First Time Skeet Shooting

[Falstaff66]

Finally took the plunge over at Independent yesterday and had a good time. Got some great help and coaching, and the loan of an 870.

Now I'm shopping for my own gun. Think a semi is the way to go. I'll probably not hunt, just break clays. Looking at the Beretta A300, Franchi Affinity as the main choices. Don't like the 11-87, at least in the store. Fat fore end and weight don't feel right.

I am a complete shotgun novice. Since the pump recoil was tolerable in a target load, I think the inertia system in a Franchi or Benelli would be fine. Wondering if it will be easier to take care of than the Beretta for a guy who has never broken one down or cleaned one.

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[MisterHappy]

Try before you buy.

Let me repeat that: Try before you buy.

Go shoot skeet a few more times, and let it be known that you're trying to find a gun. You'll likely be offered the opportunity to try few different ones. The fact that you found a gun that "Feels" wrong is good, as fit (feel) is vital.

Don't worry too much about the cleaning......it's over-rated!


Try Trap, too.

 

[Falstaff66]

Somehow I just knew that would be the advice. It makes sense, but I can't help but feel like a jerk if I show up with no gun and expect a bunch of guys I don't know to let me use theirs.

I definitely want to try trap as well, and sporting clays once I know what I'm doing.

My instinct suggests a 12 gauge semi auto or perhaps a 20 gauge o/u if I could find a decent one in my price range. My budget is $1k, but I would much prefer under $800. Leaves more for a vest and ammo. I won't be firing thousands of rounds, I just don't have the time. Any thoughts on my theory that an inertia gun is easier than gas for a noob to take care of?

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[ColdDayInHell]

Extremely fun, I just like it with my own thrower, not organized like that clubs etc.

I've only done it with a buddy's 870, it was awesome.

 

[Skeeter]

Shoot as many guns as you can and see what works for you. Nearly every regular skeet shooter at my club asked me if I wanted to try theirs when they found out 1.) they could trust me not to ding or scratch theirs when they handed it to me and 2.) found out I was in the market for a shotgun. Shoot different guns to see how they fit and where the point of aim is for you. My advice would be not to rush it. Take the time to handle lots of shotguns and mount them. It doesn't sound like much but certain guns will feel better right off the bat. Also, don't worry about buying a gun based on simplicity of breakdown. You won't care how easy the gun is to clean if you aren't busting clays when you go shooting. Lastly, with your budget you may even want to buy a lower priced gun just to shoot while you're figuring out what you really want. That way you can get your practice in but you won't have to rush into the actual purchase just to shoot.

 

[Realtor MA]

shooting skeet with a pump is like peddling a bike wearing scuba fins.

 

[icyclefar]

shooting skeet with a pump is like peddling a bike wearing scuba fins.

One of my best shooting buddies prefers his Browning BPS for skeet. I have watched him go 75 straight with it.

I shoot an O/U.

 

[icyclefar]

Any thoughts on my theory that an inertia gun is easier than gas for a noob to take care of?

One way or another, you'll learn to take care of it, it might be the easy way, or perhaps the hard way, it's all up to you! Lol

Try, try, try, before you buy.

 

[Skeeter]

One of my best shooting buddies prefers his Browning BPS for skeet. I have watched him go 75 straight with it.

I shoot an O/U.

I started shooting skeet with an 870 and have gone 25 straight with it. Good shotgunners get used to pumping the gun quickly and it becomes second nature. I went to an O/U when I finally felt like I'd be a better shooter by not losing my cheekweld, and because it keeps my eyes on the target for longer.

 

[Falstaff66]

Thanks guys. So in your experience, showing up at club on public clays day and more or less expecting people to loan you their guns isn't presumptuous? I'd feel better if I had something of my own.

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[icyclefar]

I went to an O/U when I finally felt like I'd be a better shooter by not losing my cheekweld, and because it keeps my eyes on the target for longer.

I knew an O/U was mandatory when I decided I was going to reload. There was no way I was going to be chasing hulls all over the field, plus some semi's can damage the hulls when ejecting.

Thanks guys. So in your experience, showing up at club on public clays day and more or less expecting people to loan you their guns isn't presumptuous? I'd feel better if I had something of my own.
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I'd be happy to let you test drive a few of mine. I've got extra's!

 

[Skeeter]

I always showed up with my own gun to shoot. Once the regulars got to know me several of them offered to let me try their guns. I wouldn't show up without a gun at all and EXPECT them to offer but in my experience (and several other shooters on this forum as well) I would think that you'll get several offers to let you try different shotguns. That's why in an earlier post I recommended you buy a lower priced shotgun to start so you can get your practice in and then worry about narrowing down your choice of a better shotgun.

 

[Skeeter]

I knew an O/U was mandatory when I decided I was going to reload. There was no way I was going to be chasing hulls all over the field, plus some semi's can damage the hulls when ejecting. QUOTE]

Excellent point! Picking up hulls gets old QUICK! Plus nice O/U shotguns are just great looking shotguns IMO.

 

[ateegee]

Not long ago I was in your boat, only with Trap. A couple of friends took me out and I was hooked after the first clay I broke. They had lower end guns, a Russian Biakal O/U, a Mossberg semi, and Grampa's old Winchester pump. I was able to brake a dozen or so and thought it was great. I went to a bunch of gun shops and shouldered all the sporting guns I could find and I tried a few others on the trap field, but then I got try a gentleman's 870 Wingmaster Trap. It fit me like a glove. And with it I broke 22 and I'd only shot a half dozen rounds ever. Needless to say... I found an awesome old 870TC for sale here, had a great transaction and have been enjoying busting clays with it ever since. I even bought a 26" barrel and started shooting skeet with it.Yes, shooting skeet with a pump is harder, but the gun fits me so well its not really a problem.

So I highly recommend, the try before you buy and most clay shooters seem to be ambassadors of the game. Happy to give pointers and let you shoot their guns. I think it also depends a bit on the club you go to shoot at, as well. I can highly recommend the gents at Maspenock for being very friendly to beginners and they have a very nice trap field, but no skeet.

Good luck!