Clay and Skeet Shooting Essentials – Spring 2023
Spring is just a few weeks away! And with temperatures starting to rise (here in Texas anyway) and nature starting to stir, it’s a great time to start thinking of ways to enjoy the outdoors. One of our favorite ways to do that here at GrabAGun is skeet shooting and sporting clays. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors, hone your shooting skills, and enjoy some competition. With that in mind, we’ll be covering some of our must-haves for clay and skeet shooting, so that you can be ready to start shooting this spring!
While there are a lot of optional supplies and accessories that you can use while participating in skeet or clay shooting, we’re going to be focusing on the basics you need to compete. We’ll be looking at shotguns, ammo, and additional accessories to help give you good options to start. Whether you’re starting out or looking to upgrade your setup, there’s something in this article for everyone! Keep reading to see our picks for each of the categories.
Shotguns
The single most important piece needed for skeet shooting, as well as trap and sporting clays, is your shotgun. While any shotgun can technically be used to shoot, it’s best to have a shotgun that’s built for competitive shooting to help you out. Skeet shotguns usually feature longer barrels for greater accuracy at range and a capacity of at least 2-rounds for doubles (where two targets are released simultaneously). Many of them also feature adjustable combs, allowing the shooter to customize the configuration of the shotgun to fit them best. With this in mind, we’ll take a look at some of our favorite shotguns for competitive shooting.
Winchester SXP Trap Compact 20 GA
The Winchester SXP Trap Compact is a great, affordable entry-level shotgun for competitive shooting. It features a more compact build and is chambered in 20 gauge, making it easier to handle for beginners and smaller shooters. Despite its smaller size, this Winchester SXP still boasts a 30-inch vented, ribbed, and back-bored steel barrel allowing for swift maneuverability and optimum shot patterns. The SXP’s aluminum receiver and hardwood stock provide a durable foundation that you can trust. Additional features include a front fiber optic sight, ivory bead mid-sight, a drop-out trigger group for easy cleaning, and chrome plating on many of the components to protect them and prevent wear and tear. It also includes several chokes. Overall, this Winchester shotgun provides the quality and performance you can trust in competition without breaking the bank.
Winchester SXP Trap Compact 20 GA Specs
| Caliber: 20 GA | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 30” |
| Capacity: 4+1 | Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Ivory Bead Mid | Receiver Material: Aluminum |
| Action: Pump-Action | Chokes: F, IM, M | Weight: 7.20 lbs |
Mossberg Silver Reserve Field
The Mossberg Silver Reserve Field is a high-performance over under shotgun that offers consistency while remaining an affordable option for those looking to start competitive shooting. Since Mossberg Shotguns are known for their quality and reliability, it’s a great choice for someone starting out. It’s chambered in 12 gauge with 3-inch chambers and 28-inch barrels. Additional features of this Mossberg Silver Reserve 12gauge include a walnut stock, a front bead sight, and a tang-mounted safety. Durable, reliable, and affordable, the well-appointed Silver Reserve shotgun is loaded with performance-enhancing options and a set of refined details traditionally reserved for high-end double guns.
Mossberg Silver Reserve Specs
| Caliber: 12 GA | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 28” |
| Capacity: 2-Rounds | Sights: Bead | Receiver Material: Steel |
| Action: Break Open | Chokes: F, IM, I, IC, C | Weight: 7.50 lbs |
Beretta A400 XCEL Sporting
Making the jump to our premium models, we have the Beretta A400. This particular model, the XCEL Sporting, was built with intense competition in mind. It has features like its Blink gas system and Kick-Off recoil reduction system, which allow the shotgun to cycle faster, deliver less kick, and improve performance in competition. Additional features of the Beretta A400 XCEL include a durable 30” Steelium barrel, enlarged controls, a sleek receiver with Aquatech Shield coating, and an ergonomic forend designed to help balance the gun and provide a secure grip. It also includes 3 Beretta Optima chokes, including cylinder, modified, and full chokes.
Beretta A400 XCEL Sporting Specs
| Caliber: 12 GA | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 30” |
| Capacity: 2-Rounds | Sights: White Front Bead, Steel Mid Bead | Receiver Material: Aluminum |
| Action: Semi-Auto | Chokes: F, M, C | Stock: Walnut |
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1
If you’re a fan of Beretta shotguns but prefer an over under shotgun, look no further than the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon! It’s a reliable and versatile shotgun that was designed with hunting and competitive shooting in mind. It comes chambered in 12GA with 3-inch chambers and this newer 2019 model features floral engraving and upgraded 28-inch Steelium barrels. Additional features of the Beretta 686 include a bead front sight, an engraved receiver, and a 2-round capacity. The looks are nice as well, with a single gold-colored trigger and oil-finish walnut furniture. Overall, this Beretta shotgun is a beautiful firearm that will perform in the field and in competition.
