New member looking for shotgun

[bsa1917hunter]

Just spitballin' here but I'd say figure out what gun you want and then get it.

Good post. In doing this, maybe he should visit some trap clubs and try out some loaner shotguns. Or if he has friends in the area, he could try some of theirs... We are getting freezing rain here, or I'd let him try out my lefty wingmaster. I know the Portland gun club has a loaner 870 trap gun that works very well..... I 've used it a couple times when in Portland with a buddy that wanted to go trap shooting. Like my buddy Korey said in an earlier post, it is very crucial that a shotgun fits you properly. Not only physically, but also in your shooting style. I for one like a hunting type shotgun, that's why I use my left handed wingmaster. There's a lot of familiarity there and first and foremost in hunting or target shooting, the weapon has to feel as natural as possible. If it doesn't, it's all fun and games, but someone else will be bringing home the majority of the money and bacon......and trust me, I like bacon...

 

[Certaindeaf]

Good post. In doing this, maybe he should visit some trap clubs and try out some loaner shotguns. Or if he has friends in the area, he could try some of theirs... We are getting freezing rain here, or I'd let him try out my lefty wingmaster. I know the Portland gun club has a loaner 870 trap gun that works very well..... I 've used it a couple times when in Portland with a buddy that wanted to go trap shooting. Like my buddy Korey said in an earlier post, it is very crucial that a shotgun fits you properly. Not only physically, but also in your shooting style. I for one like a hunting type shotgun, that's why I use my left handed wingmaster. There's a lot of familiarity there and first and foremost in hunting or target shooting, the weapon has to feel as natural as possible. If it doesn't, it's all fun and games, but someone else will be bringing home the majority of the money and bacon......and trust me, I like bacon...

Didn't read. I suspect OP is..

 

[teflon6string]

At a certain point, nice shotguns can get pretty fancy and expensive. In my distant youthful past, I've impulsively invested in really nice things and then wished a year later that I'd gone another route (boats, motorcycles, guitar amps and a few ex-girlfriends come to mind). Fortunately, only a couple times with guns.

With that said, it might be a reasonable starting point to buy and shoot something generic and economical for a year while you go to clubs, ask questions, and explore more high-end options. Shooting for decades, I've shared a lot of my guns with other shooters and fired well over a 100 various weapons that were pressed into my hands. In some cases, that helped me determine what I really did/did not want to own.

Even after you make the move to your dream shotgun, a second, well-maintained generic one will always have re-sale/trade/gift value. And it's cool to have a loaner when you shoot with friends who cannot bring their own.

Just one perspective.

 

[bsa1917hunter]

Good post Teflon..

 

[Alexx1401]

Thanks for the help. I tried a 391 Beretta and a MX-8 Perazzi. I am a southpaw, ;(. I'll just have to poke around I guess. I am a buy once kind of guy with 'some' patience. I thought there might be a target gun specialist in the Metro area.

I saw a LH Perazzi on the Cabela's web site. $$$ But I don't know if they are a good investment

If you enjoy clay, and you find a gun YOU like, it is a GREAT investment. That is the hands down most important part of this. What "feels right" for you. When you find what you like it will not matter what others think of it. If you enjoy this hobby you will most likely want to get a set up to roll your own ammo too. Makes the hobby more fun if the ammo is cheaper.

 

[U8395279]

Thanks for the help. I tried a 391 Beretta and a MX-8 Perazzi. I am a southpaw, ;(. I'll just have to poke around I guess. I am a buy once kind of guy with 'some' patience. I thought there might be a target gun specialist in the Metro area.

I saw a LH Perazzi on the Cabela's web site. $$$ But I don't know if they are a good investment

Mid-Valley Clays and Shooting School in Gervais is an hour or less south on I-5, depending where you live. They have a fantastic range with sporting clays, 5 stand, trap, and skeet. And they have a pro shop with guns and gear for sale. They have a number of rental guns too, so they might be able to give you a chance to try a number of different guns out.

I doubt investing in something like a Perazzi or a Krieghoff is worth it myself. Browning and Beretta shotguns are awfully nice too, and are much more affordable for most people.


Mid-Valley Clays, Sporting Clays, 5-Stand, Skeet, Trap, Shotgun Instruction

I know that Mid-Valley is a Beretta dealer. I don't know if they also carry Browning. But those are the two brands that I would start with, in looking for a target shotgun.

 

[tvbh40a]

If you enjoy clay, and you find a gun YOU like, it is a GREAT investment. That is the hands down most important part of this. What "feels right" for you. When you find what you like it will not matter what others think of it. If you enjoy this hobby you will most likely want to get a set up to roll your own ammo too. Makes the hobby more fun if the ammo is cheaper.

Thanks. . I am going to look for a 391 for now. I see they can be adjusted to fit a lefty. If I really get hooked I'll look at something special. Awesome forum. I hope to get out and have fun.

 

[Lilhigbee]

Shooting isn't like most other hobbies. As long as you use your head when you buy something, it will always be worth what you paid for it. Don't like it?? Sell it and move on. Nothing, or at least not much, lost.

