r/canadaguns • u/HotlineBirdman • Aug 12 '26
Buy recommendations I’m interested in getting into clay shooting and subscribe to buy once cry once - what shotgun should I look at?
I got my PAL this year and I’ve been looking at a few guns to add to my collection. I’ve currently got a Benelli Lupo in 6.5 Creedmoor and I’m eyeing the Beretta 1301, but I’m also looking to get into clay shooting, but honestly I’ve never fired an over/under shotgun and the only shotguns I’ve fired at a clay shoot was an ancient Browning Auto 5 (which was dope). My thinking was if I get the 1301, that fills the semi-auto niche, and maybe I look at an O/U, but all the recommended ones online are quite expensive! The one that seemed most appealing was the Beretta 688 but for one of these shotguns, it totals up to more than the Lupo and 1301 lol.
So what should I be looking at? I don’t mind spending more, but what would keep me in the sport through absolute novice up to somewhat experienced over the next few years?
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u/Canadian_Guy_NS ns Aug 12 '26
I don't think you can go wrong with a Browning over/under.
That being said, go to a club and talk to the members, and find a gun that fits you well. Then you will have a better idea of what you need.
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u/Spydude84 Aug 12 '26
Quality O/Us are not cheap. Good entry level O/Us are typically the Browning Citori or the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon, whichever fits you best.
If you want to save some money, you can shoot with a semi-auto. My A300 Ultima is great for the price.
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u/goshathegreat Aug 12 '26
Don’t get the 1301, it isn’t designed for clays. If you want a clay gun, you are better off with an A300, or saving up for a 686/688 or citori.
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u/s44k Aug 16 '26
Thoughts on A400 Solo 26” for clays, 3gun type, maybe some Hunting? I know there’s no perfect do it all, but the Solo seems close to fit into my wishes in order of priority
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u/KalashnikovParty Aug 12 '26
How much are you looking to spend?
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u/HotlineBirdman Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Maybe $2500? Maybe I just have sticker shock, since so many high end guns can be had around $2K, but relatively simple-seeming guns like O/U shotguns seem quite expensive. But I’m new to this, so perhaps my own expectations are skewed.
But I’m not well versed in them at all
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u/h3IIfir3pho3nix N E R F G U N S Aug 12 '26
O/U guns are actually some of the most difficult to manufacture. Since there are two separate barrels, the barrels have to be properly regulated so they both line up with each other. That's part of why they're so expensive.
If you're going down the O/U route and spending some serious cash, definitely go into a store and shoulder the models you're thinking of. Fit is one of the most important things for a shotgun, and you don't want to spend $3000 on a gun that doesn't fit you right. If you can go to a place that lets you rent them, even better.
Personally, since you're just starting out, I'd say don't buy a 1301 and buy a Beretta A400 instead as more of a do-all gun. They're fantastic for clay shooting, even though they're a semi. You can always buy an O/U down the line. There are tons of A400 models out there, but the new A400 Solo is coming to the Canadian market in a few weeks and is supposed to be more of a "budget friendly" (aka, sub $2k) option. Might be worth looking at.
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u/Reliable-Narrator Aug 12 '26
$2500 is more used-price territory for a Browning Citori or Beretta 686/682
In a different post I recommended going semi-auto to start, to make sure you actually like the clay target sports, but going for a used Browning/Beretta isn't a bad option either. I'd just make sure to find one with removable chokes, and ideally with an adjustable comb that you can adjust to fit you better.
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u/AP587011B Aug 12 '26
2500 is what you pay for used decent o/u’s
If you want a new and real lifetime quality buy once cry once over/under you are looking at around 5-8k and that’s still cheap in the quality modern double gun game
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u/acceptable_road_fees Aug 12 '26
The biggest advantage from an o/u is that you can shoot even 3/4oz skeet load without any problem compared to most semi. 1 1/8 helps at a distance but up close its useless recoil
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u/TM7075 Aug 12 '26
Beretta 688 is an excellent choice. Expensive, but it can be a BOCO purchase (for some people, completely subjective). If you want great quality, you might up your budget a bit, to somewhere in the realm of $3,500 - $5,500. Browning and Beretta dominate the clay fields in this price range and can't go wrong with either brand.
Also - it might depend on what type of clay shooting you want to specialize in or one-for-all. If you are going all-in on trap shooting, Browning BT99 (single barrel). If you are going skeet, O/U short barrel, 26-28". If you are doing sporting clays, O/U 30-32" right in the middle. Can't go wrong with 30" barrels as that will cover skeet, trap, and sporting clays.
The 688 should be good from novice all the way to well into regional competition. If one day you wish to go further in competition shooting, then that's where the 5-digit O/Us come into discussion (Beretta 694, DT11, SL2, Caesar Guerini, Perazzi, etc.).
Side note: do not go for semi, do not go for pump. O/U only.