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon Specs
| Caliber: 12 GA | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 28” |
| Capacity: 2-Rounds | Sights: Bead Front | Receiver Material: Aluminum |
| Action: Break Open | Chokes: F, IM, M, IC, C | Weight: 6.80 lbs |
Browning Citori 752 Sporting
The Browning Citori 725 Sporting provides reliable, premium performance in a durable over under shotgun design. The Citori 725 isengineered specifically for competition, allowing you to get your eye closer to the axis of the barrels and experience greater accuracy. Its low-profile receiver makes the Browning Citori feel incredibly balanced in your hands, while the Invector-DS choke configuration offers the most consistent, reliable tightening of any system. It comes chambered in 12GA with 3-inch chambers and 30-inch ported, vented, and ribbed steel barrels. This particular Browning shotgun model also features 5 chokes from the Invector Choke system.
Browning Citori 725 Specs
| Caliber: 12 GA | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 30” |
| Capacity: 2-Rounds | Sights: HiViz Pro-Comp | Receiver Material: Steel |
| Action: Break Open | Chokes: F, IC, IM, M, SK | Weight: 7.80 lbs |
Ammo
Another important piece of competition shooting, your shotshells, are key to your ability to accurately hit targets at range. Below are a few of our favorites for skeet and clay shooting.
Winchester Super-X 12 GA #8 Shot
Winchester Super X is one of the most diverse and proven lines of shotshells in history and brings with it decades of shotshell know-how packed in every hull. This Winchester Super X 12-gauge #8 shot is great for upland game as well as competition shooting, providing the performance you can trust.
Winchester Super-X Specs
| Gauge: 12 GA | Length: 2.75” | Shot Size: 8 |
| Ounces: 1 oz | Muzzle Velocity: 1290 fps | Rounds Per Box 25 Rounds |
Federal Top Gun Sporting 12 GA #7.5 Shot
These Federal Top Gun 12 gauge rounds have been pulverizing even the most challenging clay targets for several decades. They’re designed specifically for sporting clays, pushing their payloads fast to shorten leads, yet reduce felt recoil to allow you to deliver quicker follow-up shots.
Federal Top Gun Sporting Specs
| Gauge: 12 GA | Length: 2.75” | Shot Size: 7.5 |
| Ounces: 1 oz | Muzzle Velocity: 1300 fps | Rounds Per Box 25 Rounds |
Remington American Clay and Field 12 GA #8 Shot
Nothing that flies stands a chance against these Remington American dual-purpose rounds. They combine features of excellent Remington target loads with the performance of quality hunting shells. Expect the densest, most consistent patterns possible, no matter the day’s pursuit. They also feature a reloadable hull for those that enjoy shotshell reloading.
Remington American Clay and Field Specs
| Gauge: 12 GA | Length: 2.75” | Shot Size: 8 |
| Ounces: 1 1/8 oz | Muzzle Velocity: 1200 fps | Rounds Per Box 25 Rounds |
Additional Accessories
While these additional accessories aren’t as key as a good shotgun and good ammo, they’re good to have when practicing and for shooting competitions.
GPS Double Shell Pouch
This GPS double shell pouch is a great accessory for anyone looking to get into competitive shooting. It’s made of a durable polyester material, fits 30-52″ waists, and has a strap for shooting glasses and a pocket for ear plugs. This allows you to have your shotshells and safety gear easily accessible to you at all times.
Browning Lona Shell Pouch
The Browning Lona shell pouch is another great option for a shell pouch, also featuring an adjustable belt. It has a canvas and leather body and features the Browning logo on the front, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a bit more style.
Walker’s Sport Glasses Combo Kit
This Walker’s Sport Glasses Kit is another great accessory for someone looking to start clay or skeet shooting. In addition to providing safety for the wearer, the kit also features interchangeable polycarbonate lenses in clear, amber, yellow, and brown color options. These allow you to take your pick of lenses to help you easily spot the targets and take them down.
Competitive Shooting Supplies at GrabAGun
Competitive shooting may seem like an intimidating sport to get into, but we hope we’ve made it a little easier to know what you need to start! Whether you’re looking for a shotgun for sale, shotgun ammo for sale, or other shooting accessories like ear and eye protection, we have you covered! Whatever your need may be, we always try to deliver the best deals on quality products at GrabAGun. We’re your online destination for guns for sale! Thanks so much for reading and we hope you enjoyed this Sporting Clays/skeet shooting article.
-Matthew Cornell