quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
I don't own a Beretta, but I have shot a number of them. Furthermore, I've seen a lot of Berettas in competition.

O/U shotguns primarily intended for field use generally have 24" to 26" barrels, with an occasional 28". Those primarily intended for clays games generally have 30" to 32" barrels, with an occasional 28" or 34".

Field guns often lack a mid-barrel bead, and thus have only the bead at the end of the barrel. Clays games shotguns often have mid- and end-barrel beads, sometimes with the end-barrel bead being made of hi-viz plastic.

Field guns almost always have an automatic safety. When the action is closed, the safety is automatically on and must be disengaged to fire. Clays games guns almost always have manual safeties -- the shotgun is ready to fire when the action is closed.

The differences between field and competition shotguns can sometimes be quite subtle. The middle ground is a bit muddied, and thus many shotguns serve equally well for both birds and clays.

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
The guy was not trying to be snobbish. He had what looked like a VERY expensive purpose built shotgun and some sort of trophy belt buckle. He seemed knowledge, so I asked.

I did not pay a bunch for it and I am going to try and shoot trap and skeet with it for a bit.

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
The differences between field and competition shotguns can sometimes be quite subtle. The middle ground is a bit muddied, and thus many shotguns serve equally well for both birds and clays.

quote:

@dking - The biggest difference is the safety being automatic on field guns, which is important for a hunting gun.

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
The guy was not trying to be snobbish. He had what looked like a VERY expensive purpose built shotgun and some sort of trophy belt buckle. He seemed knowledge, so I asked.

I did not pay a bunch for it and I am going to try and shoot trap and skeet with it for a bit. I know other models can be big money so I will stick with my "Bird Gun" for now.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
The guy was not trying to be snobbish. He had what looked like a VERY expensive purpose built shotgun and some sort of trophy belt buckle. He seemed knowledge, so I asked.

I did not pay a bunch for it and I am going to try and shoot trap and skeet with it for a bit. I know other models can be big money so I will stick with my "Bird Gun" for now.

You can do just as well with that gun as you can a $15,000 Parazzi in trap and skeet.

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
The guy was not trying to be snobbish. He had what looked like a VERY expensive purpose built shotgun and some sort of trophy belt buckle. He seemed knowledge, so I asked.

I did not pay a bunch for it and I am going to try and shoot trap and skeet with it for a bit.

Expensive shotguns generally indicate a commitment to clays games, but sometimes just a healthy bank account. The most expensive shotgun I've borrowed from another shooter in a sporting clays tournament was a Beretta SO5. It was his retirement present to himself -- probably a $25k present. Nice guy, but he really couldn't shoot all that well. At that time I was probably in my last season of AA class, before moving up to Master class. The guy was in B or C class, with limited hope of advancing.

In practice I've shot a gold engraved Gamba -- maybe $70k or more of shotgun. That owner used to be in Master class, but got tired of the of the competition scene. He knows virtually any brand of shotgun, and his technique is solid.

In big sporting clays comps you'll see a lot of shotguns retailing for $5k to $15k. Around here the guys who know their stuff often have guns which show some wear, and usually without extra bling. They tend to dress relatively low key, with the exception of a patch or two on a shooting vest. You may also see a number of skilled competitors with older Brownings and Berettas that crush clays rather well with their "second tier" guns. One doesn't have to pay for a Perazzi and Krieghoff in order to break clays consistently.

There can be hubris in clays games shooters as they rise in the ranks. It's something I don't care much for. Fortunately there is a boatload of highly skilled shooters who will do just about anything to help newer and less skilled shooters.

You should do just fine with your Onyx.

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
I don't own a Beretta, but I have shot a number of them. Furthermore, I've seen a lot of Berettas in competition.

O/U shotguns primarily intended for field use generally have 24" to 26" barrels, with an occasional 28". Those primarily intended for clays games generally have 30" to 32" barrels, with an occasional 28" or 34".

Field guns often lack a mid-barrel bead, and thus have only the bead at the end of the barrel. Clays games shotguns often have mid- and end-barrel beads, sometimes with the end-barrel bead being made of hi-viz plastic.

Field guns almost always have an automatic safety. When the action is closed, the safety is automatically on and must be disengaged to fire. Clays games guns almost always have manual safeties -- the shotgun is ready to fire when the action is closed.

The differences between field and competition shotguns can sometimes be quite subtle. The middle ground is a bit muddied, and thus many shotguns serve equally well for both birds and clays.