Choosing The Right Style of Shotgun

So you’re looking to join the scattergun ranks but not quite sure where to begin… Well, don’t you worry, the team at Mid Valley Clays Shooting School has you covered. We’ll help you along your journey and ensure you pick just the shotgun you’re looking for! We’ll break down the different uses, variations, and finally, some specific characteristics which may lend one or another to better suit your needs.

What is your primary use for the gun?
Shotguns are highly versatile, some filling a particular niche, and some all-purpose shotguns can be quite useful across multiple use-cases from bird hunting to shooting clay targets and possibly home defense. But there are, of course, some variants that lend themselves better to specific uses, and it makes sense to choose a shotgun that can do most of the things you need it to do. For instance, home defense shotguns are not much good sporting clays. But you can find a gun to go hunting that will also provide a great deal of fun on the skeet or trap range.

Whats your budget?
Shopping for a shotgun is a fun experience, both from a research and comparison standpoint, as well as the excitement that builds knowing you will very soon be learning how to use your new firearm. But setting yourself a budget and perhaps a little wiggle room is essential, so you don’t feel self-conscious or worried you overspent. Shotguns at MVC range from $1,600 to tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention the accessories you can add to make the perfect kit. For a beginner or first-time shotgun owner, we recommend setting yourself a healthy budget of about $2,500.

Are you interested in a classic break-action or a semi-auto?
Break-action shotguns are your over-under (o/u) and your side-by-sides. They are very popular among clay target shooters and upland bird hunters. With double barrels and a separate hammer and firing pin for each, these guns can be more reliable than a semi-auto with fewer misfires from chambering issues. Break-action shotguns start at about $2,000 and go up depending on materials and engraving.

Semi-automatic shotguns are great options for clay-target sports and hunting. A semi-automatic automatically champers the next shell after each shell is fired. As a result, they tend to have a lighter recoil than break-action but take some additional effort when it comes to cleaning and caring for them. Semi-automatic shotguns for sporting clays generally start around $1,700.

What Gauge are you looking for?
The 12 gauge has the largest range of shot shells made for any purpose. It is also the easiest ammunition to find.

20 gauge is a capable performer, strong enough for ducks, procuring ammunition is easy, and it makes a great starter gun for youth and women.

The 28 gauge is by definition a magnum shell and consequently has great performance on the clay target range or in the field. The ammunition can be quite a bit more costly than other gauges, however.

The .410 has historically been seen as a starter gauge for younger children due to the weigh of the firearm and the lightest recoil. In actuality, the shells are expensive due to the lower popularity.

But for your first shotgun, we recommend you go with either the 12 or 20-gauge. They’ll do everything you need them to do, are easiest to find ammunition for and you can’t go wrong with either of them.

As you can see, a lot goes into selecting your first shotgun or your next shotgun. We highly recommend starting your journey with a professional like the people you will find at Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School. We know the questions to ask to help you find the perfect gun for your needs. And we have a ton of shotguns you can rent so you can truly experience the differences between barrel lengths and gauges. And once you’ve purchased that new firearm, we’ll help you master it!

Which Target Shooting Is Right for You?

Target Shooting

What’s the best way to learn to shoot and sharpen your skills? Clay shooting, of course! With a low-pressure environment, proper instruction, patience, and precision, you can become a crack shot with the right effort. But how do you decide where to start target shooting? Here at Mid-Valley Clays & Shooting School, we offer that comfortable environment you need and some of the best instructors in the Portland and Willamette Valley areas.
Additionally, we offer four types of target shooting: trap shooting, skeet shooting, sporting clays, and five-stand shooting. Each sport is designed to sharpen your skills, and each is enjoyable in its own way. First, let’s go over how they differ from one another.

Trap:
Trap shooting was the first method of clay shooting to be invented. In the 18th century, they would use live birds as targets but eventually switched to glass and clay targets. Little has changed in the way of trap shooting since its invention. Why mess with perfection? We offer singles and doubles here at Mid Valley Clays & Shooting School. Trap shooting is excellent for beginners hoping to get a taste of target shooting. Even if you’ve never held a gun, you can still succeed with some trap shooting training.

Skeet:
Invented in the early 20th century, skeet shooting is more about building your skill with crossing targets. The variety of angles is especially what sets skeet apart from trap shooting. Skeet shooting will help take you to the next level if you’re an intermediate shooter. If you want to get to that next level, contact one of our instructors. They can sharpen your hand-eye coordination in a measured way, step by step.

Sporting Clays:
Sporting clays is one of the most popular shooting games in the US, typically made up of 10-15 stations on a course. Sporting clays were meant to simulate game flushing in the wild. You will rely on the skills you have built on the skeet and trap ranges. This is the perfect environment for hunters to sharpen their eyes before or during bird season.

Five-Stand:
If you like each of the above practices but can’t choose one, five-stand might be for you. A spin-off of sporting clays, five-stand presents shooters with five targets at each of the five stations. It offers excitement, difficulty, and a variety different from any other shooting discipline. It is an excellent method for hunters to get back into the swing of things before their season begins. You’ll get the variety you need to refocus your skills before the real thing, from high fliers to ground grazers. Five-stand can be done by beginners but is especially helpful for advanced shooters and seasoned hunters.

Here at Mid Valley Clays & Shooting School, there’s something for everyone, no matter what type of shotgun shooting you’re interested in. Visit our pro shop for professional help choosing the right gear, then work with an instructor to succeed on the range. Whether skeet, trap, sporting clays, or 5-stand, Mid Valley Clays & Shooting School, Nestled in the Willamette Valley just south of Portland, Oregon, is the place to do it. Consider us for your next “claycation.”

Shotgun Instruction for 2024

For Mid-Valley Clays and Shooting School, our shotgun instruction program is critical to the success of our business. We take pride in giving shooters of all levels a leg up on their competition or help them establish some clear fundamentals.

Kim

Instructors of all levels can be booked using our digital booking tool –>>

Some pricing changes for shotgun instruction take effect immediately and apply to the new year:

• Dave Fiedler – $150/hr
• Vandy Fiedler, Craig Miya – $100/hr
• All other instructors – $75/hr

Please review our stable of instructors and see if one of them might help you up your game –>>