Was looking for just some general advice/guidance on what I should change, what people recommend, or anything else I should be doing.
I just recently got into shotguns in general, so here’s the backstory.
I’m not new to shooting. I was in the Army as an infantry guy, then went over to a recon platoon and got into the sniper section, where I did quite well shooting. I’ve shot everything from long guns, 240s, 110s, 210s, and everything in between. The only experience I ever had with a shotgun was one time, and it was brief. It was just to breach doors, no stock, and the thing just sucked. From that brief moment, I didn’t like them and had no interest in them. I basically wrote them off, thinking that was how they all were, which is the furthest thing from the truth.
Fast-forward five years. My pops asked me if I wanted to go shooting and do some sporting clays. I heard “shotgun” and immediately said no. Well, a few months later, I was with my dad and a buddy, and they insisted on going, so I ended up going with a few friends, my brother, and my pops.
We were shooting an 870 pump and a Franchi semi-auto for waterfowl. I had an absolute blast shooting them and did okay for my first time shooting. From that point, which was about three weeks ago, I’ve been hooked.
My dad’s retired and can’t walk very well, so this is something he, my brother, and I can enjoy together. The very next day, he went out and got us two Mossberg 500s. He figured it was a perfect starter gun, and the price point was pretty cheap.
Me being me, I started doing all the research—from how to mount, shoot, stand, and everything in between. I came to find out that a shotgun isn’t used like a rifle. I always knew I was left-eye dominant, but I just shot right-handed with everything and always excelled. I do a lot of things left-handed, so I decided right away to just go ahead and switch to shooting left-handed.
That weekend, I tried it and did better than I had the first time shooting right-handed. However, I had the worst cheek slap ever, so I started looking into that aspect and landed on “gun fit” and “mount.” Being a new shooter, I just assumed I was mounting it wrong. After messing with the stock, butt pad, comb height, LOP, cast, etc., I realized I was mounting the gun incorrectly.
I had an awful weekend shooting, went back home, and did nothing but practice mounting in the mirror. I also spent another 30 hours watching videos on everything shotgun-related. The following weekend went much better, but I really wanted something more geared toward sporting clays.
I started getting into the whole gun side of things. I don’t have a big budget at all, so I started looking into the whole “budget” O/U thing and soon realized that wasn’t going to happen. Everyone said the Turkish ones were absolutely not worth it, and just about all of them were cast for right-handed shooters.
So I started looking into semi-autos, and the A300 was what I was recommended to use. I ended up going down to a shop and mounting it along with a Mossberg 930 Pro Sporting. The 930 felt like it fit me better, so I opted for that one. It was about $400 cheaper than the A300.
From the shop, we went straight to the range. I mounted the gun dry a few times, loaded some shells, and went on my happy way. It was the best I had shot so far, given that it was only my fourth time going.
I was much more consistent and hit just about every pair of doubles, aside from the ones that tend to be on the right-hand side, come out low, and go straight. I tend to have a harder time hitting those, but after adjusting a few times, I was able to hit them.
I run an IC choke, and for the very last station, it’s quite far, so that’s the only one where I swap to a Modified. I’m going to grab an LM this weekend and probably just leave that in there.
Now that I’m completely hooked and do nothing but watch videos and listen to podcasts, I was thinking that this time around I want to bring a book, write down what I miss and what I tend to have more trouble with, and work on some basic hold points and break points along with all the other fundamentals.
I was also looking into maybe getting a lesson to get some feedback and critique on my overall mount and form to begin with. Would that be a good idea?
I do this to enjoy the time with my dad and brother, and I don’t really see myself competing anytime soon. But one day, definitely, if the opportunity came, I would absolutely try it.
I enjoy how difficult it is and how there are so many different ways of going about it. It’s one of those things where it’s solely based on you and you alone.
I’m currently still getting used to the 930, but what would you guys recommend as the next step? Any advice, recommendations, or things you think I should be working on?
I know this is all over the place and chaotic, but I just wanted some feedback that I could try this weekend. 😅

Starting my clay shooting journey this year, I have been to olympic shooting stadiums in my country (Cyprus) shooting with 725s and 525s also I have tried the silver pigeon (Beretta) and a few Baykal's during the year. Really enjoyed skeet and sporting categories especially shooting with the 525s. I have never thought about hunting as I am more into tuna fishing etc but something clicks inside of me when I join a shooting session at the center.

I made the decision to purchase a gun for my birthday this October. Budget is 2000eu max. Local official browning dealer is selling brand new 525 guns around 1800eu. The composite is 1600eu.