 

[coop44]

a perazzi, a Holland and Holland, maybe a Beretta 687 multi barrel set, after all you didn't set a price limit. Find some one to teach you, preferably a professional trap shooter. Find some one who can properly set up your gun for length of pull and sight alignment.

One of the best trap shooters I ever knew (he made a good living shooting trap, he was that good) shot model 12 winchesters. They are getting hard to find, especially configured for trap. Browning made some trap/skeet 2 barrel sets, expect to pay.

Let me know when you can break 95+ out of a hundred, in a single day.

 

[fredball]

Welcome Aboard

 

[Ura-Ki]

Welcome aboard! Glad to have you join us! Beretta is a fine choice, I would follow the advice of others here and get your hands around as many shotguns as you can before you "Pull the Trigger" on one. There are so many good choices out there, it would be a shame not to try out as many as you can before making that choice.

 

[ZigZagZeke]

Perazzi's are usually a good investment. Even the left handed models. There are quite a few left handed trap shooters out there. Here are some models of shotguns I'd suggest looking at:

1. Browning BT99
2. Browning Citori trap
3. Remington 870 wingmaster. LH model if you can find one.

I'd also do like my buddy lilhigbee suggested and visit the Portland gun club and talk to those guys and check out the board there. They usually have shotguns listed there and most of the shooters there would love to help you out. I've been there and have shot some of their money shoots. Keep an eye out for upcoming meat/money/turkey shoots. A lot of guys will be there with guns for sale. There's also a great bunch of guys (or should I say rowdy group of guys) out in Camby that would love to help out a newbie. Good luck with it...

Second that on the Browning Citori Trap model. Best accuracy I've ever achieved was shooting one.

 

[bbbass]

Second that on the Browning Citori Trap model. Best accuracy I've ever achieved was shooting one.

While I love Browning Citori, my advice is to find a shotgun that fits well... unless a person can afford a custom job. IMO fit is best checked by an experienced shotgunner or a high end shotgun specialty shop, not someone that is a newbie to shotgun sports or some random salesperson at a big box store.

Best accuracy I ever had on ducks was with a Browning Auto5. Best 28 yard trap was Remington model 31 trap with wide rib. Best on 16 yard trap and pheasant was Ithaca 37. Best on goose was Charles Daly 30" O/U. Best on quail, huns, and skeet was SKB 20ga O/U. Never owned a skeet gun. And I woulda loved to have had a custom fit Perazzi trap single but instead I bought several shotguns, rifles, and pistols.

 

[ZigZagZeke]

While I love Browning Citori, my advice is to find a shotgun that fits well... unless a person can afford a custom job. IMO fit is best checked by an experienced shotgunner or a high end shotgun specialty shop, not someone that is a newbie to shotgun sports or some random salesperson at a big box store.

Best accuracy I ever had on ducks was with a Browning Auto5. Best 28 yard trap was Remington model 31 trap with wide rib. Best on 16 yard trap and pheasant was Ithaca 37. Best on goose was Charles Daly 30" O/U. Best on quail, huns, and skeet was SKB 20ga O/U. Never owned a skeet gun. And I woulda loved to have had a custom fit Perazzi trap single but instead I bought several shotguns, rifles, and pistols.

My favorite gun for doves in my 1947 Ithaca 37 in 20 ga with full choke. It became mine when I turned 16, and back then I used it on everything from doves to pheasant. I still like it best for doves because it shoots where I'm looking.

 

[tvbh40a]

Proud owner of a Beretta 391 SC , found one that was like new. Thanks for all the advice and I will have to get out and mingle. Thanks again. Really wanted the Perazzi, it definitely had a wow factor to it and felt great. But common sense kicked in, it is just a tool to have fun with. thanks again

 

[Lilhigbee]

Bring it out to Portland Gun Club. They shoot until 8:00pm on Thursdays. Great fun shooting fluorescent clays under the lights.

 

[F2CMaDMaXX]

I was going to suggest a double, but that looks like a really nice gun, is the SC a left leaning comb?

 

[tvbh40a]

I was going to suggest a double, but that looks like a really nice gun, is the SC a left leaning comb?

It has an adjustable stock. I don't know how to check 'leaning'.

 

[F2CMaDMaXX]

I'm not great on it, not being left handed, i'm fine. Do you know which eye dominant you are?

A lot of stocks are neutral in cant, others are to the right, allowing space for the right handed use to raise to cheek.

 

[shredjesse]

I found this site under one the Oregon sporting Clays site. I am new to the Clay target shooting and excited. Where do I go look for a good target shotgun in the Portland Metro area. Thanks for any help.

Check out the Vancouver Trap Club! Very conveniently located, pretty darn friendly group, and really affordable.

If you're looking for a good affordable starter shotgun, I've got a 28" Benelli Nova I've just had sitting in my safe. Great ultra reliable shotgun, by far the easiest to maintain of any shotgun I've ever dealt with. I've got too many other shotguns to bother with it anymore.