So next month I want to enter a local sporting clays tournament here in Abilene. I'm looking around at used shotguns and want to know what the thf experts would suggest for me. I've got a budget maxing out at about $1100 and not knowing how I'll take to the sport I don't know if I want to max my budget out. Now the shotgun I think I would like is the winchester 101 for sale at cdnn. Its 12ga 28" o/u french made gun and has a lot of others features. Does anyone have an opinion on it? Something more affordable that I've shot and like is a rem 11-87 premier. My dad has one and I can find these locally at pawn shops. Is it a decent gun to test the clay shooting waters with? And to me it seems like it'd be a decent hunting gun too. Any info y'all can share with me on sporting clays? Tips, tricks?

For that price range I would stay away from any o/u for serious sporting clay work. I'd buy either a Beretta 390/391...there is a reason that is the #1 auto used by the sporting clay tournament shooters.

I second Beretta 390 or 391.I have the 390 myself

Yeah you arent getting a quality O/U in the $1100 price range unless you're buying used and its a good deal. But that will get you a nice semi-auto for sure. Check out Beretta, Browning, Benelli as they are the semi autos you'll find at sporting clay events. But really any shotgun that holds 2 rds at a time and points/swings well will work. Ive seen plenty of guys do sporting clays with a 870 and shoot lights out. But ive also seen plenty of Perazzis and other high end guns where the guy was terrible.

Yes.

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'm going to go with a used rem 11-87 or 1100. Just so I can give it a try. Worst case scenario I don't every shoot clay again I've got a good bird gun.

2nd this, had a 391 and it was a good unit. A used Benelli would also be good. I wouldn't buy a Remington over either one of those.

I started a few years back with an 1100. Then bought a Beretta 391 and have over 25,000 rounds thru it.

Just make sure it has chokes to change. That being said, my 1100 was a modified choke and it did quite well.

I am looking for a good gun for Doves as well. I am going to go with a Beretta A300

Well I'm still looking. But I've narrowed it down quite a bit.

Going to go check out a franchi affinity tomorrow. I like what I've read about them and they have a 7yr warranty.

You won't like a non-gas gun for shooting clays. Look through your post here...there is a majority on what gun to buy.

If you are just dead set against a 390/391 then get a Browning Silver/Gold or Winchester SX3. Make sure what ever you buy you can adjust the stock with shims so you can adjust the POA vs POI so the gun is looking where you shoot and if you don't like it you will have a great bird hunting gun.

I've got 2 391's in the safe because I have seen what sporting clays guy put them through and they just keep on working. Most guys don't even clean them but once a season and rarely have I seen a feeding issue. Buy what you want but I think you'll regret a Franchi if you primary purpose is shooting clays...if you were buying a hunting gun I wouldn't feel the same way about it, for the record.

Good luck, I'll leave you alone and let you buy what you want but just thought I would throw in one last post.

If your wanting over under id go with a Verona

Very nice budget Beretta shotgun if you cannot find a 391. The 391s are kind of hard to come by nowadays since they are not made anymore.

Remmy Versamax Sportsman model go for about $900 sold my Beretta 390 to get the Versa and use it for sporting clays and hunting, luv it...

I'd have to disagree on the o/u statement. The 101 is a lesser known gem of the popular o/u out there. The earlier Japan models were awesome and we'll built. Unless the factory moved when production of the 101 started again it was in the FN factory in Belgium. The two B's are commonly the most recommended o/u but fit and feel completely different when shouldering them.

OP I wouldn't purchase a shotgun without shouldering it first to see how it feels, just because it feels good to 90% of the shooting community doesn't mean it will for you.

If you have any buds around that have shotguns you can shoot go that route. Find something that fits and feels right for YOU. What I shoot well may not be right for you. I look at Sporting Clays a little different. I use it for improving on my shooting for hunting,,, hence I use hunting guns.

Well we have a gun show here in Abilene this weekend. If I don't find anything I like there I'm going to order a Beretta Outlander. I've held the franchi affinity and it was nice, but I'm not a fan of the synthetic stock. But it did come with shims, tubes and a wrench. The Beretta also comes with shims, tubes and wrenches, its a piston gun and is available with a wood stock and it is MADE IN AMERICA so this is the gun I will buy if i can find it in wood. I need a shotgun for the clay shoot in 1 month and I don't have a whole lot of shooting buddies. I try to do as much research as possible before buying because I can't always try before I buy and I'm a lefty so theres another wrench in the equation. Im pretty sure I'll be happy with it and I'll only be out about $200~ after my trade so it won't hurt my pocket too much.

Beretta semi auto for sure

I agree....I have a confirmed 5,000rnds+ through my 390 and its still going strong and never had any issues with it; and I bought it used and abused from a duck guide.

From what I have seen they simply don't where out; the only issue I have EVER heard with one is the recoil spring wearing out and having to be replaced after 20,000rnds from a guy at the college nationals in San Antonio....Think he said it cost $75.00 to have replaced.

Not bad for a $900 shotgun(he got nice wood) with 20,000rnds through it.

Well I ordered a Beretta Outlander today. Its the wood stocked model, 28" barrel, shims, chokes and wrench for $745+tax. It shares many features with the 390/391. Should be here Wendsday! I'll share more after I put a few rounds through it.

You were better ordering than waiting on the gun show. Doubt you would have found much there.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/produ...dhead+TGT+12+30

I was super happy with my CZ. I'll be getting a 920 for this next dove season and a 912 for duck season.
I shoot a SKB now for skeet and trap with a 30" barrel.
I owned a Remington 3200 with tubes which was a great skeet gun.

I think you will be happy with the A300. I have not shot one, but I have several A390/391s. All have thousands of shells through them. They just work. And the gas operated recoil is nice when you put 500 shells through them in a day.

I think I'm going to very happy with the decision also. I went and shot skeet for the first time yesterday and used my dads old Remington 11-87 and man was it fun. When my shotgun comes in I plan on going back out and trying one of the courses to break it in.