Henry Rifle Forums

Anyone here have an over/under for clays? I've been periodically getting into clay shooting sports (skeet, sporting clays, five stand) and always have to borrow or rent a shotgun. I could easily get into a good semi-auto but the over unders are so expensive!

I don't have an O/U, but am enjoying my forays into trap shooting. So I'm interesting in your looking at shotguns for clays.
However, I'm not tracking 100% with you.

What kind of use do you plan for an O/U? You said "periodically" shooting. But are you planning to eventually do a lot of clays shooting? Whenever you start ramping up more rounds of clay, for instance, the number of shells you're shooting quickly rises. I'd think you'd want to possibly consider a quality S/G that will handle that.

I haven't compared prices between a semi-auto and an O/U. Is there a large spread there? You can "easily get into a good semi-auto" versus the expensive O/U's. What is your preference -- a semi or an O/U? Do you have a set price (don't tell me) you plan to spend? If so, that might be the dictator.

Since you don't have your own S/G, I think that renting and trying as many different models or configurations as possible would be helpful. That would give you a clearer idea what shoots well for you, and what kind of S/G you like to shoot, and how it will "fit you" as you handle it. Especially when going after those fast, zipping-by clays.

For myself, since I know I won't be able to do a large amount of trap shooting, I bought a less-expensive field S/G with a 24" barrel in 20-gauge. I first wanted a S/G for hunting, ,and this one will be very good for that. Second use is to try out trap shooting or 5-stand. I've enjoyed it, and also learned how challenging a sport it is. I know my S/G is not a "dedicated" clays shooter, but it is okay for me. And I got the S/G action I really like to use, and bought a pump.

Sorry I wasn't much help to peg an answer for your question. I bet there are other folk that might have more for you, and I'll be interested to see how this thread goes forward in answering you.

JCN wrote:Anyone here have an over/under for clays? I've been periodically getting into clay shooting sports (skeet, sporting clays, five stand) and always have to borrow or rent a shotgun. I could easily get into a good semi-auto but the over unders are so expensive!

I've had an O/U Ruger Red Label for many years .... beautiful shotgun that shoots well .... unfortunately, as with a single barrel and most pumps, it kicks like a mule .... even with skeet loads, 25 rounds will leave a bruise and 50 causes me a good deal of soreness ..... on the other hand, our Remington 11-87 on which I have upgraded the recoil pad and had a mercury recoil suppressor install is a pleasure to shoot .... when we shoot trap we routinely go 4 rounds (100 rounds) without any recoil related issues .... I plan to keep the Red Label but have no plans to use it

Have you every shot one of the Benelli shotguns? I've read that the Legacy series (in both 20-ga and 12-ga) are designed for clays competition. Those aren't an O/U model, rather a semi-auto. Another Benelli is the Ethos semi-auto. Very light weight 12-ga, moves easily and quickly, and built with their best recoil reduction system to date. I've handled it several times at my LGS; haven't shot one yet.

The last Benelli I'm thinking of is the only O/U they market, and the newest one they make -- the "828U Shotgun." I handled it also at the LGS, and it is very light at only 6.5 pounds. Sure would like to try one of these out someday.

JEBar wrote:I've had an O/U Ruger Red Label for many years .... beautiful shotgun that shoots well .... unfortunately, as with a single barrel and most pumps, it kicks like a mule .... even with skeet loads, 25 rounds will leave a bruise and 50 causes me a good deal of soreness ..... on the other hand, our Remington 11-87 on which I have upgraded the recoil pad and had a mercury recoil suppressor install is a pleasure to shoot .... when we shoot trap we routinely go 4 rounds (100 rounds) without any recoil related issues .... I plan to keep the Red Label but have no plans to use it

Benelli has a long standing, excellent reputation .... I've fired Franchi ===> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchi_(firearms) <=== semi-autos ...as noted in the link, Franchi is a division of Benelli .... best example I can give is I've used Stihl chainsaws for decades, in my hands they feel like what a chainsaw should feel like .... Husqvarna makes a great chainsaw but they just don't feel right in my hand .... for me that is the way it is with a Remington semi auto and a Franchi .... nothing against the Franchi but it just doesn't have the feel I've come to like .... as you know, semi autos use part of the recoil to cycle their actions .... in most cases they will have less felt recoil

I haven't even tried a semi auto yet, so I probably should. It looks like an entry level quality semi auto is around $1,500 (Beretta A400) and the O/Us are about $1,000 more. I'd really like to spend somewhere in the $1,500 to $2,000 range max.

