At that range, it may be worth considering a semi-auto. A lot of guys and girls on my team use a Franchi Affinity or Beretta A300. Both are great options in that price range!

 

in your price range I would consider a semi auto (Tristar G2) or CZ Teal Sport (Cabelas) or CZ Redhead. If you are willing to step up into $1500 territory then a used Browning Citori or Cynergi

 

Your big “disadvantage” in using your “run of the mill” O/U instead of one built for target shooting is generally going to be weight. Though it may not be a bad thing for certain people, “field guns” are usually lighter than their “sporting” counterparts. This can be accomplished by using shorter barrels, slimmer ribs, slimmer stocks, using extractors instead of ejectors, and alloy receivers. Less weight equals more recoil when using a given load.

Looking for an O/U gun (in 12 gauge) around 8 pounds is very popular for target shooting. Adjust combs, double beads,
Multichoke systems (most new guns have this), wider ribs, longer barrels, and palm swells are all very popular target gun additions over their field gun counterparts.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy shooting!

 

There is a saying, which is truth: Beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to shoot it. You can probably do everything with just one gun, especially with the screw in chokes that exist today. And if you later get a second gun, keep the first one as well. My recommendation would be for an over/under gun. With the inflation we are having and will continue to have, be willing to spend more to get yourself a Browning which will last a life time and hold its value. Welcome to the shotgun sports.

 

There is a saying, which is truth: Beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to shoot it.

Like many old sayings, that is a product of someone's imagination.
I've found that the guy who has a dozen nice shotguns probably knows how to shoot better than the guy with one.

I suppose the guy with one golf club has a better handicap than the guy with multiple clubs?
Or, the guy who owns one fishing rod is generally a more accomplished fisherman than the guy with fifteen rods?

 

Shooting clays involves volume. 25 to 100 targets for one round. A light gun will beat you up.

So a gun that’ll help ease the recoil is a must. My guns all weigh 8+ pounds. And I shoot light loads. The gun retains some value. Everything else is a consumable. Don’t go hyper cheap on the gun.

 

You are going to shoot a target gun more in 1 year then you would shoot a hunting gun in a lifetime. Buy a gun built for that type of use.
Steve

 

Greetings,

I'm a beginner to firearms, especially shotguns. Lately, I have taken interest in taking up the hobby of sport and skeet shooting and Im planning to hit the clay shooting range at least once or twice a month. Thus, im hoping to get some guidance on shotguns specifically in the O/U category, semi auto or even pump action. Im looking a affordable but quality shotgun for the price up to 700$.

four shotguns I have picked so far, based on my research

1. Yildiz Sporting HPS 12
2. Second hand Weatherby Orion 12G 28` made in Japan for 450$
3. CZ 612 Target
4. Stoeger M3000

Also ,are all over under able to do skeet and sport shooting well? is there any disadvantage in using your run of the mill O/U compared to one specifically built for skeet and sport shooting?

any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I recommend an Impala Plus. It's a Turkish clone of a Benelli Montefeltro and is well built, with a good trigger and ergonomics. I recently rented one at the local skeet range and ran 75 straight with it.

 

The CZ 1012 is also a Montefeltro clone and is a good first gun. Easy to clean, good warranty service if needed and is good value for the price. I’m not aware of the Impala to compare and contrast, just giving additional option to look at.

 

Field shotguns can be used for skeet and sporting clays, but generally you will shoot better scores with shotguns built for the clay target sports. It just depends on how important the scores for skeet and sporting clays are to you. When you are first learning the difference isn't going to show up, down the road it will. If the primary use for the shotgun will be skeet and sporting clays, save your pennies and buy a shotgun built for the job. There are plenty of good Beretta and Browning shotguns out there, that won't break the bank and people buy them for a reason, because they work. I would consider a used 'B' gun before buying the shotguns listed in the OP's first post.

SteveY gave you good advice.

 

I think others will agree that it will be hard to get a reliable over/under in that price range. If you're only going to shoot a few rounds per year, you will probably be fine in that price range. But if you're going to shoot 100 rounds of clays a couple weekends per month, you will probably end up disappointed by the reliability. If I were you, I'd look on the used market for a Beretta A300. Your odds of finding a reliable gun close to your price range in the used quality semi-auto market are much better. Or if you double your budget and are patient, you could probably find a used Beretta Silver Pigeon or Browning Citori that will be a much better gun and retain its value better than the options you listed.

