First 12 Gauge Over/Under For Skeet Suggestions

[minutemen1776]

You have a few options, but most new guns will cost a bit more than $1,000. As others have said, try lots of shotguns to see what fits you best. Several months ago, a friend loaned me his Citori while we were shooting trap with our church group. It fit me like a glove, and I proceeded to shoot 24-out-of-25 the first time I used it. I started looking for my own O/U, and I soon learned that the new Citoris do not fit me like my friend's older one. After shouldering Citoris, Berettas, CZs, Benellis, Franchis, and quite a few others, I ran across the Winchester 101. It fits me just like that older Citori! Go figure. Anyway, I bought a new one for about $1,100, and I have been enjoying it since. Good luck finding what works for you!

 

[cfullgraf]

As already said, Citori Skeet and Beretta 686 are good skeet guns. There are other older guns that are good as well.

Active clay target shooters shoot shells by the pallet load and the reliability of their shotgun is very important. Economy priced over/under shotguns may serve a bird hunter fine that shoots only a few boxes of shells per year but it will not last on a clay target field.

Remember, with skeet, the swing is the thing. The advantage to longer barrels is they help the shooter keep the swing going. One of the most frequent cause of missing the target is stopping the swing of the gun too soon. So, I'd stay away from 26" barrels.

I shot competitive skeet in the 1990s with a 28" barrel Citori. I could never get it to swing as well in 12 gauge without the sub gauge tubes in it as with the tubes installed. The little bit of extra weight provided by the tubes made the difference.

I stopped competing a while ago for a number of reasons but I'd like to try a 30" barreled gun sometime.

 

[MSgtEgress]

I've seen people like Cooldill and Mudstud at my club (of which I am the treasurer and on the board of directors) putting down people for buying entry level guns and it really pisses me off. Young people with families and working class people don't have 3K lying around buy top of the line guns. I actually asked one of these snooty bastards to leave our club because of this "not worth owning attitude" putting down one of our regulars. Crap like that has no place on any skeet field I'd want to shoot on. my 2 cents

 

[freebird]

On the Browning Citori I am looking at with the 26" barrels can the barrel be swapped out on it like some of the other shotguns out there? Could I put a 28" or 30" on it? If so I would definitely look into it as a possibility for the $800 asking price. Or of course offer a bit less.

I just saw a Remington STS Competition O/U 28" for $1,060 locally on Armslist are they any good and is that a good price?

I also see a Browning Gold Sporting Clays 12 GA Shotgun
Invector Plus 30" ported barrel vent rib with fibre optic front sight
with skeet choke and Browning soft case
Auto loader 12 GA 2 3/4" shells Execllent condition they are asking $695.

I know it is an autoloader but would not mind having another one on hand to try out and for the wife to start using just to get the feel of it. It looks like a pretty gun is that worth it?

Thanks for all the help, tips and suggestions. Much appreciated.

 

[Sav .250]

What I like and what you might like can be miles apart. I`d just do search for , skeet/trap shotguns. Reading and learning about a subject goes a lot farther than what I think.

 

[eastbank]

after they have bought a low end shotgun is not the time to ride a newbe, tell him to use it and see if he,s going to keep up his new venture. if so it will soon show up the faults of a low end shotgun as the round count goes into the thousands. the shotgun is not the major cost,the ammo is. a flat of federal 1-1/8oz *7.5 or 8 shot run about 60.00 for 250 rounds that may last a week, if he shoots 10 flats a year(no many for most trap-skeet shooters) thats 600.00 in ammo. so just say he shoots half of the a year(5 flats a year), thats 300.00 a year and 3000.00 in ten years. one of my brownings has well over 20,000 rounds thru it with out one bit of trouble and some say it,s not even broken in yet. do you see where i,m going, cry when you buy, but laugh when it lasts.i will let any newbe who shows a interest in trap-skeet shooting try any shotgun i have with me at the range. eastbank.

 

[freebird]

Completely understood. I am going to save up and get me a good O/U then when the time comes and cry once buy once like you all have said.

