My girlfriend took me to my first shotgun related session this weekend at Thunder Mountain.  Let's just say I'm sure she's regretting it now that I'm in the market for a shotgun to shoot clays with.  All jokes aside, it was probably one of the best shooting activities I have done in quite some time.  It sure beats standing in a port shooting at a stationary target.

 

I used a Remington 870 express which I liked a lot.  I know many would suggest an over/under setup, but I'm not looking to spend that much.  As with everything firearm related, the internet can be the devil and while I enjoyed my time with the 870, I have my eye out for a Beretta A300 Outlander for some odd reason.

 

Would I be better served taking the immediate "jump" to a semi, or should I stay with what is arguably "tried and true".

 

thanks!

Semis require more maintenance but I prefer them over pump.  Go for it.  Beretta A300 would be fine.

There's a big difference between the 870 Cheapxpress and the A300. I would pick the A300 for shooting comfort with its gas system and adjustable features for cast, drop and length of pull with its buttstock. A used 870 Wingmaster Trap could probably be found if you look hard for a bargain, otherwise they are expensive when new.  

I'd start with a pump, shoot for a few months, then look into something better or more comfortable. That's just me though.

cant go wrong with a Mossberg 500 then when you upgrade you can get a 18" barrel for it for a HD gun. not that you cant do that with an 870 but I prefer a 500 for the location of the safety. I don't like safety's next to the trigger guard but that's just a personal preference. Its also pretty fun to go to a fuddy trap range and out shoot guys with trap guns that cost thousands of dollars with a 300 dollar gun LOL

Shoot a few more guns if you can.  Shotgun fit matters, or so people keep telling me.

Another possibility is a 20 gauge...someone's selling a stoeger over/under here in the marketplace section for a nice price.

 

They'e not bad; few months ago I watched a young lady at my club smokin clay after clay with a stoeger 20 o/u...she was doing very well, and she was new to Trap, as well.

While I have no other point of reference, but I picked uoa Remington 887 Nitro Mag last year. I went from shooting 10 out of 50 to 32 out of 50 from January to May at Red Wings Sporting Clays in port republic (outside Atlantic City). The guys I hooked up with tied it out and liked it a lot over there old 870s, much lighter, smoother action. I don't no anyone else that has one and obviously this doesn't have much in way of aftermarket support, but I still like it.

Fit matters.  Shoot or fondle what you can (at a shotgun shoot or Griffin and Howe).

 

I personally went with a used Browning BT99 because it's what alot of people who shoot trap recommended as a beginner gun.  Plus, there aren't any really local sporting clays or skeet ranges to shoot at regularly.

 

The used BT99 went for around $800 and I can definitely resell it for at least that much.  I'm shooting consistently low 20's and got my first 25/25 earlier this summer (it's a great feeling).  That being said, go with what works and fits for you.  There's a guy at the club with a Wingmaster who outshoots guys with Krieghoff's and Perazzis so it's not about the $.

I have to second the BT99 -- There was one for sale locally just last year and I still am mad ay myself for not buying it

Fit matters.  Shoot or fondle what you can (at a shotgun shoot or Griffin and Howe).

 

I personally went with a used Browning BT99 because it's what alot of people who shoot trap recommended as a beginner gun.  Plus, there aren't any really local sporting clays or skeet ranges to shoot at regularly.

 

The used BT99 went for around $800 and I can definitely resell it for at least that much.  I'm shooting consistently low 20's and got my first 25/25 earlier this summer (it's a great feeling).  That being said, go with what works and fits for you.  There's a guy at the club with a Wingmaster who outshoots guys with Krieghoff's and Perazzis so it's not about the $.

 

 

Absolutely!

 

I shot a borrowed Belgium BT-99 one summer in a trap league back in the 70's. Great gun, but the Monte Carlo comb whacked my cheek with each pull of the trigger. It just didn't fit me right. 

 

You can still find a used-Belgium BT-99 for a couple bucks just north of a grand. An older Charles Daly Miroku O/U trap model can be found for $900 on the used market if you look hard enough. 

