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  • Dean C.

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    So I fell down the sporting clays rabbit hole recently and found out I quite enjoy the sport. Was fortunate enough to be able to try out a couple of nice Semi-Auto and O/U shotguns and definitely settled on a O/U for sporting clays, cannot say I have ever been a fan of any semi auto shotgun for various reasons.

    Currently between the Browning 725 Sporting and Beretta 694 , I know used is generally the way to go with shotguns as you can save a lot of money potentially. Wondering if there are any other guns INGO would recommend. I need to go to the IGC and see what these would end up costing me to get out the door.



    I know the general advice is to "get a B gun" thus the Beretta and Browning , I looked at the Fabarms shotguns as they are made by Caesar Guerini but their reviews online seem to be mixed generally. If it helps I generally gravitate towards the more plain looking guns, not a fan of engraving and whatnot.
     
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    snapping turtle

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    Personally like the browning and I believe it is the slightly lighter gun and that helps me get on target a bit quicker but it is still heavy enough for a good steady follow thru.

    Fit with these is everything. IGC (indiana Gun Club) is the place I would recommend as they have some rental guns and a few instructors who allow you to try before you buy.

    I have done very well with an 870 pump for a pump gun in a sport where it does hinder good shooting compared to a true sporting clay gun. Then again I have been using it since I was a youth and I have lots of barrel and choke combos to choose from with it and a little work has been done with it.

    Then I got a killer deal on a couple brownings and the rabbit hole got wider. (The 870 never comes along anymore)

    Take your time as I do see lots of fine old clays trap and skeet guns being sold off as grandpa’s guns don’t have 30 round mags and 24 power scopes. Some nice high grade ones whole setups but never seen many for sale here.
     

    Cameramonkey

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    Granted I shoot clays infrequently, but I like my Stoeger Condor. VERY plain, VERY utilitarian. Very cheap.

    If you are going to get serious, skip my suggestion. But if its just casual periodic shooting, it might be a good starter while you wait for that deal jmarriot suggested. Me? I'm on the watch for a 70s-80s vintage Remington 1100. Always wanted one since I borrowed my late uncle's to hunt with.
     

    Dean C.

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    Have you looked at the Mossberg International Gold Reserve? I know you said no engraving, but it is a great gun.

    Cannot say that I have , been avoiding the Turkish guns myself. Part of this is a driven by me wanting a gun as nice as my FIL's Benelli 828 shotgun so I want to stick with a "known" brand in clay shooting as these shotguns seem to retain value pretty well. Cannot say I cared for the Benelli however as it's very light weight made it recoil quite heavily, still a very nice shotgun

     

    Hookeye

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    IGC.........I was wanting a Blaser F16, just didn't wow me for the 5K price.
    Berettas were plain until you dumped a fair chunk more.
    Yup, proly end up w a Browning....or maybe a Merkel.
    Hunting gun, not for clays though

    FWIW I have nothing against an autoloader. Triples on dove and geese w 1100s.
     

    Dean C.

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    IGC.........I was wanting a Blaser F16, just didn't wow me for the 5K price.
    Berettas were plain until you dumped a fair chunk more.
    Yup, proly end up w a Browning....or maybe a Merkel.
    Hunting gun, not for clays though

    FWIW I have nothing against an autoloader. Triples on dove and geese w 1100s.
    Bkaser being one of the "B Guns" I checked them out and immediately balked at the price honestly. 4k is as much as I can personally justify , but I want a plain but very nice shotgun so the 694 or 725 suit my tastes pretty well.
     

    Chalky

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    FWIW, many years ago, I would shoot skeet at Andrews AFB. They had shotguns you could use when you paid and bought shells. I always asked for the Remington 1100. After a few trips guy says, you should try this Beretta, they are very nice. I said nope, like the 1100 and used to shooting one. Came again an a 1100 isn't available, guy smiles says, seriously, take this Beretta. Wow, lets just say I returned it with a huge smile on my face and never asked for the 1100 again. Also learned, sometimes listening and trying something different is good and fun. :) YMMV.
     
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    COOPADUP

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    FWIW, many years ago, I would shoot skeet at Andrews AFB. They had shotguns you could use when you paid and bought shells. I always asked for the Remington 1100. After a few trips guy says, you should try this Baretta, they are very nice. I said nope, like the 1100 and used to shooting one. Came again an a 1100 isn't available, guy smiles says, seriously, take this Baretta. Wow, lets just say I returned it with a huge smile on my face and never asked for the 1100 again. Also learned, sometimes listening and trying something different is good and fun. :) YMMV.
    Had a friend text me an hour ago asking if I wanted to go shoot a round of clays today. Checked the range calendar and found they’ve got a registered shoot going on this weekend.
    I’ve got a Browning that I bought that is screaming to be taken out for a round. Can’t wait to go be her a good run.
     

