Thread: Beginner Shotgun for clay target

Morning all, basically had a go at clay target here at the hastings club and had an absolute ball. I did reasonably well and would like to maybe look a little further into the sport. Just wondering what an appropriate beginners u/o to look for would be. I currently have a browning maxus semi auto but would like to go to an under over. Budget will be 2-3k. I understand how it shoulders and fit is also crucial. Any help on makes, models, barrel length etc appreciated

Hang out at the club on a practice day and talk to people, see if you can try a few different guns and get an idea of what fits and works for you. Importers like Sportsways used to run try-days at shoots here in Auckland and you could shoot a few different guns so lookout for something like that too, it could be a sporting clays shoot somewhere rather than Gun club venue.

For that price range I'd try
Miroku M70 Variants
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon Variants
Browning Citori or B525 Variants

You'll find something in there that fits or can be made to fit and will shoot very well

I sold my Maxus and went with a adjustable comb Miroku simply because that's what I liked the best.

Dave hern at Waipukurau used to do try it days at patongata and other places.
The advice try as many as possible is spot on and the fit of a gun is more important than make.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Dave hern at Waipukurau used to do try it days at patongata and other places.
The advice try as many as possible is spot on and the fit of a gun is more important than make.

Exactly my thoughts. Price at this point of starting out is not the big consideration, more the cast, drop and comb height etc.

Try as many as you can and see if someone can talk you through how to use a pattern plate or similar - it amazes people where the shot fall can move depending on the set up of a gun.

for the mean time your semi will get you up and running only disadvantage is it takes a little bit longer to load and unload and you only have one choke option you cant have a tighter one when the get out a bit further, if you do get an u/o try to get one with an adjustable comb to help fit the gun to you and i prefer a lower rib for sporting etc and use it for everything just change chokes rather then a high rib for dtl and chopping and changing. most guys are pretty good and if you explain you are looking for a new gun the will be more then happy for you to try it, its like a rifle its what you like and feel is best and get used to using, good luck on your search

Like you have said, fit is king.
Do the best you can to try a few out. Generally people are only to happy to let you have a go.
Some people can shoot with brownings but not perazzi's etc, some have to have a winchester etc etc.
Some just feel better and therefore work better. BUT at the end of the day they have to fit you properly and throw lead where you are aiming.
Price is irrrelevant to a degree once that is the case as long as what you have is reliable and serviceable. You may find an older second hand trap gun for cheap that ticks all the boxes. Dont be frightened to find something cheaper with the thought to grab something better if the trap bug hooks deep
Once you have that, technique and practice come to the fore.

ANYTHING that fits you....literally anything. as others above have said,the $$$$$$$ dont mean diddly squat,a $200 bakail that fits like a glove and comes up like a wet dream is far more likely to break that fast moving clay than a poorly fitting 15k perazzi . you looking to start out,so anything you use will get you into the game as long as it fits....one of them Morgan adjustable recoil pads will do absolute wonders for gun fit....you can manipulate then so much that just about any gun can be made to point right and fast.