Sporting shotguns or ’Sporters’ are, as the names suggest, developed to shoot Sporting clays. They are by far the most popular guns in the hands of clay shooters today, outselling specialist models designed for disciplines such as Trap many times over.
And for good reason. A Sporter is a versatile tool, one that excels at Sporting clays but can turn its hand to many other disciplines too. In fact, buy a modular Sporter, like a Krieghoff K-80 or a Blaser F3, and you can transform it for specific disciplines by mixing and matching components.
These are some top-dollar guns from two premium brands, but there’s no pressure to invest the kind of money they cost if you don’t have it. Fortunately, whether you’re a novice or seasoned shooter, you’ll find the entry- to mid-level Sporter market a crowded treasure trove, where intense competition drives quality up but keeps prices down.