Shotguns for Doves, Aswell, as All Types of Clay Sports, ?
Im 53, and I’ve been shooting for all my life. In ’98, I was in a car wreck, and I could not shoot for around a year. After that I just didn’t shoot anymore. Now, my son has gotten me a tag for dove this year for my birthday, and I decided I’m gonna go. My question is, with all the new guns, these days, I need a gun for dove hunting, but my friends want me to get a gun I can shoot clays with, for fun. What should i get?
12 gauge with 28" barrel.
Since you didn’t mention a price I’ll recommend the Benelli Montefeltro 12 gauge.
http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_montefeltro.php
It largely depends on what you are comfortable with. Pump shotguns are nice, but they are on the lighter side and have more recoil. Double barrel, such as over/unders are nice, but they can expensive.
The semi-automatic shotgun is probably the best choice. It can do all of things you are looking for. A gas operated shotgun reduces recoil, which makes it great for shooting rounds of sporting clays. Considering your previous injuries, I would consider this type. They might be a little heavier, but you’ll like the recoil.
Browning, Remington, Winchester, Beretta and Benelli are some name brands. You can’t go wrong buying any of these.
Good luck!
I see most people have never shot clays.
A trap gun is a long barrel(30 to 32 inches),12 gauge that puts a long pattern out at a higher point of aim. This is because most of trap shooting is done by shooting the clay before it reaches its apex.
Translation. A trap gun patterns high.
If you want to shoot trap, then a trap gun will be the difference between hitting 25 out of 25, or just getting pissed off.
A regular field shotgun shoots true, Now a good field gun is a great choice for sporting clays, because the sport was designed to mimic hunting. Your gun should be a medium length barrel(26 to 28 inches), and be fast with a shorter length of pull, and lower comb.
Translation A hunting shotgun is shorter so you could mount it quick for that unexpected bunnie wabbit.
I suggest a good side by side 12 gauge with 28 to 30 inch barrels; make certain it is a skeet or field grade. These guns shoot point of aim, and are just so cool looking. A quality one may run 1200 to 1500, but hey man you are 53. How much longer you gonna live. Spend it now, so your son can use it in the future. Life is to short.
I use several different shotguns for sporting, but always end up holding an old side by side LC Smith. It is a field grade, and has deopped hundreds of birds big and small over its 30 plus year life.
Good Luck
Get a gas operated 12 ga.
I bought a Remington 100 many years ago for $198 at a T G & Y store. It is a smoooooth shooting gun. I know they do not make them anymore but they make something in gas operated.
I used to shoot doves all day with my 100 and never put a mark on my shoulder. Whenever I took my pump action or double barrel- I would be black and blue for days.
you can clay shoot for fun with about any gun. While 12 gauge may give you a bit of an edge, a fast handling 20 gauge or even 28 gauge would work just fine.
the typical dove gun is a light, fast handling 20 or 28 gauge. You can choose to get a pump or semiauto or double barrel based on what you like most.
i don’t think you should get another gun- all you have to do is change the load of the shotgun shell and the choke tube
i shoot both- skeet and dove with the same gun
there’s no need to buy a new gun just for skeet shooting
you can shoot clays with ANY shotgun- ain’t gotta be nothin fancy
with dove and skeet shooting (when you shoot doubles) you need a fast cycling gun and a pump action won’t "fit the bill"
with a pump, you have to cycle the spent shells yourself and that will cost you valuable seconds doing so
if you do wanna get a new gun- get either a semi-auto, o/u or a side-by-side
either a 20, 16 or a 12 ga
all 3 are good guns, but if your just wanting to shoot dove and skeet, then i suggest either a 20 or 16
there’s nothing "manly" about shooting a 12 ga either- i know plenty of girls who can shoot a 12 ga (myself included)
just shoot want ga. does the better job
also get a gun with interchangeable choke tubes
if you want, you can email me, but that’s up to ya, i’d be glad to help
i would go with a remington spr 453 it is a great gun (12 gauge), very durable and i just bought a brand new one for $400.00 also it shoots 2 3/4" 3" and 3 1/2" shells here is a link to a torture test http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bA5JFrHRTU
mossberg 500 pump, remington 870 pump, Remington 1187 semi-auto. 12 or 20 ga.
For doves and clays, you need a fast pointing, low to medium recoil scattergun. A nice double or one of the 20 ga repeters in the type YOU feel comfortable using. A nice improved or modified or one of the variable chokes now on the market. Remington, Mossberg or if you have the bucks a Beretta. Go to a gun a show and try drooling on the newe stuff. You have the experience to make the choice. Shooting has not changed much in 1000 years, point, lead and shoot. Have fun.
Did you stop shooting because of damage to your arms or shoulder? If so, how are your injuries today?
These questions might be a factor in which gun you choose. If your previous injuries may cause you discomfort or pain, then you should go with a mild shooting gun.
My personal choice in a shotgun has always been a side by side double 12 gage, but they do tend to "thump" your shoulder. the same goes for pump action and single shots. A gas operated 12 gage is much lighter on the shoulder, and a 20 gage auto would be very comfortable. I once had a 20 double that was a pleasure to shoot, and i have a remington recoil operated 20 that gives a pretty good push when fired. So if you are concerned with recoil, I would go with a gas auto shotgun, in 12 or 20 gage.