5 of the best: Sporting Shotguns Under £2,000

The KOFS Sceptre SXE Sporter is an accessible entry point into the world of clay shooting, offering impressive value and solid performance for newcomers and recreational shots alike. This Turkish over-and-under combines lightweight handling with practical sporting features that belie its modest price.

Built on a monobloc action with steel inserts and an inertia-operated trigger system, the Sceptre SXE Sporter is both simple and reliable in design. The gun is typically supplied with 30in barrels, chrome-lined bores and a set of multichokes, providing ample flexibility for a wide variety of clay presentations. A ventilated rib aids fast target acquisition, while the oil-finished walnut stock and well-proportioned pistol grip offer a comfortable, natural mount.

Despite its relatively light weight, the Sceptre handles with surprisingly good balance and points instinctively, making it particularly appealing to novice shots who are developing their technique. It patterns well with common 24g to 30g clay loads and delivers consistent performance across a typical sporting layout. For shooters seeking an affordable but capable sporting shotgun, the KOFS Sceptre SXE Sporter represents excellent value and a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to clay shooting.

The ATA SP Black Sporter has earned a reputation as one of the most capable budget sporting guns available in the UK. This Turkish over-and-under delivers a combination of modern styling, adjustable ergonomics and impressive clay-busting performance at a highly competitive price.

The ATA SP Black Sporter comes with 30in barrels, flush-fit multichokes and a ventilated rib designed for sporting disciplines. One of its key advantages is the adjustable walnut stock, allowing shooters to fine-tune comb height and cast to achieve a consistent gunfit, a feature rarely found at this price.

In the hands, the gun balances well and swings smoothly through crossing targets, offering the kind of stability that clay shooters appreciate during long sessions. Reviewers frequently note that the ATA SP feels and performs like a gun costing much more, breaking clays with ease yet having comfortable recoil. For those entering the sport or seeking a reliable gun without major financial outlay, the ATA SP Black Sporter stands out as a practical and capable option.

RRP £824.99

The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I Sport is one of the most recognisable sporting shotguns on the clay ground, combining classic Italian design with proven competition performance. The sporter version of the famous 686 platform has become a mainstay at shooting schools and club grounds thanks to its durability, balance and consistent handling.

Typically supplied with 30in barrels, with a 32in option available, the Silver Pigeon I Sport features Beretta’s renowned Steelium barrels, manufactured from nickel-chrome-moly steel. The barrels are paired with Optima-Choke HP multichokes and long forcing cones to deliver dense, uniform patterns while reducing recoil and muzzle rise.

The gun is built around Beretta’s low-profile 686 action to create a strong yet elegant design that sits comfortably in the hands. At around 7lb 11oz, it offers the ideal balance between stability and responsiveness for sporting clays. Finished with a laser-engraved acanthus scroll action and oil-finished walnut stock, the Silver Pigeon I Sport blends understated elegance with outstanding reliability.

RRP from £2,055

For shooters seeking a competition-grade sporting shotgun around £2,000, the Miroku MK38 Sporter is widely regarded as one of the finest choices available. Distributed in the UK by BWM Arms, this Japanese-built sporter has developed a near-legendary reputation.

The MK38 typically weighs around 8½lb, a design choice that helps manage recoil and maintain a smooth swing during long clay sessions. Available with 30in or 32in barrels and Teague-style multichokes, it provides the versatility required for modern sporting layouts.

Fit and finish are excellent, with tasteful scroll engraving, well-selected walnut and superb wood-to-metal fit. The stock design follows classic Browning-influenced proportions, and an adjustable version is also available. The MK38 is renowned for mechanical reliability and longevity, and it is a gun that many owners keep for decades. For serious enthusiasts seeking a dependable shotgun, the Miroku MK38 Sporter is one of the best in its class.

RRP from £2,090

The Fabarm Elos N2 RS Sporting is a step up into the mid-range sporting shotgun category, combining Italian engineering with modern features aimed squarely at clay shooters. The Elos N2 has gained a strong following for its balance, adjustability and barrel technology.

At the heart of the gun are Fabarm’s renowned Tribore HP barrels, deep-drilled from chrome-molybdenum steel and designed to produce smooth recoil and consistent shot patterns. Supplied with a selection of Exis HP multichokes, the Elos N2 is capable of handling a wide range of loads, from light training cartridges through to heavier steel shot options.

A key feature is the Micro-Metric 3D adjustable comb, which allows shooters to refine stock fit quickly and easily with an Allen key. Combined with the well-shaped pistol grip and comfortable palm swell, this creates a stable and secure shooting platform during extended sessions on the sporting layout.

With its sleek black action, attractive Triwood-finished walnut and impressive mechanical reliability, the Fabarm Elos N2 Sporting offers exceptional versatility and value. It is a refined, competition-ready shotgun that comfortably competes with models costing a good deal more.

RRP £1,995