First shotgun purchase

[Haggis]

To say that a field gun can't take the beating from clays is maybe an oversimplification. It's the shooter who will suffer, not the gun! A Browning Citori or Beretta 686 has the same action, made from the same materials in the same factory, regardless of specification. The difference comes in the barrels (the ribs as much as the tubes), the stock and forend and the finish. The age-old standard applied to English game guns was that a 6lb gun would comfortably shoot 1oz of shot, and frankly an O/U other than those with titanium or alloy receivers will be over 7lbs. Ideally though, a skeet or sporting clays gun should be around 8lbs, and a trap gun a bit heavier.

Assuming you can borrow a club gun for now, it may be worth saving up a little longer for a gun you'll really be proud of. Most gun shops in the US and Canada do NOT specialize in clay shooting, so if you find one that does it is worth perusing their racks. Some offer layaway which might help. Something like a Browning Ultra XS Sporter or Beretta 682 Gold E Sporter will do everything and look good doing it. Used, they should be well under $2,000.

[71Eagle]

You might check some of the online brokers. I shoot a Browning 425 and have for over 10 years. I shoot mostly skeet,some trap and a little 5 stand. It's been a great gun for me. I've seen them go from about $1200 or so. I prefer a clays gun over the field guns, tend to be slimmer and just fit me better. I like to think the ported barrels and lengthend forcing cones help me. My gun had 30" barrels and is everything I want in a shotgun.

[tonyd]

beretta 680 series cant were them out stay away from stoger price is good but