I've only shot O/Us so that is where my comfort level is. Comfort is a relative word considering I agree with the post above that says 50 rounds leaves a bruise because I certainly experience that myself. Always assumed that if it was my personal shotgun I could configure a recoil system to minimize that.

My other concern with a semi auto is that I shoot shotgun lefty since I'm left eye dominant. Most shotguns on the market are set up righty which means all the ejection would occur across my face. I'm not sure if that is an issue or not. Again, I should probably try it out to see!

In my earlier post I mentioned that I like Benelli shotguns. And JEBar has shot a Franchi, which is made by Benelli.

Your price range is what caught my eye this time. The Legacy Sport II models by Benelli come in both 12-ga and 20-ga, and are designed for clays; their price range fits within your max. The Ethos s/g is just at your max; and the newest (and only) Benelli O/U, the 828U is about $500 over your max. Of course, all are MSRPs, and you'll get them for less than that.

To start with some web shopping, and again because I really like the two Benelli shotguns I've had, I'd suggest you take a glance at these three models. Good info about their specs, technology, and features are all listed:
http://www.benelliusa.com/828u-shotgun
http://www.benelliusa.com/ethos-shotgun
http://www.benelliusa.com/legacy-sport- ... i-shotguns

I think they are quality shotguns, and I really am most pleased with the performance of my Nova Pump Field s/g. It's a keeper for me!

JCN wrote:I haven't even tried a semi auto yet, so I probably should. It looks like an entry level quality semi auto is around $1,500 (Beretta A400) and the O/Us are about $1,000 more. I'd really like to spend somewhere in the $1,500 to $2,000 range max.

I've only shot O/Us so that is where my comfort level is. Comfort is a relative word considering I agree with the post above that says 50 rounds leaves a bruise because I certainly experience that myself. Always assumed that if it was my personal shotgun I could configure a recoil system to minimize that.

My other concern with a semi auto is that I shoot shotgun lefty since I'm left eye dominant. Most shotguns on the market are set up righty which means all the ejection would occur across my face. I'm not sure if that is an issue or not. Again, I should probably try it out to see!

I shoot a TriStar TT-15 DT (over/under) for trap. I've had the gun for about a year and I'm thrilled with it. It has a lot of the features of guns costing 5 times (or more) as much. I participate in quite a few registered shoots, often firing 300 shots per day (100 singles, 100 handicap and 50 pairs of doubles). The gun can be had for about $1,100 and is worth far more, IMO.

I have a Franchi Renaissance O/U that's one of the guns I use for bird hunting. I shoot it pretty well and it's very light, and thus easy to carry.

The big advantage of an O/U for clays is the ability to have different chokes in the gun at the same time. With a semi-auto, you obviously don't have that option.

if I was in the market for a shotgun, without question, I'd go with a Remington VERSA MAX ===> https://www.remington.com/shotguns/auto ... -sportsman <=== it has a really interesting and effective recoil reduction system .... personally, I'd go with a wood stock model but being way beyond old school, I guess that would pretty much be a given .... it is a well tested product that has been put through the ringer on the 3 gun shooting circuits

JCN wrote:Anyone here have an over/under for clays? I've been periodically getting into clay shooting sports (skeet, sporting clays, five stand) and always have to borrow or rent a shotgun. I could easily get into a good semi-auto but the over unders are so expensive!

I do not own a shotgun but I always liked the looks and everything else about an over/under shotgun, a single shot shotgun and a side by side shotgun.