Is the Browning Gold Sporting Clays 30" ported barrel a good gun for the price of $695 maybe pick it up at $625-$650. Just to have an extra autoloader around for the wife to get use to trying or some of my friends when I take them to the range to use or should I hold off? Thought about giving them a call today if it was worth it. Thanks

 

[eastbank]

we have several men who shoot the browning gold sporting clays auto loaders at the trap-sporting clays shoots and they have had no problems with them and shoot very good scores. i have handled them and tho a little lighter than my trap rem 1187 i think i could shoot them. eastbank.

 

[cfullgraf]

On the Browning Citori I am looking at with the 26" barrels can the barrel be swapped out on it like some of the other shotguns out there? Could I put a 28" or 30" on it? If so I would definitely look into it as a possibility for the $800 asking price. Or of course offer a bit less.

I have not seen over/under shotguns with interchangeable barrels. I won't say they are not out there but it is definitely not the norm.

Barrels can be replaced but I'd bet but it would probably be less expensive to find a Citori with 28" or 30" barrels than get a new barrel fitted.

On the other hand, it is a simple change of barrels for auto loaders and pump guns. If you found a good auto loader with barrel not optimum for clay targets, you can get an appropriate barrel and install it yourself.

I just saw a Remington STS Competition O/U 28" for $1,060 locally on Armslist are they any good and is that a good price?

I'm not familiar with the Remington STS Over/Under so I'm not help here.

I also see a Browning Gold Sporting Clays 12 GA Shotgun
Invector Plus 30" ported barrel vent rib with fibre optic front sight
with skeet choke and Browning soft case
Auto loader 12 GA 2 3/4" shells Execllent condition they are asking $695.

I know it is an autoloader but would not mind having another one on hand to try out and for the wife to start using just to get the feel of it. It looks like a pretty gun is that worth it?

Auto loaders such as the Remington 1100 or 11-87 or Beretta 300 or 400 series auto loaders are good clay guns. They may need a little more attention such as cleaning and some parts replacement over time than a good over/under but they do perform well. Many top shooters use them.

eastbank commented that the Browning Gold Sporting Clays is working well for folks he shoots with.

Auto loaders costs are more affordable than a good entry level over/under. One downside to an auto loader is chasing hulls if you plan to reload.

 

[freebird]

Okay, I must be thinking of the Auto loaders then. My friend has the Remington 1100 I believe and I think his barrels are interchangeable I may be wrong.

I guess I am still learning on the O/U's I thought that since I have seen them in cases with the barrel and the lowers separate that maybe they made interchangeable barrels for them.

I know I shot for my second time yesterday skeet and chasing Hulls is a pain with the auto's. That is a clear advantage with the O/U's.

So I know this is going to be a stupid question, so forgive me for my ignorance but why is the O/U's the preferred choice other than the obvious "Class and Style" and heritage. I would think the function of an auto would cost more to manufacture and in competition are auto's allowed? I saw where some made reference to if you decide to shoot in all competition levels etc. something to that effect. Are only O/U's allowed at competition skeet? Like I said sorry for the ignorance just trying to get up to speed on all that I need to know. Been reading up as much as I can. Thanks for the advice.

 

[cfullgraf]

There are four barrel set over/under shotguns. One barrel pair for each gauge used in competition, 12 ga, 20 ga, 28 ga, and .410 bore. Back in the 1980s when a skeet Citori cost $1000, a four barrel set Citori cost $4000. These have fallen out of favor for interchangeable sub gauge tube sets but they are still out there and are viable guns for skeet.

In the 1990s when I was competing, many of the top shooters would shoot an auto loader in the 12 gauge event and then a tubed over/under in the sub gauge events. I'm not sure what is happening these days.

Again, unless the rules changed recently, there is no limitation of action for competition. The over/under and auto loaders have a definite operational advantage though.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

In our trap league, I've seen a number of individuals buy the $1000ish over unders. All of them have eventually moved on to Browning or Beretta (or better) or gone back to their pump or semi autos. This is a mellow league that isn't about keeping up with the Jonses. I've haven't bothered to ask these folks why but it does tell me something.

If you you shoot only a few times a year, I suspect it doesn't matter. For me personally, I prefer to stick with a pump that is nearly identical control wide to the home defense shot gun. As bird season gets near in fall, a lot of pumps start being used. I tend to hit 20 out of 25 which makes me happy but won't get me to the olympics.

