Semi-Auto Shotgun For Clays

Dragline45 · January 29, 2015, 02:41 PM

Looking for a decent semi-auto shotgun for clays in the $600-$800 range. Would love some recommendations. So far I have been eyeing the Remington 11-87, any input is appreciated.

Bake · January 29, 2015, 03:20 PM

IMO, you would be really to go with a Remington 11-87 ( A 28" barrel, a couple of screw in chokes (Light Mod, & I.C.), and a box of #8's...

Shooter2675 · January 29, 2015, 03:22 PM

Don't have any recommendations for a gun, sorry, but I will say an over under is likely a better choice if you are going to be shooting competitively. My uncle recently went a skeet/clay club, and all the members there talked him into a $2200 Beretta over/under. Not saying you should get something that expensive, but an over under is a very popular choice for the uses you need it for.

John

Grant D · January 29, 2015, 04:39 PM

I second the Remington 1100 or 11-87.
I have a used 1100 I use a lot for clays.

SARuger · January 29, 2015, 05:34 PM

I third the 1100/11-87, I use a 20ga 11-87 and its a very good gun

Shooter2675 · January 29, 2015, 05:48 PM

I agree the 11-87 is a good choice for semi, but may I ask why you are looking at a semi instead of a over/under. I mean the semi works great too just wondering why you want it.

John

g.willikers · January 29, 2015, 05:59 PM

$$$$ and recoil.

Bake · January 29, 2015, 06:09 PM

Quote:

I agree the 11-87 is a good choice for semi, but may I ask why you are looking at a semi instead of a over/under. I mean the semi works great too just wondering why you want it.

John

Lighter weight and softer recoil?

rkittine · January 29, 2015, 06:28 PM

The 1100 and 11-87 will both work. I have lots of O/Us and Autos and see lots of Autos at Registered Shoots. Nice, but not necessary.

We have a guy at our club with an old side by side with dual triggers and no rib. He patterned the gun and it was shooting low so he took some 1" x 1" rounded the top and screwed it into the top of the butt stock to make a higher comb and he regularly goes straight with it on the skeet field. And he shoots low gun.

Bob

NoSecondBest · January 29, 2015, 06:31 PM

Look around for a good used Beretta gas gun. They are light years ahead of the Remingtons. I've shot a LOT of clays over the last twenty years and I'm just going to say that you don't see any Remingtons being used by any of the better shooters and very few being used at all. I've gone to large shoots and not seen even one in use. I have seen some top shooters using Beretta gas guns and they do very well with them. They are adjustable for pitch and cast/off cast/on. You can make them fit fairly easily. You can't do that at all with the Remingtons.

jmr40 · January 29, 2015, 07:26 PM

In that price range the 11-87 or 1100 is the way to go. I like the Beretta a little better, but it is a lot more expensive. It sounds like for your needs the Remington is probably the best bet.

mxsailor803 · January 29, 2015, 07:33 PM

I will also recommend the 11-87 / 1100. Both are very good shotguns for getting your feet wet in clays. Now there are others that are more advanced but they come with a more advanced price tag.

FITASC · January 29, 2015, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Don't have any recommendations for a gun, sorry, but I will say an over under is likely a better choice if you are going to be shooting competitively

Not in his price range

You MIGHT get lucky and find a Beretta 303, 390,391 used at your budget, but otherwise, the above advice about Remingtons is sound.

Dragline45 · January 29, 2015, 09:09 PM

Thanks for the replies all, I am going to look for a Remington 11-87. I will not be shooting competitively so an uber expensive over under is not something I need.

Virginian · January 29, 2015, 09:57 PM

I have had them all. The only ones left are the Remington 1100s. An 11-87 is 99% 1100, and that's good. Look for a used 11-87 Premier if you have the chance.

Dreaming100Straight · January 30, 2015, 02:43 AM

Like this for $550.

