Thinking of getting started in sporting clays. Thinking skeet, but open to all. Have only shot some clays in smaller type events (HRA range days, BSA events, etc). What are some recommendations for newbie?  I’m thinking of going with a starter gun, hit the range, and see if I stick with it. But am open to going with better quality.

Have always been interested in getting into skeet (and trap), but didn’t really have the time. Will have more time now. Also ran into a good friend who shoots skeet and trap a lot and got inspired after talking with him.

I’ve shot some cheaper semi autos to some nice Brownings. I can appreciate the nicer guns, but think I’d be good with much less gun. Always been interested in O/U though.

Semi auto - Pros and cons?
O/U - Pros and cons?

Take a look at Tristar. A lot of trap shooters I shoot with have over 14k thru their trap guns without any problems. Brownings are pricier but are built like tanks and offer great multi discipline platforms. 

Take a look at Tristar. A lot of trap shooters I shoot with have over 14k thru their trap guns without any problems. Brownings are pricier but are built like tanks and offer great multi discipline platforms. 

Thanks! Was checking them out and saw a couple of reviews for their O/Us that seemed pretty good.

Was also checking out Beretta A300 and some Benellis as well as other O/U models. Lots of choices.

If you come out to the trap range, you’ll notice most use O/U.
It’s preferred because O\U actions can take a lot of rounds with little maintenance, are easy to clean, easy to load and unload,
and are super reliable. Most O/U made for trap shooting are heavy,
so they tend to be really soft shooters which is a good thing.
I’ve shot semis but to me the cons are:
The guy shooting next to you might get pissed off if your shells keep bouncing off them or their gun.
If you do go semi, make sure you put a shell catcher on it.
Cleaning is a lot harder because of the gas system, and to me they’re more susceptible to malfunctions.
On the plus side, semis tend to be soft shooters because the action absorbs some of the recoil energy.
I’ll be at the trap range today, all day. Come by and say “HI” if your in the area.
Mike

Thinking of getting started in sporting clays. Thinking skeet, but open to all. Have only shot some clays in smaller type events (HRA range days, BSA events, etc). What are some recommendations for newbie?  I’m thinking of going with a starter gun, hit the range, and see if I stick with it. But am open to going with better quality.

Have always been interested in getting into skeet (and trap), but didn’t really have the time. Will have more time now. Also ran into a good friend who shoots skeet and trap a lot and got inspired after talking with him.

I’ve shot some cheaper semi autos to some nice Brownings. I can appreciate the nicer guns, but think I’d be good with much less gun. Always been interested in O/U though.

Semi auto - Pros and cons?
O/U - Pros and cons?

Semi auto:

Advice:
If you're just starting out go with a semi-auto, especially if you're unsure about sticking with it.  Anything with a removable chokes and cycles #8 and #9 birdshot reliably.  Stay away from the Browning A5 unless you like recoil.

Pros:
With a good recoil pad, less felt recoil than an O/U set up.  Easier to sell if you don't stick with the sport.

Cons:
One gun, one gauge.


O/U

Advice:
If you're going to go this route as your first trap/skeet gun, don't cheap out.  Get to know the other guys at the trap and skeet ranges.  Most of the older shooters have quite the collection and may be willing to part with a used O/U that might fit your budget.  Don't buy a 4 barrel set.  It may look cool, but it's "old tech" in terms of improving your shooting.  The weight of the gun changes too much which impacts the handling drastically.  If you're going O/U start with a 12 gauge so if you do end up sticking with it, you can get tubes from Briley or Kolar to shoot the smaller gauges.

Pros:
The platform to go with if you want to get serious because all the top shooters in trap and skeet shoot O/Us.  Everyone from the AMU to Kim Rhodes uses an O/U.

Cons:
Cost.  You have to get quality.  This is where remembering the phrase "buy once cry once" is really important.  The Browning line is great as well as Beretta.