Ultimately, buy what you want. I'd rather have a used Browning Beretta over under that is 30 years old than a new over under from a lesser manufacturer. My friend found a nice browning that way and he tends to hit 22 out of 35 with it.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Okay, I must be thinking of the Auto loaders then. My friend has the Remington 1100 I believe and I think his barrels are interchangeable I may be wrong.

I guess I am still learning on the O/U's I thought that since I have seen them in cases with the barrel and the lowers separate that maybe they made interchangeable barrels for them.

I know I shot for my second time yesterday skeet and chasing Hulls is a pain with the auto's. That is a clear advantage with the O/U's.

So I know this is going to be a stupid question, so forgive me for my ignorance but why is the O/U's the preferred choice other than the obvious "Class and Style" and heritage. I would think the function of an auto would cost more to manufacture and in competition are auto's allowed? I saw where some made reference to if you decide to shoot in all competition levels etc. something to that effect. Are only O/U's allowed at competition skeet? Like I said sorry for the ignorance just trying to get up to speed on all that I need to know. Been reading up as much as I can. Thanks for the advice.

Autos need to be cleaned much more regularly (say 300-500 rounds. OU and pumps can easily go a year or two between cleanings and run just fine with at least 5000 rounds through them. That's my guess why there are more over unders than semi autos. Also, you can use two different chokes on barrels which can help as often the second shot is often longer.

 

[mudstud]

To respond to the OP's inquiry about interchangeable barrels for O/U's, the only O/U that has truly interchangeable barrels, that I am aware of, is the Blaser F3. With the F3, you can order up a set of barrels and they will fit. All other O/U's (as far as I know), need to have extra barrels fitted by a qualified gun plumber to your particular gun. As it happens, I have ordered another set of barrels for an O/U of mine, which should be here tomorrow, and I fully expect to have to send the barrels and gun to a good smith for fitting. FWIW, the F3 might be a bit over budget!

 

[kudu]

When I was doing a lot of shooting in the early 90's, there were many 4 barrel set Brownings out there, as well as people shooting 4 Remington 1100 skeet guns, 12ga, 20ga, 28ga, and good old .410. Tubed guns were being built in the mid 80's and were really catching on. A balanced tube gun will weigh the same and balance the same regardless of gauge and will shoot to the same point of impact. So in essence, you are shooting the same gun for all 4 events. Except 12 gauge, unless you have a dedicated carrier barrel for the tubes. I am fortunate enough to have a carrier barrel for my Beretta, so the 12 is the same weight as the .410 as the 20,etc.

Tubes are usually titanium, and less than 4oz a piece, which add about a half pound to the gun's weight, look to Kolar and Briley for the top competing tube sets.

 

[CopperFouling]

To respond to the OP's inquiry about interchangeable barrels for O/U's, the only O/U that has truly interchangeable barrels, that I am aware of, is the Blaser F3.

Browning, at least, has made them for a long time now in different gauges, although I think only the two-barrel set is currently in production.

http://www.browning.com/products/fi...roduction/citori-lightning-feather-combo.html

To answer the OP's question: fitting new barrels to an O/U is prohibitively expensive, if you can even find the barrels, which is not likely.

 

[cfullgraf]

So in essence, you are shooting the same gun for all 4 events. Except 12 gauge, unless you have a dedicated carrier barrel for the tubes.

That's partly why my 20 gauge average was better than my 12 gauge average. I could never get my Citori to swing the same without tubes as with. I eventually just shot 20 gauge in the 12 gauge events.

Tubes are usually titanium, and less than 4oz a piece, which add about a half pound to the gun's weight, look to Kolar and Briley for the top competing tube sets.

My 1990 vintage tubes are from Briley and are a matched weight set. The shotgun feels the same shooting all three sub gauges--except in recoil.

Looking at Briley's web site these days, there are more tube options available today than back in the 1990s.

 

[CopperFouling]

I know it is an autoloader but would not mind having another one on hand to try out and for the wife to start using just to get the feel of it. It looks like a pretty gun is that worth it?

I had to save money for about 15 months to buy a Browning O/U, so I know what it's like to wait. The O/U was worth the wait. It points and swings beautifully.

So, basically, if you really want to save for an O/U, then don't buy the Gold. It's a nice shotgun, sure, but that's going to set you back significantly.