Virginian · January 30, 2015, 05:00 AM

That does look like a nice one. There are several on GunBroker too.
Dragline, if you do get an 11-87 and it has trouble with light loads, don't panic. It's a VERY easy no gunsmithing fix. Most of them don't have an issue, but some do.

upstate81 · January 30, 2015, 05:14 AM

I have my eye on the new remington V3 hopefully out this summer. With any luck they will have a nice finish and not a boring matte type. We shall see!

upstate81 · January 30, 2015, 05:24 AM

The beretta A300 outlander is 700 new as well.

Bake · January 30, 2015, 09:39 AM

Dreaming,

Sweet, just add a I.C.,& L.M. choke, along with some card broad & duct tape, and you're really to go...

Bake · January 30, 2015, 09:52 AM

Kind of a side issue, but LGS support will play a part, when you first start out. When I stop by a LGS around here, all I get are blank stares

when I talk about the 3-B's (Browning, Benelli, and Beretta). The newer Mossbergs & Remingtons they know, but for anything else you're on your own...

Dreaming100Straight · January 30, 2015, 10:11 AM

I really am not in the market for a semi for myself, but that 1187 is in Kansas City where my son goes to school. But then I am working on getting something for the wife and daughter. But it does look elegant.

RobinTN · January 30, 2015, 11:14 AM

Dragline45: I've read very good reviews of the Weatherby SA-08 Semi-automatic especially their flexible gas operation system, with interchangeable piston rings...one for light loads and one for heavy. I also have a friend who just bought one and he likes his. It's within your budget, new.

BigJimP · January 30, 2015, 12:48 PM

I'd suggest you at least look at the offerings from Beretta ...new and used for gas guns.../ maybe even a Browning if you can find a used Gold model in 12ga or one of the newer Silver series.../ but one of the Remington's would probably be ok as well.

JWT · January 30, 2015, 03:08 PM

Another Remington 1100 fan. Get a Classic Trap model. Very solid, reliable, proven design with minimal recoil.

January 29, 2015, 02:41 PM	#1
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	Semi-Auto Shotgun For Clays Looking for a decent semi-auto shotgun for clays in the $600-$800 range. Would love some recommendations. So far I have been eyeing the Remington 11-87, any input is appreciated.

January 29, 2015, 03:20 PM	#2
Bake Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Posts: 482	IMO, you would be really to go with a Remington 11-87 ( A 28" barrel, a couple of screw in chokes (Light Mod, & I.C.), and a box of #8's... __________________ 1. The pattern board is your friend, use the Dam thing!!! 2. The maximum range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually measured in miles, and means nothing. 2a. The effective range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually (the ability of the shooter) measured in yards, and means everything.

January 29, 2015, 03:22 PM	#3
Shooter2675 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2013 Location: Western Pennsylvania Posts: 382	Don't have any recommendations for a gun, sorry, but I will say an over under is likely a better choice if you are going to be shooting competitively. My uncle recently went a skeet/clay club, and all the members there talked him into a $2200 Beretta over/under. Not saying you should get something that expensive, but an over under is a very popular choice for the uses you need it for. John __________________ "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

January 29, 2015, 05:48 PM	#6
Shooter2675 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2013 Location: Western Pennsylvania Posts: 382	I agree the 11-87 is a good choice for semi, but may I ask why you are looking at a semi instead of a over/under. I mean the semi works great too just wondering why you want it. John __________________ "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

January 29, 2015, 05:59 PM	#7
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	$$$$ and recoil. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 29, 2015, 04:39 PM	#4
Grant D Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2011 Location: Brazos County, Texas Posts: 1,038	I second the Remington 1100 or 11-87. I have a used 1100 I use a lot for clays.

January 29, 2015, 05:34 PM	#5
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	I third the 1100/11-87, I use a 20ga 11-87 and its a very good gun

January 29, 2015, 06:28 PM	#9
rkittine Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2014 Location: Manhattan & Sag Harbor, N.Y. Posts: 106	The 1100 and 11-87 will both work. I have lots of O/Us and Autos and see lots of Autos at Registered Shoots. Nice, but not necessary. We have a guy at our club with an old side by side with dual triggers and no rib. He patterned the gun and it was shooting low so he took some 1" x 1" rounded the top and screwed it into the top of the butt stock to make a higher comb and he regularly goes straight with it on the skeet field. And he shoots low gun. Bob __________________ Robert Kittine Manhattan & Sag Harbor, N.Y.