 

Stay away from Turkish garbage.

A300 and don't look back.

 

Stay away from Turkish garbage.

A300 and don't look back.

Does that include Stevens 555 O/U models ?


My .02 as another person rather new to sporting clays.
I started with 100 year old family heirloom Stevens SxS 12ga model 315.
Then moved to a newer (1960's), but still old, Stevens SxS 12ga model 5100.

Those two shotguns were fun, at first; but being lightweight field guns meant for hunting.
They did kinda beat me up when doing a full 100 rounds of sporting clays.
So after a few months; I pried open my wallet and bought a brand new Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12ga.
And that made a big difference in both my shoulder and my scores.

While the Stevens 555 Sporting was more than $700; it was just under $900.
I'm really glad I bought it.
Plus at the range; I've had a couple people think it was a much higher priced gun.
One even thought it was a multi thousand dollar Beretta.

--ET

 

Greetings,

I'm a beginner to firearms, especially shotguns. Lately, I have taken interest in taking up the hobby of sport and skeet shooting and Im planning to hit the clay shooting range at least once or twice a month. Thus, im hoping to get some guidance on shotguns specifically in the O/U category, semi auto or even pump action. Im looking a affordable but quality shotgun for the price up to 700$.

four shotguns I have picked so far, based on my research

1. Yildiz Sporting HPS 12
2. Second hand Weatherby Orion 12G 28` made in Japan for 450$
3. CZ 612 Target
4. Stoeger M3000

Also ,are all over under able to do skeet and sport shooting well? is there any disadvantage in using your run of the mill O/U compared to one specifically built for skeet and sport shooting?

any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I would suggest buying the most reliable gun in your price range. You can get a good pump gun, an entry level semiauto, or a low end over under in your price range. I have shot a pump gun a lot of years and enjoy using one occasionally for skeet and sporting clays. However, the pump gun beats me up after 50-100 rounds. Nowadays I prefer a gas operated semiauto shotgun for most of my target shooting. A gas operated semiauto helps reduce recoil.

In your price range the first gas operated semiautos that come to my mind are the Beretta A300 Ultima or the less expensive Tristar Viper G2. You should be able to buy a new Tristar in your price range. There seems to be greater availability of inexpensive inertia semiautos shotguns on the market at this time. An inertia gun will work, but they will usually have more recoil than a gas operated semiauto.

For what you are planning, my personal recommendation would be to buy this gun:

https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/browning-cxs-20-gauge-28%E2%80%9D.577853/#post-5144686

 

I’ll throw in with the get a quality semi-auto crowd. Cheap o/u’s are just that, cheap.

 

Used Beretta A300. Or save a bit more and buy one new.

 

I share the opinion of several others that your best bet in the budget area you want to be in for your startup gun is a semi automatic. New A300 Beretta may be a little above your budget but is a super reliable and proven platform. Used in that model may fit your $ objective or at least get you close.

Two guys that shoot volume sporting clays in my area run the Tristar viper G2 sporting and seem to have had great luck with them. These are guys shooting 3000 to 4000 registered targets a year plus practice rounds too.

The plus side is that a semi at roughly 7 pounds becomes a little more pleasant to carry in the field than an 8 plus pound O/U and the gas system will soften up volume targets on the clays grounds and also will make heavier field loads a little more comfortable as well.

 

Greetings,

I'm a beginner to firearms, especially shotguns. Lately, I have taken interest in taking up the hobby of sport and skeet shooting and Im planning to hit the clay shooting range at least once or twice a month. Thus, im hoping to get some guidance on shotguns specifically in the O/U category, semi auto or even pump action. Im looking a affordable but quality shotgun for the price up to 700$.

four shotguns I have picked so far, based on my research

1. Yildiz Sporting HPS 12
2. Second hand Weatherby Orion 12G 28` made in Japan for 450$
3. CZ 612 Target
4. Stoeger M3000

Also ,are all over under able to do skeet and sport shooting well? is there any disadvantage in using your run of the mill O/U compared to one specifically built for skeet and sport shooting?

any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I would get a good semi auto for the situation you’ve described. Two things about o/u‘s for you to consider…
1. Most o/u’s under $2k are garbage imo. You can get a top of the line semi auto for $2k and a decent one for less.
2. Over/under shotguns each have their own unique feel/shooting characteristics (much more so than semi autos). Until you get more experience shooting clays you won’t really know what you want in an over/under. Also, imo, a semi auto is an easier gun to learn the sport with.

