[spoonxman]

Hello All. I have been invited to go skeet shooting with one of the guys I work with. I've never been before and don't know what to expect. I have asked around at work and was suprised that several of them have done it before.

I got to asking what to shoot with. Most of them were divided between a Remington 11-87 and 1100. Me, I own a Winchester Model 1200 pump that I've had since I was 16. A couple people laughed and said I was wasting my time with a pump gun. I know it's not necessary to have an autoloading shotgun. I have seen on tv people using o/u shotguns.

Actually I have 2 questions, 1. What type of shotshell should I use? 2. What is the difference between an 11-87 and an 1100?

If I like skeet shooting it provides an opportunity to buy another weapon. However, I don't want to spend the money on a benelli or beretta. I have had experience with brownings and didn't care for them.

Comments and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nemohunter]

11-87 eats all ammo 2.75 and 3" the 1100 is shell size specific at 2.75 only. used to be 3" 1100's around but the 11-87 killed them off quick. trap olnly get the 1100 anything else at all go 11-87. anything for trap or skeet will work. typical shells will have a 1 1/8 oz shot charge of 7 1/2 or 8 shot. speed will be 1145 or 1200 fps. i like 9's at 1145. i usually shot 1oz too. less recoil that way.

 

[owenslee]

All of your loads will be 2 3/4" low brass target loads. For that... the 1100 is perfect.

I took 1st place in 1974 in the Boise Cascade Skeet / Trap Leagues using a 1100 against some very high dollar O/U Skeet shotguns.

Although I own multiple 11/87 and Valmet / Tikka O/U shotguns...my first choice for trap or skeet remains a Rem 1100.

For a new shooter... It would be my recommendation. A very skilled owner could get by with a pump...but would be at a distinct disadvantage on doubles.

The only advantage to the 11/87 over the 1100 is the ability to hunt with 3" shells.

You can find a good used one for $350 or less watching the gun shows. Clean it and replace the O Ring over the magazine tube and your GTG.

Kerry

 

[jasonpeterson]

My first and favorite gun is a 1100 20 gauge. My dad gave it to me when I could barely hold it. It's a the first 20 gauge they made in the 1100. It's built on the 12 gauge platform. It's a sweet shooter. I would love to know how many rounds have shot through it.

You can't go wrong with a 11-87 or a 1100. Lots of used ones around. Like Kerry stated, Keep an extra o-ring around and you won't ever have any trouble.

 

[Jamesb74]

I call b.s. on the laughing at a pump. I learned to shoot skeet with a 870 and got to be able to smoke all the high brows with there Benelli's and 11-87's and Browning o/u's. It is a great way to learn and is not that hard either with a pump. And I could probably still do it now. Rant off

Now as far as a choice between those two I would say the 11-87 also.

 

[Colohunter]

I wouldn't worry about using a pump, especially while you try to figure out whether or not you like shooting trap. I haven't really shot formal trap, just throwing clays in the national forest, but I used my 870 a lot before picking up a cheap O/U and more recently an 11-87 SM. I really like the 11-87, but have never been shot an 1100 for comparison.

Just go and shoot. If you get a chance try out a few other guns before deciding what else you want to buy.

 

[QuadBomb]

We recently took our CO out skeet shooting. The only non-pumps in use were a Benelli M2 and a Browning over/under, which had been loaned to a guy who showed up with a Mossberg bolt-action shotgun. The rest were all pumps, including an old-school western 12-gauge by Montgomery Ward. Don't listen to those purists who laugh.

 

[Equalizer_2]

Honestly there will be more felt recoil with the pump but if you know how to use it you will be fine. I have done dog trails with a pump and got second rounds off at ducks as quickly as guys with autos. If you know your shotgun you will do well. Just go and enjoy. A lot of guys using the autos do so because they cannot handle the recoil of a pump. The way the gun fits you is very important.

 

[spoonxman]

Many thanks to those who answered. I think I will learn with my pump and if I like it maybe think about something else if needed.
I have only used my shotgun for hunting squirrels and rabbits with number 4 shot. Never even shot a slug out it. Hopefully, the full choke won't cause to many extra misses. I bought a couple 100 round fun packs of shells at wally world, 7 1/2 shot. I may be in for a sore shoulder Saturday.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Jamesb74]

7-1/2 is fine. with a fixed full choke the emphasis will be on accuracy because it will be tougher but if you have ever hunted dove or birds with it you will be fine. Doing the basic moon on a skeet platform rememer in the number one position you can be right on the clay's. As you move to each station you move about a 1/2+ finger out on your lead. By the time you get to the top of the circle you will lead by 2 fingers and then work your way down.

This is pretty confusing but the more you do it the more you will get it. And this also is based off of them using the low and high towers.

 

[riverratrsf]

If you're a fan of Winchester then don't overlook the Super X 2. It's probably the softest recoiling shotgun out there, not that it really makes any difference.
Scott

 

[Equalizer_2]

On my comments about the auto shooters and recoil I forgot the part about it is the fact that you are shooting such a high number of rounds that causes the issues. In shooting skeet you generally will shoot 3 or 4 strings and that equates to 75-100 rounds. That is quite a few shoots with a 12 guage.

