Gun Owners I have a question. Need Advice

[RayAllen]

Thanks again guys. Joshua thanks for the model types. I will check them out. Since this is for occassional fun so im not looking to spend much at all. I will not be going pro.......

[wesheltonj]

Most that skeet and trap shoot are using double guns, but not all. I would agree if you are going to be shoot a lot then 20 is the way to go. My Browning 12 kicks the sh** out of me. I would get a 20 too but cannot get that past the wife. You are going to have a hard time finding a double gun in your price range. You might look at GunsAmerica.

[txav8r]

I have a friend that was world trap champion I believe in 2001. He used to run a gun shop here that he was a distributor for Krieghoff. He has since sold that business and is VP for Blaser-USA. You could easily spend up to 50K on a shotgun but I think what you are looking for is exactly what Jose was talking about. If you decide you want to get more into it competition wise and all later let me know and I can hook you up with him.

I shoot a K-80 4 barrel set.

I have a Krieghoff 32 4 barrel set that is for sale for $4500

[Joshua]

Example of a good deal:
http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...ad.php?t=75791

[theedprado]

Remington 1100 or Beretta. Wide open chokes for skeet, modified for trap. Prefer old school choked barrell to new screw in type.

[Joe31]

Benelli Nova Pump Shotgun - Black Synthetic

Item# NOVASYN
$349.99
Gauge//Barrel:

[Bill S]

OK, I'm going to disagree with some of the above...

The 20 vs 12 gauge recoil debate is pretty much a toss-up:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/twenty_vs_twelve.htm

That being said, my brother-in-law, who owns several hundred thousand dollars of shotguns, CLAIMS that the same model 20 ga will kick more than a 12...

I own a 12ga side-by-side Zoli, and a 20ga over/under Browning Citori. I freakin' LOVE my Citori (http://www.ozarkguns.com/Browning/citori_superlight.htm). It's the one with the straight stock (no pistol grip). It's light - which is great for the field, and just a heck of a lot of fun to shoot. BUT, being light, it does have a bit of kick (part of the recoil equation includes the weight of the gun).

All that being said:

Skeet shooting, you will score better with a 12 ga. Just look at the scoreboards where you shoot - the 20ga shooters are a few percent less than the 12ga shooters.

12ga shells are much less expensive than 20ga. You can buy cheap loads at WallyWorld all day long. 20g will consistently cost you more. If you choose a 20ga, I'd suggest reloading.

12ga shells come in a MUCH larger selection.

Double vs. pump vs. Auto. If you have a pump or an auto, you still only get 2 shots when skeet/clay shooting. If you dove hunt, you are only allowed 3 shells anyway. Someone did a study on the 3rd shot when dove hunting a few years ago, and the hit rate was insanely low. Doubles are generally more reliable than pumps, and pumps more reliable than autos. OF THE SAME MAKE. There are lously pumps and lousy autos. Personally, I'd stear clear of used autos. If they weren't well maintained (and most aren't), it will never work well. My brother, who is an avid waterfowler (probably 30 or more days a year) swears by his Benellis. He has 3.

If you field hunt (like for quail), with a double, you don't have to worry about where your shells end up (they fly out of the pump and the auto) - with a double, you can track your bird, rather than your spent hulls AND your bird.

If you plan on doing some waterfowl hunting, make sure you choose a gun that will handle long magnums - many field guns won't.

Like most things, the gun is a personal choice. Pick a few up, handle a few, and buy the one that fits you best. And if you would like to borrow my O/U Citori, just let me know.

[Joshua]

And if you would like to borrow my O/U Citori, just let me know.

oh hai there Bill how are you doing today?

lol... Always loved the Citori's but never could bring myself to buy one because we beat the heck out of our equipment and I couldn't do that to such a nice gun. I might get one of those cheap Russian O/U's eventually though.

[z28pwr]

I shoot a 12 gauge Beretta AL390 and love it. I picked it up brand new for $600 bucks a couple years ago and it just rocks never had a single problem with it. My friend didn't want to spend that much money so he went to Academy and picked up a YILDIZ OVER AND UNDER 12 gauge for $400 bucks and it's been decent.

[RayAllen]

I have gotten a lot of great info and advice in the thread. Cant wait to start shopping around to see what I find.