I shoot trap once or twice a month with a semi auto and feel it limits me because of how far it throws shells. The shell catcher I have works well but sometimes the shells get caught up and are challenging to eject. It also prevents me from shooting doubles because you can't use a shell catcher in that situation. I'd either stick with a pump or get an o/u, I don't feel that the semis are a great option for trap because of the shell ejection issues unless you're sticking with singles and you can find a she'll catcher that works for your gun.

 

I don't shoot with butt holes in case you're thinking that but there is a level of etiquette that is expected. Ymmv.

The gun you get only really matters if you plan to compete, you can have fun with any type of shotgun.  I used to shoot skeet and trap with a 12GA SxS, a single shot 20GA, an 870 Express (a good one from the 80's) and a Ruger Red Label O/U, The Ruger was by far the best for skeet but it was fun to shoot clays with every one of the guns because they were my hunting guns.  I mostly shot the 870 for duck hunting practice.

 

If you really think you will get involved in this sport, you can get a decent O/U for about 2X more than the cost of an 870.  My nephew has a Benelli Super Nova that he loves.  It would be a step up in everything but reliability from the 870 but gets very close to the affordable O/U price range.  You may want to have a look see at Stevens Model 555 and Stoeger's Condor.  There's also the Wingmaster, They are still built well, like the 870 was back in the good old days, but are as expensive as a budget O/U.

 

If you also plan to hunt with the shotgun, I'd go with an 870 or a 500, but if it's just for clays, I recommend an O/U.

I've got a Mossberg Silver Reserve II O/U that only ran me about $600 after transfer...  It's a nice gun and destroys clays...

My head is spinning now that you all are adding O/U into the mix. 

Any opinions about CZ shotguns? They have quite affordable semi-auto and O/Us.

Reviews are mixed bag though mostly because people keep recommending something else instead of CZ like 'What about CZ...? -I do not know but you can get used [insert name] for the same price".

I just got a cz redhead deluxe. I'm pretty happy with it. Have only gotten out once with it so far though

Oleg,

 

A friend of mine has several CZ SxS's in several gauges & LOVES them.  I borrowed a 20 Ga. CZ SxS  and went pheasant hunting with it.  Fit me well and I scored several birds for the freezer!

Parker and others here have already said it:  SHOTGUN "FIT" IS EVERYTHING!  

 

A Shootist like myself can compensate for imperfect fit, but a Newbie doesn't know how and will MISS targets.  A scattergun that FITS is a pleasure to shoot with since you needn't think about said compensation and can instead just bring the gun up and take care of BIDNESS.

 

My best advice to the OP is to attend a NJGF Shotgun Shoot at Clinton WMA.  There you will have a vast assortment of guns to try (to see what FITS).  Also keep in mind that as more clothing is required in colder weather, the trigger of the gun (and everything else) moves forward with each layer of clothing.  Some folks have guns for different times of the year / disciplines (Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays) / hunting, et-al.  No one scattergun is perfect in all situations.  FIT becomes even more important when trying to overcome other obstacles that present themselves (such as a straight-away in Trap, where you have to cover the bird as it elevates, get ahead of its' climb and break it prior to its' apex all while not seeing it and NOT taking your head off the stock).

 

Enjoy your new-found love of Scattergunnin'!

 

Dave 

Agreed - We'll be at Clinton WMA on Sunday at 9AM - come out if you can make it.

OP, I shoot pretty regularly at North Jersey Target Clays and have a couple of BT99's if you want to take them for a spin.  Just shoot me a PM.

My A300 serves me very well during the waterfowl season. If you have any specific questions about it let me know.

There is an unfired A300 for sale on newjerseyhunter.

 

There is your gun my man.

Ron over at Legacy Firearms has a used 870 Trap in 12ga. Call him and check out his website for more info. I almost bought it a few months back but opted for the 1100 trap.

 

 

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I have shot trap but it's not a big pursuit for me. If you are going to play at it for awhile to get a feel for it you might try an inexpensive O/U. I bought a used Russian Baikal o/u for $300 and had a lot of fun shooting clays until I got busy and stopped. It's not a pretty gun but it works, sturdy as hell, and it will give you a feel for it.