shotgun suggestions?

[cooljj98]

I'm looking to buy an over-under shotgun to use for both hunting and skeet shooting. Are there any experts out there who can give a few recommendations on what to look at? I'm looking so far at Browning Citori's, Winchesters, Beretta's. What models would you suggest for dual use, ie skeet shooting and hunting. I intend to go hunting for pheasant this fall with some friends, to give you an idea for what I want to use it for as far as hunting goes. I also would like to keep the price reasonable, ie 1000-2000 bucks or so, although 2000 bucks is really pushing the limit. I would rather it be closer to 1000.  What models would be the best quality for the buck?


cooljj

[SAMinWI]

I bought a XS skeet this past year and use it for everything.  Has the 30in barrels.   I use it mainly for trap and sporting clays, but it will sure knock down the pheasants also.....  Paid in the 1700 range.  Great gun..

[Ka6otm]

I'm awfully partial to a Browning Citori Upland special for skeet and Pheasant.

I like it well enough that I got one in .410 as a companion piece.  Not for Pheasant, though, as I have a flushing dog, not a pointer.

Ka6otm

[Big]

I could never find a Browning or Beretta for <2000 that felt good in my hands.  I found a used Weatherby Orion in a gun shop for <$1000 that fit me very well.  The "experts" at my club tell me, "hey, that's really an SKB with a Weatherby label, so it sucks."  They're right, it's an SKB, but it's been a great gun for skeet, sporting clays, and pheasants.  And with that Weatherby diamond on the grip, it stands out nicely from all the B&Bs on the rack.

I managed to break it somehow (I suspect my fault; always make sure you read a gun's manual).  The shop took it back, sent it to a Weatherby repair shop (at no cost to me); I had it back in two weeks, and it's been perfect ever since.  I've never heard of a turn around time like that with B or B.

[stv]

I have owned a beretta - great gun mechanically but I could never shoot it well.  Stock felt like a locust fence post.  Same with a Winchester Supreme that a friend let me shoot.  It felt like it was going to collapse my sinuses.  Browning's fit me better and SKBs also, but I like Remington's best of all.  I now have a 3200 trap and recently bought a 3200 skeet.   What really counts is whether it fits you.  All your choices are reasonably good in terms of quality and mechanics.  Go to some ranges and talk to people.  I often let someone shoot my guns to see if they suit the person and many others will also be pleased to let you check them out.   In the realm of Semi-Autos don't overlook the same combo's Browning, Berretta, and Remington.  I personally like Remington's due to fit but acknowledge that other brands may be better mechanically.  But if you can't hit tatgets with them it does no good.  Good luck

[cooljj98]

Thanks for the tips everybody. I've just narrowed it to those few ( Browning, Beretta, Remmington, Winchester) but haven't figured out what model yet, like the field or the sport/skeet. I went to jaquas here in Ohio and looked at brownings and found one that some that fit well, but it was a bit pricey, even for being used. The brand new 2003 models were nice but I couldn't distinguish the field grades or the skeets because I don't know enough about them yet. Think i'll look at the berettas next time.


CoolJJ

[stv]

Cool,  You really need to shoot some of your choices to narrow down the selection.   My $0.02 Good luck.

[cooljj98]

I was looking at the trap and skeet guns and I noticed that the rib is taller and thinner on the skeet guns and short and wider on the trap. Anyone know what this difference does?


CoolJJ

[Questor]

Cooljj98:

I went through the same process about four years ago and I ended up with the gun that I liked best: a 20 gauge Beretta 686. Cost was about $1300.  I had no pre-conceived notions about what I wanted, except that it had to be a 12 or a 20 for the grouse hunting and occasional pheasant hunting I do.  It was like a courtship process. I went to all of the gun shops and tried everything and I just kept going back to that one gun.  It's probably the last shotgun I'll ever buy unless I want something specialized. With today's buffered loads and hevi shot (etc.) it's fine for pheasants and even for ducks.  I can carry it all day without even realizing that I'm carrying it and recoil is very mild with target loads.  Lately I shoot clays regularly and it's fine for that.

My best advice would be to follow a similar process and find the gun that's right for you.  

My concern about asking skeet experts is that you may end up with a gun that's too specialized or too heavy.