New to skeet shooting. Am I looking at an ok purchase or is there better?

[.45Coltguy]

The Weatherby SA-08 in 20 ga is a good choice. Very light with a 24" barrel made just for smaller people. I have one that I use for turkey hunting. The shorter barrel won't be the best all around for all of the clays games but is ideal for skeet.

They are made in Turkey, but sold by Weatherby. This is the best budget gun IMO for your needs.

If you're really serious then a O/U is the gun of choice, but many more casual recreational shooters choose a gas operated semi-auto.

SA-08 - Weatherby, Inc.

GAS OPERATED SEMI-AUTO SMOOTH. RELIABLE. EASY ON THE SHOULDER. Smooth cycling and manageable recoil – truths every gas-operated shotgun owner knows. Weatherby SA-family shotguns are known for their rugged reliability paired with the soft shooting characteristics inherent in gas-operated systems...

weatherby.com

This^^^! It would be a good learning tool and can be used in the field later on if needed. You can always progress to something finer[re. real nice O/U] later if she stays in the game. Good post jmr40.

 

[Roverguy]

Tri-Star seems to make decent semi-autos and reports suggest that their customer service is sufficient. Their o/u and SxS guns are not up to more than light use.

The minimum ga you should consider is 20. The payloads in 28 ga and 410 are so small as to make their use very frustrating for a beginner.

There is a recommendation above for the Weatherby SA-08. This is a Turkish made gas gun (further attenuating felt recoil) backed by Weatherby’s excellent customer service. The youth compact 20 ga is an excellent choice for smaller framed individuals and shotgun fit is absolutely critical to success. Unless your beloved is a larger woman, in the 5’9” range, most full size shotguns are not going to be a good fit and that too will lead to frustration and lack of enjoyment.

 

[Remington1911]

One thing I have not seen is getting a gun that will "fit" her. This is a pretty big deal.

If you are shooting one of these games there is likely someone at the club that can help you out with getting the gun to fit. HUGE DIFFERENCE.

As to the gun, I will also suggest the Tri-Star, or the SA08, both Turk guns. The wife has an 08 in a "youth" config, and that fits her well. She is 5'3" and 110lbs. Fit is a real big thing.

I would also shy away from the "not common" flavors. 28 and 16. They are just going to cost more, no other reason.

If you can get a gun that will fit her I have a feeling you will have her hooked.

Then look for a sporting clays course. IMHO that is where the real fun is.

 

[PapaG]

Two of my high school trap team shooters are shooting tri star autos. Only one year in so we will see. My two granddaughters are shooting two of my ancient 1100s with no problems.

 

[Savage30L]

If I may ask, what is your wife's height? (Feet and inches). For shooting skeet (really, for any serious shotgun shooting), it is necessary to have a stock that fits properly.

If she's tall enough, I'd suggest an older SKB skeet gun. Another possibility would be either a Remington 1100 Skeet or a Browning Double Auto. OUs and SxSs are easier to clean and maintain.

Have her put her shooting arm in an L-shape, upper arm vertical, forearm horizontal, palm up. Measure the distance from the inside of her elbow crook to the first joint of her index finger. That length will give a good idea of the length of pull that she will take. The stock should have enough drop for her to make a good cheek weld when the butt is seated squarely into her shoulder.

I too suggest a 20-gauge. And 3/4 ounce loads. Make sure she leans into the gun, and not away from it. If she's leaning backward while shooting, the gun is too heavy (something I find is common with women, especially those of small or slender frame). A lightweight SxS or OU 20-gauge, with light loads, is appropriate for most women.

Tell her to pivot at the hip, like a golfer. Keep both eyes open, don't squint. Swing through the bird, and shoot where the bird will be, not where it is. Have a good follow-through, again, like a golfer. The mount and shot should be a single smooth process. Muscle memory, muscle memory.

In my opinion, there is nothing better than Skeet to improve wingshooting ability. If she likes it, give her encouragement to continue. She may turn into a fine wingshot.

 

[cfullgraf]

For the new skeet shooters, when I was competing in the 1990’s, my 20 ga averages were better than my 12 ga averages. So, I shot 20 ga in the 12 ga event.

These days, you can get 1 oz or 7/8 oz 12 ga loads which will reduce the recoil from the 12 ga gun.

In the long run, if you do get into competition, you’ll want to shoot 12 ga in the 12 ga events. The different class averages for 12 ga are a bit higher than 20 ga so as het into the top classes you would at a bit of a disadvantage shooting 20 in the 12 event.