Cate

The Beretta Silver Pigeon is the o/u shotgun that I have admired for a long time. It is just under $2,000. at our favorite gun store (Ronan, MT) and it comes in various gauges.

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/686-silver-pigeon-i/

I don't hunt or shoot trap/skeet but I really LIKE that gun.

It is very popular with people with people who hunt and are into trap and skeet out here. It has an outstanding reputation from what I have been told.

Cate

I have a Stoeger Condor. It is a bottom line O/U. Retails for around $400. I wasn't sure I would stick with skeet, so wasn't going to spend a bundle on a shotgun that would just sit in the safe for years. I got 20 gauge because my daughter and I use the same gun, and I normally only go the skeet range with her.

It has a good feel to it and has performed well for us. We both stink at skeet and trap, but have a good time. It is likely not an extremely durable weapon and will not stand up to many tens of thousands of rounds without trouble. I doubt that gun that costs 5 times as much actually shoots much better, however.

Full disclosure, after a year of use, I broke a firing pin. Since it was still under warranty, I sent it back to Benneli (owner company) for repair. If it weren't under warranty, I would probably just order the $4 part and install it myself. Doesn't look like too bad a job. I understand broken firing pins are not uncommon with O/U and single shot.

I'm leaning towards the Silver Pigeon Sporting model in 12 gauge and 30" barrels. There are a couple of ranges that rent them out so I'm going to give it a try first.

We also have a Stoeger Condor for exactly the same reasons Clovishound has his - except ours is a 12 gauge. We occasionally use it to shoot clays on one of our hay fields here in the Shenandoah Valley. It has served us well for the price (about $300 10 yrs ago).

For further info, in case anyone cares, I just got off the phone with Benelli. They are sending me a replacement Condor. There appeared to be an issue with the hole in the receiver that the firing pin rides in. The CS guy at Benelli could not have been nicer. There was an issue with the weapon making it out of the sporting goods store I purchased it at. It sat in their back room for a couple of weeks before I called to get an update. Benelli bumped it to the head of the line when it finally came in because I had been waiting for several weeks, even though it was not their fault. Good on them.

Glad to hear it, hopefully it gets taken care of quickly.

clovishound wrote:I just got off the phone with Benelli. They are sending me a replacement Condor. The CS guy at Benelli could not have been nicer. There was an issue with the weapon making it out of the sporting goods store I purchased it at. It sat in their back room for a couple of weeks before I called to get an update. Benelli bumped it to the head of the line when it finally came in because I had been waiting for several weeks, even though it was not their fault. Good on them.

while Benelli isn't a brand I would buy (simply a matter of personal preference), its great to hear of their good customer support .... that level of support is in keeping with and reinforces their good long term reputation .... thanks for posting your experience

clovishound wrote:... I just got off the phone with Benelli. They are sending me a replacement Condor... Good on them.

That's great news for you, CH, and a very good report card for Benelli's warranty and CS. Thanks for the update.

That's great news, clovishound. And also good for me to hear about the helpful CS you received. My Benelli Pump Field 20-ga is only 4 months old, and good to know about Benelli's CS if I have a need for their help.

I liked your expression: "Good on them."

Thanks much for the post.

clovishound wrote:... I just got off the phone with Benelli. They are sending me a replacement Condor... Good on them.

I went out to Bass Pro Shops yesterday to continue my search for an over under. They carry a Winchester (made by FN in Belgium) that looks like a pretty good deal. 30" ported barrels, 5 extended chokes, mid bead and no auto safety. All around what I am looking for. In the end, comparing it to the Beretta was no comparison at all. The Beretta is just one fine piece of hardware. The receiver is slimmer which much nicer engraving and the walnut is gorgeous on the stock and forend. I guess you get what you pay for!

Turners (a local outdoors chain here) has them on sale for $1,999 this week so I may 'pull the trigger' and pick one up. I feel like I did the research at least to be comfortable in the decision. Thank you for all that weighed in.