Should You Buy A Used Over and Under Shotgun For Clay Shooting?
If you're new to shooting and are looking at getting into the sport of clay shooting, you might be overwhelmed with the cost of basic entry level sporting clay shotguns. Fear not, there are always good deals to be found on used Beretta and Browning entry level shotguns and truthfully, many of these older guns are better quality than the current new offerings from the same company. There is also a clear advantage in that the previous owner may of purchased extra accessories the gun doesn't normally come with.
Beretta 686
The Beretta 680 series doesn't need much introduction as its probably Beretta's most famous action and is well liked from shooting schools. It is no surprise that the 686 is also a fantastic entry level beginner shotgun that really has no issue being your life time shotgun if you see no reason to upgrade to something nicer. The gun also isn't overly heavy or cumbersome so it works well as an all around duel purpose shotgun for hunting and sport shooting. The sporting has a flatter 50/50 rib so its a little better suited for skeet and sporting clays. However, American trap is so simple there is not reason why it couldn't be used for it.
Here is an example of a used Beretta 686 Sporting that was made in 2014. The wood quality and the engraving is a lot nicer than what is currently offered today. If you are interested in this shotgun, this exact one in the pictures is available for sale
HERE
*This gun comes with the factory case and 5 chokes.*
Browning Citori CX
The Browning Citori is also known as the 525 on the British market. It is a well renowned entry level, quality made shotgun that is in the same boat as the 686 where if the user doesn't see it as necessary to upgrade, its good for life. The CX stands for Crossover which this shotgun was specifically meant to be a duel purpose all around shotgun. It has a medium high 60/40 rib that splits the difference between a trap and skeet gun marking it useable to American trap, American skeet, and sporting clays while again not being too heavy to be a pheasant hunting shotgun as well. The Brownings are also a little less basic than the Beretta being available with an adjustable comb and extended chokes.
Here is an example of a Browning Citori CX White. Not only was this gun a shot show special in 2022 which means its not that old, it also comes with extras a new Citori CX would not come with such as a hard case, 4 extra chokes plus the 3 extended chokes the gun comes with new, and an extra set of firing pins. If you're interested in the exact shotgun pictured in this thread, you can find it on the webstore
HERE
*This gun comes a hard case, 7 chokes, Ext IC, Ext Mod, Ext Full, Flush Skeet x2, and Flush IM & Full. There is also an extra set of new firing pins*
If you're not sure what shotgun is the best for you, come on out to our next
Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting. An event held for beginners to set them up with a solid foundation to progress in the right direction in shotgun shooting. See the listing below to sign up.