Need Shotgun Recommendations

[SQLGeek]

Since having gone dove hunting, I'm convinced I need another shotgun. Right now I'm mainly interested in shooting the various clay games and hunting game such as dove and pheasant. I'm not so much interested in waterfowl or turkey right now.

I'm leaning towards a semi-auto in 12 gauge with a $1,000 limit. I was considering an over/under but it seems that there isn't such a thing as a mid grade O/U.

I currently have a Mossberg 500 with an 18.5" barrel. I know I can get a 28" barrel with chokes from Mossberg. I am considering this and would be content with it for the most part if I didn't also want to shoot clays.

I'd appreciate any recommendations or advice. Thanks!

[SQLGeek]

Thanks Andy, I had not considered the used market for an O/U. What length are the barrels on that gun?

[couzin]

The best (imho) at your budget limit is a used Browning or Beretta 12 Ga over/ under. Don't worry about 3 in chamber if you are not shooting waterbirds or turkey. A semiauto Winchester SX3 or a Beretta 390 or 3901 can be had under your budget. Once you decide what your interests are (what kind of upland birds you prefer, if you prefer skeet) 5 stand, or trap, then you will likely be shopping for a sport dedicated gun.

[puma guy]

Mossberg 935 or Winchester SX3, with the edge going to Winchester. Franchi now have the Affinity semi-auto, too.

Another avenue would be second-hand O/Us - that's how I got my Miroku field gun that I use for birds - skeet, sporting clays, 5-stand and hunting. Cabela's usually has a huge selection of second-hand shotguns.

Andy has a very nice Miroku and he's right about the second hand market. Cabela's lists their inventory on line and will ship to a store near you. Another option is Gunbroker or Guns America. If you are not in a hurry you can find some deals. BC Miroku made their own line in the 60's and 70's and also made Charles Daly's SG from about 1963 to 1976 when they began fabricating Browning's Citori line so you can check all those names and still get the same SG. You should be able to get a nice one in the 500 to 1000. Brownings tend to command a higher price but they are the same gun as Miroku and Daly as I stated. I have a Daly from the 1960's myself.

[bnc]

I second the Beretta. Spend $600 on a 3901 and the rest on ammo, I've shot them side by side with a $2500 391 and the 3901 does a good job of feeling like the fancy stuff. It is basically the 390 gas system with a synthetic stock and Turkish made barrel from Stoeger (Beretta owns them).

[C-dub]

I am very new to the shotgun world and have only seen one 5-stand match. However, most of them were using 28" and 30" barrel O/U's. I was wondering why you wouldn't want to just get the second barrel you could swap out of a gun you are already familiar with? Are these lengths not widely used for skeet?

[couzin]

I am very new to the shotgun world and have only seen one 5-stand match. However, most of them were using 28" and 30" barrel O/U's. I was wondering why you wouldn't want to just get the second barrel you could swap out of a gun you are already familiar with? Are these lengths not widely used for skeet?

For the 95 percentile skeet (skeet as shot on a regular field) shooters - they tend toward 30 and 32 inch barrels. But your average and duffer shooter like me and most of the guys/gals I shoot with - barrels tend to be 26, mostly 28, some 30, very few 32s, and a rare 34 inch. The longer barrels usually hit the trap field. You will see some Perazzi's and stuff - but mostly it is whatever the shooter can afford / is used to / has in the closet / or can borrow. Most are just shooting their field and sporting class guns rather than a 'made for skeet' gun. Of course - if one were to get that serious about skeet - you will need four guns or tubes (or you could try to shoot all four classes with a .410 bore ). Five stand is more like sporting clays - 'you run what you brung'. Lot of different guns present. Really similar to the skeet shooting crowd. There is nother more satisfying than watching someone uncase a high dollar gun and get their hat handed to them by somebody shooting a Stoeger. And watch out for an older, portly, farmer looking shooter wearing a pair of coveralls shooting a splinter side by side - and what ever you don't bet on the match against him...

[C-dub]

I personally don't worry much about barrel-length on a shotgun - the fit is way more important (probably the most important factor of all), but some folks do obssess over length - must be a guy-thing

I used to shoot a 26" skeet gun (Winchester 101 O/U) and now have my 28" Miroku (Imp Cyl & Mod chokes - and it's also a Charles Daly). Sight-radius isn't a factor when it comes to shotguns (at least those without rifle-type sights), so the main pros and cons of length are:

Shorter barrel: lighter so it can be pointed/swung quicker - but can also be moved or stopped too quickly.
Longer barrel: heavier - but can help smooth out a swing by virtue of its extra momentum (harder to move or stop).

I was wondering why you wouldn't want to just get the second barrel you could swap out of a gun you are already familiar with? Are these lengths not widely used for skeet?

The way I'm reading is that, although he could get an extra barrel for the Mossie 500, he'd prefer not to have to use a pump-gun for the clay-pigeon sports.

Hi Andy.

BTW, did you see my thread on my new shotgun. After you recommended that guy down in Corpus I talked to him and kept his number. However, since then Benelli also called him and he's doing work for them and they are selling them as the M2 3-gun Performance model with a full factory warranty. I got one last month. Beautiful gun. It has a 21" barrel and I'll do 3-gun with it, but may also have a little fun with some 5-stand using the full choke. I really gotta get some practice time in with it and may never win a match, but it sure looks fun.

Thank you very much for turning me on to that guy.

[cajunautoxer]

I have a Browning Citori OU 26" with 3 factory chokes and 2 Briley turkey chokes that I don't shoot anymore. Since the 3 gun bug has bitten me I haven't shot clays this yr. I'd say the shot gun is 98%. If your interested let me know

[C-dub]

Oh, my pleasure - he sure knows his way around combat shotguns :)

I saw the thread but I'm too overcome with envy to respond , so I'll have to meet you sometime for some 5-stand - how about.... winner gets the other guy's gun?

I think you know that answer. It would be great to get together. I was actually thinking about putting together another shoot and eat over at Elm Fork and Mercado Juarez, but this time going back after lunch with you and the other shotgun guys. I would be happy to see you shoot my gun.

[cyphur]

Since having gone dove hunting, I'm convinced I need another shotgun. Right now I'm mainly interested in shooting the various clay games and hunting game such as dove and pheasant. I'm not so much interested in waterfowl or turkey right now.

I'm leaning towards a semi-auto in 12 gauge with a $1,000 limit. I was considering an over/under but it seems that there isn't such a thing as a mid grade O/U.

I currently have a Mossberg 500 with an 18.5" barrel. I know I can get a 28" barrel with chokes from Mossberg. I am considering this and would be content with it for the most part if I didn't also want to shoot clays.

I'd appreciate any recommendations or advice. Thanks!

Mid-grade over/under? One word: Lanber.

I love mine, and it typically rests next to a Beretta O/U on the stand at the range. I have personally shot hundreds of 12ga shells down both guns and aside from the Beretta being the nicer looking piece, they shoot about the same.

Forget what I paid, got it through CDNN a few years ago. Well worth every penny though.