Last updated August 22nd 2026Nick Hall, clay shooter who has broken thousands of targets across skeet, trap, and sporting clays
For sub-$1,000 trap and skeet shooters, the best over/under shotguns under $1,000 roundup covers the CZ Drake, Redhead Premier, Stevens 555, and TriStar Trinity competition-ready picks in detail.
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Skeet shooting is a niche sport, so you better believe that you’re looking for a niche shotgun to give you the edge. For shooters who prefer the traditional double, see our side-by-side shotguns guide. The best shotguns for skeet and trap shooting offer balance, precision, and reliability. But of course there’s more to it than that.
Certain guns will give you an edge, certain competitions are tailored to specific guns and a lot of these competitions have been around a long time and are built around old-school double barrel shotguns. Not all of them, though.
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun. Where we have not shot a specific variant ourselves, we say so in that section.
1. Browning Citori 725 Pro Sporting
- Barrel Length: 30 inch
- Weight: 7.8lb
- Capacity: 2
The Browning Citori 725 Pro Sporting over/Under shotgunis a masterpiece of engineering and a hugely popular shotgun. With a low-profile receiver and mechanical triggers, it comes with a sense of balance refined over decades of blasting the best sporting clays, since its original launch all the way back in 1973.
The adjustable comb and length of pull mean you can get the perfect fit. Obviously it’s limited to just two rounds, which means that it’s not always the first choice for hunting in the field. But for clay shooting & skeet shooting where you’re limited to two shots anyway, it’s peak engineering.
“This gun flowed to my shoulder from the ready position unlike any shotgun I’ve had at the range…The weight of this shotgun and the balance makes tracking all the targets almost effortless.” Michael Dening – President, Sportsman’s News.
Key Features:
- Adjustable comb and length of pull
- Mechanical triggers
- Low-profile receiver
Table of Contents
At a Glance
| Pick | Best For | Street Price | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I | Best all-round over/under | $2,384-$3,299 | Price ↓ |
| Remington 870 Wingmaster | Best pump for trap | $694-$981 | Price ↓ |
| Benelli Ethos SuperSport | Best semi-auto for competition | $2,038-$2,699 | Price ↓ |
| CZ Sharp Tail | Best side-by-side | $826-$1,197 | Price ↓ |
| Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field | Best budget pump | $397-$442 | Price ↓ |
| Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting | Best semi-auto for sporting clays | $2,399-$2,499 | Price ↓ |
| Winchester SX4 | Best value semi-auto | $618-$1,100 | Price ↓ |
| Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 | Best if you hunt with it too | $1,599-$2,800 | Price ↓ |
| Franchi Affinity 3 Sport Trap | Best lightweight for trap | $840-$1,043 | Price ↓ |
| Best Competition Shotgun Beretta DT11 Sporting | Best Competition Shotgun | $12,501-$13,334 | Price ↓ |
2. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I
- Barrel Length: 28 inch
- Weight: 6.8lb
- Capacity: 2
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I is a classic perennial favorite for sport shooting, skeet shooters and those that like to carry a traditional shotgun broken over their arm like a country gent. Its Optima-Choke HP system ensures consistent shot patterns, enhancing your accuracy when you’re target shooting or knocking the best sporting clays out the sky.
It’s arguably the best shotgun for clay pigeon shooting, and it looks great in your gun safe too. If your local laws allow, you might even want to keep this in pride of place on the wall.
“Desert island, one gun? That would be a no‑brainer: it would have to be a Silver Pigeon,” Michael Yardley – The Gun Magazine
Key Features:
- Optima-Choke HP system
- Durable and elegant design
- Reliable performance
3. Remington 870 Wingmaster
- Barrel Length: 26-28
- Weight: 7lb
- Capacity: 4+1
The Remington 870 Wingmaster is a pump-action shotgun that has stood the test of time. Known for its rugged construction and smooth operation, it’s a versatile firearm suitable for various shooting disciplines, including shooting skeet and trap.