 

[spoonxman]

Thanks for the pointer about aiming. I didn't have a clue. Haven't been this excited to go shooting in awhile. I am assuming a string is the same as a round. I mean shooting at each station. How many stations (positions) are there?

The big reason I was asking about the 11-87 and the 1100 is that is what the guys I talked to use. I have only ever owned this one shotgun. Same gun for 30 years. I didn't know Winchester made an autoloading shotgun.

Thanks again

 

[Jamesb74]

Thanks for the pointer about aiming. I didn't have a clue. Haven't been this excited to go shooting in awhile. I am assuming a string is the same as a round. I mean shooting at each station. How many stations (positions) are there?

The big reason I was asking about the 11-87 and the 1100 is that is what the guys I talked to use. I have only ever owned this one shotgun. Same gun for 30 years. I didn't know Winchester made an autoloading shotgun.

Thanks again

Take the one gun that you have owned for 30 years and know well and shoot it. You have found a group that loves the remmies. I have been with groups that love the Berrettas. I have owned Berretta's very nice guns also and about the same price. Bennelli's make great autoloders I have one now. So you really need to get out and shoot the other ones to find out how you like them. I bet they will let you shoot thiers while your at the skeet range. But run yours right now so you can have some confidence. Just grease up the slides so they are ready because you will cycle fast but not as fast as you think.

There are 6 positions 25 rounds total for one set that is shooting in all the positions. Watch out for when you get to the end and your in the center you have about .25 seconds to hit the bird when it comes out right over your head. And believe me a autoloader or a pump does not make a difference in that station.

For some fun afterwards if they have some trap stations that would be fun. Also if they have "five stands" set up those are a blast.

 

[prisonguard624t]

an open choke may be nice , but if you shoot your shotgun well ,full will work just fine . i shoot o/u, pump ,sxs , and semi auto . 12 , 20 , 28 and 410 (never had a 16).and if you like it ,you'll reload and shoot more and get better . good times

 

[sgtgrog]

Start with the pump gun you already own.learn the basics then decide what you want to buy after deciding if you like the game.

 

[onmyown]

I agree with using your pump for now. You can focus more on your target lead, and not have to worry about adjusting to a new firearm. I used a Browming BPS 12 ga. for upland and waterfowl for over 20 years before I switched to my Benelli. My kids shoot youth model 870's for game and sporting clays, and do fine, even on doubles. I also have friends and clients that shoot pump models on clays.

For now, go have fun. Don't worry about the recoil either. The loads you purchased are lighter than your #4's. If it is still a concern, practice pushing forward on your slide with your weak hand as you pull into your shoulder with your strong hand. This will help reduce recoil and curb some of the muzzlee rise. In addition, lean into the gun a bit more to compensate for recoil.

I'm a hack at golf, so I take new clients to shoot clays. Whether it's trap, skeet, or sporting clays, you may find yourself hooked after one try. Have a good time. Think about the gun upgrade later.

 

[Bigdog923]

Using 2 3/4 7 1/2 dont have a lot of recoil but u might might want to consider a new but pad like this one http://www.limbsaver.com/2009/products/firearms/recoil_pads/precision.php#two stick with the pump for now the only drawback i see is you will have to be more acurate with the full choke not nesesaraly a bad thing it just depends on the person and there hand eye cordnation just go out and have fun and dont dont get down on your self for missing if the guys blame it on your shotgun tell them to watch what Tom Knapp can do with a pump shotgun if they are good guys they will give you ponters to help you out no mater what shotgun you use. wow almost made it to a Tim length post lol

 

[spoonxman]

Well, just got back from shooting. I am better with my gun than someone elses borrowed one. You guys were right about having to be more accurate with the full choke. Not one of my better days shooting but I did manage to get a couple doubles with my pump.

One of the guys I went with had a Rem. SPR 453 he seemed to have trouble with his, it wouldn't eject the spent round and feed the next one.

Had trouble aiming the Benelli (don't know which model) but for the owner he shot it really well. Also got to shoot another pump an 870 Wingmaster, I liked my Winchester better. Felt fuller in the pistol grip area.

The guys with the 11-87s were no shows. I will go back. Had a great time. My best round of the day 13. I know not great, but it was fun. I don't know if all skeet ranges are the same but this one had 9 shooting positions.

 

[Jamesb74]

Don't know how it was set up but if the total round count was 25 for the one string and you had 13 you did very well for your first time out. Auto shotguns are like ar's and they take getting used to an you had better take care of them. But clays are a blast and if you get down here I will take you skeet and sporting clays shooting and we can have a blast.

Does a auto make you quicker? It will once you get better at the sport itself. O/U are just as fast but as I said before I could (and still can) smoke most shotgunners with a pump. And I own auto's as well as pumps.