Of course, for fun, it does not matter.

 

[Rlafever]

the break actions are better for clay games because there are safety rules at the skeet and trap range. If the gun is broke open , everyone there knows it's safe .
the second advantage is you can retain your empty hulls with the break action. Even if it has ejectors , you can just put your thumb over the breech when it opens and stop the hulls from ejecting.
over the years many people used the pumps and semi auto to great effect but how many of those people had a field gun that was identical to their trap and skeet gun.
Many of you have seen those , for sale used , like a trap gun built as an 870 or 1100 with a 30 inch barrel , full ,fixed choke and a high comb which is intended to make the gun shoot high or a built in lead or rise for trap shooting.
a friend's Krieghoff shot gun was single barrel , release trigger and the stock was adjustable in many directions , length of pull,adjustable comb and a few others that I can't name

 

[Remington1911]

So many internet experts.

OP, Get her a nice turk gun that will fit her, an auto will be more inexpensive. If she takes care of it and wants something "better" she can loose $100 in value on the trade in for that Benelli.

Till then an auto is perfectly "safe"

I think I am going to back away for a while again here, the stupidity is getting a bit too thick.

 

[Rlafever]

deleted , link showed as not secure

 

[cfullgraf]

the break actions are better for clay games because there are safety rules at the skeet and trap range. If the gun is broke open , everyone there knows it's safe .
the second advantage is you can retain your empty hulls with the break action. Even if it has ejectors , you can just put your thumb over the breech when it opens and stop the hulls from ejecting.
over the years many people used the pumps and semi auto to great effect but how many of those people had a field gun that was identical to their trap and skeet gun.
Many of you have seen those , for sale used , like a trap gun built as an 870 or 1100 with a 30 inch barrel , full ,fixed choke and a high comb which is intended to make the gun shoot high or a built in lead or rise for trap shooting.
a friend's Krieghoff shot gun was single barrel , release trigger and the stock was adjustable in many directions , length of pull,adjustable comb and a few others that I can't name

Yes, with over/unders, if they have ejectors you can use your hand to catch the hulls before they leave the chambers. Many, maybe most ranges like the shooter to police his/her hulls. With semi-autos or pump guns, you have to go around after a round to collect the hulls.

A magnetic pickup stick makes it more efficient and some ranges have one on hand for shooters.

FYI, in the 1930's, pump guns were the gun of choice for skeet. As the over/unders were developed, they became the gun of choice for skeet.

Any shotgun will be fine if you are just casually shooting skeet. If you are interested in competing, an over/under is the way to go although for the 12 ga event a semi-auto would work fine.

Finally, shot gun fit is important for serious shooting.

 

[Remington1911]

Yes, with over/unders, if they have ejectors you can use your hand to catch the hulls before they leave the chambers. Many, maybe most ranges like the shooter to police his/her hulls. With semi-autos or pump guns, you have to go around after a round to collect the hulls.

A magnetic pickup stick makes it more efficient and some ranges have one on hand for shooters.

FYI, in the 1930's, pump guns were the gun of choice for skeet. As the over/unders were developed, they became the gun of choice for skeet.

Any shotgun will be fine if you are just casually shooting skeet. If you are interested in competing, an over/under is the way to go although for the 12 ga event a semi-auto would work fine.

Finally, shot gun fit is important for serious shooting.

I think you need to look realistically at just what "competing" means to you. I can also tell you the great satisfaction of a guy with an old Auto 5 totally smoking the guy that has this old gun that only holds two rounds, and is so poor he can't afford a new jacket, he has patches all over it, I guess it was getting really moth eaten. The patches are even all different, Say things like Benelli, Remington, Winchester....all kinds of bright patches all over the thing.

Hope you see where I am going with this, but just incase it needs to be clear, and now a' days it has to be said out loud.

The equipment is not going to help you if you don't have the skillset to use it to its full extend.

If the OP is walking up to the line for the third time. It really is not going to matter one single bit what he is shooting, it needs to be safe, reliable, and FIT THE SHOOTER.

Find a nice Viper for sub $500 and spend the rest on shells and range fees. Do that for a year, see if you still like it (fit fit fit fit fit) and then if you WANT something else you can get it. Toss that Viper in the back of the safe for when the kids want to shoot with you. That is what we have done.

Personally yes it is cool to have a cool gun, if if that is what you need to do it, go for it. You don't need to spend a lot of money to have a lot of fun with this.

