
Skeet shooting is a niche sport, so you better believe that you’re looking for a niche shotgun to give you the edge. The best shotguns 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.

1. Browning Citori 725 Pro Sporting
- Price: $3,600+
- 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.
Key Features:
- Adjustable comb and length of pull
- Mechanical triggers
- Low-profile receiver

2. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I
- Price: $2,200+
- 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.
Key Features:
- Optima-Choke HP system
- Durable and elegant design
- Reliable performance

3. Remington 870 Wingmaster
- Price: $990.00+
- 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
- Price: $1,999.99
- 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.
Key Features:
- ComfortTech recoil system
- Crio barrel and choke tubes
- Lightweight design

5. CZ Sharp Tail
- Price: $963.99
- 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
- Price: $404.99
- 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, 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.
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
- Price: $2,049.99
- 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. For skeet shooting,
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.
Features:
- Semi auto shotgun
- Kick-Off recoil system.
- Fastest cycling semi auto shotguns in 2024

8. Winchester SX4
- Price: $784.99
- 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.
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.
Features:
- Invector-Plus choke tube system
- Lightweight alloy receiver
- Semi-automatic shotgun with fast cycling

9. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
- Price: $1,999.99
- 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.
Features:
- Easy locking bolt system
- Adjustable length of pull
- Realtree Max-5, OPTIFADE Timber Finish

9. Franchi Affinity 3 Sport Trap
- Price: $878.99
- 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
Conclusion
Choosing the right shotgun 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. 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.