'Better' gun for clays?

Dave T

Dave T

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Morning all, after some advice please, and apologies if this is a daft request for advice but I don't know what I don't know, and if I don't ask, I never will....

I haven't shot regularly for many years (due to work, 2x house renovations, my sister's fiance becoming her 'ex'), but have maintained my certificate and my guns.

I used to rough shoot pigeons on farmland with my sister's fiance, and some wildfowling, again with my sister's fella, both on land where he had permissions. Enjoyed it, got my certificate and off we went, as it were.
Fast forward, and they split rather acrimoniously... off he went, and with him, my access to the farmland on which we shot.
I have no 'clay shooting' experience to speak of, but as I now have the time it's something I'd like to take up, maybe even try a bit of competition. I wouldn't object to having a go at some pigeons again in due course maybe, but first things first, I need to get my skills up.

I will be taking lessons (both for for safety and to prevent any bad habits from the off...I probably don't have any 'habits', good or bad as it's been a while....). Regardless, I would consider myself inexperienced.

I have a Beretta O/U 'field' gun, 28" multichoke, and a Benelli Semi Auto, 32" multichoke. Both 12g. I recognise (obviously) that you pull the trigger and shot comes out the barrels, and clays don't know whether it was from a 'field' gun, a semi auto or whatever, but....

Out of those, which is likely to be the better 'novice' clay gun and why?

Thanks,
Dave.
 
Having only ever shot .22 small bore rifles at targets that do not move, unless advanced swinging ones, I was something of a Marksman achieving level A at the ripe old age of 14.
I did try my hand at shotguns again at targets, but in Soho on an arcade rifle range with electronic rifles no shells, due to safety concerns.

However I did ask my good and trusty Ai if he could help, this is his reply:-
The best gun for clay shooting is often an over/under shotgun, with popular choices including the Weatherby Orion Sporting for entry-level and the Caesar Guerini Summit Sporting for a high-quality option. These shotguns are designed for optimal performance and reliability in sporting clays.
Unlike small bore target shooting, where a steady rest of the rifle is important as well as correct breathing techniquie, with Clay's just quick aim and shoot, good chance of hitting clay if you are quick on the draw! :D
 
Like all sports or how fast you can ride a motorcycle - for the average man, its fuck all to do with the equipment and everything to do with talent .......

I shoot clays and birds with a Beretta 28" Black Onyx O/U
My lad uses a Miroku with 32" barrels O/U
My mate shoots clays with a Browing 30" semi Auto
we are all on a par

try both and use the one that hits the most clays !
😜
 
I’d say the o/u will be fine. I started with a 28” beretta field gun, and if the gun fits you well it will be fine.

The biggest difference is the numbers of shots you fire- on a game day it might be 50-60, but on a clay day you may shoot many more. On some sim days I’ve shot 300 and then you do feel the recoil on the lighter gun, but I wouldn’t think about changing for a sporter till you know if you like it.

I’ve never seen a semi auto on a clay ground, though
 
depends on the clay ground, some don't like semi autos SA, so for classic looking and ease of use I'd shoot the beretta....

the action is shallower and so line of sign is simpler than a browning which has a deeper action which changes how you aim and look down the barrel...
 
Dave T said:
Morning all, after some advice please, and apologies if this is a daft request for advice but I don't know what I don't know, and if I don't ask, I never will....

I haven't shot regularly for many years (due to work, 2x house renovations, my sister's fiance becoming her 'ex'), but have maintained my certificate and my guns.

I used to rough shoot pigeons on farmland with my sister's fiance, and some wildfowling, again with my sister's fella, both on land where he had permissions. Enjoyed it, got my certificate and off we went, as it were.
Fast forward, and they split rather acrimoniously... off he went, and with him, my access to the farmland on which we shot.
I have no 'clay shooting' experience to speak of, but as I now have the time it's something I'd like to take up, maybe even try a bit of competition. I wouldn't object to having a go at some pigeons again in due course maybe, but first things first, I need to get my skills up.

I will be taking lessons (both for for safety and to prevent any bad habits from the off...I probably don't have any 'habits', good or bad as it's been a while....). Regardless, I would consider myself inexperienced.

I have a Beretta O/U 'field' gun, 28" multichoke, and a Benelli Semi Auto, 32" multichoke. Both 12g. I recognise (obviously) that you pull the trigger and shot comes out the barrels, and clays don't know whether it was from a 'field' gun, a semi auto or whatever, but....

Out of those, which is likely to be the better 'novice' clay gun and why?

Thanks,
Dave.
Click to expand...
Cant go wrong with a Beretta 28" nice and whippy, just change your chokes , and bobs a good un
 
Yeah they really don’t like semi autos in uk clay grounds! And even less when you put three cartridges in.

The beretta will be absolutely perfect.
 
Berin said:
I’d say the o/u will be fine. I started with a 28” beretta field gun, and if the gun fits you well it will be fine.