If you come out to the trap range, you’ll notice most use O/U.
It’s preferred because O\U actions can take a lot of rounds with little maintenance, are easy to clean, easy to load and unload,
and are super reliable. Most O/U made for trap shooting are heavy,
so they tend to be really soft shooters which is a good thing.
I’ve shot semis but to me the cons are:
The guy shooting next to you might get pissed off if your shells keep bouncing off them or their gun.
If you do go semi, make sure you put a shell catcher on it.
Cleaning is a lot harder because of the gas system, and to me they’re more susceptible to malfunctions.
On the plus side, semis tend to be soft shooters because the action absorbs some of the recoil energy.
I’ll be at the trap range today, all day. Come by and say “HI” if your in the area.
Mike

Thanks for offer can’t make it to the range today. Maybe I can swing by after the revolver shoot next Sun.

I noticed the weight aspects of the O/U as well as the recoil energy aspect of semis. I’ve shot defensive shotguns in both pump and semi a lot and def notice the difference there.

I recall seeing a bunch of shooters with semis, but that was mostly just passing the area on the way to the action bays. Didn’t think about the aspect of shells ejecting and irritating the shooter next to you, but I’ll def keep that in mind.

Good thoughts about the cleaning aspect as well. Never owned a shotgun until recently, so while I’ve shot them lots, it was always someone else’s gun.

Semi auto:

Advice:
If you're just starting out go with a semi-auto, especially if you're unsure about sticking with it.  Anything with a removable chokes and cycles #8 and #9 birdshot reliably.  Stay away from the Browning A5 unless you like recoil.

Pros:
With a good recoil pad, less felt recoil than an O/U set up.  Easier to sell if you don't stick with the sport.

Cons:
One gun, one gauge.


O/U

Advice:
If you're going to go this route as your first trap/skeet gun, don't cheap out.  Get to know the other guys at the trap and skeet ranges.  Most of the older shooters have quite the collection and may be willing to part with a used O/U that might fit your budget.  Don't buy a 4 barrel set.  It may look cool, but it's "old tech" in terms of improving your shooting.  The weight of the gun changes too much which impacts the handling drastically.  If you're going O/U start with a 12 gauge so if you do end up sticking with it, you can get tubes from Briley or Kolar to shoot the smaller gauges.

Pros:
The platform to go with if you want to get serious because all the top shooters in trap and skeet shoot O/Us.  Everyone from the AMU to Kim Rhodes uses an O/U.

Cons:
Cost.  You have to get quality.  This is where remembering the phrase "buy once cry once" is really important.  The Browning line is great as well as Beretta.

Thank you for the thoughtful and thorough feedback!

I’ve shot a bunch of Brownings over the years. From Citoris to some “cheaper” ones to some high dollar (at least for me) ones. I’m leaning toward O/U, but still learning. Never considered the versatility and multiple barrel aspect, but have seen some folks setup that way.

Def open to spending more for quality. Just I don’t think I know enough to truly recognize that right now. Feedback here has been really helpful, but I also understand that shooting and maintaining my own will tell me lots as well. I tend to want to try for myself and see, so a semi and O/U side by side would be good, which what I’ve done quite a bit when I got into ARs, but thinking I’ll pick one shotgun type and try it for a while.

Thank you for the thoughtful and thorough feedback!

I’ve shot a bunch of Brownings over the years. From Citoris to some “cheaper” ones to some high dollar (at least for me) ones. I’m leaning toward O/U, but still learning. Never considered the versatility and multiple barrel aspect, but have seen some folks setup that way.

Def open to spending more for quality. Just I don’t think I know enough to truly recognize that right now. Feedback here has been really helpful, but I also understand that shooting and maintaining my own will tell me lots as well. I tend to want to try for myself and see, so a semi and O/U side by side would be good, which what I’ve done quite a bit when I got into ARs, but thinking I’ll pick one shotgun type and try it for a while.

If you let me know when, I have a Browning Cynergy o/u you can try. Just supply your target loads 7.5, 8’s or 9’s, 2 3/4 or 3 drams loads and have a blast! Would let you shoot my Citori trap but unless your a lefty, it would be uncomfortable. The range is also open on Thursdays 8-12. More relaxed and more fun IMHO and is a good excuse to take some quality time off  .like I said, LMK!
Gil

If you let me know when, I have a Browning Cynergy o/u you can try. Just supply your target loads 7.5, 8’s or 9’s, 2 3/4 or 3 drams loads and have a blast! Would let you shoot my Citori trap but unless your a lefty, it would be uncomfortable. The range is also open on Thursdays 8-12. More relaxed and more fun IMHO and is a good excuse to take some quality time off  .like I said, LMK!
Gil

Awesome!  Thank you for the offer.  I'll have to take you up on that.  I have a bunch of time off accrued and will need to start using, so the Thursday sessions sound good.   

