Sorry, couldn't resist. ;o)
IS THERE A GUN/NRA PINGLIST OUT THERE?
For $2000 you can buy several shotguns.
$2000????
dang, my Remington 1100 is one of the classics at $700.
I love my Red Labels.
Scott, I do not own a shotgun nor do I know much about them.
I do know that over under shotguns are used for skeet alot.
beretta is making some fine O/U guns, and browning is always a good name. citori is also a quickly becomming a popular name in skeet.
you’ll need to decide whether you want double or single trigger if you’re looking at a double tho.
Here are a few things to seriously consider:
1.) Purpose: since you are thinking of skeet shooting, you need to decide on a shotgun that best meets that need. Over and Unders are the choice for serious skeet shooters, as are autoloaders. Both have advantages/disadvantages.
2.) Hold the shotgun. Pick a target in the store, eyeball it. Now, throw the shotgun to your shoulder. Did you automatically go on target, or did you have to adjust yourself, shoulder, head, etc? If you did, find another brand. You need one that you can shoulder, point and fire in one smooth, fluid motion. This cannot be compromised.
3.) Make absolutely sure it comes with interchangable chokes and buy a few extra chokes. Your dealer will help you decide which ones you need.
4.) For what you are willing to spend, there are many choices available to you. Beretta makes a good O/U, as does Ruger. Browning, Benelli and Stoeger are all owned by Beretta, just the more expensive the gun, the better tolerances, wood, etc you get. Unless you are planning on an heirloom, stay away from fancy engravings and fine details, this does nothing for the shooting ability of the shotgun.
5.) If you go with an O/U, decide on extractors or ejectors. Extractors, you manually remove the shotshell; ejectors, you may be running down hulls behind you.:)
I bought a new one myself recently, and I tried the 1800$ Browning Citori, but could not shoulder it properly when I tried to get on target. I bought a 400$ Stoeger Condor Supreme, and shoulder, get on target and fire in one, crisp, smooth motion.
Anyway, find something that fits from a dealer. Don’t go to Walmart or something like that. Find a skeet shooter and have them help fit you to the shotgun, not the other way around.
Benelli. http://www.benelliusa.com/
I personally prefer the Red Label over-n-under. Nice balance and feel.
I WANT TO BUY A GUN!!!
The guy at the counter will love it.
If hunting is ever on the menu then 11-87 is the way to go as the 1100 is no longer made to shoot magnum shells.
No need to get the 3 1/2” magnum the 3” is fine. Mine cycles the low recoil target rounds just fine. If skeet/trap/sporting clays is on the menu then there are specialty barrels and chokes readily available. I’ve heard that the special skeet/trap chokes don’t perform well in non-target barrels.
If the shotgun comes with the lightweight tapered barrel then you’d need to open up the channel in the forend to fit the larger target barrel. Not difficult, but can be time consuming with just sandpaper and a file. Or just purchase another forend with the wider channel.
Extra barrels run a little over $300. Short for skeet, long for trap. Factory barrels come with most of the target chokes but there are lots of aftermarket chokes that fit the 11-87.
A versatile auto-loading firearm good for hunting and target use with the appropriate barrel and chokes.
The best bargain for clay sports is the Remington 1100, which if it’s one with interchangable chokes can be used for skeet, trap and sporting clays.
Ruger RL’s tend to have two types of owners, one’s who love them and ones that hate them. IMO it’s not the best gun for high volume shooting.
For under $2K you should be able to find a used but solid Beretta Silver Pigeon, Browning XS Skeet or Sporting. Others include SKB, etc...
For skeet I use a Beretta Silver Pigeon II in 12 ga, a Verona GC692LX in 20 and 28, and a Winchester 101 in .410.
If you’re worried about the economic effect of gun bans, buy a $200 Mossberg shotgun, and 15 stripped AR-15 receivers.
Or, if you don’t want a project, but the cheap shotgun and a .308 battle rifle (FN-FAL, HK-91, M1A, etc.)
But buy and read “Boston’s Gun Bible” first, if you are not already a firearms purchasing expert.
Seriously.
There are many things to consider in the purchase of a shotgun.
However, one thing must and that is fit.
Visit your local libray for books on clay shooting. Read back issues of “Sporting Clays” and other shotgun magazines.
The point is to learn how to properly bring up the shotgun and what is then a good fitting firearm. Learn what you are looking for before you start trying on firearms.
You can’t go wrong with either.