My bad habit is to watch the clay after I hit it. I will still after 20 years, have the wife yell THAT WAS A DOUBLE....oh, yea but did you see how that one flew after I hit it....that was cool....it actually spun UP.

 

[MEHavey]

nice Viper for sub $500 and spend the rest on shells and range fees.

Viper G2 - TriStar Arms

RELIABLE, FUNCTIONAL AND HARDWORKING The Viper G2 is rigorously tested 5,000 rounds for endurance. Offered in a number of configurations, the Viper G2 is the choice for all serious shooters and hunters. Viper G2 Series The TriStar Viper Series Semi Automatic Gas Operated Shotguns are reliable...

www.tristararms.com

I've got one in 410.
Entirely satisfactory (say in 12/20ga) for low-cost/introductory/recreational use to see if she'd like the game.

 

[entropy]

I think you need to look realistically at just what "competing" means to you. I can also tell you the great satisfaction of a guy with an old Auto 5 totally smoking the guy that has this old gun that only holds two rounds, and is so poor he can't afford a new jacket, he has patches all over it, I guess it was getting really moth eaten. The patches are even all different, Say things like Benelli, Remington, Winchester....all kinds of bright patches all over the thing.

Hope you see where I am going with this, but just incase it needs to be clear, and now a' days it has to be said out loud.

The equipment is not going to help you if you don't have the skillset to use it to its full extend.

If the OP is walking up to the line for the third time. It really is not going to matter one single bit what he is shooting, it needs to be safe, reliable, and FIT THE SHOOTER.

Find a nice Viper for sub $500 and spend the rest on shells and range fees. Do that for a year, see if you still like it (fit fit fit fit fit) and then if you WANT something else you can get it. Toss that Viper in the back of the safe for when the kids want to shoot with you. That is what we have done.

Personally yes it is cool to have a cool gun, if if that is what you need to do it, go for it. You don't need to spend a lot of money to have a lot of fun with this.

My bad habit is to watch the clay after I hit it. I will still after 20 years, have the wife yell THAT WAS A DOUBLE....oh, yea but did you see how that one flew after I hit it....that was cool....it actually spun UP.

View attachment 1188942

I think @cfullgraf knows a bit about skeet........

I certainly bet his wife never had to remind him about pairs, or not to watch the pretty break on the first one.

Though you are not entirely wrong about a Viper being a decent starter gun, nor about fit.

 

[garandsrus]

I shot skeet for a number of years with a 20ga 870. I enjoyed shooting a higher score than the guys with the high dollar over unders. They seemed to get “distracted” when I broke the doubles with a lowly 20ga pump. I am not sure if I ever shot a 25 with that gun, but I broke all the doubles just about every round. I shot with the gun down and mounted it when the bird appeared, which added to the lack of 25’s. Lots of 23’s and 24’s.

I did switch to a Citori O/U eventually but that was mostly to not lose my hulls in the snow in the winter time. My scores didn’t really change much. I bought a field gun, not a skeet gun, since I loved bird hunting and planned to use the Citori for bird hunting also.

The best thing you can do to improve your scores is shoot! There are only 4 shots where a second shot is required so the action just doesn’t matter very much. Get a gun that fits, buy a bunch of ammo or a reloading press and have fun!

 

[Remington1911]

I think @cfullgraf knows a bit about skeet........

I certainly bet his wife never had to remind him about pairs, or not to watch the pretty break on the first one.

Though you are not entirely wrong about a Viper being a decent starter gun, nor about fit.

I am sure he does,

As to the rest of it, depends on you and what you want. Shooting small bore silhouette, or large for that matter, watching the animal spin and fly is fun to me. I really don't care about the score, I want to see the action.

I am long past any form of measuring contest....clearly you are not.

Now if MONEY or prizes are on the line that I would like to have that is totally different. That I will take the time to focus. Depending on who shows up I can land in the top 10 easy, and on a good day do well enough to win the prizes.

We all know that is not the norm at club events, you just do it and have fun.

That is what I was trying to relay, but if you need to measure yourself against another for any kind of self worth.........

 

[entropy]

I am sure he does,

As to the rest of it, depends on you and what you want. Shooting small bore silhouette, or large for that matter, watching the animal spin and fly is fun to me. I really don't care about the score, I want to see the action.

I am long past any form of measuring contest....clearly you are not.

