Browning, Beretta, Blaser or Miroku will hold there value alot better aswell.
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the Daily hi thread
Shotgun for clays
- Thread starter Biigd ft
- Start date
Redboat01
Member Extraordinaire
I have very limited experience about this, but on the plus side I am a recent starter on shotguns, along with a couple of others in my family. I also have a friends who works on a shotgun range all day, every day who helped out with some advice.
I firstly made the classic (semi) mistake and and bought a cheap second hand shotgun and had a go. Funnily enough, I really couldn't hit much with it. I've since found out thats nothing to do with the shotgun, just that it was the wrong fit for me. As it happens, it fits someone else in my family, so not a complete disaster.
I stopped in at an Shotgun RFD who kindly told me there was not point fitting me for a shotgun, until I had done some shooting.
Then we went and had a few group lessons, where adjustable stock risers were attached etc. Also looked at things like stock length (I am tall). This was all very helpful.
The general advice I have had about shotguns was as follows:
-Very expensive ones just have prettier stocks etc
-A very cheap shotgun that fits can still do the job perfectly
In the end, I was advised to look at Browning/Beretta as they have long term reliability. But my actual choice was based on an instructor trying some shotguns on me and saying 'this model and make in 30" will fit you properly'. So I went and got a second hand one of those from an RFD, having got some advice in advance on how to check the shotgun was good.
So to reply to your original question, my view is now that a) the answer is specific to you and b) you are only going to find out after you have shot a bit and then get a fitting.
Hope you have fun with the new hobby.
Biigd ft
Active member
Problem is in my area with shops they haven't sold many guns for ages as its hard to get the licence. So they tend to be quick and say yep that's perfect fit for you do you know what I mean. Alot of shop are just sales and not shooters tooI have very limited experience about this, but on the plus side I am a recent starter on shotguns, along with a couple of others in my family. I also have a friends who works on a shotgun range all day, every day who helped out with some advice.
I firstly made the classic (semi) mistake and and bought a cheap second hand shotgun and had a go. Funnily enough, I really couldn't hit much with it. I've since found out thats nothing to do with the shotgun, just that it was the wrong fit for me. As it happens, it fits someone else in my family, so not a complete disaster.
I stopped in at an Shotgun RFD who kindly told me there was not point fitting me for a shotgun, until I had done some shooting.
Then we went and had a few group lessons, where adjustable stock risers were attached etc. Also looked at things like stock length (I am tall). This was all very helpful.
The general advice I have had about shotguns was as follows:
-Very expensive ones just have prettier stocks etc
-A very cheap shotgun that fits can still do the job perfectly
In the end, I was advised to look at Browning/Beretta as they have long term reliability. But my actual choice was based on an instructor trying some shotguns on me and saying 'this model and make in 30" will fit you properly'. So I went and got a second hand one of those from an RFD, having got some advice in advance on how to check the shotgun was good.
So to reply to your original question, my view is now that a) the answer is specific to you and b) you are only going to find out after you have shot a bit and then get a fitting.
Hope you have fun with the new hobby.
Biigd ft
Active member
Gun smith near me is really good with actions and restoring wood etc reasonable price too
shiftyp87
Super member
Is there a decent shooting school around you? Or even just a ground with a shop attached? Most grounds will let you get a feel for a number of guns before parting you with your hard earned. Just give them a realistic idea of budget and they should let you try a few.
Do you have your license? If not you might be better-off paying for a few lessons and asking if they can suggest a few guns to try within the lessons.
chouchin66
Top Tier member
In my opinion, aside LOP, ( they're all fairly close, & quickly fixed if needed) there's entirely too much emphasis put on fit. I don't know too many ol' boys that worry over it - we buy a field gun & put lead through the thing to become proficient with it - pretty simple. Most fellas I shoot with ( self included), bust clays with the same shotgun we hunt upland birds & to some extent, waterfowl , with & do dang well at it. The human body is really good at adaptation to a lot of things - shootin' guns is one of ' em.
Biigd ft
Active member
Yeah just had mine back. Been shooting to a local club it's more a old school type clay shoot friends gather for a Sunday shoot. But had used berreta semi auto. Used a few other brand auto but I love the feel and look of the under and overs. I used a browning 525 and fell in love with it too
shiftyp87
Super member
A decent B525 can be had in the £1000-£2000 range, and you'll get your money back if it turns out you don't gel with with it as much as you thought.
Terminal_Boy
Proactive member
30” multi-choke sporter in which ever brand fits your better.
I found that folks that were wider across the shoulders/deeper in the chest favoured the Japanese Brownings/Mirokus/Yank semi autos and the narrower folks favoured Berettas.
I found that folks that were wider across the shoulders/deeper in the chest favoured the Japanese Brownings/Mirokus/Yank semi autos and the narrower folks favoured Berettas.
Redboat01
Member Extraordinaire
Yeah, I think that's why you are best off getting the guidance from an instructor. Less conflict of interest.
chouchin66
Top Tier member
Just two basics to know - keep your bead under your bird & swing through your shot - you can't teach lead.
Biigd ft
Active member
OK thanks for the info I didn't known what Brad mean until a week ago
Biigd ft
Active member
BEADOK thanks for the info I didn't known what Brad mean until a week ago
Biigd ft
Active member
Browning the one which is on my mind I do like the gun I've used one at one of the shoots. But I think fitting is more important than looking at a pretty gun that's the most important thing I have been told since this thread I put up. Thanks all
chouchin66
Top Tier member
Biigd ft
Active member
Seen a few under 1000 but guessing they have been very well used. Noticed that a some had the stock cut down too
Biigd ft
Active member
My dream would be to get good enough and have experience to go out on a boxing day for a pheasant shot. But nned to win the lottery first
Redboat01
Member Extraordinaire
It was interesting having the lessons. Their main points were 1) Don't think 2) Look at the clay, not the bead.
Apparently us humans are already inherently pretty good at pointing at things and too much thought about where to aim just gets in the way of that.
I'm the opposite of an expert on shotguns, though it seems to me with air rifles on 10M target we are constantly working on getting the rifle adjusted to the shooter, not the other way round. While it is completely true that people can adapt, I suppose it is an extra task that also may affect repeatability? Which may not be relevant, depending on what its being used for...
Biigd ft
Active member
I have learnt In field target especially your body etc moves where you eyes go that why it's important to in the right position so guessing shotguns shooting would be the same
chouchin66
Top Tier member
Every shotty I own is " off the rack" , single, o/u, auto & pump...you just shoot the things & you'll be tuned in soon ' nuff. You are right though - instinct & auto pilot , is sumpin' that can't be taught. The " Bead below bird" is just a way of keeping your eye on the prize - unobstructed. Only other advice I can offer - a rising bird is a heckofa lot easier to hit than a dropping one.