The biggest difference is the numbers of shots you fire- on a game day it might be 50-60, but on a clay day you may shoot many more. On some sim days I’ve shot 300 and then you do feel the recoil on the lighter gun, but I wouldn’t think about changing for a sporter till you know if you like it.

I’ve never seen a semi auto on a clay ground, though
Click to expand...
You live a sheltered life my friend

They are everywhere, and in some cases give you an edge over 2 barrel OU SS models
 
Nin said:
Yeah they really don’t like semi autos in uk clay grounds! And even less when you put three cartridges in.

The beretta will be absolutely perfect.
Click to expand...
All grounds ive used, its as long as you pick up your spents all is good

3 carts, ive only seen allowed in a few comps , generally its one up the tube and one in the spout
 
Dave T said:
Morning all, after some advice please, and apologies if this is a daft request for advice but I don't know what I don't know, and if I don't ask, I never will....

I haven't shot regularly for many years (due to work, 2x house renovations, my sister's fiance becoming her 'ex'), but have maintained my certificate and my guns.

I used to rough shoot pigeons on farmland with my sister's fiance, and some wildfowling, again with my sister's fella, both on land where he had permissions. Enjoyed it, got my certificate and off we went, as it were.
Fast forward, and they split rather acrimoniously... off he went, and with him, my access to the farmland on which we shot.
I have no 'clay shooting' experience to speak of, but as I now have the time it's something I'd like to take up, maybe even try a bit of competition. I wouldn't object to having a go at some pigeons again in due course maybe, but first things first, I need to get my skills up.

I will be taking lessons (both for for safety and to prevent any bad habits from the off...I probably don't have any 'habits', good or bad as it's been a while....). Regardless, I would consider myself inexperienced.

I have a Beretta O/U 'field' gun, 28" multichoke, and a Benelli Semi Auto, 32" multichoke. Both 12g. I recognise (obviously) that you pull the trigger and shot comes out the barrels, and clays don't know whether it was from a 'field' gun, a semi auto or whatever, but....

Out of those, which is likely to be the better 'novice' clay gun and why?

Thanks,
Dave.
Click to expand...
In my experience of clay grounds in Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, they are generally happier with an O/U as you can carry it broken and visibly safe. A semi auto usually needs a safety flag installed between stands.
You may test wold a 28” is too short for clays, but take no notice (for now)
 
at the shoot I hang about they had a guest day, some old codger turned up with a SA... I watched him for a few stands and pointed out the range staff that he didn't appear to understand or was capable of unloading the mag... so was carrying loaded between stands..... and with that he did a classic ND luckily down the range not across the shooting line... that could have been very awkward...

for starting out get lessons, get good training, get safe and confident, with the tasks at hand then.... get better as you progress....
 
Loiq said:
at the shoot I hang about they had a guest day, some old codger turned up with a SA... I watched him for a few stands and pointed out the range staff that he didn't appear to understand or was capable of unloading the mag... so was carrying loaded between stands..... and with that he did a classic ND luckily down the range not across the shooting line... that could have been very awkward...

for starting out get lessons, get good training, get safe and confident, with the tasks at hand then.... get better as you progress....
Click to expand...
and until that point I bet he thought he was safe... hence I am starting with lessons :beerjug:
 
Over under is what you want. Don’t use game cartridges, too much kick. Something like 28 gram no 8. I’m out of practice, so there may be better now.
Lessons to help you with swing through. Choose someone who does know how to teach, and understands fit. If your stock is too shot
Rt, you will shoot over and visa versa.
And when you get good, get your shotgun fitted, if it doesn’t already.

I would avoid a semi, yes they absorb the recoil better, but they are a pain to go find your case after it has shot it out sideways 20 feet. lol.
 
Gloop said:
Over under is what you want. Don’t use game cartridges, too much kick. Something like 28 gram no 8. I’m out of practice, so there may be better now.
Lessons to help you with swing through. Choose someone who does know how to teach, and understands fit. If your stock is too shot
Rt, you will shoot over and visa versa.
And when you get good, get your shotgun fitted, if it doesn’t already.

I would avoid a semi, yes they absorb the recoil better, but they are a pain to go find your case after it has shot it out sideways 20 feet. lol.
Click to expand...
28g are not necessary- 21g will do fine.
 
The O.U will be fine as you know the gun you will have to play with the chokes to suit,
get a box (25) each of 21g, 24g, 28g No 7or 8 and have a play around to see which suits you.
Also get some coaching.
 
My best advice, other than use the Beretta is to buy a second 1/4 choke and install both; will suffice for 95% of club clay targets and one less thing to worry about.
 
Berin said:
Disliked on some of the clay grounds I go to as it’s harder to see if they are safe.
Click to expand...
Flag or breech clip , and slipped between stands

Most of the shoots i go to are more than happy

Its all down to the grounds own rules TBH,

Shotgun saftey is down to everyone,

Lots of places wont challange poor discipline (madness, as its there own licence at risk )

lots of people wont , as some people get arsey when found to be not acting safeley , if they do, there not the right person to be on the ground period

Ive challanged an OU owner for carrying it closed and not in a slip

He objected, and was removed from the ground
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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