What makes the perfect Skeet gun? Stuart Smith, MD at Eriswell Lodge and current CPSA ranked No.1 English Skeet shot, has the answer. "Fit," he says emphatically. "Without the right fit it doesn’t matter how expensive or beautiful the gun is, you won’t hit a barn even if you stand in it with the door shut."
You can shoot Skeet with a Sporting O/U, but dedicated Skeet variants do have characteristics worth seeking out.
"Skeet guns tend to have shorter, lighter barrels – 28in are typical," says Stuart. "Multichokes are useful. A weighted stock can make the front end quicker and an adjustable comb is desirable, usually on a parallel stock, which can give you an advantage for flat targets. A standard height rib is the norm with Trap-style ribs generally avoided because there’s the risk of shooting under clays, although we’re seeing more of them. Each to their own..."