Inexpensive skeet gun?

LucifersPants · January 15, 2009, 10:06 AM

I'm looking for a decent semi-auto for skeet/trap shooting...12GA. Is there anything out there under $500 that's worth buying? I don't want to get bored with it in 6 months and wish I'd spent more.

Thanks guys.

dalecooper51 · January 15, 2009, 10:18 AM

Used 1100 with Remchoke barrel on it. I shoot a good deal of skeet mostly with a 20ga wingmaster, but I did pick up a used 1100 Lt-20 with a 28" remchoke barrel last year for about $300. It may take a bit of patience and looking, but good used guns are out there.

The only thing with shooting a semi-auto is that you get to bend over and pick up all 25 hulls. With a pump, I only stoop for 4 of them. Double barrel guys dont bend at all.

Waterengineer · January 15, 2009, 10:26 AM

A hull catcher for an 1100 is les than $20.

Citizen Carrier · January 15, 2009, 10:27 AM

A pump would be good for trap, but I wouldn't want to try to hit doubles in skeet with a pump.

Actually, I did try to do that. I very shortly thereafter sold the 870 and got a Red Label.

Dustin0 · January 15, 2009, 10:28 AM

Remington 1100 with a 28 Barrel and choke tubes is your best bet. If wanted to go cheaper I had good luck the my Charles Daily.

LucifersPants · January 15, 2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

A pump would be good for trap, but I wouldn't want to try to hit doubles in skeet with a pump.

Actually, I did try to do that.

I'm fairly new to shotguns, and believe it or not, I've been shooting skeet with a Mossberg pump...I can cycle the action quick enough for doubles, but it hurts...lol. I've got tendonitis in my left elbow...age sucks.

Looking for the semi-auto more for comfort than anything else.

Thanks for the tips guys.

JWT · January 15, 2009, 10:51 AM

Agree on the Remington 1100 as a very good 'candidate'. Lots of 'em available, been around a long time, very reliable. Should be able to find a nice clean used one with choke tubes well within your $500 price range.

dalecooper51 · January 15, 2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

A hull catcher for an 1100 is les than $20.

I've seen them for the full size 12ga guns but not the smaller LT-20's. Do they make them to fit the smaller framed guns?

oneounceload · January 15, 2009, 11:10 AM

I use a T&S on my 1100 28 gauge

BigJimP · January 15, 2009, 12:48 PM

Semi-autos are fine for Skeet or Trap for that matter.

Under $500 is really going to put you in the used gun arena, in my view.

In gas operated guns - Remington 1100, Beretta 391's ( the older version is the 390), Browning, etc . They're really all very similar / probably the best buys are on used Rem 1100's, or Beretta 390 - if you can find a good clean used one. Make sure they have screw in chokes of course -lots of the older Rem's do not. All of the gas guns require more maintenance - and need to be cleaned about every 100 rounds to ensure they will cycle reliably.

Inertia guns - Benelli is my choice. New, you're into $ 1,250 - $2,000 depeding on the model you pick. I like the Super Sport - with the comfort tech system in it - but new in my area it's $ 1,875 / and I did see a used one a couple of months ago for $ 1500. Inertia guns shoot a lot cleaner than the gas guns / still need to be cleaned - but can probably go 1,000 rounds if you had to between thorough cleaning ( but it only takes 10 min to thorougly clean an inertia gun ).

It isn't just the type of action - for Skeet and Trap - you need a gun that fits you and has some adjustability to it / with shims at the receiver / etc. The Benelli Super Sport gives you a lot of adjustability - with optional comb pieces, different recoil pads, and shims - but its more money.

January 15, 2009, 10:06 AM	#1
LucifersPants Junior member Join Date: November 29, 2008 Posts: 125	Inexpensive skeet gun? I'm looking for a decent semi-auto for skeet/trap shooting...12GA. Is there anything out there under $500 that's worth buying? I don't want to get bored with it in 6 months and wish I'd spent more. Thanks guys.

January 15, 2009, 10:27 AM	#4
Citizen Carrier Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 671	A pump would be good for trap, but I wouldn't want to try to hit doubles in skeet with a pump. Actually, I did try to do that. I very shortly thereafter sold the 870 and got a Red Label. __________________ Once you've got your sights adjusted to the ammunition you have, step away from the bench. In competition or the field...there are no benches.

January 15, 2009, 10:18 AM	#2
dalecooper51 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 318	Used 1100 with Remchoke barrel on it. I shoot a good deal of skeet mostly with a 20ga wingmaster, but I did pick up a used 1100 Lt-20 with a 28" remchoke barrel last year for about $300. It may take a bit of patience and looking, but good used guns are out there. The only thing with shooting a semi-auto is that you get to bend over and pick up all 25 hulls. With a pump, I only stoop for 4 of them. Double barrel guys dont bend at all.

January 15, 2009, 10:26 AM	#3
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	A hull catcher for an 1100 is les than $20.

January 15, 2009, 10:28 AM	#5
Dustin0 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 701	Remington 1100 with a 28 Barrel and choke tubes is your best bet. If wanted to go cheaper I had good luck the my Charles Daily.

January 15, 2009, 10:51 AM	#7
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Agree on the Remington 1100 as a very good 'candidate'. Lots of 'em available, been around a long time, very reliable. Should be able to find a nice clean used one with choke tubes well within your $500 price range.

January 15, 2009, 11:10 AM	#9
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I use a T&S on my 1100 28 gauge

January 15, 2009, 12:48 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Semi-autos are fine for Skeet or Trap for that matter. Under $500 is really going to put you in the used gun arena, in my view. In gas operated guns - Remington 1100, Beretta 391's ( the older version is the 390), Browning, etc . They're really all very similar / probably the best buys are on used Rem 1100's, or Beretta 390 - if you can find a good clean used one. Make sure they have screw in chokes of course -lots of the older Rem's do not. All of the gas guns require more maintenance - and need to be cleaned about every 100 rounds to ensure they will cycle reliably. Inertia guns - Benelli is my choice. New, you're into $ 1,250 - $2,000 depeding on the model you pick. I like the Super Sport - with the comfort tech system in it - but new in my area it's $ 1,875 / and I did see a used one a couple of months ago for $ 1500. Inertia guns shoot a lot cleaner than the gas guns / still need to be cleaned - but can probably go 1,000 rounds if you had to between thorough cleaning ( but it only takes 10 min to thorougly clean an inertia gun ). It isn't just the type of action - for Skeet and Trap - you need a gun that fits you and has some adjustability to it / with shims at the receiver / etc. The Benelli Super Sport gives you a lot of adjustability - with optional comb pieces, different recoil pads, and shims - but its more money.