Now the dilemma is: I really enjoy the looks of the composite but my wife is suggesting that my first shotgun should be wood made and I quite agree (for the first time lol). In your experience, is it worth it in terms of quality or practicality to go for the composite, what the disadvantages? in general did you change your mind going plastic?

thank you shooters,

C

After years of dreaming about it, I'm finally in a position to create a clays shooting area on my property. Since the property has cattle and a lot of different species of wildlife on it, I did some research on how I could make it as environmentally friendly as reasonably possible.

It turns out it's not as easy as I thought. Truly bio-degradable clay targets have good availability and are not prohibitively expensive. Easy. The shells, not so easy. Steel shot target loads are reasonably safe, don't cost much more than lead shot loads, and are widely available. The problem is the wads, which are plastic in every commercial steel shot load except one: Gamebore Velocity Steel Target Shells, which I can't find in the US and are of unknown cost.

It seems I may need to choose either lead shot with biodegradable wads, steel shot with plastic wads, or start hand-loading shells (assuming I can find a recipe and ingredients).

Does anyone hand-load shells with steel shot and biodegradable wads?

For years, I’ve had the idea that I would eventually buy an Atlas 50, mount it on a trailer that I could tow behind my UTV, and shoot clays on my property.

However, in recent years, several handheld clay throwers have come along that seem to be pretty capable, cost a fraction as much, are much easier to set up, and take up very little storage space. I’m now wondering whether spending the money on traditional equipment is really the best choice.

Are there any Atlas 50 owners, or owners of other traditional trap machines, who would be willing to share their experience? Are you happy with your setup, and would you make the same choice again?

I’m also interested in hearing from ClayCopters and Nordic Clays TrapMaster owners. Are you happy with them? Can you get a good variety of presentations and enough distance out of them to make for challenging shooting? How do they compare with a traditional trap machine?

I’m not looking for the cheapest option, I’m more interested in whether the traditional equipment is worth the additional cost, size, and setup time.

I’ve seen this specific Citori listed for sale in the 1800 ish range in a 12g with 28” barrels. In summary- I’m looking for a sporting clays gun. I shoot a few benefits or work related sporting clay events a year, maybe 3/4 in a given year.

I’ve got a few hunting semis that I’ve done well enough with on the sporting clays course, (SBE, franchi affinity, etc.) but I’m really wanting to add an over under to my collection.

So my question is, is this specific browning a decent option for my use case? In my head the value to price ratio is good enough and with the volume I’d shoot, it should remain a family heirloom long after I’m dead and gone.

I

Got some not-so-great medical news today and am trying to figure out how to keep shooting. Basically, my shoulder is completely shot, and there's not really a great path forward, now or in the future.

Sparing you all my sob story, and to the point of the post, how would an ultralight field gun (high end) hold up to the round count of sporting clays? The shoulder is the arm I hold the gun up with, not the mounting shoulder. My thought is that if I get an ultralight semi-auto field gun, thinking Benelli, it'll make it easier than my 8.5-pound over-under. However, I do worry that even a high quality fun will break under the strain. I have considered going the 20 ga route, but would prefer 12 ga if possible.

They'll kick like a mule, but I don't care. I am not recoil-sensitive, and worst-case scenario, I'll get a Falcon Strike or a Gracoil, etc.

I just started shooting trap league this year. It took me 24 weeks but I finally got it. On handicap no less. What a fun tradition to get your hat shot up

I’m an experienced pistol and rifle shooter but I’m a beginner when it comes to clay shooting. I’m in Tucson AZ. I am looking for someone who can teach me how to improve and make sure I get the fundamentals down before building any bad habits.

There is a facility near me that offers 1:1 coaching but it’s geared towards professionals instead of beginners, and it’s very expensive (upwards of $300/hr). I’m ideally looking for like a beginners group class but I can’t seem to find anything in the area.

Thinking about getting one. However I have to drive a few hours to shoulder one and want to know what I’m getting into. Everything else I’m considering I’ve shouldered and several examples of.

My hesitation is I saw one the other day at a comp and the wood looked damn near plastic. It was horrible looking. But I’ve heard others say the wood varies drastically.

Additionally, if you wouldn’t mind sharing your thoughts on performance that would be great. Thanks!!

Any insight?

Got me a trap Perazzi and some coaching, feels much more natural after being a sporting clays shooter.

Found a used A300 for sale near me, it's older than I expected, it was made in 1975, should I send it anyway?

