[Parson Jordan]

My pa let me borrow his 12ga. 1100 and I would like to try my hand at clay shooting. The barrel on it now is not vent. rib. Which I assume means I need to get another barrel if I am going to be shooting more than one clay an hour. I need to get a good barrel for the very green.

Any suggestions from the pro's on what would be a good length, choke, etc... Any other suggestions are welcome... thanks all...

Stephen E. Jordan

 

[Prescott Gene]

Parson:

You did not say what choke and barrel length is on the gun. Those are more important than a rib. True, a rib will give a better sight picture. The other reason for a rib is to help with heat waves coming off the barrel. Unless you are in Florida, I don't think you need to worry about heat waves for the next few months. If the barrel is 28 - 30 inches and has the right choke, I would say it is a good starter. For skeet, you would want Skeet or Improved Cylinder, for Trap, a Modified, Improved Modified or Full and for 5 Stand or Sporting Clays maybe a Improved Cylinder or Modified Choke. The only thing I would say is that if the barrel is really short it would be a problem. I would also not try to shoot Skeet with a Full Choke or Trap with an Improved Cylinder or Skeet Choke. If your barrel fits the above, I would go out and shoot and have some fun, then think about barrels after you know a little more about the sport.

Looking good is fine but as Bud Rupe once told me, it don't beat a good point. (ie. hitting the target)

Get out and shoot, then decide on Barrels.

Gene

 

[Parson Jordan]

28" Mod choke

 

[hmb]

If you get a 28" VR barrel with screw in chokes, skeet, improved cyl., modified, and full, you will be able to play all the games. HMB

 

[Prescott Gene]

Parson:

All the advice above is good. But my point was that if the barrel and choke is good for the game you want to try, then shoot it. If you want to shoot Trap or Sporting, a 28 inch barrel with a Modified choke will work fine.

Yes, a Trap gun, with a higher stock will make the sight picture easier but my point is still to shoot that gun and get the hang of the game. If Trap is the game, then with a field gun you will have to cover the target on straightaways (blank it out with the front bead) but it will still break targets just fine. A Trap stock will raise the point of impact so that you will be able to see the target when shooting straightaways.

Go out and shoot the gun for a while and get the hang of the game. You may find that you prefer something altogether different. While you are out at the club, you will meet many other shooters and they will all have advice. Some will even let you shoot their gun (when borrowing a gun, use factory ammo). Use the first few months to gain info, so that you can make a more educated decision in purchasing a gun or a barrel for your current gun.

There is nothing wrong with the gun you have to start out with!!!

Go break some clays!

Gene

 

[LUGNUTZ426]

I have a very nice 28 inch vent rib modified choke barrel which would serve you

well for sporting clays, trap and bird hunting . 90 dollars shipped. My son

shot 100 straight with this barrel on a his field 1100. He also added a

cheekeze pad to the stock to raise the point of impact a tad for trap.

 

[wolfram]

You have a great gun to get started with. A new barrel isn't going to break the bank and will probably help you enjoy the sport more. Look for a 30" vent rib barrel with choke tubes, if you can't find one a similar 28" will do just fine. Don't get a barrel marked for 3" shells, make sure it is marked for 2 3/4" shells. Start out with the Mod choke and then try an IMOD when you start shooting longer distances. After you get into the sport a bit more you will have a better idea about about other guns you might like or further modifications to your M1100.

Most importantly --- have fun and don't hesitate to ask questions here when you need tips on how to keep that M1100 cycling.

 

[Parson Jordan]

Just wanted to thank you all for your advice. I will be going out this week for the humbling experience of my first shoot. I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks...

Stephen Jordan

 

[Dove Commander]

He'll probably win the Grand next year.

 

[BIG B]

Good Luck, Parson!!!!!!!!