opinion on guns, but I think the best gun is the gun that you shoot the best.

Nothing wrong with starting with a 20 or 16 ga...
 

In fact, these can throw just as much lead with less kick than many 12s.

I'd suggest a USED Browning Auto-5 or Remington 11. Great guns for targets, good "pointers", little recoil, changeable bbls., low price USED and low depreciation, classic design, can use for almost every other purpose.

Shotgun!!?? Thems fer sissies...

Why I use a 22 rifle to shoot flying targets. I use my Stevens Model 66 single action 22 rifle to 'discourage' pigeons from roosting in my barn -- the neighbors 'love' my choice of hobbies. ;)

I used to duck hunt with an old Coast-to-Coast 20 gauge bolt action shotgun--worked just fine for me.

Shooting .22's in the air is not to smart, I feel sorry for the people a mile away when that bullet comes back to earth

Just pick a gun that fits and balances well for him, thats the most important part.

...uh, ya me too.

My barn sits at the base of an unpopulated hillside that we also own...but, thanks for the finer points of gun safety.

Do I sense a GTG brewing? ;)

Anytime just ask, is the rifleing on your .22 a right or left hand twist or is it just twisted .

Lots of skeet and trap clubs will rent or loan
 

you a shotgun...and you can also ask to borrow someone's to try at a range, or seek their advice.

Funny to realize that in the '20s skeet and trap were as popular as golf is today.

Mossberg
 

Mossberg makes some good shotguns, although mostly used for hurting other people and not animals..