Awesome!  Thank you for the offer.  I'll have to take you up on that.  I have a bunch of time off accrued and will need to start using, so the Thursday sessions sound good.   

Sure anytime. Just to let you know the trap range will be closed this coming Thursday. Will keep you posted via pm if everything is a go for the 9th. We get word via email the Monday prior....
R
Gil

I've never shot skeet but shoot trap a couple of times a year and I say bring out whatever shot gun you have and go a couple of rounds. It is load one shoot one so I use my Marine Magnum pump that I swap in a 28" barrel. You will have fun . . . unless maybe you miss every shot.

Sure anytime. Just to let you know the trap range will be closed this coming Thursday. Will keep you posted via pm if everything is a go for the 9th. We get word via email the Monday prior....
R
Gil

The 9th is likely a no go for me since I’m already taking of 10th to golf.  Should be more free after that tho.

I've never shot skeet but shoot trap a couple of times a year and I say bring out whatever shot gun you have and go a couple of rounds. It is load one shoot one so I use my Marine Magnum pump that I swap in a 28" barrel. You will have fun . . . unless maybe you miss every shot.

I inherited a pump shotty. I think it’s a Benelli Nova. IIRC, the barrel is something like 18”. I mean I guess “could go”. Haha

I inherited a pump shotty. I think it’s a Benelli Nova. IIRC, the barrel is something like 18”. I mean I guess “could go”. Haha

I do like to leave the 18" barrel on some times, just for fun, and there are usually others with tactical shot guns shooting trap.

I do like to leave the 18" barrel on some times, just for fun, and there are usually others with tactical shot guns shooting trap.

Yeah.  I've busted many clays with them tactical shottys as well, but not on the skeet or trap ranges.  I have seen folks shooting with them though.  The longer barreled, more purpose built guns seem better, but sometimes you gotta shoot what you got.   

I've never shot sporting clays.
done a lot of trap and some skeet.
I've been shooting shotguns for over 50 years.
My two favorite shotguns are a Beretta O/U
full and modified choke
and a Browning A5 full choke.
I prefer the trap 27 yard position.
I'm out of practice a 20+ shooter, but to be
honest I've had a few perfect rounds.
#1 rule take the bead sights off the barrel.
#2 keep both eyes open.
A shotgun is like your arm,  anything you point
at with your finger you will hit.
Takes a lot of practice, but it works.

I've never shot sporting clays.
done a lot of trap and some skeet.
I've been shooting shotguns for over 50 years.
My two favorite shotguns are a Beretta O/U
full and modified choke
and a Browning A5 full choke.
I prefer the trap 27 yard position.
I'm out of practice a 20+ shooter, but to be
honest I've had a few perfect rounds.
#1 rule take the bead sights off the barrel.
#2 keep both eyes open.
A shotgun is like your arm,  anything you point
at with your finger you will hit.
Takes a lot of practice, but it works.

Exactly! It’s not the gun but the “nut” behind the trigger. Great advice! 

The 9th is likely a no go for me since I’m already taking of 10th to golf.  Should be more free after that tho.

No worries just lemme know.... standing by!

If you let me know when, I have a Browning Cynergy o/u you can try. Just supply your target loads 7.5, 8’s or 9’s, 2 3/4 or 3 drams loads and have a blast! Would let you shoot my Citori trap but unless your a lefty, it would be uncomfortable. The range is also open on Thursdays 8-12. More relaxed and more fun IMHO and is a good excuse to take some quality time off  .like I said, LMK!
Gil

Is the Thu trap sessions on for 12/26 or 1/2? 

Is the Thu trap sessions on for 12/26 or 1/2?

unfortunately the RSO who was opening the the range on Thursdays can no longer do it so it's gone the way of the Dodo. only options are some saturdays and every sunday. Im always looking for an excuse to shoot some trap so just let me know. Don't normally shoot at Kokohead that much anymore (I go to Schofield) but will go to Kokohead if you want.