My family goes on an annual pheasant hunting trip that I have heretofore been unable to attend due to first school and then work obligations...this year I can finally go! As the trip is coming up soon (I just found out I would be able to go), I need to get some practice in (I have only every shot a shotgun a handful of times in skeet/trap scenarios and never hunting). Although my Dad has many shotguns I could borrow, I won't see him until we meet up on the trip and I would prefer to be able to practice ahead of time with the gun I am going to use...and I have been thinking about picking up a shotgun myself anyway.
So if you were buying a shotgun to be used for bird hunting and trap or skeet...what would you choose? I am open to either 12 or 20 gauge and o/u or auto. I have shot examples of all of those configurations of my Dad's before and don't really have a preference. I think I am new enough I could adapt to either format. In terms of price range, I am flexible although I'd prefer to not spend over $1200 and am not in race to spend the most I can.
Besides picking up a gun, I also have to pick up all the gear as well...this is going to be a learning experience for sure.
So if you were buying a shotgun to be used for bird hunting and trap or skeet...what would you choose? I am open to either 12 or 20 gauge and o/u or auto. I have shot examples of all of those configurations of my Dad's before and don't really have a preference. I think I am new enough I could adapt to either format. In terms of price range, I am flexible although I'd prefer to not spend over $1200 and am not in race to spend the most I can.
Besides picking up a gun, I also have to pick up all the gear as well...this is going to be a learning experience for sure.