Looking for a shotgun suggestion

[Frenchy]

Anyone who claims a pump is inferior to a semihas one of two problems, no coordination or never owned a pump. Pumps are as fast as you want them to be. Clays do not fly that fast that you cant shoot them with a pump. I used to go to the GPGC when it was open, load up 5 rounds, ( I took the rod out for practice) place the gun down, push the button, and shoot my doubles, I usually shot well even having to go through that, but one windy day, I could that I was able to shoot all 5 rounds out before the birds escaped me.

Dicks often has specials on o/u at around $300, if your worried that much about speed, then that may be your "option" but let me tell you, all in all, on a double you have around 5 to 7 seconds to shoot both birds. On a Single, you have as much time, If you cant hit the bird with a pump, you are definatley not doing some thing right.

Nice thing about th epump, "IF' and i said if because I never seen it happen yet you get a jam, you pump and clear, where as a semi, and this i have seen often, you have to drop and unload to clear.

I have a 12 Mossberg pump and a 20 remington auto here, never liked the auto.

[BUCKMARK]

Well, i'm decent with my guns, and own 7 pump guns at the present time...but I'm still claiming that the pump is inferior to the semi on the sporting clay range.

Why would you buy a gun that requires more movement, and takes you away from the birds when you can own a gun that stays put? Money.

Shooting sporting clays with a pump is just fine, and I have seen many folks do it. But in a short time those people want to move up to a semi or a O/U. Perhaps there is someone I'm not aware of that shoots a pump on the pro tours, but if you look in Sporting Clays Magazine, and look at tourney winners, you will not find one pump on any leader board. I never seen one in the regional or Pa. state shoots. There is a reason for that.

If someone shoots sporting clays and has plenty of time to shoot a true pair flying through the trees...that person has never shot tournament quality birds. I have seen many newbies short stroke a pump trying to hit doubles when they had less than 3 seconds to get both shots off from a low ready position. Can it be done? Sure. Is the pump making your life rough? You betcha.

I myself shoot a O/U due to the quick trigger reset, less moving parts, length of service, easier reloading, safe carry when not shooting and having the ability to use two different choke restrictions on one station. But if I didnt have enough money for a quality O/U, I would shoot a semi followed by the pump.

I suppose you could break 50/100 with a H&R single.

[Favabean]

Originally Posted by BUCKMARK

I suppose you could break 50/100 with a H&R single.

Nah, I'd be lucky to get 10/100 with a single.

[JIMMYC308]

I shoot with Benelli shotguns which are too steep in price. But I also have owned quite a few Franchi shotguns that are affordable and great shooters. If price is an issue the Remington line of 1100 auto-loaders is the way to go like the others stated. Good luck in your choice.

[Justin]

i'm going to give another vote for the 1100. extremely reliable and sturdy gun, doesnt break the bank, about the best bang for the buck as far as autoloaders go.

[dougb]

Targets in the game of sporting clays are often shot as pairs, two birds in some sort of quick succession. Shooters who mininize the amount of motion needed to acquire the target often achieve higher scores. This may be one reason you will primarily see semi-auto and o/u type actions vs pump-action shotguns used in this game.

Regards,
DougB

[jimthom123]

Buckmark is my kind of guy and I'll bet that he has one or two of those $3,500.00 Brownings - so do I. My first shotgun was a 1100 field purchased in 1970 and although that one is long gone I still have 2 in the gun cabinet along with another 2 1187s' (same gun with some modification under the forearm to accept 3" shells). I never saw one, new or used, that didn't work and they shoot very soft especially with the proper reloads. One of the reasons that they shoot soft is that they are fairly heavy, not a gun that you would want to hunt grouse with all day (I've done it). You can pick a used one up for around $300.00 to $400.00. They do make a Sporting Clays versoion for more $s.
If you are set on a pump gun consider the 870 or even better the Ithaca 37. It's not as pretty but it does have a bottom eject which means that a right or a left handed can shoot it without empty shells flying across his face. The Ithaca also shoots the right slug like "Hell a fire", the barrel screws and locks into the receiver. A nice solid lockup, the 870 kinda drops into receiver and has pressure put on it by the forearm end cap (1100 & 1187 same).
Hope this helps,
Jim

[st.marys]

Have you checked out the Charles Daly semi auto's. I have one of them and have hammered that thing hunting and clays the past few years and it has held up very well. Last year I sprung for a Beretta Urika (used for $699). I love that gun, but I can't see myself beating it up too much in the woods. If you are interested in an over/under, I've heard alot of good things about the Baikel O/U guns. I've seen lots of people on the range that like them. I think they go for about $400 or so new. I just saw one used up at the gander mountain in moon twp that was in the $200 and change range.

[Triggerh4ppy]

Originally Posted by Favabean

I'm not trying to start a flamewar -- but I'm a newb and need some advice.

I've been shooting sporting clays and REALLY like it. I've been borrowing people's guns but I'd like to get one of my own.

I don't want to (and can't afford to) break the bank. What price range should I be looking at for a decent (but still affordable) gun? I assume I should be looking at semi-auto's since they seem to be more affordable than Over/Under.

Does anyone have any suggestions on brand and model? Again, this would only serve as my first gun and if I stick with it -- I'd expect to buy a new gun....

Thanks,

Favabean

,i don't know much about semi auto shotguns,and i tend to lean towards pump shotguns(reliability,rugged)especially the Mossburg 500/590 pump shotguns i think would cost alot less than a semi auto(also a pump has less moving parts)good luck

Triggerh4ppy

[lexington86]

Originally Posted by avizpls

Well, the 870 is the best gun out there. Im just sayin'

Haha, I'll second that one. I love my 870.