Now if MONEY or prizes are on the line that I would like to have that is totally different. That I will take the time to focus. Depending on who shows up I can land in the top 10 easy, and on a good day do well enough to win the prizes.

We all know that is not the norm at club events, you just do it and have fun.

That is what I was trying to relay, but if you need to measure yourself against another for any kind of self worth.........

I only measure my performance against perfection. Skeet is not my game, you could beat me even not shooting the second birds. But it is cfullgraf's game, and was, at National levels, in years past.

I take umbrage at your "Internet experts" comment, while quoting cfullgraf. Clearly cfullgraf has BTDT in Skeet, as I have done in Trap, though at State level. I have done a lot of coaching, and and gun fitting. Many of us here have (Both on the range and in the shop end of it, in my case- I am a gunsmith.)

You aren't the only one here who knows what they're doing, but you are sounding like the " ah beet thuh club expert an his $10,000 shotgun" guy. And I've noted over many years, that that guy may beat him once or twice than dips back into B or C class shooting. There is at least one noted exception to this on this thread, PapaG, who regularly shoots an 870 Trap and usually wins his club's top gun. Top shooter at my club also shot an 870, Synthetic field model, even. A very unassuming and humble young man, I might add. Not 'in your face' at all.

Yes, there are many good shooters who use basic field guns and shoot very well, when I shoot my 1100, SKB, and Model 12, I guess I fit in that category too. You may have seen that most of us here recommend an inexpensive gun to start with. Even the Brownings and Berettas mentioned were either older models or basic new models. I have yet to see DT-11 bandied about, or CG Invictus, even by those advising "buy once, cry once."

We're all just trying to offer advice to the OP on a gun for his wife for Skeet.

 

[SunnySlopes]

Over-unders are kewl but a gas operated automatic costs less and kicks less.

Hi Jim.

An inquiry on another forum dealt with this issue.

"Re rifle recoil in foot pounds of energy. Let's say we're talking about 30-06 caliber that produces 20 ft pounds of energy of recoil. If the test rifle is a bolt action, the recoil energy is 20 fps.
If the test rifle is a Browning semi automatic, the cycling action actually absorbs some of those foot pounds? Or is it merely a perceived phenomenon?"

The consensus of opinion was that reduced recoil was merely a perceived phenomenon.

One poster: "If the rifles have same weight and MV, the recoil energy is the same."

Another: "It is a perceived thing. The actual amount of energy is what is produced by the round being fired. That's ALL the energy there is to work with. The recoil energy of the rifle is that amount factored with the weight of the rifle. Its a straight math computation.
The recoil you FEEL is a different matter. Felt recoil includes more variables, than just the round and the weight of the gun. It includes TIME and the fit of the gun to the shooter.
The moving parts of a semi auto do not change the amount of energy but they do change the rate you FEEL that energy."

Rifle recoil energy? - The Firing Line Forums

Rifle recoil energy? The Art of the Rifle: Bolt, Lever, and Pump Action

thefiringline.com

 

[Jim Watson]

Since my old 1100 is not equipped with an accelerometer, the felt recoil is all that matters to me.

And it mattered a lot while I was shooting a lot of Trap. The state shoot was 700 targets in three days, of which I shot the 500 singles and handicap with the 1100, only the 100 pairs of doubles with an OU. I was amused by hunters saying "I shot a case of shells last season." Heck, buddy, I shot a case of shells last weekend.

I shot one of those 870 Trap single shots with a gas port pushing back a weight in the magazine tube. It was not as comfortable as the real gas operated 1100.

 

[cfullgraf]

I love the 28 gauge at skeet. I won my first skeet class match in 28 ga. Cool. 28 ga helped me with GA state Class D HOA in the early 1990's, 1992 or 1993 or so. Note, Class D is about as low as you can go. It is not like I was competing for the top of the tournament but I won a cool engraved shooting bag.

I started shooting clay trap targets with my Dad's 28 ga side by side. The RSO parked me directly behind the trap house.

I did some skeet shooting with 20 ga Winchester Model 12 that was my mother's. I moved to a 20 ga, 26" barrel Citori and then found a used 28" 12 ga Skeet grade Grade III Citori. I got it tubed and dabbled with competitive skeet for a while. A financial struggle at the time but in the long run, I have not regretted it.

For casual skeet shooting, about any shotgun will work well. I'd stick with 20 ga or 12 ga, (probably lite shot loads). Over/Unders are the best but semi-autos or even pump guns can be fun to shoot. It takes a particular mind set to shoot a pump gun and remember to cycle the action on doubles.