January 29, 2015, 06:31 PM	#10
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	Look around for a good used Beretta gas gun. They are light years ahead of the Remingtons. I've shot a LOT of clays over the last twenty years and I'm just going to say that you don't see any Remingtons being used by any of the better shooters and very few being used at all. I've gone to large shoots and not seen even one in use. I have seen some top shooters using Beretta gas guns and they do very well with them. They are adjustable for pitch and cast/off cast/on. You can make them fit fairly easily. You can't do that at all with the Remingtons.

January 29, 2015, 07:26 PM	#11
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	In that price range the 11-87 or 1100 is the way to go. I like the Beretta a little better, but it is a lot more expensive. It sounds like for your needs the Remington is probably the best bet.

January 29, 2015, 07:33 PM	#12
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	I will also recommend the 11-87 / 1100. Both are very good shotguns for getting your feet wet in clays. Now there are others that are more advanced but they come with a more advanced price tag.

January 29, 2015, 09:09 PM	#14
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	Thanks for the replies all, I am going to look for a Remington 11-87. I will not be shooting competitively so an uber expensive over under is not something I need.

January 29, 2015, 09:57 PM	#15
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	I have had them all. The only ones left are the Remington 1100s. An 11-87 is 99% 1100, and that's good. Look for a used 11-87 Premier if you have the chance. __________________ What could have happened... did.

January 30, 2015, 02:43 AM	#16
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	Like this for $550.

January 30, 2015, 05:00 AM	#17
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	That does look like a nice one. There are several on GunBroker too. Dragline, if you do get an 11-87 and it has trouble with light loads, don't panic. It's a VERY easy no gunsmithing fix. Most of them don't have an issue, but some do. __________________ What could have happened... did.

January 30, 2015, 05:14 AM	#18
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	I have my eye on the new remington V3 hopefully out this summer. With any luck they will have a nice finish and not a boring matte type. We shall see!

January 30, 2015, 05:24 AM	#19
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	The beretta A300 outlander is 700 new as well.

January 30, 2015, 09:39 AM	#20
Bake Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Posts: 482	Dreaming, Sweet, just add a I.C.,& L.M. choke, along with some card broad & duct tape, and you're really to go... __________________ 1. The pattern board is your friend, use the Dam thing!!! 2. The maximum range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually measured in miles, and means nothing. 2a. The effective range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually (the ability of the shooter) measured in yards, and means everything.

January 30, 2015, 09:52 AM	#21
Bake Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Posts: 482	Kind of a side issue, but LGS support will play a part, when you first start out. When I stop by a LGS around here, all I get are blank stares when I talk about the 3-B's (Browning, Benelli, and Beretta). The newer Mossbergs & Remingtons they know, but for anything else you're on your own... __________________ 1. The pattern board is your friend, use the Dam thing!!! 2. The maximum range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually measured in miles, and means nothing. 2a. The effective range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually (the ability of the shooter) measured in yards, and means everything.

January 30, 2015, 10:11 AM	#22
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	I really am not in the market for a semi for myself, but that 1187 is in Kansas City where my son goes to school. But then I am working on getting something for the wife and daughter. But it does look elegant.

January 30, 2015, 11:14 AM	#23
RobinTN Member Join Date: January 30, 2015 Location: East, TN Posts: 17	Dragline45: I've read very good reviews of the Weatherby SA-08 Semi-automatic especially their flexible gas operation system, with interchangeable piston rings...one for light loads and one for heavy. I also have a friend who just bought one and he likes his. It's within your budget, new. __________________ Happiness is wanting what you get. Last edited by RobinTN; January 30, 2015 at 03:50 PM.

January 30, 2015, 12:48 PM	#24
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I'd suggest you at least look at the offerings from Beretta ...new and used for gas guns.../ maybe even a Browning if you can find a used Gold model in 12ga or one of the newer Silver series.../ but one of the Remington's would probably be ok as well.

January 30, 2015, 03:08 PM	#25
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Another Remington 1100 fan. Get a Classic Trap model. Very solid, reliable, proven design with minimal recoil.