This isn’t a specialist trap gun and is really tailored to waterfowl hunting. There’s a lot to be said for the greater capacity of the Remington 870 Wingmaster in the real world, though. And also the 28 inch barrel is a little shorter than the leading skeet guns.
So this isn’t quite as great at the one job, but it is a much more versatile shotgun that is great for duck hunting, waterfowl hunting and even turkey hunting. This is a totally modular shotgun, too, so you can get a smaller barrel and a pistol grip for home defense.
Key Features:
- Pump-action reliability
- Smooth operation
- Rugged construction
4. Benelli Ethos SuperSport
- Barrel length: 30 inch
- Weight: 7lb
- Capacity: 4+1
The Benelli Ethos SuperSport is designed with competitive shooting in mind. Its lightweight design and ComfortTech recoil pad system make it easy to handle, even during extended shooting sessions. The Crio barrel and choke tubes enhance pattern density and consistency when shooting sporting clays, or bird hunting.
Check out some other great Benelli shotguns here.
“The Ethos combines the reliability of the proven inertia operating system with light recoil and fast handling, all necessities when a rooster bolts…Benellis are very clean‑shooting guns.” John Taylor – Gun Dog Magazine.
Key Features:
- ComfortTech recoil system
- Crio barrel and choke tubes
- Lightweight design
5. CZ Sharp Tail
- Barrel Length: 28 inch
- Weight: 14.1lb
- Capacity: 2
The CZ Sharp Tail brings modern bolt action precision rifle features to the traditional side-by-side shotgun.
A pistol grip, hammers operated by coil springs rather than leaf springs, new sears and independent floating firing pins all contribute to a dramatic update of the classic shotgun. It also comes with a single mechanical trigger with a selector to switch between barrels.
These small changes all add up to make the CZ Sharp Tail one of the best shotguns for clay pigeon shooting, and it’s a great field shotgun.
Features:
- Coil spring operated hammers
- Ergonomic stock with a molded pistol grip
- Classic side-by-side shotgun layout.
6. Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field
- Barrel length: 28 inch
- Weight: 7.5lb
- Capacity: 6+1
The Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field is an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on performance. Its dual extractors and twin action bars ensure smooth and reliable operation. This pump-action shotgun is perfect for beginners and those who want to go shooting sporting clays, or bird hunting, on a budget.
If you’re new to the sport or looking for a budget-friendly option for shotguns for skeet and trap shooting, the Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field is a great choice.
This is also totally modular and you can buy a pistol grip and an 18 inch barrel to turn it into a tactical shotgun, or a 22 inch barrel or a 24 inch barrel for general use.
“The Mossberg 500 Hunting is a great choice for hunters. It is rugged and reliable, highly functional pump action shotgun at a bargain price,” Phil Bourjally, Shotguns Editor, Field & Stream
Key Features:
- Affordable price
- Dual extractors and twin action bars
- Smooth and reliable operation
- 6 shell capacity is massive in this company
7. Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting
- Barrel: 30 inch
- Capacity: 4+1
- Weight: 7.4lb
The Beretta A400 comes in a variety of specs, barrel lengths and finishes, from a simple synthetic stock to high end wood furniture and Cerakote finish receiver. It is one of those great all round shotguns for skeet shooting, bird hunting, just about anything,
Now these semi auto shotguns are good for bird hunting, duck hunting, target shooting and the A400 Excel also a great trap gun. It’s the fastest cycling semi auto shotgun on the market thanks to the Blink gas operating system. That gives you 36% faster follow-up shots, and Beretta’s Kick-Off recoil pad system helps with target acquisition under pressure.
The Beretta A400 Excel has a 3 inch chamber for the serious magnum shells and slugs, and a capacity of four rounds.
“The Xcel A400 Sporting was fun to shoot, and with some time on the trap, skeet or sporting clays range, it would unquestionably improve your wingshooting skills,” Mark Hoffman, Outdoor Canada.
Features:
- Semi auto shotgun
- Kick-Off recoil system.
