Shotgun for Clays

Munsterlad102

Hello, what’s the best shotgun type for clays? Are there any specific rules, I’ve seen a lot of o/u around and the odd semi auto. I’ve always wanted a pump action, nothing more iconic than racking one. Are you allowed a pump for clays or just o/u?

Munsterlad102

Munsterlad102 wrote: »

Hello, what’s the best shotgun type for clays? Are there any specific rules, I’ve seen a lot of o/u around and the odd semi auto. I’ve always wanted a pump action, nothing more iconic than racking one. Are you allowed a pump for clays or just o/u?

As my father would say, if you need more than two shots you are no good.

A serious clay shooter would use o/u. If you miss the first shot you are unlikely to hit it the second time.

That being said, I don't know if there are any rules against using semi or pump. I think lads that shoot vermin like crows get the full use out of them because they can just unload into a flock.

ace86

Munsterlad102 wrote: »

Hello, what’s the best shotgun type for clays? Are there any specific rules, I’ve seen a lot of o/u around and the odd semi auto. I’ve always wanted a pump action, nothing more iconic than racking one. Are you allowed a pump for clays or just o/u?

What discipline are you going shooting in clays? DTL,Sporting,ABT, Olympic trap? If your doing most disciplines an O/U is the most preferred choice by most people a semi auto or pump might be ok for sporting not for other disciplines really there kind of frowned upon and think there not allowed but I can be corrected on that plus trying to get a 2nd shot of with a pump is difficult I think with most disciplines. If your buying a trap gun or a gun for sporting their weights are different too to reduce recoil muzzle flip and for ease of swing for the targets being shot. Hope this helps.

tudderone

Had a mossberg pump for years and loved it. Used it for decoying pigeons, rough shooting, and club clays. Nothing stopping you using one, if some guy on the clay layout doesn't like it, let him build a bridge and get over it. If you want one, buy one.

no_4

If you are serious about any clay discipline then an adjustable trap O/u gun fixed or m/c is your best option , with 30-32’’ barrels for best scores
The lads I shoot clays with would not shoot with you for many rounds with a pump because the empty shells flying around the stand and the noise of the action would put them off their routines

From what you wrote it appears that you like the idea of racking the pump more than shooting clays

Munsterlad102

ace86 wrote: »

What discipline are you going shooting in clays? DTL,Sporting,ABT, Olympic trap? If your doing most disciplines an O/U is the most preferred choice by most people a semi auto or pump might be ok for sporting not for other disciplines really there kind of frowned upon and think there not allowed but I can be corrected on that plus trying to get a 2nd shot of with a pump is difficult I think with most disciplines. If your buying a trap gun or a gun for sporting their weights are different too to reduce recoil muzzle flip and for ease of swing for the targets being shot. Hope this helps.

Thats a good question, I didn't think that far ahead:D. Is there much difference between them?

Munsterlad102

no_4 wrote: »

From what you wrote it appears that you like the idea of racking the pump more than shooting clays

No, I was just inquiring if a pump shotgun would be allowed for clays. Getting one would have been an added bonus really.

tudderone

Munsterlad102 wrote: »

No, I was just inquiring if a pump shotgun would be allowed for clays. Getting one would have been an added bonus really.

By the Gardai ? Yes, so long as its plugged to only allow 2 shells in the tube. I think they are great guns, cheap, tough, not fussy about what you shoot through them etc. There is a reason the Americans use them so much.

Witcher

no_4 wrote: »

If you are serious about any clay discipline then an adjustable trap O/u gun fixed or m/c is your best option , with 30-32’’ barrels for best scores
The lads I shoot clays with would not shoot with you for many rounds with a pump because the empty shells flying around the stand and the noise of the action would put them off their routines

From what you wrote it appears that you like the idea of racking the pump more than shooting clays

Lol

Munsterlad102

tudderone wrote: »

By the Gardai ? Yes, so long as its plugged to only allow 2 shells in the tube. I think they are great guns, cheap, tough, not fussy about what you shoot through them etc. There is a reason the Americans use them so much.

Nice, the extra shot also appealed to me. I guess I'll just have to enquire about what each range allows. Also, is it just where I'm looking or are o/u fairly expensive like E800?

ace86

Munsterlad102 wrote: »

Thats a good question, I didn't think that far ahead:D. Is there much difference between them?

What question is that sorry?

no_4

There’s loads of used o/u for the 400 mark and good to get a start in the sport. If your going to be doing sporting clays it a bit of hunting or vermin control then a s/h sported might be a good start.
A new trap gun would be multiples of the 400

Munsterlad102 wrote: »

Nice, the extra shot also appealed to me. I guess I'll just have to enquire about what each range allows. Also, is it just where I'm looking or are o/u fairly expensive like E800?

Munsterlad102

ace86 wrote: »

What question is that sorry?

What dicipline I was interested in. I should have been more specific, my bad.

tudderone

Sporting. You get a bit of everything, crossers, birds coming in, birds going away, rabbits, springing teal, mixtures of all the above, its never the same twice. Trap, you shoot birds going away and thats it. I did shoot dtl or trap years ago, wouldn't be bothered with it now to be honest.

Gorgeousgeorge

Started off with a mossberg 500 myself still have it. Great all round gun. Lads don't like them on the clay grounds alright but sure go with whatever makes you happy

bmmb88

I've used a semi for years on clays with no bother. Also used a Beretta o/u but preferred the semi. One lad on our range uses a pump and wins most weekends. Try as many shotguns as you can and go with the one you find most comfortable.

Feisar

bmmb88 wrote: »

I've used a semi for years on clays with no bother. Also used a Beretta o/u but preferred the semi. One lad on our range uses a pump and wins most weekends. Try as many shotguns as you can and go with the one you find most comfortable.

Different strokes for different folks. I never threw up a semi/pump that didn't handle like a drain pipe.

tudderone

Feisar wrote: »

Different strokes for different folks. I never threw up a semi/pump that didn't handle like a drain pipe.

I thought the same till the cousin bought a Beretta semi. I remember knocking the tar out of a load of crows over decoys one day with it, handled fine, very reliable.

ace86

Munsterlad102 wrote: »

What dicipline I was interested in. I should have been more specific, my bad.

No hassle lad ur grand I was just giving u food for thought is all and trying to see what u were into.

ace86

tudderone wrote: »

I thought the same till the cousin bought a Beretta semi. I remember knocking the tar out of a load of crows over decoys one day with it, handled fine, very reliable.

Semi’s ideal for vermin control and game shooting what make of beretta did u fire?

J.R.

Munsterlad102 wrote: »

Nice, the extra shot also appealed to me.

The extra shot is of no use to you when shooting clays - you are only allowed have two cartridges in the gun.

I'd had pumps, semi-auto's and O/U......for a gun specifically for clays I'd advise an O/U.