[Montucky]

My question is 100% based on the use of clay shooting only. What makes a shotgun a midrange gun? Is is pricing, or is it a level of quality, fit, finish?
Next question, what are some shotguns that fit in this category?

 

[rmiddlemas]

Subjective...could apply to price, fit & finish, durability, etc. One person's "midrange" may be another's high-end. Anyway, it probably applies to a gun that is functional & reliable, but probably has fewer bells & whistles.

 

[oregunner]

For O/U shotguns, they are the Brownings and Berettas that cost around $2000. You can spend less, but shouldn’t. Or you can spend more, if you know why you are doing it. $2000 is a midrange price for a Sporting O/U.

 

[DoublesForever]

For O/U shotguns, they are the Brownings and Berettas that cost around $2000. You can spend less, but shouldn’t. Or you can spend more, if you know why you are doing it. $2000 is a midrange price for a Sporting O/U.

Agreed. The Browning Citoris and Beretta 686s in the $2000 range models are probably the best known and well made midrange O/Us.

 

[rick_6284]

When I saw the thread earlier, that was exactly what I was thinking too.

 

[Mike007]

Everyone will have their own opinion, but I would consider mid-range to be Beretta 694, Caesar Guerini Summit, Blaser F16, etc. The Beretta 686 and Browning Citori are fine guns, and will provide many years of service, but their quality, fit and finish are on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Krieghoff, Perazzi and Kolars. Sandwiched in-between are the stated mid-range guns. I think Price, quality, fit and finish are all factors that are to be considered. Like I said though, opinions will vary.

 

[oneounceload]

Agreed. The Browning Citoris and Beretta 686s in the $2000 range models are probably the best known and well made midrange O/Us.

I disagree; not about the quality, but about them being mid-range. When the OP talks about clay use only, those B guns tend to be thought more as the entry level, at that price point. Moving up to CG, Zoli, Blaser I see more as mid range with Perazzi, Kreighoff and Kolar as the higher end of the normal clay guns

 

[oregunner]

Most people at my club (Trap and 5 Stand) start participating with hunting guns or cheap imports. Like it or not, those are the typical entry level guns. They are not willing to commit to spending $2000 on a hobby that they are just trying. Most soon go on to buy something more appropriate, if they decide to continue. Most shooters at my club have never seen a Zoli. 95% of the serious shooters at my club shoot Brownings, with a few Kolars and Perazzis thrown in, (Trap) There is one Kreighoff at the club where I shoot skeet.

 

[StanofKansas]

Entry level in my area mainly means less than a grand.

Mid-range for me is anywhere between 1 - 3 grand. There are plenty of excellent guns in that range, too many to name here, that will get you through every single time.

 

[tdyoung58]

For me a midrange gun would be in the $3000-6000 thousand price range.

Anything new under $3000-1500 I would consider more budget gun for regular clay Shooting.

Under $1500 would be a recreational hunting gun.

 

[fiver]

i thought he was talking about distance...LOL
i was like well i really gotta read this.

 

[DoublesForever]

Most people at my club (Trap and 5 Stand) start participating with hunting guns or cheap imports. Like it or not, those are the typical entry level guns. They are not willing to commit to spending $2000 on a hobby that they are just trying. Most soon go on to buy something more appropriate, if they decide to continue. Most shooters at my club have never seen a Zoli. 95% of the serious shooters at my club shoot Brownings, with a few Kolars and Perazzis thrown in, (Trap) There is one Kreighoff at the club where I shoot skeet.

Again I agree with oregunner. The difference in opinions here comes down to the average casual clay shooter vs the serious competitive shooter.

 

[captjsjr]

I disagree; not about the quality, bit about them being mid-range. When the OP talks about clay use only, those B guns tend to be thought more as the entry level, at that price point. Moving up to CG, Zoli, Balser I see more as mid range with Perazzi, Kreighoff and Kolar as the higher end of the normal clay guns

Agreed , in so far as the cx and 6xx series are concerned . What about the higher end B guns. There aren’t enough parameters in the OP’s question to have an intelligent debate ( as if that would stop us 😁)

 

[Paints-n-cows]

Wouldn't income level/life style of the OP also be considered when you are talking price ranges?

To me any gun costing a month's worth of take home pay is high range. Sure you don't eat for a month and have a fancy shotgun...but you can't afford the shells or range fees.

I've seen shotguns that go up to $100k so would that put a $50,000 shotgun mid range?

Some of the best quality firearms were built 50-60 years or more ago with regards to fit/finish and they didn't cost the owner a year's salary to own.

 

[Travis Montana]

I would agree that more information would be needed to answer the question. What might be a nice clay shotgun in a midrange price for me would be a low end model or make for some of the guys I shoot with. It also might make a difference what those clays are being thrown out of as to what shotgun you are pricing. A skeet house, trap house, sporting clays house?

 

[derbyacresbob]

Any shotgun shooting midrange ammo.

 

[rick_6284]

I'll betcha a buck or two that a mid range gun at a CT or NY club will be different than a mid range gun at a MT club.

 

[JRinTX]

I feel a midrange gun is determined by where the gun fits within a line or market segment. Pretty sure the 694 was introduced as a midrange gun due to fact it fits right in the middle of an xcel/686 and the DT11. The DT11 isn’t even near their upper priced options, it’s just THE reference Beretta clay gun.

 

[rick_6284]

The mid range guns to me? They are those guns that go the distance and look pretty decent doing so.
Typically minimal engraving and good fit and finish. Well regulated.
A quality gun W/O the bling.

 

[Montucky]

I heard the term used describing the Browning 725 ProSport and the Beretta 694. I’ve never heard it used in any other comparison, so was naturally curious as to what other guns fall into this category. I agree that midrange can mean different things depending on where you live, and the budget you are comfortable with spending. We really stretched, and I mean stretched the comfortable spending budget when purchasing my son, who is 12, his first real shotgun. A Beretta 686 silver pigeon sporting in 12ga. My pocketbook is learning the lessons between shotgun shooting and long range rifles. You could have a real nice rifle and scope for less than $5000, or a “midrange” shotgun.