    63PGP

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    I picked up a used Citori 725 Sporting, lefty with adjustable comb from INGC about a year ago. It been 100 percent with any ammo I've used so far.
     

    asevans

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    There are so many nice trap guns.
    I use a ruger red label sporting clays model. Hunted pheasant all over the country and shoot trap and clays. Might look into ruger
     
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    thunderchicken

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    Alright as an avid shotgunner, here are my thoughts. First and foremost gun fit will make the most difference between breaking clays and watching them sail away. The gun has to fit you plain and simple. You should be able to close your eyes, mount the gun and without moving your head the beads should be stacked in a figure 8. An adjustable comb and butt pad plate can make just about any gun fit reasonably well. Those can always be added if the fit is otherwise close.
    Gun types...a typical field gun is made to have about a 50/50 pattern and 26-30". So if you shoot a pattern board 50% should be at or above the target dot and 50% should be below it. Many Skeet guns and Sporting Clays guns tend to be more in the 60/40 pattern range and 28-32" but some like a little flatter or a little higher. Adjustable comb fine tunes this. Trap guns can sometimes be used for Sporting Clays but not the best option. Trap guns are typically built to shoot anywhere from 60/40-100% high and 30-34" and are heavier with many over 9lbs. That's because in trap you are almost always shooting a target that's rising. Also, because with a flatter shooting gun the target actually gets partly covered by the bead/barrel before the shot. A higher shooting gun allows you to let the target float above the barrel/bead. Now, back to Sporting Clays. In SC, you will shoot a variety of target presentations so you don't want the gun to shoot too high.
    Recommendations based on your statement of $4k max justification.
    Browning Citori CX or something similar that shoots 60/40 is hard to pass up and at that cost you can have adjustable comb and butt plate added within budget and still have money for shells or targets. Or look at Guns Unlimited, they have some very nice exclusive Browning options. Their Browning universal high post would be on my radar or their "sporting" options would be a solid option as well. I believe they can even do the adjustable comb etc before shipping to your FFL.
    Beretta makes fine firearms as well but off the rack they just don't fit me as well as a Browning. As for the Fabarms, their auto's have a great reputation but their O/U's don't seem to get the same love in reviews but I've never shot one. Not sure how many times you've shot Sporting, but one option maybe to talk to people at the club(s) see what they like and ask why many will let you try their guns to see what you like the best.
    Guys at IGC have a wealth of knowledge and will let you handle whatever you want.

    I stayed away from any pump gun or semi auto options as your op sounded like you preferred an O/U. Just my .02 cents worth
     

    Dean C.

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    So i got to handle a 725 yesterday, and I really liked it. Hoping I can rent one at IGC so I can shoot one to confirm, felt really good mounting the gun. I definitely understand why everyone seems to recommend an adjustable comb. Going to save my pennys for a few more weeks as I only buy in cash for firearms and Brownings are not cheap :abused:. I also find the 725's connection to JMB through the B25 really cool as well (the handmade Belgian b25 is too much for me to afford unfortunatly) it will fit in well with my 2011 and 1911's
     

    Creedmoor

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    My old Citori still remains my favorite clays / bird gun.
    That what we both shoot, im a lefty and had mine fit in Md at Prince Georgia's Co Trap & Skeet long ago. Thirty plus years and you still gotta push the action open.
    Phone rings and im asked, hey lets go .,.,.,.,.
    Change the invectors and in the truck.
     

    gregkl

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    Granted I shoot clays infrequently, but I like my Stoeger Condor. VERY plain, VERY utilitarian. Very cheap.

    If you are going to get serious, skip my suggestion. But if its just casual periodic shooting, it might be a good starter while you wait for that deal jmarriot suggested. Me? I'm on the watch for a 70s-80s vintage Remington 1100. Always wanted one since I borrowed my late uncle's to hunt with.
    If I shoot SC, I will use my Beretta AL-2 Magnum because it is what I have. If I was to buy something, most likely it would be an 1100.
     

    thunderchicken

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    So i got to handle a 725 yesterday, and I really liked it. Hoping I can rent one at IGC so I can shoot one to confirm, felt really good mounting the gun. I definitely understand why everyone seems to recommend an adjustable comb. Going to save my pennys for a few more weeks as I only buy in cash for firearms and Brownings are not cheap :abused:. I also find the 725's connection to JMB through the B25 really cool as well (the handmade Belgian b25 is too much for me to afford unfortunatly) it will fit in well with my 2011 and 1911's
    I really like Browning shotguns, always have.
    I do not have a 725, but have friends who do and I have seen on a trap shooting forum some concerns relating to the 725 chokes. So you might research that some but here is what I've heard.
    First off they are a completely different design from their Invector or Invector Plus chokes. The 725 uses Invector DS chokes which have the threads in a different location and the DS chokes incorporate a sort of gas seal to limit carbon build up which could lead to chokes getting stuck in the barrel. Also, when Browning came up with the DS chokes, from what I hear and have read on the other forum, they are being made by a different source. Their Invector and Invector Plus chokes are made by Briley but the DS's aren't. As a result, some claim they mic looser than they should but you can research that easy enough. It's not something that would scare me away from it but I would probably end up later buying a set from Briley just because they are the best IMHO.
    As for an adjustable comb, if you choose to have that done rather than buying with it already done, check out Tronspace stock works. Joe does phenomenal work and often has it done and shipped back within a week.
     

    thunderchicken

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    That what we both shoot, im a lefty and had mine fit in Md at Prince Georgia's Co Trap & Skeet long ago. Thirty plus years and you still gotta push the action open.
    Phone rings and im asked, hey lets go .,.,.,.,.
    Change the invectors and in the truck.
    Stock fitters can do amazing things. You pay for it but you get quality.
     
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