Newbie starting off from the wrong point.

[DavidD]

I have been interested in getting into skeet (I use the term loosely) shooting for a couple of years now. I had done some with my grandfather during several summers more years ago than I care to admit and really want to get back into the sport. Though I am ignorant to all the different types of sport shooting (Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays etc.) I am intrigued and am sure I can find at least one variant that suits me. I had been looking (more like drooling) at the Benelli shotguns both on the computer and with my best friend at the Franklin Gun Shop. I had really been looking at the SBII since it could also shoot 3 1/2" shells but was really admiring the Benelli Super Sport however it was more money than I'd spend, especially to start off with. Well, to make a long story short, my wife surprised the crap out of me for my fortieth birthday Friday and bought me the 12 ga. Super Sport. I'm in shock. Number one, it was a lot of money and number two, she says I have too many guns already (hand guns). Just goes to show that even after 17 years of marriage, you can't figure them out. Anyway, the guy at the store told her that since I was looking for a "sport" gun and not a "hunting" gun, the 30" barrel was the way to go. I got this second hand so I'm sure something was lost in the translation. I had previously decided that I was probably going to look for a 26" or 28" Remington to start off with AFTER I had gone to the range and spent at least a couple of weekends. My Question is:

Is a 30" barrel what I want for Skeet, sporting Clays, Trap Etc.?

As a side questions:

Is the Benelli Super Sport a decent choice?

The store told her I could come back and swap it out if I wanted the shorter barrel and Franklin Gun shop has always been excellent in the past so in the event I might want to swap it out for another model, I'm pretty sure they'd work with me on that as well. I have contemplated exchanging for something cheaper but my wife said It's paid for and If that is truly the one I'd like, she'd be mad if I got rid of it just because of the price. I must admit, it is the lightest shotgun I have ever handled and I like it allot, but I have not fired it yet. I have shot a SBII and could not believe how well it shot with such little recoil.

Any help and guidance for this newbie would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

[Guest Mugster]

I've always liked a 28" barrel (skeet and dove hunting), but some do like the 30". It maybe gives you a smidgeon of range on a 28" and if you aren't hunting with it, you don't have to worry about close shots ripping up the meat. Definitely pattern out your shotgun to figure out what loads it likes. Also, fit is pretty important, since you don't aim a shotgun.

some pattern/range stuff:

http://www.youthtrapshooter.com/patterning.html

http://www.huntingmag.com/guns_loads/why_pattern/

http://www.camo-store.com/waterfowl%20shotgun_shooting_tips.htm

some fit stuff:

http://sidebysideshotgun.com/articles/gun_fitting_article.html

http://members.aye.net/~bspen/fit.html

The biggest thing is to just get out there and start shotgunning. It is a very fun way to spend an afternoon.

[DavidD]

Thanks for the reply. I'm kind of at a cross road since I have not fired it yet and am currently able to exchange it for a 28" barrel. My "gut" tells me I should but I'm really looking for others "opinions" who have the experience. I'll take a look at the links you've posted.

Dave

[Guest Mugster]

Well, the flip side of this coin is you can probably buy another barrel if you're worried about it. I have several barrels for my old winchester...I just stick on the one i want to shoot. I usually just keep the 28" on there. I've done alot more hunting with it than competition shooting, and I picked up a 24"er for rabbit and quail one year. Plus I scored an 18.5"er for it as well, makes a decent turkey/home defense barrel. No shotgun in TN is complete without a slug barrel. You might as well get one of those too, lol.

http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/partsAccessoriesBarrels.tpl

[towerclimber37]

hey mugster,

where did you find your barrels?

I've got a model 50 that I'd like to get a shorter barrel for.

[Guest Mugster]

I got mine over the years mostly at gunshows, and I scored one off of a defunct gun. I've never done business with this guy, but he seems like a good guy. If there's a barrel out there for your m50 he's probably your single best bet:

http://www.corsonsbarrels.com/

I'd call first and make sure he's still alive. He's a bit long in the tooth I think.

[Guest Mugster]

I notice he's got an m50 for sale with no barrel. That doesn't look promising...good luck, thats a fine old shotgun.

[KahrMan]

David,

If you are going to be shooting all 3 sports(clay,skeet & trap) i think the 30" barrel is the way to go. If it was just going to be a skeet gun I would get a 28" barrel. If just a trap gun I would go with 32" barrel. So 30" is a good compromise. You shots in trap can be quite a bit farther than skeet.

Good luck on which ever you go with. Skeet, trap and clays are addictive. You are going to have a lot of fun.

Bill, Jr

[DavidD]

Thanks KahrMan. I think that is what I've decided to do. My buddy says it will also be fine for Turkey Hunting which is about the only hunting I see myself doing these days.

Dave