I'd go with the 20 if I were in your shoes. As you point out, you plan to shoot skeet only at this time and the 20 will let you shoot in three registered events if you so desire (12, 20, and doubles), the 12 is limited to two (12 and doubles). As a cheaper alternative to tubes, you can try chamber inserts rather than full length tubes. They cost in the $250-300 range per ***** for the decent ones. The ones I'm most familiar with are Chamber Mates from Seminole Gunworks and SideKickes by Briley. They both have ejectors/extractors for ease of use and the Briley's can be exchanged for full length tubes in the future if you desire. The down side is that compression formed hulls have to be used otherwise the hull sticks and is a pain to get out. Since you plan on reloading, this really shouldn't be a factor as they are the best for reloading.
If you should chose to try the other disciplines, the 20 will be adequate for 16 yard trap and most sporting clays stations. I do all my sporting clays fun rounds with 20 ga tubes in my 12 ga and generally shoot my average.
As for barrels, the 26" ones were popular a few years back but the length has been increasing. I see many 28" and I shoot 30" myself as I use my sporting gun for all the clay games.
Of those you mention, I prefer the Beretta myself but the Verona is a decent gun for the money. I don't like the Baikals I've seen currently on the market, they may be a very servicable gun but I don't care for the looks, feel, nor workings of them. Browning and SKB/Weatherby make guns comparable to the Beretta in both quality and price and may be worth looking at. Also, used guns can often be found under the grand mark with fixed choke guns often in the Verona range. Welcome back and best of luck in the shooting sports.
If you should chose to try the other disciplines, the 20 will be adequate for 16 yard trap and most sporting clays stations. I do all my sporting clays fun rounds with 20 ga tubes in my 12 ga and generally shoot my average.
As for barrels, the 26" ones were popular a few years back but the length has been increasing. I see many 28" and I shoot 30" myself as I use my sporting gun for all the clay games.
Of those you mention, I prefer the Beretta myself but the Verona is a decent gun for the money. I don't like the Baikals I've seen currently on the market, they may be a very servicable gun but I don't care for the looks, feel, nor workings of them. Browning and SKB/Weatherby make guns comparable to the Beretta in both quality and price and may be worth looking at. Also, used guns can often be found under the grand mark with fixed choke guns often in the Verona range. Welcome back and best of luck in the shooting sports.
