Sporting Clays

[dtbighit]

First off......happy holidays to all, secondly I want to get some recommendations on an entry level shotgun 12g for sporting clays went to colorado clays for the first time and had a great time I used my 870 pump but am interested in a semi or over under any thoughts? Price range would be 800ish thanks in advance

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I bought my benelli sbe 2 for less than a grand. Love it, shoot at CC as much as I can. Also omricon is selling an eibar o/u 12 gauge for $350.

[Colorado Osprey]

Since you already shoot a Remmy you should look at others Remingtons so your point of aim doesn't change.
Another brand that has the same point of aim (Length of pull and identical comb) is a Russian made gun once sold by Remington as the Spartan line. It is Baikal, sold through EAA. These can be had new under $500. This is the same Russian factory that makes AK's. The sporting line include O/U and SxS shotguns.
If you want on used they are available for under $400 online. The O/U were called IZH-27's available in all guages

I used an 11-87 for a whole and wore out 2 of them in about 25000 rounds ea.
I have been using the Baikal ever since and now have a collection of them.
Sometimes I get the look for shooting a $400 shotgun.. but these are also my field guns and I don't cry when I scratch them.
A new Baikal will take about 1000 rounds to break in. They are stiff when new. The wood is walnut with just a clear coat and the bluing is kinda plum like most Russian guns.
If you want sporting clays chokes they are available from Colonial Arms. They make them not just for the Baikal but almost any shotgun with a knurl end so you can change them between stations without any tools.

Good Luck with you purchase and your game... it is addictive. I used to shoot about 25000 round a year before ammo got stupid expensive.

[dtbighit]

Thanks for the info fellas does anyone locally sell the Baikal shotguns?

[cysoto]

Thanks for the info fellas does anyone locally sell the Baikal shotguns?

We carried them (and sold quite a few of them) earlier this season. They are really well built and at an affordable price.

If I was thinking about getting into shotgun sports, I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up for myself.

The other one that I was impressed with (for its price) was the Mossberg Silver Reserve II. This shotgun is manufactured in Turkey and imported by Mossberg.

[dtbighit]

We carried them (and sold quite a few of them) earlier this season. They are really well built and at an affordable price.

If I was thinking about getting into shotgun sports, I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up for myself.

The other one that I was impressed with (for its price) was the Mossberg Silver Reserve II. This shotgun is manufactured in Turkey and imported by Mossberg.
So the question is Cy can you order either one of these shotguns?

[cysoto]

So the question is Cy can you order either one of these shotguns?

Absolutely. The Baikals are imported into the US by EAA/USSG and there are many still available through one or our dealers. The Silver Reserve are also available though in limited numbers. Feel free to give me a call at the store tomorrow and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have: (720) 420-0863 or, better yet, if you are in the area, come on in and say 'Hi'.

[ray1970]

I started my sporting clays journey with an over/under but eventually switched to a semi auto. Personally, I find the Baikal shotguns crude and a bit heavy. If you have your heart set on an o/u I suggest keeping an eye out for a nice used piece. The Valmet 412 is a nice piece and can usually be found for around $400 or less. I've even seen the occasional Browning Citori or lower end Berettas show up in the $600 range.

If you want a semi the Remington 1100 is never a bad option and the Winchester SX3 is a pretty decent option as well.

[Mazin]

Miss my silver pigeon but I doubt I would ever pay that price again. The Ruger Red label is a good shooter and about half the cost (around your price range) . My first deal here was for a bakal and Ray is correct in the assessment of them being bulky and crude.

[dtbighit]

Miss my silver pigeon but I doubt I would ever pay that price again. The Ruger Red label is a good shooter and about half the cost (around your price range) . My first deal here was for a bakal and Ray is correct in the assessment of them being bulky and crude.

A buddy of mine shoots a red label and loves it, I was trying to be different I guess, and I have heard mixed reviews on both the Mossy and the Baikal but the low price is nice, yes I know "buy once cry once" applies here

[Colorado Osprey]

Since the OP already shoots a Remmy he will have problem with point of aim on a Silver Pigeon or Red Label. Both are great guns, but if they don't fit your point of aim you will just be blasting air. This is the same reason I didn't recommend a Benelli, Mossberg or others.
Another good gun for clays in a semi-auto is a Browning Sporting Clays Gold. They have an adjustable Comb and csn be fit to almost anyone.
The most important thing in any shotgun is fit. The 1100 recommendation is good as it is still a Remington and the POA remains the same. There is nothing worse than shooting a new gun and you can't hit anything..... very frustrating. You can learn a new POA but it takes time, effort and a lot of ammo.

[Mazin]

Well jumping from a pump or even a semi to a OU no matter the brand is going to change your natural point of aim. No matter what he chooses he is going to have to go out and fire it a lot to get use to the way a OU shoots, it's just different. When I first started out on trap it was with a Benelli Nova, it was a great gun but shooting sporting clays was the deciding factor in getting my OU. I do agree with the statement of it's all about the fit. Brownings are nice, never shot a citori but the semi was just too heavy to me to be comfortable. Just remember whatever you decide to get just make sure you get what you want, in the end it's your money and your the one that's going to be shooting it.

Noah @ Ark Tactical has a pretty decent OU in stock if you wanted to go check it out I know he will be open today.

[dtbighit]

Thanks for all the input fellas I might have time to swing by Ark I live close by, I never thought that buying a shotgun for sport has this many variables......wow I think I need to hold a few and decide

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

If you wanted to run my benelli through 25 or 50 rounds out there I could meet you some time. Don't discount the semi just yet. I bought semi because I waterfowl hunt and an o/u is not the optimal firearm for that.

[dtbighit]

Thanks for the kind offer........but money is burnin a hole in my pocket I don't think I can wait urghhhh the madness

[DangerLee_Industries]

Check out the Benelli Super Vinci as well..... I was going to get either a SBE II or the Vinci depending on the best price I could find. I found a deal on the Vinci and jumped on it right before dove season this year. You won't go wrong with either of those and if you have the cash they are worth every penny.