- Fastest cycling semi auto shotguns in 2024
8. Winchester SX4
- Barrel: 28 inch
- Weight: 7lb
- Capacity: 4+1
The Winchester SX4 semi-automatic shotgun is a great hunting shotgun, and it’s also an effective trap gun if you’re just dipping your toe in the water. You might want a more tailored firearm if you get seriously in to clay shooting. But if you want a general shotgun that can also handle light clay shooting, then this could be the one.
Chokes for Clay Targets
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This gas-operated autoloading shotgun features a lightweight aluminum alloy receiver, enlarged bolt handle and release for ease of operation, and a reversible safety for left-handed shooters. The barrel is chrome-plated with a ventilated rib, and is designed to accept the Invector-Plus choke system.
You also get TruGlo fiber-optic sight, which we really like. So if you want to try trap & skeet shooting without breaking the bank, the WInchester is a great option.
“The balance of the SX4 is further forward than most semiautomatics, which enables a fluid swing, smooth tracking and excellent follow through,” Guns & Ammo Magazine
Features:
- Invector-Plus choke tube system
- Lightweight alloy receiver
- Semi-automatic shotgun with fast cycling
9. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
- Barrel: 28 inch
- Weight: 7lb
The Benelli Super Black Eagle is a great all-round shotgun for duck hunting, upland birds, competitive clay pigeon shooting, other shooting sports and it could be the best shotgun if you want an all-rounder. This semi-automatic shotgun is the best at this price point for shooting clays, rabbits and target shooting sports.
Now this inertia driven shotgun has won countless awards for the shotgun maker thanks to the small touches like the recoil reduction chevron in the stock, the 28 inch barrel and other performance features. You can go further in the Benelli Performance Center with carbon fiber add ons, fiber optic sites and much more.
“The SBE 3 is light, sleek, and durable as hell. If you buy one, it won’t disappoint you,” John B Snow, Outdoor Life
Features:
- Easy locking bolt system
- Adjustable length of pull
- Realtree Max-5, OPTIFADE Timber Finish
10. Franchi Affinity 3 Sport Trap
- Barrel: 30 inch
- Weight: 10lb
- Capacity: 4+1
The Franchi Affinity 3 is a semi-auto shotgun that offers excellent value for money. Its lightweight design and balanced feel make it easy to handle,and the 30 inch barrel length means it can go head to head with the top sporting glays killers here.
The Franchi Affinity 3 is a cheap, high quality shotgun that won’t break the bank and will give you solid performance in most shotgun sports.
Features:
- Lightweight and balanced design
- Single selective trigger
11. Beretta DT11 Sporting – Best Competition Shotgun
The Beretta DT11 is the gun the world’s best clay shooters actually win with. Olympic and world champions run it, and Vincent Hancock took four skeet golds behind Beretta glass. If money is no object and you want the finest competition over/under made, this is the ceiling.
- Gauge: 12 gauge
- Action: Over/under
- Barrel: 30 or 32 inch
- Rib: Adjustable, competition
- Weight: 8.6 lb approx
- Best For: Serious competition clays
The DT11 earns its price with a vault-tough cross bolt action, Steelium Pro barrels with a long forcing cone that flattens recoil and muzzle rise, and a crisp trigger that breaks around three and a half pounds. It is heavy and deliberate, exactly what you want for a smooth, repeatable swing on a long day of targets. This is not a starter gun, it is the gun you graduate to when clays become serious. For everyone else, the Browning Citori and Beretta 686 above deliver most of the shootability for a fraction of the cost.
Pros
- Championship-proven competition over/under
- Recoil-taming Steelium Pro barrels and long forcing cone
- Vault-tough action built to last generations
Cons
- Premium competition price, not for casual shooters
- Heavy and deliberate, a specialist tool
Conclusion: The Best Shotguns for Skeet and Trap Shooting
Choosing the right shotguns for skeet shooting can enhance your performance and enjoyment of the sport. Whether you prefer an over/under, pump-action, or semi-automatic shotgun, there are plenty of excellent options to suit your needs. From the customizable Browning Citori 725 Pro Sporting to Benelli semi autos, there’s a gun for everybody.
