OU Shotguns for the Club?

[Eurodriver]

Looking at getting a Benelli 828U. Would like to have a nice OU for outings at the trap and skeet ranges, but I know little about the shotgun world. Don't want to get something that's $3,000 only to find out the quality really isn't there. Reviews on the Benelli look good, and was wondering if anyone here had any OUs and if you went 12 or 20 gauge etc

[srcochran49]

Your best bet would be to handle as many different shotguns in your price range as possible, and see which feels best to you. This should also give you an idea which gun fits you the best. Ideally, find a shop which specializes in sporting shotguns. They will be able to provide the most help as far as finding the best fit is concerned.

I shoot a Browning Citori 12 gauge. However, I load my own shells and shoot the equivalent of a 20 gauge load. Breaks just as many birds as the guns that cost two or three times as much.

[Kain]

What is your budget Euro? My general reccomendation, dollar for dollar, is the Browning Citori. Shot one peetty hard for ten years, held up very well though i retired it in 2015. Estimated round count around 75k. Beretta is another company that I have seen guys run without issue. I have yet to see anyone running the Benelli, not to say they are bad, just that no one has had one yet. Like I said dollar for dollar Browning or Beretta would be my reccomendations, 12 gauge as well, a proper sporting hun won't have much recoil and you can load them down and still be competitive, though i am hard pressed to give up anything in shot for my reloads.

[Co-gnARR]

What the above guys said- Browning or Beretta. I prefer Beretta just because that's what I have the most time with. The swing with various Berettas just feels right for me. I notice a slight but perceptible difference with Brownings- nothing I. An't work with but it takes a round of two to get the swing down. YMMV. See if you can rent, or buddy up and borrow. You'll find what feels right, but you need some time swinging the barrels and getting a feel for mounting, etc. Price wise, get the standard models (Citori, Silver Pigeon, etc) and save money for shells and as many rounds of trap/skeet you can. Eventually, if the bug bites hard enough, you can start putting money into custom stocks, etc, but to start you will be fine with any OU that fits. I watched a grey beard tradesman with a pump gun own a well-heeled guy with a $20k+ custom rig...the common man was a duck & upland hunter, and knew his gun. The other guy was retired, boat loads of cash and time but new to guns. No need dropping big money if you can't hit stuff consistently. You might also find used but well cared for shotguns in the classifieds at the local clubs. In my area, guys are always upgrading or thinning the herd.

[GH41]

Looking at getting a Benelli 828U. Would like to have a nice OU for outings at the trap and skeet ranges, but I know little about the shotgun world. Don't want to get something that's $3,000 only to find out the quality really isn't there. Reviews on the Benelli look good, and was wondering if anyone here had any OUs and if you went 12 or 20 gauge etc

If you try to buy an OU for both trap and skeet you will end up with one that half ass works for both disciplines at best. The targets are completely different. A good all around choice wouldn't be an over and under at all. Look for a used Beretta 391 with a 30" sporting ribbed barrel. Shoot it for a while and then spend some $$$ getting the stock fitted. As with most all shooting sports... It's more about the Indian than the bow and arrow.

[gaijin]

O/U- Beretta or Browning, most definitely 12ga.
Gas gun/autoloader- Beretta 391 or 400 model.
Used guns are a good option.

[Skar]

725 sportier

[Eurodriver]

Thanks for the replies. I saw the Citori but didn't know if Browning was really all that good. My only frame of reference is AR15s and...

Definitely will go with 12 gauge. 99% of the shooting I do is trap. I'd prefer an OU to an autoloader.

[Co-gnARR]

As mentioned above, trap and skeet are two different disciplines with two different presentations of the targets. Another option is the good old 870 in a trap set up. You can find these on GB and maybe in local shops.

[Kain]

Yeah, skeet and trap are rather different in the target presentation as well as how long it takes to shoot a round, trap will usually go quicker. If you are shooting just singles then a BT 99 can be an option, usually a little cheaper than a Citori, however, I find some BT 99 to not fit me as well as the standard Citori and a standard Citori allows for shooting doubles and others as well. However, I have seen a lot of guys shoot BT-99s without much issue. Also understand this, when people are talking about a trap gun most trap guns are going to pattern above the point of aim. In other words if you try to aim it using the beads(BTW two beads should be stacked up like snow men, not lined up) you'll shoot over the target, normally. I have my gun set up to shoot where I am looking after I set the gun. Want that pointed out before you end up confused as hell, if you were aware of that, then just disregard.

I personally spend a greater deal of my time with trap than skeet, which I don't quite care for. Actually I pretty much just ignore trap. Also, where I am at there is more trap shooting than skeet as far as competition. I mean hell, the state shoot up here will have 1200 shooters or more for championship days. But, that is ATA and I can go on for a long time on that. I can give you a whole lot of info on ATA shooting if one would like, but assuming you are just shooting casually.

That said, spending more doesn't always get you more, but the Browning or beretta over and under, we take you a good way. The browning I shot was good for winning two state championships, plus a shit load of other stuff, for me before I upgraded to my current gun and it wasn't exactly because I was having issues with my Browning, but lets just say i got a deal I couldn't say no to with my current gun. Not knowing where you are shooting though, most trap clubs I have shot at are pretty sociable and more than a few would be willing to let you shoot a round with their gun, or handle them to get a feel for what you are looking for. Hell, when my old man was looking at trap guns a few years back before buying a Browning of his own, he had guys handing him Perazzi's, Kolars, Kreighoffs to try.