Beginning "Serious" Clay Shooting

circleshooter said:

If you're willing to go a bit "north" of your $1k budget a smart shopper could get a new Beretta 391 - which - in my opinion is the only semi-auto really worth considering. It's reliable. They can easily shoot all the clay games. And they're made to last a lifetime. I bought a Beretta 391 Teknys Gold Sporting - a fair bit more than your stated budget but all the 391's use the same action, etc. - and I really enjoy shooting it. Even though it has a 30 inch barrel it moves quick and smoothly. Not much recoil and the action is smooth as silk.

O/U's are elegant, classic, reliable guns that come in many configurations with differing stock shapes. I think it's easier to get a great gun fit with an O/U (just my opinion). I shoot a Browning Citori 525 Sporting and I truly do love it. I had an adjustable butt plate installed on it so now it fits me perfectly and not just well. For me, it's a keeper.

My advice would be that if you're serious about getting in to clay shooting that you get the best gun you can afford. In fact, determine what you can comfortably afford and then save up some more and go up a notch. The price of quality only hurts once.

And as several people who've posted in this thread have mentioned, go someplace and rent a Beretta 391, or meet up with someone who has one and will let you try it. I would certainly meet you at Loch Raven on a weekend and let you shoot any of my guns - and others have here have offered the same.

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Boom Boom said:

I've done a bunch of sporting clays shooting lately. Hopefully this info will save you time and aggravation.

[*]If you plan to shoot skeet and/or sporting clays, I suggest avoiding shotguns with trap and Monte Carlo stocks, otherwise you'll always be shooting above dropping clays. You'll want a field or skeet stock, which angle down. The field stock angles down the most. Trap and Monte Carlo stocks go straight back.

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browning guy said:

Can I take you up on this offer I would like to meet and try out your
Beretta 391.

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circleshooter said:

Well, OK, but it's a big old 12 gauge cannon. I know you prefer something smaller - like 28 gauge.

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jaredm1 said:

I am thinking the 391 is probably going to be the best bet for me...unless I absolutely hate it when I rent one to test out.

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Guderian said:

I've considered the 391 as well based on many recommendations, but the Beretta website is confusing as hell. What the heck are the differences between all the 391's, and which one would I get for skeet, maybe five stand, maybe trap, and hopefully for duck and turkey hunting? I'm thinking Remington 1100 or 11-87 just because I can not understand the different Beretta's at all, which is frustating as hell for a newbie.

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browning guy said:

Circle shooter is 100% on about the 391 its the best value in a semi-auto clay gun.

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Guderian said:

I've considered the 391 as well based on many recommendations, but the Beretta website is confusing as hell. What the heck are the differences between all the 391's, and which one would I get for skeet, maybe five stand, maybe trap, and hopefully for duck and turkey hunting? I'm thinking Remington 1100 or 11-87 just because I can not understand the different Beretta's at all, which is frustating as hell for a newbie.

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circleshooter said:

I agree with many of your assertions and advice, however, I've always advocated that the gun needs to fit you well and that the actual stock "shape" isn't as important.

Case in point:

Most guns marketed to skeet shooters have traditionally had straight stocks. Browning's Citori XS Skeet has a straight stock configuration.

And the new trend, in clay shooting, is to use a high-rib gun with a Monte Carlo style stock. Most have an adjustable comb as well and, couple with the fact that you can also adjust the rib height, can be configured to shoot all the clay games. I've really been starting to see a lot of this style gun in magazines being used by shooters on the national circuit. I've been lusting for a Caesar Guerini Summit Impact ever since I first saw one. Then I got to shoot one and the lust became greater. Some day....sigh.

Again, and I don't think this can ever be stressed enough, finding a gun that fits you well is well worth the effort. It will enhance your shooting comfort and really help you hit more targets.

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jaredm1 said:

I am thinking the 391 is probably going to be the best bet for me...unless I absolutely hate it when I rent one to test out.

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blackthorne said:

Miller's in New Castle... better prices and no tax.

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blackthorne said:

Miller's in New Castle... better prices and no tax.

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blackthorne said:

Forget their wesite. Just buy a 30" 391 Sporter and shoot all of what you mentioined with the one gun.

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blackthorne said:

So, who's going to Pintail on the 30th? Does noon sound OK, weather permitting?

Jaredm1.... I have a 391 you can use if you don't care to rent one. Mine is a pound heavier than a stock gun and the only other difference is that it has a Briley closer.

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