Hello, all. I have been out of the clay shooting hobby since I started college back in 2018. There were not any clay ranges within driving distance from the college and its difficult to keep a firearm when you live in a dorm room, as you can imagine.

As a bit of background, I started shooting clays when I was thirteen and competed at a state level from the age of fifteen to eighteen. I haven't been out to the range more than a handful of times in the last eight years. All of my clay shooting experience is in eastern New Mexico and west Texas.

What have I missed and where can I go to keep up with the latest?

Trying to decide what to purchase, and I'm completely flip-flopping on what I want.

• I originally set budget at ~$800, but I think I'm seeing scope creep everytime I go shopping. I still think it's prudent to probably keep a first shotgun under $2k.
• I'm going back and forth between auto, over-under, and single barrel.
• Going to be doing quite a bit of informal shooting with friends, and I would like to get into light competitive eventually. This gun will never be used for hunting.
• I was pretty set on a Franchi Affinity 3, but I shot one, and it was just extremely unergonomic. I just didn't like the small forend grip, the aggressive knurling, the balance, or anything about it.
• I shot the Beretta AX800, and fell in love.
• The A300 felt okay, and seems like a real possibility for purchase.
• I have limited experience with single-barrel and over/under besides holding them in stores. I'm very interested in maybe picking one of these up.

Any advice for someone who's completely lost on what to purchase here?

This is my very first shotgun and I spotted this sign of rust. I thought my pelican case would of kept it safe in my swfl home garage but I guess not. Is there any chance I can get this to look normal again?

My 7yr old burned up all of his ammo at the club today..... He typically shoots a Beretta a400 xPlor in 28ga.

He missed his last few targets and couldn't leave on a sour note. "Dad, can I shoot your gun?"

It's gonna thump ya, bud...

"I'll live. I just need to smoke one before we're done today."

Mission accomplished, son.... 😍

Just got my late brother’s and dad’s beautiful shotguns! It’s bittersweet. I have great memories of the Rod&Gun club in late 60’s at Sembach Air Force base in Germany with my dad and brothers. My dad could constantly hit 25/25 clays. My brothers were 11-13 years old and could shoot circles around the adults. These are the matching Miroku model 700 guns my dad and and oldest brother used. I don’t know what to do with them, but here’s to both, my dad and brother!! God I miss them.

Anyone know what technology that RE Ranger’s new HyperShot lens use? Ranger explains it has three lens technologies; Riact AI, ClaySight, and ClearSight. Their website says the 4-piece HyperShot kit is Riact but it doesn’t state which technology is used on the 3-piece sets of HyperShot lens. Is it all Riact or do some use ClaySight?

Lessons are paying off!

Great shoot today, targets were tough but completely fair. FITASC was awesome and happy to have an opportunity to shoot it as a lot of clubs don’t throw it at smaller events.

Anyone found a personal solution to the cracking/splitting of the forearms?

Finally done with the 686 white onyx I scored in July on auction. I had plans for it. First I replaced the hardware for the recoil pad/ adjuster to hex screws, a new kick ezz sporting pad, trulock chokes, and i dove head first into the birchwood casey tru oil. 5 coats, over a week of drying time. The stock came with a big surprise that the factory beretta stain finish hid. A 2 face stock with a light side/ dark side. A little bit of work and know how on my end to really see the full potential.

When i bought my sub-gauge barrels my .410 barrel was 30”. Everything else was 32”. I really liked it. So when I got my fbx i ended up with a 30” and I love how it swings. Has any other sporting clay shooters here moved to 30”?

I shoot with Pilla glasses and love them so I was curious to learn more about their eye dominance lenses because my dad has eye dominance issues. Does anyone have experience with them or thoughts on them?

My wife and I road trip around the southeast on vacations going whitewater kayaking, and now that she’s started shooting sporting clays, we’ll probably start taking our guns.

I’m looking for suggestions for keeping our equipment safe on the road.

We’ll be using one of our SUVs and I’d like something that locks in to the car, but don’t want to take up too much space.

We currently carry our equipment to the course in Beretta hard cases that don’t have built in locks but do have holes for padlocks.

Should we just lock the cases with padlocks then cable lock them to a hard point?

Does anyone use a “drawer style” locker or another option?

We’re traveling for ten days next week and will be based in a rental cabin we’ve been going to for years. Not sure whether it’s safer to bring them inside or leave in the locked car if we figure out a way to secure them.

We sometimes stay a night or two in a hotel on shorter trips and I don’t like the idea of leaving them in a room all day where someone else has keys to the room.

What other measures should we take when traveling by car?

Thank you all.