@jm1827:
I will echo the advice above provided by @Parker, who also provided me with some very informative and valuable insights when I had just started my search for an O/U shotgun several years ago, (as did both @lunker and @Rob0115).
Here are several additional links to some web articles on affordable O/U shotguns:
https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/guns/shotguns/double-guns/2012/11/best-over-under-shotguns-less-1000
https://gundigest.com/reviews/shotguns/affordable-overunder-shotguns
https://www.range365.com/top-10-clay-guns
For what it is worth, I have been very impressed with the Griffin & Howe Shooting School at Hudson Farm in Andover, NJ. While it is expensive, it really is a first-class operation and their sporting clay set up is like a top-notch golf club, but for shotguns / sporting clays. I have taken a number of sporting clay lessons there, where I was able to "test drive" a number of shotguns from their wide selection. Shooting there in the fall season with the trees leaves changing colors, is a spectacular background in temperate weather conditions, complimenting the very helpful one-on-one instruction that I really benefited from. I have learned much from them.
Based on this experience, as well as some here have suggested, I decided to splurge, going beyond my original budget for a shotgun to purchase a high-quality gun and ended up buying a new:
Beretta 692 Sporting O/U 12-gauge shotgun (30" barrel). It has a light natural stained Turkish walnut stock and fore end. I am very pleased with this choice. Prior to deciding on this O/U shotgun, I shot some other beautiful, low production, finely crafted shotguns in the same price range but decided that the Beretta fit me the best. While it is an expensive gun I did get what I consider a good deal. I found the lowest price for this O/U online and as a member of RTSP range, after checking with their Beretta Distributor, they agreed to match that price so I could purchase it from them. Here is a link to this model featured on the Beretta web site:
http://www.beretta.com/en-us/692/#Main
This was an early Christmas present to myself back in 2015. I realized that I would be using this shotgun approximately 80% of the time for sporting clays and 10% for Trap and 10% for Skeet. Most importantly, as determined by others more proficient and knowledgeable about these things than me, I felt that this gun fit me the best, for the most part, of all the others I tried.
In the spring of 2016, I took the next step and had my shotgun professionally fitted at G&H/Hudson Farm, as well has taking additional lessons. Yes, it was expensive, more than I had anticipated, but I feel it was well worth it, along with the valuable one-on-one instruction of the important fundamentals that I now practice on my own, as well as enjoying the beautiful natural setting and manicured landscaping of Hudson Farm. The fitting involved going through the process of measurements and shooting at a pattern board, then using some interested almost antique tools and devices, were able to make very precise measurements of what modifications should be made to the gun to result in more accurate shooting. Subsequently, their gunsmith steamed and gently permanently bent my stock slightly, as well as added a 1/4" thick rubber pad to the recoil pad on the butt of the stock. The final result was an immediate noticeable and positive difference in my consistent accuracy of breaking clays.
Good luck in whatever you decide to chose and I hope it brings you many satisfying years of shooting....
AVB-AMG