So thinking of getting into trap and skeet and pondering shotguns. Need advice.

[Jchrisls]

Went to an outdoor range as a guest with a good buddy of mine. This was the first time I ever shot outdoors. Had an incredible time shooting anywhere from 50 yards to 200 yards. Noticed they also had trap and skeet. Got me thinking I might want to try it. Some things of note that may be important- I have never shot a shotgun before. This would be my first time. I have a rule that I live by- Buy once, cry once. Within reason I wouldn't mind spending a bit more on a higher quality shotgun. Benelli as an example and in my thoughts.

For all those whom have shot shotguns and have participated in trap and skeet, what would you recommend?

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I'm in the same boat. I'm using a friend's Ruger Red Label while I browse potential purchases. It's a very nice gun but I don't think I'd want to spend that much......even if he asked me if I wanted to buy it.

I'm looking at a Steven's 555 right now. It not the cheapest, but certainly not the high end. If I don't like it I can always have my son use it for a starter clay gun. I understand the buy once cry once concept, but I had no idea how much shotguns can sell for......until I started looking.

 

[Jchrisls]

I've always admired the beauty of Benelli shotguns and have had my eye on one since I began shooting a couple of years ago. They are just, well, gorgeous IMO, but don't know much of anything about shotguns in general, let alone one specifically for sport. The one I wish I could own ( the M4) I cannot in NY and I also believe it isn't the right gun for Clay's ( I think? I dunno hence the thread). I was notified of your reply right as I was researching shotguns and, well, your right. They can get absurdly expensive.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Mossberg 500. Combo kit.

Field barrel has interchangeable chokes and second barrel smooth bore for home security. Original gun is 30 years old with 10 seasons of trap leagues. Still running. Monthly cleaning during trap. A real beater multipurpose gun that's been 100% reliable.

With the money I saved I bought a second 500 combo and two 590s.

The point? Guys at the club use 500s and 870s and still have a good time without spending a fortune or making a major investment. The O/U Berettas and Brownings are nice. I sold an old Beretta Whitewing. More joy and shots out of the Mossberg 500.

 

[fnfalguy]

A shockwave just to let them know you got skills.

but seriously, I’ve used a Mossberg 500 as well as a Remington 1100 and at my abilities (not impressive) it worked well. However, I have always coveted a Ruger Red Label As well as a nice O/U Beretta

 

[Jchrisls]

A shockwave just to let them know you got skills.

but seriously, I’ve used a Mossberg 500 as well as a Remington 1100 and at my abilities (not impressive) it worked well. However, I have always coveted a Ruger Red Label As well as a nice O/U Beretta

I'm gonna try to pull off a shockwave. Trap shockwave competition is a thing isn't it LOL.

I'm heading out today to do some window shopping ( pistol permit has now advanced) and am adding shotgun shopping to the list. Will see if they have a ruger red label in store and will attempt to not drool to much on the benelli they have there lol.

 

[Grimscale]

Get a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. Preferably one with a 28"+ barrel and replaceable chokes. These are inexpensive shotguns to get you started while you decide if you enjoy the sport.
once you have some experience, then look to the expensive Benelli, etc.

I shoot using a Remington 870 TC I picked up used at a gun show for $400 with an Improved Modified choke and have had some really good success.

 

[cgrutt]

@meketrefe for Spanish made O/U forget name but it was reasonably priced. Only experience with Beneli is M4 I loved it but not exactly a trap and skeet gun. Had a Berretta Silver Pigeon... now that was a great T/S gun. Have shot with a Browning BPS pump and had a great time. Basically anything will work most important part is getting out there and shooting! Good luck and have a great time.

 

[Jchrisls]

@meketrefe for Spanish made O/U forget name but it was reasonably priced. Only experience with Beneli is M4 I loved it but not exactly a trap and skeet gun. Had a Berretta Silver Pigeon... now that was a great T/S gun. Have shot with a Browning BPS pump and had a great time. Basically anything will work most important part is getting out there and shooting! Good luck and have a great time.

I mentioned to the owner of the shop that I work for about Benelli and he scoffed at the idea. Says he owns 7 of them ( I believe him, his collection is astounding, won most in raffles) but swears by the beretta. PS- the silver pigeon in over under new is 2200. Was it really that superior?