Since I transitioned to an over/under, I have a hard time shooting doubles skeet with a pump gun. For some reason, the gun just does not fire with a second pull of the trigger if I do not cycle the action.

28 ga can be fun but challenging and .410 is down right brutal for the beginner. .410 for the beginner can create more bad habits than targets it breaks.

If one is serious about competing in skeet matches, I'd spend the money on a Citori or Beretta 686. They will perform well under the rigors of competition. A bit more expensive than some of the other over/unders out there but up to the task of competitive shooting. Buy once/cry once.

When I was shooting competitively, a number of the top shooter were shooting gas semi-autos in the 12 ga events and over/under tubed guns in the sub gauge events.

Good shotguns are not cheap and it is a "Catch 22" buying a bargain shotgun and then needing to up grade later. I got lucky, a fellow competitor offered me a 20 ga Citori stock that had been cut for a youth on the basis that I pass it on when we were finished with it., The stock fits my wife's 5'-2" height to a tee. I've done some other "pass it forward" deals to honor the commitment.

Of course, if you buy a better class shotgun it will be easier to sell off if competition is not in your wheel house.

I appreciate @entropy comments.

The bottom line is how committed do you want to be.

Casual, fun weekend shooting can be done with about any shotgun. iI you are interested into competition, you need to up your game and get a capable shotgun.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

20 gauge is probably the best choice for her. I would stay away from Side by Sides. I love them and use them for hunting, but for clay shooting, either an Over/Under or a semiauto shotgun would be better. Start out with something on the inexpensive side. If she really gets to enjoy it and wants to shoot alot, then you can upgrade to a better shotgun. If she decides later that it's not her cup of tea, you won't be out a ton of money.

 

[Rlafever]

https://krieghoff.com/firearms/competition/ ...the op asked if there was something better

 

[Remington1911]

I only measure my performance against perfection. Skeet is not my game, you could beat me even not shooting the second birds. But it is cfullgraf's game, and was, at National levels, in years past.

I take umbrage at your "Internet experts" comment, while quoting cfullgraf. Clearly cfullgraf has BTDT in Skeet, as I have done in Trap, though at State level. I have done a lot of coaching, and and gun fitting. Many of us here have (Both on the range and in the shop end of it, in my case- I am a gunsmith.)

You aren't the only one here who knows what they're doing, but you are sounding like the " ah beet thuh club expert an his $10,000 shotgun" guy. And I've noted over many years, that that guy may beat him once or twice than dips back into B or C class shooting. There is at least one noted exception to this on this thread, PapaG, who regularly shoots an 870 Trap and usually wins his club's top gun. Top shooter at my club also shot an 870, Synthetic field model, even. A very unassuming and humble young man, I might add. Not 'in your face' at all.

Yes, there are many good shooters who use basic field guns and shoot very well, when I shoot my 1100, SKB, and Model 12, I guess I fit in that category too. You may have seen that most of us here recommend an inexpensive gun to start with. Even the Brownings and Berettas mentioned were either older models or basic new models. I have yet to see DT-11 bandied about, or CG Invictus, even by those advising "buy once, cry once."

We're all just trying to offer advice to the OP on a gun for his wife for Skeet.

That is quite an impressive resume.

I am quite sure you have.

There are also a few other sayings you may have seen here or there. One that comes to mind is you are only buying the name.

It is quite clear you have all this well in hand and anything I say from here on is pointless, I will bow to your name dropping and lofty resume.

 

[entropy]

You opinion is valid, and for the most part, we are in agreement. Fit is important, and the Turkish semiautos are worth a look at for a starter gun. Your disparagement of others' (of known ability, even if not known by you) opinions is what I objected to. And the implied conclusion that because someone has a competition background, they might not know much about such things as helping beginners select a shotgun.
It takes a while on here to learn who knows what; you're still learning.

 

[Barnfixer]

As far as semi autos for beginners go. When I was more involved with youth trap I cringed when a young new shooter showed up with a semi auto. Just nothing smooth about it. Just seemed impossible for the kids to get in a rhythm as they fumble with the shell and mechanism while trying to focus on the bird. The teams that consisted of break action and pump guns performed better. With that experience I’d probably not recommend a semi auto for a inexperienced new shooter.

 

[MEHavey]

Not that I don't agree an O/U would be first choice, but don't under how
the mechanics of a semi-auto is more distracting than that of a pump action.
(especially since they load the same way)