The Basics of Clay Pigeon Shooting
Clay pigeon shooting started in the late 19th century in England as a way to practice hunting upland birds, with moving targets following basic bird flight patterns.
The first recorded competitive clay pigeon shoot took place in 1880, using actual glass balls filled with feathers. The transition to clay targets came later, providing a more practical and reusable option. The targets, commonly referred to as clay pigeons, are saucer-shaped discs made of a brittle mixture of pitch and pulverized limestone.
The basics of the sport involve a shooter attempting to break the clay targets that are launched into the air from a trap. These traps can vary, with some launching targets at different angles and speeds to simulate the unpredictable flight of game birds. There are several disciplines within clay pigeon shooting, including trap shooting, skeet shooting, and sporting clays.
In trap shooting, targets are launched from a single machine. In skeet shooting, moving targets are launched from two machines situated at opposite ends of the shooting field. Sporting clays offer a variety of target presentations, often simulating different hunting scenarios. The objective in each discipline is to hit as many targets as possible, with shooters scored based on their accuracy hitting the clay pigeons.
Modern sporting clays, often considered the most versatile and challenging discipline, involves a course set up with multiple shooting stations, each presenting different target trajectories, speeds, and angles to simulate various hunting scenarios.
Additionally, the rules and regulations have become more standardized, promoting fair competition and safety as well as making it easier to select shotguns for skeet and trap shooting. Governing bodies like the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and national organizations have established comprehensive rules and guidelines for competitive shooting sports and clay pigeons. That has all made it simpler to choose shotguns for skeet and trap shooting.
Where to buy: See our guide to the best online gun stores for the lowest prices and trusted retailers.
The rest of this guide goes deeper on skeet specifically, because skeet is the one clay game where the right answer is genuinely settled and most articles still leave you guessing.
Choke and Load by Station: The Cheat Sheet
This is the part beginners ask about most and the one most articles skip. Skeet presentations are remarkably predictable, every station throws the same target from the same trajectory on every field in the world. So the right tube + shell combo is settled science, not guesswork.
| Station | Target | Distance | Choke | Recommended Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High-house single + high/low double | ~20 yds | Skeet / Skeet | 7/8 oz #9 lead, 1,200 fps |
| 2 | High-house single + low-house single + double | ~22 yds | Skeet / Skeet | 7/8 oz #9 lead, 1,200 fps |
| 3 | High + low + double | ~21 yds | Skeet / Skeet | 1 oz #9 lead, 1,180 fps |
| 4 | High + low, with no double in NSSA | ~21 yds | Skeet / Skeet | 1 oz #9 lead, 1,180 fps |
| 5 | High + low + double | ~21 yds | Skeet / Skeet | 1 oz #9 lead, 1,180 fps |
| 6 | High + low + double | ~22 yds | Skeet / Skeet | 7/8 oz #9 lead, 1,200 fps |
| 7 | High + low + double | ~20 yds | Skeet / Skeet | 7/8 oz #9 lead, 1,200 fps |
| 8 | High single + low single, the famous fast crossers | ~6-7 yds | Skeet / Skeet | 7/8 oz #9 lead, 1,200 fps |
Notice the pattern: Skeet/Skeet for the whole layout, #9 shot every station, 7/8 to 1 oz loads at 1,180-1,200 fps. That’s it. If your club lets you, save the IC tube for sporting clays.
Shot size #8 also works fine and is more common at big-box prices; some shooters prefer it for slightly more pellet weight on station-eight crossers. #7.5 is overkill for skeet distances and will tear birds rather than break them cleanly.
American Skeet vs International Olympic Skeet
Two skeet games look nearly identical from across the field and play completely differently. American skeet, what the NSSA governs and what almost every U.S. club shoots, uses a “low-gun” rule that is actually a “mounted-gun” rule: you can pre-mount the shotgun before calling for the bird.