 

[mudstud]

Yes, indeed, but I wasn't referring to buying a two barrel set, or four barrel set, or whatever. I was referring to getting a new set of barrels for an existing gun. And, yes, buying a new set of barrels and having them fitted to your gun is a bit spendy! Depending on just what shotgun you are referring to, I wouldn't say that it isn't likely you can get different barrels. If you are referring to an out of production model, yeah, probably. The F3 is different in that you can purchase a different set of barrels at a later date from Blaser, for an existing gun, and they do not need to be fitted. Guess, I am having a hard time making myself clear on this.

 

[freebird]

Thanks, man that Blazer is a pretty gun! Never heard of them before. I held off on purchasing that Gold. Saving for the right O/U. Hopefully this time next year I can have enough saved to get something really decent. I figured like Judge mentioned can put that money toward my O/U. Thanks so much for the explanations. Things are making more sense now. Appreciate it very much.

One last question, if 30" is becoming the Standard an older used O/U will be out of the question right? I mean a used Citori will not have 30" barrels correct? When looking for a used 30" O/U what models should I be searching for and what years did they start going that length? Thanks

 

[freebird]

Okay, I think I just answered my own question. LOL. Man wish I had been saving since last year, I would be looking at getting this Browning. Is this a reasonable price? Of course that is the starting bid/price.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/574871149

 

[cfullgraf]

New Citori XS Skeet models are running around $3000 or a little less. Price somewhat depends on the grade of the gun.

When I was shooting competitive skeet in the early 1990s, 30" barrel guns for Sporting Clays were beginning to show up on the market. So, with 15-20 years of production, I'm sure 30" and 32" barrel guns are out there.

Belgium built Superpose models have had a cult like following. They look great and many feel they are better than the Citori. But, the Citori now has a long, successful history.

As a suggestion, the Browning Cynergy had some start up issues a few years ago that I have not kept up with. I have a .410 model that works fine but it is not as smooth operating as my Citori. You might want to avoid this model for the moment.

Finally, fit is important. Citoris do not fit the same as a Beretta 686. Do some research, get some advice, and try out some different guns. Gun fit can be adjusted but it is an additional expense.

 

[CopperFouling]

One last question, if 30" is becoming the Standard an older used O/U will be out of the question right? I mean a used Citori will not have 30" barrels correct? When looking for a used 30" O/U what models should I be searching for and what years did they start going that length? Thanks

You can probably still find 30" used Citoris if you want to head that direction. I was going to suggest the 30" White Lightning (http://www.browning.com/products/fi...urrent-production/citori-white-lightning.html), but it looks like Browning discontinued them recently. You can, though, probably find one in a store, since it couldn't have been too long ago that the 30" ceased production. You could try calling one of the major distributors and seeing where they were shipped.

By the way, 28" barrels are not much different than 30". I have the 30" but would be equally pleased with a 28".

Finally, fit is important. Citoris do not fit the same as a Beretta 686. Do some research, get some advice, and try out some different guns. Gun fit can be adjusted but it is an additional expense.

cfullgraf is right, by the way. I tried a Beretta 686 before buying a Citori. The Berettas are a little more slender and do fit differently.

One other stray thought: if you're wanting an O/U for more than just shooting trap, avoid the XT line of Citoris. They're designed for trap and have a stock and rib designed to "float" the bird above the bead. Without being too technical, that just means that most of the shot is going to be in the upper half of the pattern, which most people don't want for skeet, sporting clays, hunting, etc. Someone gave me that advice when I bought mine, and I appreciated it.

 

[mudstud]

Another stray thought, not only do Citori's and Beretta's fit differently, they handle differently. Beretta shooters think a Citori handles like a 2x4. Citori shooters think a Beretta is a buggy whip! Pick your poison!

 

[eastbank]

when i bought my citori xs 20ga i opted for one with a adjustable comb, when useing it for skeet-sporting clays i lower the comb flat and for trap i raise the comb to see the bird float over the bead. on my limited edtion sporting clays citori i installed a adjustable morgen butt pad so it can be used on all clays games. you can have a adjustable come installed on your shotgun,but it is costly, the morgen pad is far cheaper. eastbank.