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u/Dantheislander Aug 12 '26
A recent ish silver pigeon or an a400 / the higher end a300 with max recoil reduction. If single barrel look into a light modified choke it’s a lovely set and forget for non extreme competitors.
If we were in Europe over under is more expected at the clubs and completions
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u/Green-Outside9301 Aug 12 '26
Can always rent a few and see what you like.
I absolutely love my Fabarm XLR. Buddy I go with usually has his Beretta A400 Xcel or for over under his beretta silver pigeon.
Each likely over 10,000 shots of clays with basically no issues.
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u/StairwayHiker Aug 12 '26
If you are struggling to afford a decent shotgun to shoot trap, then you definitely can not afford the sport.
Trap shooting is one of the most expensive sports to get into these days…. And always has been.
Your shotgun is the cheap part. Consumables like clays and ammo add up in a hurry.
What is your purpose? Is it going out recreationally to shoot maybe two rounds of trap on a weekend or will you go competitive and shoot high volumes?
Competitive trap is only for high, high income individuals.
But I do agree you should buy a very gun trap gun once only.
If your interest is just one shot trap, then definitely get the Beretta A400 Excel IF it fits you properly. You can find online a plastic clip on to the ejector that will retain the shell…. LPG Works is run by a guy in the USA who prints the catchers. I sent him cash in an envelope and he sent me two catchers that worked perfectly for my A400.
The recoil on the A400 is next to nothing and the trigger is perfect…. You won’t find a better semi auto trap gun.
But yes, competition trap is only for the wealthy. My dad is a retired commercial banker and he had a client who shot competitively…. He’d travel all over North America. He said, "The only thing more expensive than competitive trap was raising Polo ponies."..... And he knew that because there were shooters in that realm that did in fact breed Polo ponies.
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u/pyates1 Aug 12 '26
If you go to a major tournament there will be many models of shotguns to demo and likely deals to be had.
Thats how I ended up with my Caesar Guerini Summit.
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u/f1vepointoh Aug 12 '26
A franchi affinity is basically a cheaper made bennelli SBE3. Franchi is owned by bennelli. Main differences are recoil spring design is different but they are better than a stoeger.... with that said a mossberg 940 jm pro is a great all around shotgun for the range. If you got the money an a400 xcel is a great clay gun. 1301 is still a good choice
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u/Kubix Aug 12 '26
You also need to look at the barrel restrictions for your local club. Some ranges will require a minimum 26” or 28” barrel.
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u/orange1690 Aug 12 '26
I have a pretty entry level condor champion over under. I love it. And honestly I feel.like I'm hitting just as many clays as the guys with the $5000 guns.
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u/warpFTL Aug 12 '26
Look at all that are available to you. Then pick the one that mounts most comfortable.
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u/Reliable-Narrator Aug 12 '26
If you actually get serious about clay shooting, your first shotgun or O/U will not be your last.
Since you wanted a semi-auto, I'd actually go with one that can be used for clays to start. Beretta A300 or A400, many models in there to choose, whichever you prefer as long as it has min. 28" barrels.
I'd just use that for a year to make sure you actually like the clay sports until you know you want to take it serious and get an O/U.
While you're getting into it, look at what others at your club are shooting for O/Us. If one strikes you as interesting, ask the owner if you can check it out and hold it. They almost certainly will, and probably even offer to let you shoot it.
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u/Iokua_CDN Aug 12 '26
Personally, what I would do is this, buy your semi auto, Whichever one you like, and then pick up a classic used over under from Intersurplus. Go for the pricier, best condition one, which will still be under 1k easily and be a reliable long lasting gun.
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u/draftstone Aug 12 '26
I bought a browning cynergy cx, the wood stock version (they also make a composite). It is part of the entry level lineup of browning. I love it, highly recommend!
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u/Successful_man_797 Aug 12 '26
I have a $300 Winchester 1400 from the late 1960s, and it’s great for trap shooting. I’m really into trap and have a membership at a local club. To be honest, it’s not necessarily the gun that makes the biggest difference. A skilled shooter matters much more than having an expensive shotgun. But if you really want to spend that $2500, then you can't go wrong with Citori.
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u/Brav0_Romeo Aug 13 '26
There are also other versions of the Beretta 1301 that can have a 21" or 24" inch barrel, not sure if those are still current production but worth considering.
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u/Spezner Aug 13 '26
I use a maverick 88 with a 28 inch barrel and last Tuesday shot 24/25 on my first round.
I’d say start there because for 300 dollars (I bought it on sale) it’s all you need
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u/NoGrapefruit1213 Aug 12 '26
When I was teen I used to go to the local trap and sleet club with my old cooey single shot and shot consultant 20 or better the other guys had 1500 dollar shotguns and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Everyone wanted to use the cooey and when they did they did way better. Moral of the story get something light and simple I paid 60$ for the cooey I’ve got 1700 dollar shotguns now and is bet I still do better with the 60$ one
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