r/canadaguns • u/Elitist-Jerk- • Apr 01 '26
Buy recommendations Best entry level gun for skeet shooting $2500 budget
All,
Happy to say I am entering the wonderful world of gun ownership. I can only compare it to car shopping and I am loving every minute of it. I would kindly like to ask for the communities help if you could.
I want to get into skeet shooting, and I understand that’s a slippery slope, however I would like to limit my first purchase to $2,500.
I have done my fair share of research and I believe the Baretta A400 is probably a good choice. It’s not an O/U, but it seems like the general consensus is this gun would be the best option based on my budget. I will admit I am disappointed this gun is not an O/U as I think that would be a big part of skeet shooting, however that might just be me making it a bigger issue than it needs to be.
I would love to know what you guys think before I pull the trigger on my first gun purchase.
Much appreciate all your help!
UPDATE: I bought a used beretta 686 silver pigeon sporting on gun post!!! Thanks for all the advice, I looked at every option suggested, except the guy who said SKS.
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u/LongRoadNorth Apr 01 '26
A300 or a400
Unless you can find a used Beretta or Browning in that price range.
You might be able to get a Browning cynergy or citori composite around that price point. But personally having fired both they aren't a nice gun to shoot a lot of clays with. And I find the fit of the cynergy to be horrible.
Semi is the way to go to start, it's what I did for around a year and a half before I bought my Beretta 694. And what majority do. Sometimes I actually miss shooting my semi for clays.
Cheap over unders do not stand up to the round count a clay gun will see. A single trip and my 694 sees 250 rounds.
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Apr 02 '26
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u/LongRoadNorth Apr 02 '26
I've seen some cheap one Yildiz last around 1000 rounds, I've seen other turks break after 20.
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u/frustratedpopo Apr 01 '26
For a few dollars more you could get a Browning Cynergy CX. Great OU that can do a lot. Love mine.
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u/Penguinbotxv Apr 01 '26
You have the right idea, the only way you can afford a decent over under is on gunpost with that budget.
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Apr 02 '26
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u/1baby2cats Apr 02 '26
Citori CX line is great. I had a Citori Crossover target (CX precursor) and it was bulletproof, never had a single FTF. I only sold it to get a CXT as I shoot primarily trap
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u/Reighzy Apr 01 '26
Personally I have both a Beretta A400 Xtreme (chambered for 3.5") as well as a Browning Citori CX with adjustable comb.
For skeet or really anything clays-related, the over-unders handle really nicely. Heavier down the barrel, makes the swings a lot more controlled. That, and you don't have to pick up shells after your round ends (gets old really fast with the semis).
Don't get me wrong, I love both. I primarily love the (composite) A400 in poor weather because I don't want to take the nice wood stock out in the rain. If I were hunting, I would also use the A400. I do consistently achieve higher scores with the O/U though.
But, shotgun fit is an absolute must. If you can get an adjustable comb, that is a lifesaver for fit. I suggest looking for quality O/Us with adjustable comb on the used market, for your budget. You'll definitely find a nice Citori in that range.
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u/kestik Apr 01 '26
I'll let those who know what they're talking about confirm, but being in a very similar position as you with a budget of $2k, the general consensus is the a300/400 is a great start while you save up for a proper over under, and get a feel for shooting clays & the sport overall.
Personally I'm 95% set on picking up an a300 in the next few months for my entry into clays. If a sale was to pop up anytime soon, I wouldn't hesitate at all.
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u/waitwhatnothing Apr 02 '26
You can probably find a good o/u for that price on the used market but since you’re new a semi is probably a better choice. Semis are way more adaptable for fit. Once you have some experience and you know how a gun needs to fit you, then you can go shopping for a fancy o/u!
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u/Reliable-Narrator Apr 02 '26
Used Beretta/Browning O/Us can be found for sub $2500 on CGN/GunPost quite frequently. I'd look there.
Really, don't be afraid of going used here. If you get serious into skeet or any clay target sport, this won't be your last shotgun you buy.
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u/Elitist-Jerk- Apr 02 '26
I’m honestly leaning this way now. I’ve been looking at all options provided here and I think the Baretta 686 is probably what I will go with. I would love to try shooting one before I buy, but I think I’d just end up buying this gun used.
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u/Straight_Ad3670 Apr 02 '26
I got a used Beretta 687 as my first skeet gun for just a couple hundred more.
Buy once cry once.
Keep saving, and shoot with a $500 pump in the meantime. That is what I did.
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u/h3IIfir3pho3nix N E R F G U N S Apr 02 '26
For $2500 look for a used Beretta 686 or Browning Citori. You're very close to new gun prices with that budget though, so look at what a new Browning/Beretta costs and determine if the extra cost is worth that to you.
The A400 is a great gun, so if you go the semi-auto route that's an excellent choice as well.
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u/houleskis Apr 02 '26
I just went through the same process with a similar budget for an O/U. Ended up with a used Franchi Instinct Sporting from a store for $2400 after tax.
Hadn’t I come across that I was looking at stretching my budget for the Cynergy line. As a first time owner, I am/was hesitant about buying used not from a store as I wasn’t 💯 sure what type of flags to look out for. If I couldn’t make those work the it was going to be an a300/a400 or Winchester SX4.
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u/Acceptable_Visit_115 Apr 02 '26
$2500 might get you a used 686. Bumping the budget to $3000 would open up far more options.
Or alternatively get an A400 (new or used) in the high $1k low $2k mark. Xcel Sporting is one of my favorite.
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u/EvanAzzo Apr 02 '26 edited Apr 02 '26
Can you still hunt down used Citori's for 950-1500 dollars or am I stuck in 2014 still?
Edit: LOL nevermind I found screenshots from an old CGN post in 2018 where the guy was selling a citori for 450 but only wanted to do a local pickup because he's old as fuck. Shame I missed that one.
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u/JamieP081 Apr 03 '26
I always forget that not everybody is a peasant like me and spends a lot of money on guns. Especially ou shotguns
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u/Acc4Wtf Apr 01 '26
$2500 and entry level in the same sentence hurts my brain. I'm too poor to even recommend anything for you, I normally recommend checking GNG Surplus and Intersurplus for their fantastic selection of used shotguns.