Clay Shooting Equipment Guide
Complete gear selection guide
Everything you need to know about selecting the right equipment for clay shooting, from beginner setups to professional gear.
Safety Equipment - Non-Negotiable
Eye Protection
ANSI Z87.1+ rated shooting glasses. Yellow/amber lenses for overcast, clear for bright conditions.
Hearing Protection
Foam plugs (29+ NRR) or electronic muffs. Electronic options allow conversation while protecting.
Range Safety
Closed-toe shoes, long pants recommended. No loose clothing around the action.
Shotgun Selection Guide
Over/Under
Sporting clays, competitive shooting
Advantages
- Reliable
- Two choke options
- Excellent balance
- Professional choice
Considerations
- Expensive
- Heavier than semis
- Slower follow-up shots
Semi-Automatic
DTL, casual shooting, beginners
Advantages
- Fast follow-up shots
- Lighter weight
- Good value
- Versatile
Considerations
- Less reliable in dirty conditions
- Single choke
- Can jam
Side-by-Side
Traditional shooting, game simulation
Advantages
- Traditional
- Fast handling
- Two choke options
- Good balance
Considerations
- Limited sight radius
- Harder to find
- Traditional styling only
Beginner Recommendation
Start with a reliable semi-automatic in 12 or 20 gauge. Brands like Beretta A400, Benelli Super Sport, or Remington 1100 offer excellent value and reliability.
Choke Selection Reference
Understanding choke constrictions and their applications across different disciplines.
| Choke | Constriction | Pattern | Best Distance | Disciplines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinder | 0.00mm | Very wide | Close targets (15-25m) | Skeet, close sporting |
| Skeet | 0.13mm | Wide | Close fast targets | Skeet, close DTL |
| Improved Cylinder | 0.25mm | Open | 25-30m targets | DTL stations 1&5, close sporting |
| Modified | 0.51mm | Medium | 30-35m targets | DTL center stations, general sporting |
| Improved Modified | 0.64mm | Tight | 35-40m targets | DTL, medium sporting |
| Full | 0.76mm | Very tight | 40m+ targets | Trap, long sporting |
Quick Choke Selection
Use our interactive choke selector tool for personalized recommendations based on your discipline and shooting style.
Try Choke SelectorCartridge & Ammunition Guide
Key Specifications
Gauge Selection
12 gauge: Most powerful, widest selection. 20 gauge: Less recoil, lighter gun, slightly fewer pellets.
Load Weight
28-32g for 12ga, 24-28g for 20ga. Heavier loads = more pellets but more recoil.
Shot Size
7.5 or 8 shot most common. Larger numbers = smaller pellets but more of them.
Velocity
1200-1350 fps standard. Higher velocity = flatter trajectory but more felt recoil.
Discipline Recommendations
DTL
28-30g, size 7.5 or 8, 1250-1300 fps. Consistency over power.
Sporting Clays
28-32g, size 7.5, 1250-1350 fps. Versatile load for varied presentations.
Skeet
28g, size 8 or 9, 1200 fps. Close targets, fast acquisition needed.
Trap
30-32g, size 7.5, 1300+ fps. Long targets require power and pellet count.
Budget Equipment Setups
Beginner Setup
- • Used Remington 1100 or similar semi-auto
- • Basic shooting glasses & ear protection
- • Entry-level cartridges (1000 rounds)
- • Basic gun case
- • Simple choke tube set
Intermediate Setup
- • New Beretta A400 or Benelli Super Sport
- • Quality shooting glasses with lens options
- • Electronic hearing protection
- • Premium cartridges (2000 rounds)
- • Extended choke tube set
- • Shooting vest with cartridge holders
Competition Setup
- • Perazzi, Krieghoff, or similar O/U
- • Professional shooting glasses system
- • High-end electronic hearing protection
- • Competition-grade cartridges
- • Multiple choke tube sets
- • Professional gun case & accessories
- • Custom gun fitting
Need Equipment Recommendations?
Use our tools to get personalized equipment recommendations based on your discipline, experience level, and budget.