 

[dwa12479]

I'd recommend start simple and versatile, and then if you really fall in love with T/S get yourself a dedicated OU for it.

Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are like the Ford 302 and Chevy 350 of the shotgunning world. There's one or the other or both on every street corner. You can get them in kits with different barrel and choke combos, tons and tons of add ons and accessories availabe.

 

[cgrutt]

I mentioned to the owner of the shop that I work for about Benelli and he scoffed at the idea. Says he owns 7 of them ( I believe him, his collection is astounding, won most in raffles) but swears by the beretta. PS- the silver pigeon in over under new is 2200. Was it really that superior?

I'm not that good of shooter to know if it was superior or not just the most beautiful gun I'd ever owned. Really really nice gun. My Benelli M4 was much more than that with options. I would definitely go with the Berreta again if I were just shooting T/S.

 

[FRANKIE]

Ruger red label is a great start. Really solid durable shot gun. Only complaint I ever heard about it is, it has an auto safety. You get used to it fast. Even comes with a really nice semi hard case and the chokes and a unique receiver lock. No pro here but have shot with the Browning superposed, Winchester 21, Beretta’s Benelli’s and are unbelievable shot guns
but for some reason I always shot higher scores with the Ruger.
And most definitely better on the wallet.
I really think the Ruger red label would definitely fit the “Buy once cry once” narrative.

 

[Mk44]

Went to an outdoor range as a guest with a good buddy of mine. This was the first time I ever shot outdoors. Had an incredible time shooting anywhere from 50 yards to 200 yards. Noticed they also had trap and skeet. Got me thinking I might want to try it. Some things of note that may be important- I have never shot a shotgun before. This would be my first time. I have a rule that I live by- Buy once, cry once. Within reason I wouldn't mind spending a bit more on a higher quality shotgun. Benelli as an example and in my thoughts.

For all those whom have shot shotguns and have participated in trap and skeet, what would you recommend?

The Ruger Red Label is a nice gun.
You mentioned a rule you live by- Buy once, cry once. The Benelli O/U is a better gun. Others are Franchi Instinct. Beretta Silver pigeon.
You'll appreciate the O/U when shooting skeet.

 

[cgrutt]

Silver Pigeon...

 

[turbobike]

Best value..used A) Browning Citori 0/U Trap or Sporting B) Trap - Browning BT99 C) Remington 870 or 1100 (1187) Trap D) Browning BPS Trap (pump)

NEW.. budget/value guns A) Browning BT99 B) the TriStar Trap and Sporting lines are a decent value C) Steven's 555 Trap is a nice entry level

 

[Keyzard]

I have both a Mossy 500 and a Remington 1100. I shoot the 500 way better than the 1100. My wife is the opposite, she is better with the 1100.
I think it has something to do with the stock angle? I feel like I can't get down over the bore with the 1100.

So if you can, try before you buy.

 

[FRANKIE]

@Keyzard coined it,

“So if you can, try before you buy.”

Best way to accomplish this is to get out there
Try different guns
If you got expensive tastes hang out as a guest @ the Camp Fire Club in Chappaqua. That worked for me in the sense of experiencing really high end stuff.
But as far as ownership…
That’s were it ended lol!!!!!!

 

[BerettaGuy]

I started with a Remington 870. Went to a Remington 1100, now have 3 Beretta's. 2 semi-auto, and an O/U. The OU has the feel I like best and has become the go-to gun.
Trap Guns are like cars. Rather than go through the process of measuring your Lenght of Pull and other stuff. Test drive different guns. Ask the other shooters, they may let you try their gun.

 

[FRANKIE]

Silver Pigeon...

That is a beautiful gun. Aside from the fantastic wood the bluing is up there with the Midas grade Brownings. That gun will never lose value

 

[Bustedknees]

The Benelli Ethos Sport is on my drool list. But my collection still lacks an over/under.

 

[meketrefe]

Went to an outdoor range as a guest with a good buddy of mine. This was the first time I ever shot outdoors. Had an incredible time shooting anywhere from 50 yards to 200 yards. Noticed they also had trap and skeet. Got me thinking I might want to try it. Some things of note that may be important- I have never shot a shotgun before. This would be my first time. I have a rule that I live by- Buy once, cry once. Within reason I wouldn't mind spending a bit more on a higher quality shotgun. Benelli as an example and in my thoughts.

