The Breda Xanthos is not expensive but bears comparison with its more pricey competitors
Guns for clayshooting
Wondering which gun would suit you best when you’re off to a clay pigeon shoot?
Guns for clayshooting reviewed
We’ve reviewed a massive selection of guns to cover a lot of different disciplines within clay shooting and a vast variety of budgets. You’ll also find shotguns that will double up for gameshooting too if you’re looking for an all-rounder.
Well-known brands like Blaser, Miroku, Browning, Beretta are all included, and you’ll discover details of both new and second-hand recommendations.
We’ve also selected clay guns to suit different budgets in different price ranges, from entry-level to wallet-busting.
Whatever the discipline, correct gunfit is key and is a strong gun mount (we show you how to practice this at home here).
If you’re new to clayshooting, you might like to brush up on some of the terminology (you’ll find a guide here).
We also have useful articles by coaches to improve your claypigeon shooting and refine your technique.
10 best shotguns for clay pigeon shooting
All the shotguns for clay pigeon shooting listed here are worthy to be mentioned. I’ve picked them out for a variety of reasons, from the budget-busting ATA right up to the mighty wallet bashing Krieghoff. Prices as reviewed. Blaser F16 £2550 This was voted shotgun of the year in 2016…
Beretta A400 Upland 12-bore
It seems to be the season to review semi-automatics, with the latest offering — a new A400 Upland 12-bore — coming from Beretta. This one is a little sexed up compared with our last two camouflaged offerings, with a wooden stock and nickel-plated action, complete with some pheasant and partridge…
Perugini & Visini HVR
The Perugini & Visini shotgun we’re examining this month is a custom version, the brainchild of John Jeffries. John has been involved with shotgun customising for more than 50 years and looks to improve the performance and handling of existing products, matching these improvements with a bespoke fitting service. John…
The Beretta S686 Special
Beretta is one of the best-known firearms manufacturers. While it is possible to pay a very large amount of money for a hand-finished Beretta shotgun, the company also produces a wide variety of more affordable mass-produced guns of superb quality. The Beretta 686 action Guns based on the Beretta 686…
Should I start clayshooting with a 20-bore?
I am new to clay shooting and see that everybody at a nearby gun club where I’ve been having lessons use 12-bores.
Perazzi MX2000 S
Perazzi has earned its place in shooting folklore. Since the 1950s the Italian company has built shotguns that combine traditional gunsmithing with high technology. Used by shooters such as George Digweed and Olympic medallists like Peter Wilson and Steven Scott, these shotguns have attained an elite reputation, yet the company…
Bettinsoli Super Sport – a clay shooter’s dream
Bettinsoli Sport shotgun: Impressive or what? We give the new Bettinsoli Sporter shotgun, with great styling and a low price tag, the thumbs up.
Why did the Browning 525 Laminate leave our reviewer speechless?
The shotgun on test this month is the Browning 525 Laminate, a new offering from Browning that will be available in the UK from June 2019. Featuring grey laminate woodwork, it is aimed at the clay shooter and has a recommended retail price of £2,175. The demonstration model arrived at…
Beretta 687 EELL Deluxe Field
Beretta’s 687 EELL has been the Italian gunmaker’s bestseller for the past 30 years. So how can the company improve something that is already a firm favourite with shooters? Bring out a limited edition, of course. Limited to just 100 guns, the 687 EELL Deluxe Field features deep scroll engraving…
Looking at the Miroku MK 6000 SP-1 – a timeless classic
Visit any clayshooting lines or look more closely at the guns being used in international competitions and you will almost inevitably encounter the name of Miroku. This should not come as a surprise as it is one of the undisputed world leaders in firearms manufacturing. That the company would achieve…
Beretta DT11 shotgun review
Gun reviews: Beretta DT11 shotgun: The DT11 is Beretta’s new competition gun.
AYA 16-bore No. 2
I am looking at the pros and cons of the 16-bore in the form of an AYA Model No.2. If you are thinking of buying one, what are the alternative options for an English gun in the same calibre at a similar price? We frequently see 16-bores at the shooting…
Fabarm Axis S&H reviewed by Shooting Times
The closer you get to the pinnacle of any sport, the more critical the choice of equipment becomes. It would seem unlikely, then, that compromises made to produce a gun that could cover two different disciplines would be any good at all; that what works for one will inhibit the…
Browning B525 Ultra XS Pro Adjustable
The recent addition of the Browning B525 Ultra XS Pro Adjustable to Browning’s range is certain to delight the dedicated clay shooter, whether a devotee of Sporting, FITASC or Trap disciplines. All in all, it’s a great all-round gun based on the well-proven 525 action frame. It is supplied with…
What’s my best gun for shooting clays and game?
Q: Having just taken up the pastime of clayshooting (the skeet discipline), and having more than a passing interest in gameshooting, I find I am bamboozled by the choice of shotguns that are available. I would prefer to buy a 12-bore side-by-side rather than an over-and-under shotgun, but are side-by-sides…
How to start clay pigeon shooting
When clay pigeon shooting as a beginner, being prepared is essential for getting good scores.
Krieghoff K-20 Parcours
Superb guns for taking on clays Krieghoff is perhaps not a name well-known to many of our readers, with a lineage far more closely related to hunting rifles and shotguns built for competition. Founded as Sempert & Krieghoff, the firm has been building hunting guns at its home on the…
Lincoln Vogue HSX Sporter 12-bore reviewed by Shooting Times
The Lincoln Vogue HSX is the latest development of the Vogue game gun. The HSX, or Hunter Sporting Cross-over, is designed for clays as much as for game or rough shooting and is Lincoln’s attempt to please all parties and create a single gun for every job. The 30in barrel…
Three of the best second-hand clayshooting guns for beginners
Buyer’s brief: “I have been shooting clays for the past six months with guns hired from the shooting ground. Most of these have been various versions of Beretta Silver Pigeons, which I do like, though I have no experience of other guns. I have a budget of £1,000 to £1,500,…