new to shotguns

Hello, I was wondeng if anybody would have some advice for me. I am looking to get into trap/skeet shooting . Can anyone suggest a good but affordable shotgun i should look for? I just took at a used mossberg for around $200. which is just around my price limit. Any suggestions on what gauge i should get/barrell length? Thank you in advance for your help. I am very excited to get into this new sport.

For the price it'll be hard to beat a Benelli Nova. Love mine & use it for trap, dove, upland & waterfowl.

Depends on how much you expect to get into it. I'd get a break-open before I'd ever want to fiddle with feeding a shell at a time into an auto or pump action on the trap range. Uggg what a hassle! But maybe that's just me.

I got into clays just to improve my hunting success and for something to do in the off-season. And like you I didn't want to spend alot so I started out with a low-end IZH27 from European American Arms. Yes, it's a $380 o/u and nothing impressive about the trigger mechanism from a repairability standpoint but it can be done and I'm no gunsmith. Took it apart just to clean and grease it. The Russians they grab parts from a bin and hand tweak things a bit till everything works smoothly. They don't bother making things pretty under the hood.

But overall it's a fair looking piece. I'd recommend going the longer model at 28' for a smoother swing and better balance. I say, why buy anything but a 12 ga. Can always load down to 7/8 oz 3 drams and these Russians build shotguns like tanks that'll handle 1 3/4 oz bruiser loads at 1300fps, no worries.

I knew I could always upgrade and retire the IZH to a knock around hunting only gun. But my IZH has been working so well and fits me nicely so I still use it for everything. I've put over 5000 rounds through it in 2 yrs and haven't had a lick of trouble other than a stock chip because they didn't fit the tang by the safety with enough clearance. Yes those bruiser loads do require a good stock fit.

Got around to buying a replacement stock that set me back a whopping $40 and made sure the clearance was there. Wonder what a Browning stock woulda cost? I only have one operational complaint. I would rather it not cock on break-open. So it doesn't quite fall open like other more expensive mechanism designs. But there's nothing more pleasing than outshooting guy's with the Browning and Citori with a 50 straight after they've been ribbing ya about owning a Russian shotgun.

For skeet you really need a double or an autoloader. You will have to shop for a used gun to stay within your budget. If you can get into the $300 range, you can get low end doubles from Stoeger or Baikal that have screw-in chokes that will let you shoot both skeet and trap.

Skeet does NOT need a double or autoloader, I've seen plenty of people breaking targets on the skeet field with a pump. A bit of practice so you aren't short-stroking the pump and you'd be fine. Skeet shots are not taken so fast that you can't pump in between them.

Scott

Skeet was originally shot with pump guns, just look at some of the old photos. No O/U's no autoloaders. As someone who has established a AA average in both 12 and 20 ga. while shooting a 20 ga. Remington Wingmaster, I can assure you getting good scores is entirely possible with a pump.

Wow!

Sure wish I'd known that all the years when I was maintaining a mid-90's average in both 12 and 20 ga using 870's!

Another I'd give serious consideration economic consideration too is the Huglu 104A1228S. Screw in chokes, 28' 12ga. Pretty nice for 500 clams.