12 gauges for skeet/trap shooting

[TNBulldog]

Just recently got back into shooting and forgot how much I love it. I especially love skeet and trap (although I'm overly fascinated with getting good at shooting my revolvers for whatever reason) and have just been shooting with my granddad's old double barrell I got when he died. I'm very ignorant about how and why and over under can be one of the most expensive guns out there. I'd like to get to where I go to contests, but as a beginner I just really don't see how a $2,500 over under will help me. Can someone explain to me what makes a top end over under better functionally and at a beginner/intermediate stage how much gun you need to not be limited as your learning progress? Thanks!

[HAIKU_RODNEY]

I shot for many years using a fiedl grade Weatherby Orion O/U. Shotguns specifically designed for skeet are different than those designed for trap. Trap shotguns are designed to shoot at a rising bird and "shoots high". Skeet is designed for crossing birds and are designed more for quick handling.

One of the differences for competition guns versus field guns is the design criteria for the number shells you can shoot without the gun getting loose or giving problems.

I learned a lot about the "durability" of the different makes by talking to the "old-timers" at the trap range. From what I have been told, I would recommend the Browning Citori.

[MOhunter]

once you get over 1k in price on a o/u quallity becomes about equal.

you start paying for how pretty it is, special choke tubes, recoil stuff, porting, extreamly adjustable stocks and so on.

[robfleck2]

An Over/Under will give you much better balance than either a pump or automatic. It will also give you an appreciably faster follow up shot than the pump. The speed of the follow up shot is even greater than that of an automatic.

I don't think an over/under is mandatory to be good at hitting skeet though. Back in the day I was able to hit every clay pigeon shot from a skeet tower with my Remington 1100.

The gas system of an automatic will relieve some of the felt recoil. If you are shooting 200 times a day, that will make a big difference.

If you want an over/under, get one. I don't think you need to spend $2500 for one though. There are any number of over unders manufactured. Check all of the major American manufacturers. I am sure you can find something cheaper than $1000.

If, on the otherhand, you have your heart set on a nice shotgun, I highly suggest the Berretta over unders. I have a 20 guage that is just fantastic. It is by far the finest shotgun I have ever laid my hands on (and trust me, I have owned way more than my fair share of fancy over under shot guns).

- rob

[TNBulldog]

Thanks for the info guys! I definately am NOT wanting to spend a lot of money, I just didn't know if there was something I was missing or not. I'm enjoying just shooting the gun I have now, but wanted to know if I would be limiting myself in the long run. Rather spend more money up front than spend some in the near future then still end up putting out more a few years later. I appreciate the help!

[sammyd95]

I began shooting at the age of 12 with an H&R topper modle 88,12ga.shot atleat 100 rounds a day through it!Used 2 wonder the same thing,why spend 2grand or more for a shotgun????
wondering t he differance?try one of those.
I then moved up to a rem 1100 tournament,thought it didnt get any better till one day my dad finaly let me shoot his perazzi,8grand or more.
i now shoot a browning bt-99 grade 6 with all the bells and whistles.
recoil,muzzle jump(if not ported) amoung other things account especially if you plan on competition shooting.
though i probably broke just as many targets with my H&R,,,cant stand to shoot more that one shot throught it anymore.
my sugestion is to spend what you can afford,wether it be a rem 1100 or a silver seitz.It wil last a lifetime,and keep shooting it,you wont notice the differance if you have nothyng else !
HAPPY SHOOTING !