chesterjester Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 I'm on the look out for a 12bore for shooting clays. I've been offered a 'skeet' shotgun by a mate. Before I look an idiot when he's shows it to me, could someone please explain the main differences with a skeet shotgun. Is it of limited use? Many thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 A skeet gun is used for shooting clays at fairly close range, they're generally shorter barrelled than sporting guns 26" or 28". The choking in each barrel is usually the same, they could be cylinder, improved cylinder but nothing normally tighter than that. The Russians came up with TULA chokes for Olympic Skeet but guns with these chokes are a rarity nowadays. With the advent of multichoke barrels and longer tubes coming into fashion true skeet guns have gone out of vogue. I've got a Miroku 800SW which has 28" barrels and is choked improved cylinder in both, the measurement being 5thou" of constriction. I haven't shot skeet for many years but I use it for sporting clays, pigeon and game shooting. I've shot some fairly tall pheasants with it and despite reservations to start with didn't actually feel undergunned with it. I'm sure one of the regular skeet shooters will be along shortly and disagree with this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Yes, agree with Phil, don't buy a "Skeet Gun" unless you only want to shoot Skeet. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Yes, agree with Phil, don't buy a "Skeet Gun" unless you only want to shoot Skeet. Cat. hmm a bit like dont by a trap gun unless you only want to shoot trap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semiautolee Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 or a bit like dont buy a hatsan unless you want problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 hmm a bit like dont by a trap gun unless you only want to shoot trap? Well, not exactly, as many Trap guns are converted to Sporters, (or used to be), but you can't do much with a Skeet Gun. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Skeet guns are short barrels and wide choke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 I wouldn't buy a dedicated skeet gun if I was expecting to also shoot a selection of sporting clay targets. Usually I use a 3/4 choke in my Urika 391, and keep it there unless i'm using steel shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twitchynik Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 I need the higher comb of a trap gun, sporters are way too low. Could maybe get an adjustable sporter but more coin and a trap gun fits perfect out the box. £60 to open the muzzles, job jobbed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlistairB Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 A skeet gun is used for shooting clays at fairly close range, they're generally shorter barrelled than sporting guns 26" or 28". The choking in each barrel is usually the same, they could be cylinder, improved cylinder but nothing normally tighter than that. The Russians came up with TULA chokes for Olympic Skeet but guns with these chokes are a rarity nowadays. With the advent of multichoke barrels and longer tubes coming into fashion true skeet guns have gone out of vogue. I've got a Miroku 800SW which has 28" barrels and is choked improved cylinder in both, the measurement being 5thou" of constriction. I haven't shot skeet for many years but I use it for sporting clays, pigeon and game shooting. I've shot some fairly tall pheasants with it and despite reservations to start with didn't actually feel undergunned with it. I'm sure one of the regular skeet shooters will be along shortly and disagree with this I've watched PhilR shoot plenty high birds on our shoot with his skeet gun, trust me, he's known to be the bloke that if you miss, he'll clear it up for you, follow his advice - you won't go far wrong! Just ignore any of his comments about Berettas AB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterjester Posted April 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Thank you all. Going to leave the gun in question as it with restrict my shooting. Great to have such helpful members Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towngun Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 (edited) I have a 26-inch barrelled Miroku Skeet with open chokes. It is light and a delight to use and carry. I sold it and regretted the sale so much so I relocated it and purchased it back. It is my conviction you will hit more than you will miss. It is with this gun that I baged my best decoyed pigeon day of 115 birds. Most driven game is shot well within 25 yards and therefore within the skeet guns capacity. There is a lot of fashion rather than science in the shooting world and Robert Churchill became a wealthy man with his 25" barrels in the 1920's. Remember, sadly steel shot is on its way. Steel does not deform and holds its pattern. It cannot be constriction by chokes and so the age of open chokes maybe once again upon us. Early game guns did not have choke and certainly with steel unconstricted shot offers a safer passage down the walls of a shotgun barrel. Edited January 9 by Towngun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 WOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 Holy resurrection batman 😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fil Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 14 hours ago, Towngun said: Early game guns did not have choke and certainly with steel unconstricted shot offers a safer passage down the walls of a shotgun barrel. A common choking configuration of an "early" game gun was around Imp/cyl choke in the right barrel and 1/2 to 3/4 choke in the left barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCB56 Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 And the original poster has not been on back onto the site since 2015. I don't think he's bothered anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redial Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 18 hours ago, JKD said: Holy resurrection batman 😆 13, years could be the new record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 49 minutes ago, redial said: 13, years could be the new record. Unfortunately not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 5 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Unfortunately not. What's the record dave ?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 Nearly 15 I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 (edited) On 09/01/2025 at 19:04, Towngun said: It cannot be constriction by chokes and so the age of open chokes maybe once again upon us. Early game guns did not have choke and certainly with steel unconstricted shot offers a safer passage down the walls of a shotgun barrel. Oh No! Got me to! Old thread! I think you may be right. I've always had my game guns taken out to IMP and IMP in both left and right barrels. Best shot that I ever saw used a Purdey bored levft IMP and right CYL. He used one ounce of Hull #7 in a true 65mm case. He rarely missed if ever. Edited January 10 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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