The Dedicated Sporting Gun

From our March/April 2026 Issue

For new and intermediate shooters hunting for a sporting clays gun, preparing for the decisions ahead will help in making the best choice. Following is a straight, practical guide to help navigate the dizzying array of models and features. Throughout the process, one should keep in mind that a shotgun is a tool. The goal for this “hunt” is to pick the tool that provides the best fit, visibility and pointability.

Over/Under or Semi-Automatic

When it comes to sporting clays, over/under shotguns dominate the competition market; but there remains a difference of opinion as to whether an O/U or semi-automatic is best for competitive sporting. Some say that the single-barreled semi-auto affords the shooter better visibility of targets rising from beneath the gun barrel. The semi-auto can also have an advantage in terms of felt recoil and adjustability.

The features that separate one semi-auto from another are the recoil system, adjustability and “feel,” or “pointability,” of a gun. Gas-operated platforms. Regarding adjustability, different brands vary significantly, with some offering only two options: left-handed or right-handed cast. The market-leading Beretta A400 Xcel, for example, boasts a gas-operated system to reduce felt recoil and a shim system that adjusts the stock’s drop at comb and cast dimensions for a better fit.

There are three disadvantages to the semi-auto: 1) It has only one barrel, so the shooter is limited to one choke constriction, 2) shooters must use shells with a minimum velocity of 1,250 fps in order to generate the back-pressure needed to operate a gas-operated action correctly, and 3) maintenance is more time-consuming to keep the action functioning properly.

The over/under shotgun, with two barrels and a barrel selector, provides two different choke constrictions, such as Improved Cylinder in the bottom barrel and Modified in the top. With the barrel selector, the shooter can choose which barrel to shoot first—the open choke for a closer target or the tighter choke for a farther shot. I’m not a big “choke changer” and rarely use my barrel selector, but many shooters like the flexibility. With the over/under, one can also shoot much-lower-velocity loads than in a semi-auto. So while semi-autos generally have less recoil than O/Us shooting the same shells, shooting lighter and lower-velocity loads in an over/under can negate the recoil advantage of the semi-auto. Keep in mind that there are other aftermarket means by which one can lessen recoil, such as recoil-reducing devices or different pads that offer more recoil absorption.

The over/under also has two disadvantages. One is that there is little to no adjustability in stock fit, unless the gun is equipped with an adjustable comb. Buying an off-the-shelf gun with an adjustable comb, however, may eliminate the option of having the stock’s length of pul reduced, should it be necessary. The second disadvantage is that the average over/under costs a bit more than a semi-auto, with some engraved competition guns with higher-grade wood running in the tens of thousands of dollars.

‘Pointability’

The “pointability” of a shotgun refers to how the gun feel when it is mounted and moved to a target. The contributing factors to pointability are the gun’s overall weight, its balance point and the distribution of weight from the muzzle(s) to the butt. The primary drivers of weight are the barrels, the receiver and the wood. When a shotgun is well balanced, its balance point lies between the shooter’s hands when the gun is being mounted and moved to a target. For an over/under, this means that the balance point is near the front of the hinge pin. Surprisingly, two different brands of O/Us with identical weight and balance points can feel very different. This is related to how each gun’s weight is distributed. A pointable shotgun will feel lively without being “whippy.” A heavier gun will have less felt recoil, which is a function of physics. A lighter gun will move quickly but may feel unstable, and it will yield more felt recoil.

Barrel Length

Barrel length affects the subconscious sight picture and overall handling of the gun, but it does not affect the shotgun’s pattern efficiency in any noticeable way. The most common barrel length in sporting clays is between 29.5" and 32". The appropriate barrel length should be based on the proportionality of the gun. For example, if a gun is going to have a longer stock for a taller shooter, then a longer barrel would make sense. A shotgun for a lady shooter with a short length of pull would be more maneuverable and proportional with a shorter barrel. Provided that a gun is balanced well, a barrel length proportional to the length of the stock offers good pointability and looks as it should.

Rib Type

Flat ribs are the most common sporting guns. Mid-height ribs sometimes aid visibility on targets that emerge from below the shotgun. High-rib guns are common in trap shooting. Keep in mind that the higher the rib, the heavier the barrels, resulting in less pointability.

Chokes

Most modern sporting guns use screw-in chokes. Fixed chokes pattern beautifully but lack flexibility. For most targets inside of 35 yards, Improved Cylinder or even Light Modified is ideal. For longer targets or targets “on edge” at distance, a Modified choke might be better. Extended chokes offer convenience but don’t inherently produce better patterns. Changing chokes frequently can also be a distraction. I prefer spending more time studying the targets before I step into the stand than fiddling with my gun’s chokes.

Stock & Gunfit

Gunfit determines comfort and performance. Where the shot column goes depends mainly on the location of the shooter’s eye over the gun when the trigger is pulled. I have many shooters come to me after buying guns at great prices that don’t fit them—and can’t be made to fit. The guy behind the counter at the gun store is unlikely to be a gunfitter; he’s a gun salesman. A semi-auto with adjustability or an O/U with an adjustable comb allows for some changes to comb height (drop at comb) and cast. This will ensure that the shotgun shoots where the shooter is looking. Most shooters benefit from an adjustable comb; however, they first must ensure that the gun’s length of pull is correct. As mentioned, an adjustable comb may limit a stockmaker’s ability to cut the stock if a shorter length of pull is needed. Fixed stocks have a cleaner look and can sometimes be modified, but this varies from shooter to shooter. Without a properly fitting shotgun, the shooter’s eye will be misaligned with the barrels and the gun will not shoot where the shooter is looking.

Safeties

Sporting clays shooters overwhelmingly prefer manual safeties, which don’t reset automatically each time the gun is broken open and reloaded. The location of the safety varies, and shooters should choose the one that feels natural to them.

Final Thoughts

Let’s face it, you don’t need a shotgun. You want a shotgun. So pamper yourself. There are other considerations, such as price, gunstock wood and engraving. Whether you decide to spoil yourself or you’re more of a ultilitarian, make sure you choose the right gun for fit, comfort and pointability. A great gun disappears in your hands, letting your eyes take over. Pick the gun that allows you to see the target clearly, move the gun smoothly and shoot with consistency, station after station.