 

The second gun you list is Japanese made Orion. Those were solid guns and Weatherby will probably still be helpful if you had any issues. They were made by SKB.

I would ask to have the purchase based on a competent gunsmith’s evaluation.

For the amount you are talking of shooting, it would be a solid choice although you may need to alter the chokes. That can be done although it will increase your out of pocket expenses by no less than $250.

Adding weight (if needed) as well as a good quality recoil pad is easy to do properly and not pricey. For the $450 price if that SKB made Orion is in great shape it would IMO be a real value.

Of course the only issue you will have, as many here will tell you, no one can hit the side of a barn from inside unless you are using at least 32-34 inch length barrels! Sarcasm off!

However, for informal skeet and SC the 28 inch barrels will do the job nicely.

It also somewhat depends on your physical size and strength. Tall, young and strong and a heavier and longer barreled gun would be better.

Not so for an older, less strength or not overly tall 6 ft+ in height person.

You need to ask yourself how serious you want to get in your new hobby. Once or twice per month and only for fun plus personal improvement goals then the Orion or one of the lower priced Beretta or Tristar autos are proven performers.

If you later intend to get seriously competitive, you will be more knowledgeable and can make an informed decision on what will work best for you.

Good luck and welcome to the fascinating world of shotgunning.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

oyeme is correct in that the Weatherby produced in Japan was made by SKB. At $450 it would be an excellent value if in great condition. Most parts are available at www.skbshotguns.com

 

Rephrasing the question: is there a cheap gun that outperforms its price point? You’d be very lucky if it did.

 

Best affordable shotgun for skeet and sport shooting ?

Any gun costing $1 less than someone else's most expensive gun is "complete garbage", "total waste of money", "you will regret it", "buy once cry once", blah blah blah..............

 

In some cases...yes you are going to get those types of replies. However, I'd say quite a few folks here are just replying based on their experience (and there are some very experienced folks here). $700 is simply not a budget for any decent O/U and I'd agree with some previous posters that any O/U that meets that budget is going to be junk. Would it be okay shooting once a month? Yea...maybe. You'd be much better off buying a semi-auto and get something that will truly last, has good parts availability, etc - and better yet it's doable with his budget.

 

keep saving your money until you can buy a target gun that will last. browning, Beretta. someone just listed a remington 1100 on this site that is in the budget. might have to buy another barrel for it, as its a slug barrel.

 

That 1100 has a 28" vent rib modified barrel and the slug barrel both for $700. I like 1100's but I am familiar with them. For a newbie, they just aren't as practical as a gun with choke tubes.

 

PRblu— any thoughts on what it costs to shoot clays. $8 for a box of shells. About 40 cents a target , so $20 per 25 targets. It adds up fast and quickly exceeds the gun investment

dont waste $$ on a cheap gun. Plus there is no cachet in a cheap gun.

 

I would buy that 1100. The price seems right. You are familiar with them. You can do everything you need to do with a modified barrel and if you later want screw in chokes, it can be threaded to take them. If you have no need for the slug barrel you can sell it, thereby reducing what you have paid for the gun. Probably can get $150-$200 for it. Check ads, I may be out of touch on prices.

 

ET— if the fore end is loose it’ll break. Tighten up the screws.

 

The screws are tight.
The fore end jiggles fore and aft somewhere between 1/32 and 1/64 of an inch.
ie. Can feel it jiggle when I'm taking it apart to clean it; but can barely see movement.

 

If you can push your budget by $100 you can buy a new Beretta a300 20 ga or 12 ga for $879 with a $75 rebate putting you at about $800. They can be adjusted for fit and are very reliable. If you find you like the sport you’ll be able to sell it used and get most of your money back if you choose to upgrade. If you get interested in bird hunting too you’ll want to keep it to hunt with and eventually get a dedicated target gun for the sport you like best.

I have several sporting clay guns and use them in competition but often shoot skeet and clays with my a300 20 ga. It’s a fun gun to shoot!

 

ET— even that much wiggle will break the wood.

 

Well then, I guess I'm screwed.
'Cause when I first noticed it; I checked all screws and checked for any adjustment.
Could not find anyway to stop the jiggle.
So just assume it's because I didn't spend $20,000 on my first gun.