For all those whom have shot shotguns and have participated in trap and skeet, what would you recommend?

Have you tried skeet or trap already?
In most clubs you have loaner shotguns and people will offer their gun to test if you go with a trusty host.

If you are serious you most likely end up with an over and under that gives a huge advantage in terms of reliability, consistency and two different choke sizes to get the best pattern results at the distances needed by the given course.

Think of a shotgun like going to the tailor. You start with a good gun and then you have to work on the ergonomics and adjustments to fit you.

Forget about brands for a second. You are going to get 1000 opinions. Lets define the process to get there.

 

[Jchrisls]

The Benelli Ethos Sport is on my drool list. But my collection still lacks an over/under.

Welp this is like kizmit. Just at sportsman's warehouse to window shop. Which one did I seem to love the most? Benelli Ethos Sport. Absolutely, positively runway model beautiful. Don't worry, I drooled a little too lol. Wrote it down, 2k, on the list.

 

[Bustedknees]

Welp this is like kizmit. Just at sportsman's warehouse to window shop. Which one did I seem to love the most? Benelli Ethos Sport. Absolutely, positively runway model beautiful. Don't worry, I drooled a little too lol. Wrote it down, 2k, on the list.

The part of your original post that cracked me up was "first time shooting outdoors" I guess I'm just lucky I can shoot from my windows if the need calls. Even in cities like Suckacuse, Utica, Albany, etc. its a very short drive to open country. It just never occurs to me there are places like NYC where there is no outdoors shooting,, other than things like felony gun play.

 

[Jmac00]

anything with a 96" barrel preferably a 105 howitzer

 

[turbobike]

Jchrisls...several area clubs have open trap shooting near ROC, Monday night at 5:00 on Brockport CC, Thursday 4:00 on at Holley Gun Club, Tuesday night at Mumford Gun Club...​

 

[Steal2B]

I started with a Remington 870. Went to a Remington 1100, now have 3 Beretta's. 2 semi-auto, and an O/U. The OU has the feel I like best and has become the go-to gun.
Trap Guns are like cars. Rather than go through the process of measuring your Lenght of Pull and other stuff. Test drive different guns. Ask the other shooters, they may let you try their gun.

Went to annual West Point Trap and Skeet team fund raisers with SIL, got to test drive several gems from the team's arsenal as well as some from very active shooting alumni. My starting point is now a Beretta Silver Pigeon, which can still be found well below retail new or used. Since I can get obsessive and I figure I'm going to eventually get there ... so it's cheaper to start there.

 

[Mk44]

A friend shoots with an Ethos SuperSport. He loves it.
For clay I personally prefer an O/U. For upland hunts, I can go either O/U or autoloader.

Being that you're new to shotguns/ trap & skeet. I would also recommend going somewhere that rents shotguns for the sport. Try a few different styles of guns. See what you like/ fits you. You may shoot one better than the other. Good luck

 

[Bustedknees]

For those traveling near Oneida County visit here. Lots of high end shotguns, trap, sporting clay, live birds in season, league's and corporate events too.

Home - Vernon National Shooting Preserve

Vernon National Shooting Preserve in Vernon Center, NY offers premier pheasant hunts, sporting clays, trap, skeet, rifle and pistol ranges, plus a full-service gun shop.

vernonnational.com

 

[Acer-m14]

moss 500 pump .. show them up on the skeet range .. lol .. i got some weird looks from the other skeet shooters holding there 1K gun lol ..

my best so far with a pump is 24/25 skeet . cyl bore barrel .. #9 shot reloads .. gotta lead that clay 10 feet on the middle station ..

i also have a SKB O/U both barrels on that are skeet choke .. got 25/25 with that . .. i just shoot for fun ...

when i first showed up at the gun club here .. they were having a skeet shoot .. all i had in the truck was a 20ga single shot ..
want to shoot .. sure .. all i have is a single shot .. go get it .. .. so i couldn't shoot doubles .. but i got to shoot ..

 

[Will556]

Don’t forget you have the Beretta 1301 as an option as well.


They have a few different versions, including a competition based one.