International or Olympic skeet, governed by the ISSF, requires you to start with the gun butt visibly below your hip until the target launches. Then you mount and break.
Add a random delay of 0 to 3 seconds between your “pull” call and the actual target release, and you have a game that rewards a much faster, much more rehearsed gun mount. Olympic skeet targets also fly faster, about 65 mph vs the NSSA’s ~45 mph, and bigger, requiring tighter chokes and harder loads. Most American shooters never touch Olympic skeet; if you want to, the Beretta DT11 X-Trap and the Krieghoff K-80 dominate the international circuit and start around $11,000.
For the picks above, assume NSSA-format American skeet unless you specifically know your club shoots ISSF rules. The picks below the Beretta 686 are all overkill-suitable for casual ISSF practice, but none would be your competition choice at the international level.
Common Skeet Mistakes (Most People Miss the Cause)
The four mistakes I see week after week at the club have nothing to do with the gun. They have everything to do with technique.
- Stopping the swing on station-eight crossers. The fast close target gets shot behind because shooters slow the gun to “make sure” of the lead. Keep the swing going through and past the bird. The miss is almost never too much lead, it’s swinging slower than the bird.
- Lifting the head to see if you broke it. If you can see whether you broke the target, you’ve lifted off the gun before the shot completed. Hold your cheek weld through the second of the double. Watch from the rib, not over the rib.
- Buying a Full or Modified choke for “just in case.” At 25 yards with a tight choke, your pattern is the size of a dinner plate. Miss the center by inches and you ring the bird without breaking it. Open the chokes and trust the spread.
- Switching guns mid-round. Skeet rewards repetition of one gun mount, one cheek weld, one sight picture. Bringing your duck gun for stations 1-4 and your sporting clays gun for stations 5-8 is how you guarantee a 19 instead of a 24. Pick a gun and shoot it.
Discipline-Specific Shotgun Guides
This is the combined guide, and it now carries the full skeet detail as well. For deeper picks on the other two disciplines, see our dedicated guides to the best trap shotguns and the best sporting clays shotguns.
New to the clay games? See our guide to trap vs skeet vs sporting clays for how each one works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shotgun for skeet shooting?
The Beretta A400 Xcel and Browning Citori CXS are top picks. For budget options, the Mossberg Silver Reserve and CZ Redhead Premier offer solid performance. Over-unders dominate competitive clay shooting.
What gauge is best for skeet?
12-gauge is standard for competition. 20-gauge is popular for lighter recoil and is its own competitive class. Sub-gauge events use 28-gauge and .410 bore. Start with 12-gauge for the most versatility.
What is the difference between skeet and trap?
Skeet uses two houses throwing crossing targets at varying angles from 8 stations. Trap throws targets away from the shooter from a single house at varying angles from 5 stations. Different skills, different gun setups.
How much does a good skeet shotgun cost?
Entry-level over-unders start around 600 to 800 dollars. Mid-range competition guns run 1,500 to 3,000. Premium shotguns from Beretta, Browning, and Krieghoff cost 3,000 to 15,000 dollars and up.
Can you shoot skeet with a pump shotgun?
Technically yes, but pump shotguns are at a disadvantage for skeet doubles where you need fast follow-up shots. Semi-autos and over-unders are far more practical. Save the pump for home defense.
What choke should I use for skeet?
Skeet choke (the most open constriction) is standard for skeet shooting. Improved cylinder works for trap. Modified works for sporting clays at longer distances. Most competition shotguns come with interchangeable choke tubes.
Is an over-under or semi-auto better for clays?
Over-unders are traditional for competition and allow different chokes in each barrel. Semi-autos absorb more recoil and are easier on the shoulder during long sessions. Both are competitive choices.
What barrel length is best for skeet?
28 to 30 inch barrels are standard for skeet and trap. Longer barrels provide a smoother swing and better follow-through. 26-inch barrels work for sporting clays where quick target transitions matter more.
For a deep-dive review of the gas-operated value champion in this segment, see our Beretta A300 Ultima review with full 500-round test data.
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