So club I've joined has a 5 stand and trap.

I mostly shoot pistols & rifles. I grew up shooting clays with my granddad. So I wouldn't mind having a shotgun I can throw in and hit a few clays when I feel like it.

Are there any budget minded shotguns out there you'd recommend?

Lets say $500 +/-

Not afraid to buy used. Don't really care if semi-auto or O/U.

Maybe Stevens 555 in 12GA? Old Remington 1100? Stoeger Condor Supreme? What say you guys

It is not a ss or ou but the Browning BPS trap is a great, reliable and very effective option. I have an older one and it is a winner in my book.

Also one of the the older Beretta semi auto's would be a really good option. Both can be found at or around your budget with a bit of patience.

I think the best bang for the buck right now is the Remington V3, soft shooting and great handling.

The old 391 Berettas are great but seem to be drying up a bit on the used market.

1100 and 11-87 are still, imo, the best bang for buck shotguns on the used market. I regularly see 12 ga 100s for $400 and 11-87s for not much more on theoutdoorstrader.com (since you're also in Georgia.)

You also might could find an old Winchester SX1 which is like the ultimate skeet gun of 30 years ago. They're heavy and solid.

It's really hard to beat a Remington 1100 with a 28" or 30" barrel. Plenty of aftermarket stuff for them, plenty of them on the used market......Browning BPS is another choice as mentioned...… I'd absolutely go semi auto for less felt recoil. You will really feel the recoil after 100 rounds or so through a pump or even an O/U. The biggest key is one that fits you correctly.

One of the best Skeet shooters at my range started with a Stoeger Condor and he won't allow anyone to say something bad about Stoeger's. That gun never ever broke down, even when it was so loose he could shoot around corners with it. Yeah Mike does exaggerate at times for effect but I've seen him hit 99 out of 100 at a registered shoot.

BTW, he now shoots either a CZ Teal or Beretta 686 and has Briley tube sets for both. Note, the CZ line is actually an excellent Turkish made shotgun line and while you won't find one at your 500 dollar price point at 800 dollars or so they are made as well as the Beretta 686 and the wood is usually much better than what you see on a 686. BTW, I have the 686 in both 12 and 20 gage and I favor them over my CZ simply because the Beretta's fit me better.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Scooter123,

I have a CZ 712 and love it. In your price range too.

Snagged me a used CZ 712 for about $350. Nice gun, and it's been good other than the really weak Fiocchi rounds I tried while dove hunting not cycling.

Well, I got my Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 ga. with a 28 inch plain barrel back in 1965. Put a pad on it. Shot trap (on the company trap team in the old days) hunted with it, one broken firing pin. Period. I did get a vent rib bbl for it as well as a slug gun bbl.

It will take some looking but the old model 870 Remington Wingmaster can't be beat. Well within your budget range. Look for the vent rib mod choke bbl on it.

Good Luck on your quest.

Get an used Beretta 390 or 391. Also try an A300.

It will fit what you want it for. If you decide you like it...and you probably will...heed some of the other recommendations.

I got into shotguns a couple of years ago. I started with a Stoeger M3K for $500. It’s not a O/U but shot clay and trap with it. Versatile shotgun for a beginner. Decided to upgrade slightly and replaced it with a Franchi Affinity 3.

quote:

Originally posted by 748s:
I think the best bang for the buck right now is the Remington V3, soft shooting and great handling.

Yup. Absolutely.....but time your purchase for when Remington is offering their rebate. I’ve seen black synthetics on Buds sell for pretty much straight $500.00 after Remington rebate and that is just a ridiculously low price for a gun like the V3. Heck...right now they are high 500’s to low 600’s for your basic black.

Fantastic gun that will run circles around the 300 series Beretta’s and it’s Remington predecessors like the the 1100 and 11/87.

There is no way I would pay for a 300, 391, 1100 or an 11/87 if there was a V3 around to be had....unless I wanted that beautiful 1100 walnut to look at.

I just got an email this a.m. from Kentucky Gun Co. and they have some great prices on some "blem" guns-usually finish or cosmetic issues, and they are under $500. I don't know much about shotguns for clay shooting but they have a few o/u guns if your interested.

If you are ok with a pump, get on Gunbroker and get an older Remington 870. One of the two or three best pump guns ever made and it is shocking how cheap you can get them used in excellent shape.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
It is not a ss or ou but the Browning BPS trap is a great, reliable and very effective option. I have an older one and it is a winner in my book.

Also one of the the older Beretta semi auto's would be a really good option. Both can be found at or around your budget with a bit of patience.

My 12ga is a BPS Invector.
Not ideal for trap/clays/etc, but works well enough for my casual use.

My boss' Beretta automatic is easier to get hits with, but much more $$

quote:

Originally posted by Beanhead:
Get an used Beretta 390 or 391. Also try an A300.

It will fit what you want it for. If you decide you like it...and you probably will...heed some of the other recommendations.

Great suggestion. The Beretta autos are really fine guns. They are well - suited for clay shooting. And are good field guns, too.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by Beanhead:
Get an used Beretta 390 or 391. Also try an A300.

It will fit what you want it for. If you decide you like it...and you probably will...heed some of the other recommendations.

Great suggestion. The Beretta autos are really fine guns. They are well - suited for clay shooting. And are good field guns, too.

Second this. I’ve won a few sporting clays tournaments using a 390.

quote:

Originally posted by 748s:
I think the best bang for the buck right now is the Remington V3, soft shooting and great handling.

That would be my choice as well. The Remington 1100 and 11/87 are also proven guns. I'd avoid any $500 over and under guns. The quality just isn't there at that price point.